This blog started as a week-by-week look at our lives in 2010 (hence the address) in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Now, with the closing of my other blog, from-russia, I've decided to extend this blog to cover 2011 as well (despite the address--which really bugs me now that it's inaccurate).

Friday, January 7, 2011

2011, week one


Not a good sign.

When I pulled up to deliver Christmas gifts, I saw this--the new glassblock wall with lots of blocks destroyed. It was a sign of what was to come--I learned the orphanage would be closing in June, the children scattered across the region, and my two dearest girls, the big sisters, both had taken tragic turns on their life paths. One, who is now in an orphanage far away, has become a smoker and "an alcoholic". The other, who is the kindest, gentlest, most empathetic soul I know, had been adopted along with her sister. She's been returned to the orphanage. Without her sister.

The girls who were there that day (only one of the original 3.10 girls, actually) were not in the least bit interested in visiting. They were...harder.

Their wonderful caretaker, who will soon be out of a job, told me about her husband. He recently had open-heart surgery and will be an invalid for the rest of his life. This man built a sauna at their dacha and wanted me to come visit. And now...he can't get out of bed. And his wife will shortly be out of work. And fewer children will be known and loved because of that.

The oldest of my girls from 3.10 are now 15 years old...and have only one more year before they're pushed out into the world. I'd bet that was why they're hardening their shells, not wanting to visit, smoking and drinking.

My heart just broke. Again. And I felt utterly defeated.

5 comments:

  1. That made me cy for them..to worry about whats going to happen to them..ill pray for them..for god to hold them and love them..

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  2. If only we could find a home for your L.

    I'd give the world to have money. People ask what can money buy? In this case it can redeem souls.

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  3. I can hardly stand to think sometimes about all the need that it out there. All the sad, horrible, cruel, unjust twists of fate that affect KIDS. It's just emotionally overwhelming and totally depressing to think that for every one that we can help, there are 100s more that no one cares for...
    One little 11 year old girl on my recent Ukraine trip gave this answer to the 3 wishes question: 1st: that she would be FOUND. 2nd: that people would love her. 3rd: she couldn't think of any other thing she wished for... (BREAK MY HEART!!)
    I will promise to pray for your 3-10 girls.

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  4. How sad. I am sure it broke your heart when you went there.

    How can children get hold of cigarettes and alcohol as I would not think they had money?

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  5. kate ..hubby and i watched the boy from baby house 10 on dateline the other night.I had each child watch it to make them realize why we donate to reeces rainbow.pearl and i miss reading your blog..we hope you guys are well and happy..bigg huggs from canada

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