Thursday, August 30, 2012

Andrew's Video for Older Orphans

This is a video that Andrew made for older kids in the orphanage.  We had a couple people help us translate and they both said very similar things. This may not be word for word, but it's pretty close.

"Hello my name is Andrey. I'm from Ukraine and I'm an orphan. I was there and I know what it is like. In Ukraine people were saying that, 'Oh, in U.S. they take kids and then rip them in pieces cutting them.'

"At first I thought when they didn't come...I was like, no, I'm not going to go anywhere (USA), and then when they already came and I met them, I looked in their eyes and I watched their heart and their soul... I saw in these people love, and saw that they love me like son. I can't tell you that on words. It's like, 'Look.. you don't want to come here, like they going to cut you in pieces, like organ donor.'  That's what people say....the older people (caregivers), or friends...don't listen, or no listen through that ear or the other. Think with your mind. Do you need a family or not?

"I was thinking a lot and at first I thought, I won't go with them. Then I was just... it's love! That love for son, and I'm not regretting that I came here. Of course, it was a little hard with the English. If you come it's gonna be a little hard too at first, the language, cause I was in school sleeping in that class, its true. I got use to it and you would too. So I already speak English.

"Here I have family, they are awesome and you got car here, everything. Here it's not like in Ukraine when you come from orphanage."  (This is where he talks about when you leave the orphanage.  It was a little confusing.)  "Here you got family. You got everything here. You just think about it. You grow up there in Ukraine, where you going to find a job?"

Then he talks about future, the family and wife, the apartment and the responsibilities and that kids want toys, food and that how are you going to earn the money and job. "Yeah, I heard a lot about adopting and then all those rumors about cutting kids and then I thought in my mind and my heart... do you believe in God? I do! I know that God is going to help me and I prayed and He helped me. He always helped me.

"So I advise you to come here. In Ukraine there is nothing to do...come here! At first it's hard with English and all, but now I'm a happy person. Right now I can go swim anytime, go to store buy anything. I got so much here. You just got to know where that family is. I have family here. I don't think that orphanage is better because I went through that. I was there til I was 16 years.

"At first I thought, yes it's scary and all. I tell you to come here. I have family, love, happiness. I know the wounds in your heart when your mom and dad throws you away from house, or putting you in orphanage. I know how it is to live there. So you come here. It's a lot better here. Everything is for you here and you will not be sorry. So you think in your mind and in your heart."

28 comments:

  1. The video is set to private so it can't be viewed! Just letting you know!

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  2. Thank you Trish! I went and changed it. Hope it works...

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  3. Wonderful! I hope the older children really listen to and hear the truth in it.

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  4. Wonderful! I hope the older children really listen to it and hear the truth in his testimony.

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  5. I've been reading your blog ever since Julia posted for people to pray for Andrews heart.

    Your story is beautiful and you can see how God is woven all the way through.

    We have adopted from Ukraine. I really enjoyed hearing Andrew speak. Brings back memories.

    What a gift he has given older orphans. Just amazing. You all have done a great job!! God is so good.

    Blessings, Sue

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  6. Thank you Andrew for sharing, and thank you Hansina! As a family getting ready to bring home an older child, it was very encouraging to hear about how Andrew does not regret, but embraces, his choice!

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  7. Awww, thank you! I was hoping we would all get to hear him encouraging them to come HOME!! I love this.

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  8. Oh I love it. I am praying that God continues to use him and bless all of you. God is so good!!!

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  9. Thank you for sharing! You can see the sincerity in his eyes...absolutely beautiful.

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  10. I love hearing his voice, even if I can't understand him! I read along and really enjoyed it. He is going to bless and inspire so many, not only with this video but with his life from here on out. What an amazing son you have!

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  11. He did a great job! Thanks for encouraging him to do this.

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  12. That is wonderful! Too bad these other teenaged boys missed hearing him before making their decisions. Reece's Rainbow should make this video available for download for all parents who are planning to adopt an older child, so they can show it to their prospective child.

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  13. This is so precious. What a wonderful thing to do for others. I believe Andrew is going to be a great advocate for himself and others.

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  14. It is mindblowing to think of all that has happened in ALL of your lives in the past year. God love you and bless you all. It is beautiful he feels so strongly that he wants to share his testimony with others so they will have a chance at a happy life. My Lord, it is heartbreaking that kids are made afraid to be welcomed into the love of a family because they're told they'll be cut up. Judee in Iowa

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  15. WOW!!!! Look at the work the Lord has done in this heart! Hansina, I am just weeping for joy for Andrew and you all.

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  16. This makes my heart so very happy. What a lovely boy he is! I hope other children will be moved by this!

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  17. Thank you for sharing this. It's amazing the things that can be going on in children's minds that we couldn't imagine. This reminds me of when I worked in a residential treatment center, and one of the kids told me years later that he didn't let himself sleep the first few nights because the center looked like a "haunted mansion" he had seen in a horror movie, and he was convinced that all of the counselors were vampires and going to take his blood in the night. It's sometimes hard for us well-meaning adults to really understand how terrifying going to a new place can be for a traumatized kid. Your family is so amazing and I love the picture of Andrew holding his baby brother!

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  18. This is such a wonderful thing! I've been visiting your blog(s) since you were adopting JD. Much admiration for your family and a desire to go on our own rescue mission and adopt! Still trying to get the husband on board, but we live near you guys and would love to meet you sometime... God bless.

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  19. Is Andrew speaking Ukrainian? Even though I understood none of it, it's a beautiful-sounding language! Great job Andrew!

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    1. Yes, he is! He speaks both Ukrainian and Russian.

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  20. This is precious. I wondered also if he was speaking Ukrainian. My two little Ukes (home a year this week) could no longer understand him, but they were mesmerized listening to him. :)

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  21. I have a daughter that we adopted from Russia. I was shocked that GROWN UPS tell this lie. I am going to share Andrew's video on my blog! I know you are proud of him! I am, too! Praising the Lord,
    Rachel
    Atlanta, GA
    www.inhonorOftheking.blogspot.com

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  22. Let God bless you! This is a difficult time for Ukraine. We are helping children in its orphanages. Visit our website to learn more info please.

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