Two Men and A Train and, Yes, Another Birthday

Maxim Matthew Campau with his parents and facilitator Igor outside the courthouse. We had just received the judge's final and favorable decree.

We received the judge's decree yesterday. Hallelujah. No one can deny Maxim is a Campau now. The focus now is to gather everything for his passport and travel as well as copies of documents officials need to file here, stating Maxim has been adopted by us.

This morning at 1 a.m., Daniel and Igor took the train to Simferopol, where Maxim was born. While that area on the Crimea is beautiful and has a rich and intriguing history, and at any other time, we might enjoy exploring, now is the time for the men to just get the new birth certificate and head back to Kherson. They should be back this afternoon, leaving time to go to the notary's office, give the orphanage a copy of the judge's decree and the new birth certificate. If not this afternoon, we will concentrate tomorrow on getting Maxim's passport photo and application taken care of. It is still our intention to be on the Thursday night train to Kiev. It is important that Daniel go, of course, in order to make his Sunday flight. I need to go with Maxim as soon as possible, if not Thursday night, so I can get papers taken care of while we wait for the passport. As it stands, we misunderstood some crucial information. We thought that we had to start the passport here in Kherson (which is true) and could then pick up the completed passport in Kiev.

Apparently this is not the case. It is our current understanding that the completed passport has to be picked up in Kherson. So the basic scenario is that Daniel and I would still prefer to go up to Kiev together, allowing him to make his flight and me to do necessary paperwork and Maxim's medical appointment while we wait for the passport. Then, when the passport is ready, we're hoping that our translator can pick it up in Kherson for us and bring it to Kiev. If that is not an allowed option, I will have to travel back down to Kherson myself to retrieve it. Whatever is required, I must go to Kiev soon; otherwise, I will not be able to complete the Kiev things in time for a January 6 flight. So there's a prayer need you can be lifting up. Every region is different, so some offices have forms that can be filled out giving a third party permission to pick up a passport and some do not. As usual, we'll keep you posted.

Brina, our dear second daughter, is turning fifteen tomorrow, so I'm posting her birthday greeting early, in case we don't get to the internet cafe tomorrow. It could be a crazy day. Brina, we will call you either way.

Brina, you are blessed by God with talents that He will direct you in as you surrender to Him and ask for wisdom. Each thing that you enjoy and are drawn to can be used for His glory and for the blessing of yourself and others as well. As our more shy one, yet strong-willed, you have the ability to quietly think things through yet also the persistence to push for what you believe in. May God bless you with discernment to focus these qualities in ways that honor Him. As soon as we knew you existed, I believed you were an answer to prayer. God used you to reassure Dad and I when "experts" were not so reassuring after your sister's diagnosis. Some "experts" said we would be foolish to have more children, but the "wisdom" of man is foolishness to God. He knew you would add zippy energy to our household from day one and humor. God knew you were exactly the right next addition to our family. He knew the sister just right for Joel and Cyan and now Maxim. Who knows what else He is planning for you right now? Brina you are a beautiful young lady blossoming in your relationship with God and with friends. May His peace be with you and may it show in your life so others can see it too. Have a wonderful day, Briny Baby. Happy Birthday.