A better understanding

Today we went to the institution for our morning bonding time with Olga. I had noticed that there were other parents there too. They were visiting with their children. One brought food, drinks and candy. At one time I thought that once these children were sent away they were forgotten. In talking to one of our translators the earlier part of this week, she believed in God but believed that these women must have done something terribly wrong in their life so they were being punished by having a disabled child. I'm not sure if they all feel that way but it was an eye opener. Now we can see first hand, since we have been living here, how difficult it can be for these families to care for their disabled children. It was a blessing to see that these parents, although they could not properly care for their children, were still involved in their lives. Anyway, we did explain to the translator that these children are not a punishment but a blessing.

Olga was in one of her silly moods today. It wasn't raining so we were able to go outside and play. As the caregiver was getting her ready to go outside she told her that she will have to learn English. Of course Andrei translated the conversation for us.

Olga is like a ping pong ball back and forth.....lots of energy. She went over to one of the visiting moms and was trying to push the child's wheelchair. The lady proceeded to give her candy. Oh no! That's what she did not need! I guess if we would have eaten some maybe we would have been able to keep up with her. Olga had enough fresh air so we cut our morning time short. She was ready to go upstairs and get ready for lunch. We said good bye or "BA-ca" to Olga as she went back upstairs. I can hear the caregivers upstairs saying in English "Bye, bye". As we waited for Andrei we tried to communicate with an old lady that worked there. She was very kind and when she spoke you can get the just of what she was saying....of course I showed her the family album :).

When we left the institution we went across the street to the Cathedral. It is amazing not only from the outside but the inside as well. We couldn't take pictures of the inside because it was Sunday but we will go back during the week to take them. On the ceiling there are four corners and on each one of them is a painting. An angel with a lion, a calf, a man and an eagle. Andrei, said that you can find these in every church. I told him that those pictures are based on Revelation "The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man and fourth living creature was like a flying eagle." Revelation 4:7. Words cannot describe it...Tim said it gave him chills. In the center of the four corners up high on the ceiling in the tower were the letters Alpha and Omega. Very cool!!!

What has been said about Ukrainian food is absolutely true. Needless to say we have been eating very good.