Friday (June 4) was a whirlwind! It was court day at 1 PM! We also discovered that we needed to go to a notary to get a petition for a passport for Cody so that Kathie could sign it before she left. It cannot be done before court and had Kathie left before signing it – well... only God knows what we would have had to do. Kathie and I were then going to take the evening train from Militopal to Kiev so that she can catchy her Sunday flight back to the US.
We packed in the morning and then went downtown by the sea to get lunch – the restaurant with the statue of a ship out front. The day was a little windy but it was good because it was a little on the warm side – about 82 degrees I would guess. We ate and then walked to the court building. We sent a cab for the Inspector, Cody and the orphanage representative and they met us at the court building.
The hearing was in the judges office and there were 10 folks in there, the judge, two witnesses, the recorder, the prosecuting attorney, the Inspector, the orphanage representative, Oles, Kathie and I. The room was not very big and there was a small window open, but the door was shut and with all the tension, it got a little warm in there. Neither the judge nor the other folks cracked any kind of facial expression. We were told our rights and then asked some questions, like how we came to know Cody and if we were able to take care of him. Next they called in Cody to testify on his behalf and it was a miracle...the judge smiled and so did every one else when Cody walked in!!! This 15 year old transformed the mood in two seconds and he hadn't said anything yet!! They asked him some questions that Oles translated for us and from that point on I knew we had it in the bag!!!
After Cody was dismissed, the judge pretty much read all 96 pages of our dossier!!!! She didn't look up once. Then we were asked if we had any further questions and were dismissed while the judge decided Cody's fate.
About 15 minutes later we were called in and we had to state what we were there for (i.e., Name change, change the birth certificate and to become Cody's parents... as if they didn't know!!!) and then we were told that they decided in our favor – Yeahhhhhhhh – I was smiling – definitely not the typical Ukrainian reaction.
Then we went to the notary and did the petition in about 45 minutes and headed back to the apartment. Our friend, Don Norton, a missionary that teaches English at the World Mission complex had agreed to take us to meet the train in Militopal. I just love Don! He is one of the most interesting folks to talk to. He just blesses folks all day long. He never travels without a translator in case he gets stopped by the police or gets lost so he had Igor go with us – keep in mind this is a 90 minute drive – one way!!! The drive to Militopal is along the coast and is very beautiful this time of year with all the wild flowers growing in the fields and the sea in the distance – just can't compare it to anything I have seen!!!
Militopal is about three times the size of Berdyansk and is where Elliott's sister lives. We said our goodbyes and thanked Don for being the saint that he is and thanked Igor for his assistance and headed to the station to figure out how to catch the train – we had about an hour to wait.
Then we got on the train and found our compartment – we paid for all 4 seats so we could be alone – it was a great trip (except for the jerky stopping and starting all night!!). Yulia had called Nicholi to meet us at the train station – he is great and carried our luggage and took us to the church complex that we stayed at before. The weather is at least 10 degrees cooler – just absolutely ideal. I love this part of Kyiv – lots of restaurants and coffee shops. I am having a piva moment now at a sidewalk cafe and watching the traffic and people – I don't want to leave!!!! But... I gotta go back tomorrow to spend time some quality time with Cody.
Cody is the easiest one of the three to be with on a one on one basis considering the language barrier. He just wants to be with you – no matter what you are doing. So... I have some ideas for what we can do – there is a big pool hall in the Del Marr shopping center on the third floor – thought we would try that and also got some great ideas for some food we can make at the apartment. I also want to go to the orphanage and watch him play soccer – he is very good!!!
Also – he seems to like to poke me in the stomach (could it be the size...naaaaahhhhhh – must be the muscle tone of the abs!!!!) and laugh!
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