On To Klintsy — Nov 16

About 11am, we met up with Olga again and all got into a small car with our driver Victor to head to the orphanage in the town of Klintsy, two hours to the west. We used this time to discuss with Olga the options for the independent medical evaluation that we had tried to arrange, but ended up being rearranged by Olga. We had just found out that the doctor was not available that day, only the next day; so that complicated the schedule greatly. Olga assured us, that the doctor/director of the orphanages were both well qualified and that she had known them a long time and greatly respected their opinions that the kids are both very healthy, and that they will provide all the medical information that we need.

We decided to see Bethany first, hear the medical briefing, and then make a decision about the independent evaluation. Needless to say, that discussion was a high stress part of this journey, and it was “to be continued” later that night. What do they say about best laid plans? Before we left on this trip, our agency coordinator had told us to be flexible while we’re here.

Klinsty appeared like Bryansk, in that it seemed frozen in time. Not much that was new. The houses, more like cottages, appeared well crafted, with beautiful detailing and colorful, but in great disrepair. The starkness of winter added to that bleak picture.

The same could be said for the orphanage itself, though we really did not see much of it. We entered through a back door, up a flight of stairs to a washroom to clean our hands before meeting Bethany. Then back down a hallway to wait our turn in a small room with two desks. The director’s office was occupied by an adopting couple from Israel. They had brought a doctor from Israel with them.

After a short wait we are escorted into the Director’s office. It had a couch and several chairs, bookshelves, coffee table. Simple and small, but attractive. The Director sat behind her desk in a white coat, Olga sat in front of the desk. We were on the couch. It was just the four of us. The director read medical information on the girl from a folder. Olga was writing what she heard, and translated for us at the same time.

Gayle scanned a list of prepared questions for the Director, to see what has not already been covered, and asked a few.

Then, the door opened a little and Bethany peeked in; a caretaker was with her. She looked just as she did in the photo on the computer monitor at the Committee’s office. The Director got up, to guide her in and up to the couch. I immediately reached down, hoisted her in the air and plopped her down on my lap.

She was not afraid of me (whoo hoo!), but she was very quiet. Didn’t speak the whole time we were there. She did seem very alert and studied us, seemingly with great curiosity. We had brought three little toys to amuse and test. Gayle brought them out one at a time. A stuffed fabric camera with our picture on the back, a dinosaur that giggled when you pull its tail, and a little ball. She appeared to enjoy the ball the most, but was very protective of all three toys.

Gayle tried to use her collection of Russian kid words, while I make silly faces. We took some pictures and video. Wish we had taken more! The director was still talking to Olga, but we stopped listening and she stopped translating. We heard someone saying “Eta mómma; eta pápa” which is how “This is your mom; this is your dad” sounds in Russian. The caretaker comes back to carry Bethany away; with all three toys clutched in her arms. Paká, paká, which is how “bye bye” sounds. We won’t see her again this trip. So much preparation, so many miles traveled, for such a brief little visit. We must leave now for the other orphanage.