Day 5 - Vova says goodbye to an old friend

Today was a very sweet day. After yesterday, Vova knew that we were going to town and also that we would have pizza, but he really didn't have much of an idea of what else. So when I arrived at the orphanage, he finished getting ready while I explained to the other boys that we would bring the pizza back with us. After leaving the orphanage, I could tell he was excited but was probably wondering what we were going to do. What he didn't know was that we were going to meet an old friend of his. She is one of the volunteers that frequently visits the orphanage, and for reasons that were not explained to me, she could not go there today. Anyway, we were a little early getting to the restaurant where we would meet and Vova was a little confused. He had some juice while we were waiting (he actually drank two glasses), and I kept telling the waiter to wait a few more minutes before we order. Vova still didn't know and was still wondering.

Well, when his friend entered the room his face immediately lit up. He was very happy to see her and she appeared happy too. After introductions we talked for a very long time (well it was mostly her and him -- mostly in Russian). They talked about the other boys in the orphanage, she asked him about his new family and then we talked a little about our travel plans for the next week. Vova said he was not afraid to fly which is good cause we are going to be doing a lot of it :). She also asked how we managed to communicate. She asked him if he understood his "Pop", and he said that I speak to him in Russian. I think he appreciates it at this point that I am not putting a lot of pressure on him to speak English now. (Yeah, I know that will change soon, but at the right time and place.)

After talking a while I asked if he was hungry and asked what he wanted to eat. He said "omelet" (it's basically the same as the English word for fancy eggs). Well I don't know if she didn't hear or understand (that happens to me in the US too), but she brought two orders of what he asked for. We'll I wasn't going to eat, but what he actually ordered is one of my favorite foods: Fried Eggs, sunny side up. This is something I have tried to get the other kids to eat for years, but none of them will touch it. Finally, I have a kid that will eat my fried eggs :). So we ate and continued to talk for another 30 minutes. I gave our friend some stuff that I was to deliver from the US, and then we parted ways. Everybody was happy and thankful that we got to spend that last little bit of time together.

After she left, we went back and ordered three pizza's and a bunch of Cokes to go; back to the orphanage. When we got there, it was quiet time. Many of the boys were resting, but as soon as the pizza call went out, they all lit up. I was only there for 1/2 hour because it was already late, but all enjoyed the pizza and the short time we had together.

So today is Sunday December 12. If my understanding is correct and the dates line up the way I know it, today is when we would light the third candle on the advent wreath. The third candle is usually pink and represents Joy in Christ. Well today was very much a Joyful day, and I believe that it is all because of Christ.

On to day 6 with our hearts filled with Love, Joy and Peace.

Jeff