Monday was our day of rest. We had planned to see Liliya, but were told it was best not to go that day, so we just stayed at the apartment. Dave (our host) had made homemade tortillas and chicken fajitas. They were delicious. We basically caught up on sleep, talked to friends and family back home via FB and took it easy.
Tuesday was the big day! Our appointment was at 10:00 am and Halyna ordered a taxi to meet us at the apartment at 9am. We arrived at the SDA building around 9:40 and waited a few minutes for Halyna to arrive. We didn't actually get in to our appointment until a little after 10am. We met with Maria. Almost immediately it looked as if Halyna and Maria were at odds over 2 pieces of paper that Halyna had given her. They talked back in forth (in Russian, of course), for several minutes. I started to get worried and looked over at Tim who appeared to be praying. I then started praying as they continue to argue over these papers. It wasn't until several minutes later when Maria left the room that Halyna told me the papers were for another case she was working on. LOL. Man, I sure wish I knew Russian! Maria asked our names and then only one question was directed at me (poor Tim always gets ignored!) :) We had only one issue and it was regarding a missing document from Children's Services. Thankfully Liliya's guardian had a copy of the document and was able to fax it to the SDA. We finished our appointment around 11:00am and walked over to the Pizza place for breakfast. We were pleasantly surprised to see some Facebook friends, Danny and Kristen, from Alabama also eating there. They were waiting for their 12:00 appointment. The streets surrounding the SDA office are lined with all types of vendors. I found an awesome Russian hat for my dad, that Tim so graciously modeled for me.
Tim looks so good in it, I may have to get one for him for Christmas.
After that we walked down to the Metro station. It was in the 50's, but everyone was walking around in winter coats and scarves. I was wearing a sweater and felt just fine.
St Sophia's Church
The buildings around St Sophia's Church
Another shot of St Sophia's
A lot of Ukraine women wear high heels on these uneven sidewalks.
A pretty building we saw. I don't know what it is.
The Golden Gate (I really don't know what this is...need to read up on it.)
We took the Metro to the last stop and got onto a marshrutka (bus) headed for Liliya's home in Petruvshki (probably slaughtered that name). We had about a 45 minute, very bumpy ride. But, the bus drops you off right across the street from her home, so it will be easy for us to go there on our own the next time.
Across the street from her home is a Pizza place where we ate with Halyan, Liliya, Camila and Yana (her 2 friends).
Yana and Camila (two of Liliya's friends from Father's House)
Liliya and Tim
Halyna, our facilitator
The pizza was OK.
We ate and visited for a couple of hours and then took the bus back to the apartment. I know Liliya wanted us to stay longer, but we were not allowed in her home until we had our referral letter. We got back to the apartment around 7pm. A great, full day. Thankful for God's blessings and favor.
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