Every Orphan has a Dream

We’ve spent the last couple days visiting Toli in the afternoon. It’s study and homework time for the rest of the kids. Toli says his teacher isn’t worried about his studies since he is leaving which seems to suit him just fine. Some of his friends float in and out of the room where we visit and occasionally one of the ladies who work at the Internat come by and shoo them off.
Apparently Toli lined up a couple of his friends for impromptu “interviews” and the hope that we could help them get some exposure to find a family. Toli has a good heart and is trying to help his friends get connected even though he is almost out himself. His friend Sasha and Ruslan just happen to drop by just about every day so we took their photo and got some basic info via Oksana, our facilitator and translator. Of course they both want to come to America and they both seemed like really nice boys. They spent the time looking at Toli’s photo album and playing some games on the iPad.
Ruslan is 14 and likes math, computer programming, and drawing. His favorite sports are soccer and running. As with most kids here, he dreams of coming to America and having a family. Ruslan is another one of Toli’s good friends and has a good demeanor. He is friendly, polite and enjoys playing iPad games with Toli during our visits. He’s just another one of the many good kids looking for someone to provide him a life changing break.
Sasha is 16 and likes math, history, computer programing and woodwork. He dosen’t care for studying in Ukrainian only because it’s hard (I’m with him on that one). He also likes football and ping pong, but basketball is his favorite sport. He mentioned he is good at technical drawing and would like to have a job related to computer programing or car mechanis. Like most 16 year olds, he loves cars. Toli says Saha is a very good friend and looks after the younger kids. In the two visits he has spent with us, he has had great manners, a kind disposition and very polite. He seems like a normal boy looking for a home.
It is sad that we can’t take them all home. You know that when they come to visit that they are looking for an invite to America. Feel free to pass along the info to anyone you think might be interested in hosting or adopting. We’d be glad to assist them in getting another starfish off the beach. Lisa is the technical expert on the process(I just follow directions-Navy vets are good at that) and can be reached on Facebook or lisarapson@yahoo.com. Photos are attached.
On the way out, we ran into a group of Toli’s friends coming across the courtyard. They were kicking a ragged and partially inflated soccer ball. It is humbling to see people who have so little finding simple pleasures in unlikely places. It's a good reminder that the key to finding joy where you are is all about having realistic expectations and faith that God will provide for your needs (not necessarily wants). The truth is we NEED very little, but tend to want so much. Whenever you’re feeling as if you have an unmet need, just remember that something like 90% of the world’s population has less than even the most modest among us in America. Life isn’t fair, but God is good. One of life’s hardest lessons is being content with what He has provided.