Roksolana & Valya are here!!

The girls have arrived!!! 
We met them at the Minn/St. Paul airport at 3pm this afternoon.  It was a mix of emotions from excitement to nervousness.  I think the girls felt the same.  There was some confusion and it was difficult to know if we were supposed to be staying with the group or could just leave, if they had any bags or not.  They really did arrive with only the clothes they were wearing.  Some of the children were very exhausted and stressed. 

With our girls, Valya seemed excited and happy but Roksolana had nervousness all over her face.  They were very friendly and we hugged right away.  After the long trip home, they seemed very excited once we got them showered up, clean clothes and some food in their tummies.  Then they seemed to relax and there were smiles all around. 






Sophie (our little dog) and Makayla (our 18mo old) served as great ice breakers for the girls.  They could focus some energy and attention towards Sophie and Makayla and it didn't seem so awkward that we didn't know how to talk to eachother. 


The girls and I played with Makayla while Randy went to pick up Jacob and Josie.  It was nice to have a little 'mom' time with them right away.  I felt like I had a few moments that I could really take care of them.  Something you could tell they were longing for.  After their showers, they even let me comb their hair for them.  I got to peek around for lice (none found, whew!) and it just gave me another moment to mother them. 
When the kids came back it was a great meeting.  Jacob was very excited to use the ipad to translate everything.  Josie was a little more shy.  But as soon as we decided to teach them how to play UNO, everyone seemed relaxed.  What a fantastic first evening!!!
 
 

And I think they LOVE their beds and new room!

The room is ready, the girls have arrived in the US, the donations are in....God is good!  We can't wait to pick them up tomorrow! 
I have been shopping for the girls and we have received lots of money donations and other gift donations.  The generosity is overwhelming!!  We want to thank all of you that have supported the girls and us in the short, crazy and quick journey so far.  We are so looking forward to meeting Ro and Valya tomorrow.  Please send your prayers that our girls are open to our love and that we can provide for their needs! 
Will post more pictures from the airport tomorrow!

Thank You!!

THANK YOU all!!

We are so excited, we have met our fundraising goal today with the help of MANY kind and giving souls!!  Donations have come in from all over the country!  My sister-in-law Amber has been fundraising like a rockstar for us.  She has gotten her co-workers at Kohls and YMCA in West Bend really involved.  She has collected a few hundred dollars for the girls, has two bake sales yet to come and received a donated backpack already. Thank you for all your hard work!

We are getting ready for our girls to come.  With the excitement of Christmas joy in the air, we can thank our Lord for the blessings he has given us!
We look forward to sharing these blessing with Valya and Roksolana.  The girls arrive in 5 days and we are busy getting their room ready.  I will be searching out some clothes for them in the next couple days, getting jammies, underwear, socks and the basic necessities that they will need upon arrival. 
We are still in need of many things if anyone wants to still be a part of this blessing. Many of these items do not need to be new but can be gently used. 

2 Suitcase w/ wheels
1 age appropriate backpacks (sturdy) (we have one already)
2 new pillows - soft
Fun hair accessories
2 Journal for each
Fun Pens
Pack of fun toothbrushes / toothpaste
Shampoo / Conditioner
Body Soap / scrubbies
2 photo albums for the girls to take home
Sunglasses
PJ's
Jewelry (nothing expensive)
Slippers
Crafts, fun activites to do
Gift cards for movies, grand lodge, clay corner, etc
Hats/Mittens/Scarf

Will not know sizes until they arrive:
Dress for each
Shirts
Pants
Comfy clothes
Shoes
Winter clothes
Boots
New Socks/Underwear
Swimsuit for each

In Preparation for the arrival...

In Preparation for the arrival...

The support we have been receiving is amazing and overwhelming.  The donations have been coming in from family, friends, colleagues, and people we don't even know.  We are so grateful and thank our Savior for His opportunities, blessings and gracious plan for our lives!

As our girls prepare for their long trip to our home, we too are preparing for them.  They will be sharing a room together but have their own room.  Our sweet Josie is giving up her room to bunk with her brother for the next month so Valya and Ro can feel comfortable in their own space. St Nick came to our house last night and even filled stockings for the girls. As we gather the necessary items the girls will need, we have had  a lot of people volunteer to help.  We have friends searching for Bibles and books written in the Ukrainian language, we're preparing our welcome sign for the airport and really getting excited for whatever God has laid out for us on this journey!

Some have asked what they can help donate.  I have included a list of items that we will still be needing for the girls, from basics to the bigger items. 

2 Suitcase w/ wheels
2 age appropriate backpacks (sturdy)
2 new pillows - soft
Fun hair accessories
2 Journal for each
Fun Pens
Pack of fun toothbrushes / toothpaste
Shampoo / Conditioner
Body Soap / scrubbies
2 photo albums for the girls to take home
Sunglasses
PJ's
Jewelry (nothing expensive)
Slippers
Crafts, fun activites to do
Gift cards for movies, grand lodge, clay corner, etc
Hats/Mittens/Scarf

Will not know sizes until they arrive:
Dress for each
Shirts
Pants
Comfy clothes
Shoes
Winter clothes
Boots
New Socks/Underwear
Swimsuit for each

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers! 

www.active.com/donate/ukrainesisters

We have some exciting news to share with you...

At the last minute Randy and I were able to answer the call to bring two orphans to America to stay with us for the Holidays! Their original host family had a family emergency and an email went out on Friday that they needed a family to commit to taking them....by Friday.

Randy and I are thrilled and blessed with this opportunity!

 

The original family provided a significant portion of the money needed to pay for travel, insurance, visas, etc, however Randy and I need to come up with about $3000 in the next 13                     days. We are asking that anyone that feels moved to bless these two girls with a donation this holiday season to prayerfully consider visiting our website and donate what you can....

 

www.active.com/donate/ukrainesisters

                   

 

 They will be arriving with very little other than the clothes they are wearing. We will need to get them clothes, toiletries, Christmas presents, and whatever they need for day to day living here in America. We will have the girls for about a month. We are also required to get them dental and vision treatment. Two dear friends have already volunteered their dental and vision expertise and services!

 

Valentina (Valya - 12) and Roksolana (15) are considered "true orphans" as their parents and grandparents are deceased.  They have been in the orphanage for 1 year and are still very much hurting over the loss of their parents.  They hope someday that a good family will find them.  Both girls are very sweet and like to sing and play guitar.  Some day Roksolana would like to be a banker and Valya hopes to be a hairdresser.  They also enjoying coloring, drawing, crafting and sewing. 

 

We are so excited for their arrival and look forward to the blessing this will be to our family! Thank you for your support!!

 

 

With grateful hearts,

Randy and Deanna Gehrke