The other side of the world...day 12 (this is long guys, sorry!)

After my rough day yesterday, I woke up this morning not feeling very well. Of course, I’m sure it had nothing to do with the party that was happening in the hallway outside our room at 5am either. I don’t think these people ever sleep! lol
The sun is shining today, but it is very windy and cold. Can’t win! I think we are going to see if Timothy wants to go outside this afternoon, if they’ll let us.

On the way to the orphanage this morning, I heard the song “The Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns.

The chorus says:
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

That third line really spoke to me. “This is for my glory”. I know that a lot of people don’t understand, and I accept that, and respect how they feel, but I really do want to see God’s glory in what I do, in who I am. This is a mission that we’re on, to save a little boy from a horrible life in an institution. To bring him to a place where he will be loved, and cared for, and have all of the food he needs (and this guy can eat!), medical attention when he needs it, and he will go to school. I know that some don’t like the word “save” but that’s the only one I can think of to describe this. We will never ever expect him to be grateful or thank us or anything like that, he is our son, that’s what parents do for their children.

Today on the way home from the mall, which by the way is the only hot meal we eat each day (so far we’ve stuck with McDonalds something tells me we won’t be going there very often when we get home!), we walked through the “market” place. Think flea market set up, with the rows and rows of vendors. Only difference is, these vendors sell everything from fresh meat, cheeses, milk, veggies, to designer clothes. LOL There is no such thing here as the FDA so fresh foods aren’t regulated here like they are at home. People just sit out on the streets selling whatever. It’s really interesting actually, although, I’ll stick to buying my meat at HyVee and Walmart, thanykyouverymuch! I will try to take some pics tomorrow; I didn’t take my camera along today. I dunno how good they’ll be, I don’t want to seem too much like a tourist (as if we don’t stick out already!). There are even little rooms with meat lying out on tables where you can go in and cut it yourself! Every other day, we pass a little lady sitting with a folding table with jars and bottles of milk for sale just outside of our hotel parking lot. I’m assuming it is “fresh” milk, by the different bottles, and jars, and containers she has there.

The grocery store that we go to is different too. There are aisles of packaged things, but they also have TONS of fresh meats, seafood, fish, veggies & fruits, breads, baked goods, you name it. The interesting thing about all of this is that it’s all set up like the produce sections at home, you get the item you want, you put it in a baggie, you weigh it, a sticker comes out of the scale with the amount you owe, weight, etc. It’s mostly self service. There’s a big section with cookies and candies that is the same way. Out facilitator reminded us yesterday to check expiration dates of things because the food here have no preservatives, they tend to spoil much quicker. We learned that with some milk in Kiev. LOL Sour cream anyone?

Our visit this morning was ok. I think Timothy is getting tired of us. He is so happy and excited to see us, but before our time is even half over, he’s ready to go. We’re really hoping to be able to take him outside today. Hmmm… think I’ll write a note that askes if it’s ok to do that… gotta love google translate.

Oh, I also wanted to mention that I got brave today. At McDonalds they serve the Coke light in a bottle (dt. coke), not from the fountain like other kinds. It is warm of course, well, room temp. Today I asked for ice. I poured some in the cup, over the ice, and used a straw to drink it. Ahhhh… I miss ice in my drinks. LOL The reason I said I got brave is because we aren’t supposed to drink the water here, and ice is made of water. I’m not sure if it is purified, or what when it’s in restaurants, but I had to do it. So far, so good. It didn’t make me “sick”. I won’t push my luck often, but I just figured what’d I have to lose? LOL

I really meant to get this posted before we left for our evening visit but guess what? LOL Didn’t happen… so now you get to hear about both!

Ok, here are some morning pics first…

Something new! I brought several things for him and have been trying to bring a different mixture of stuff to play with each day. This is something I thought we could play with on the plane ride home but gave in and brought it today. He seemed to like it. Just a foam puzzle from the $1 store.

Building or Destroying? You be the judge... hehe

He likes stacking things and holding them stacked up...

We busted out the iPod and his first look at Dora the Explorer today!


Later:
I was thinking about some things here that are different, other than the stores, and the outdoor market.

They don’t use lights during the day. Any of the offices we have been to, the orphanage, etc. No lights in the daytime, unless there are no windows.

They drive just wherever they can/want to to get to where they are going… sidewalks, the curb, between other cars… just wherever…

People walk everywhere. If you could see the way they drive, you’d know why!

No open container laws. You want a beer while walking home, go for it.

We have rarely seen any emergency vehicles. You would think they would need them for auto accidents… haven’t seen one of those since being here either though.

Trash day? Hang your garbage bags on the fence, a pole, just anywhere to keep it off of the ground/curb and away from the gazillion dogs that are roaming the city. Too funny!! I kept seeing these bags hanging and couldn’t figure out why… John did though.

There are little convenience store type units (not really a building, more like a storage unit) every 100 yards are so… gum, liquor, smokes, soda pop, water, candy, sausage rolls… just about anything really.

This really is a pretty strange but interesting place.

Here are pics from our evening visit. I don’t think he was feeling good. I think he is trying to cut some teeth, he’s been chewing on his right cheek, and his thumb all day.

Papa helping with a snack... yogurt!

Timothy & Papa

Definitely building this time!

He played with his shoes and Leap for like 20 mins! He just thought it was hilarious that he could put them on the frog! LOL

Mama & Timothy just chatting

Our beautiful boy!