Yesterday we had another free day. Susan and I went for along in the morning around the park behid St. Michael's Cathedral. Natalie showed up later and took us on another walking tour of Kiev. For one thing, we wanted to see the Arch of Friendship between Russia and Ukraine. Natalie said that Ukrainians consider it more of a yoke on them as Russia's beast of burden. We talked much of politics here as we walked around the parliamentary buildings, the presidential palace and various other govenrment buildings. We passed around a large group gathering again to protest around these buildings. The various parties were represented and demonstratinf peacefully. The drive for liberty and freedom is strong. Yesterday the President fired the parliament and demanded new elections for them in tow months. He felt they were violating the constitution. They met late last night, refusing to step down and will be seeking redress through their supreme court insisting that the president is himself in violation of the constitution. It's fascinating to be in such close proximity to these goins-on.

We had long discussions yesterday with Natalie regarding the orphan issues. Evidently our prospective children and about 90% of all orphans here are categorized "social orphans"as there parents are still living. What usually occurs is that, for instance, neighbors of school teachers detect neglect on the part of parents and report them to state authorities, who then investigate the case. If there is indeed a problem, the state lays out conditions for the parents and a timetable. If those conditions are not met, the state takes custody of the children. For one year the children are available for adoption by Ukrainians only. Thereafter, it is opened up to foreigners. Natalie read one of the letters that Dasha wrote to us early on. She felt that Dasha has an unusual sense of respect and graciousness that she considered to be inborn. We suspect she may have developed it under her grandmother or even her parents at one time. This is very encouraging, because most orphans have been and will be handed most everything through their lives and will not have that sense.

We are anxious to get to the SDA today at 5 pm, travel to Sumy tonight, and meet with Dasha, Stan, adn hopefully Toli tomorrow. While I was sending the blog yesterday, Susan was talking to Vern Garrett on the phone who said that there is one excited little boy at the orphanage (referring to Stan). We know that Dasha will be shier about everything and we are anxious to let her know how we feel about her and that we will take care of her needs and provide her security, opportunities and refuge, etc., always!