Today Ed, Robin and Alex (Losha) arrived home. Some friends and family threw them a “welcome home” party. Although tired from the long travels and change in time zones, they had enough energy to eat lasagna and cake. They took the opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.

We rejoice with them as God has proven His faithfulness and graciousness to them during this long journey.

God be praised.

Ed sent a quick note and included some pictures.

We are well, submitted paperwork today for Alex’s Passport which we hope will be issued tomorrow, (Friday). Am sending some pics. Hope you can pick them up. We look forward to being home. God has been so good and thank everyone for all the prayers!

Ed

Joel just sent me a quick update for me to pass on to you.

Good News!
There is officially a new Foster Kid!
Mom and Dad and Alex just made it through the Russian Court.
God has bountifully blessed us and answered our prayers.
I will send a fuller update later when I get the details. Just wanted to let everyone know.
Praise the Lord!
Thanks,
Joel

This is an update from Joel Foster, as of Saturday evening:

Thank you all for praying, Mom and Dad will be able to stay in Penza through their court date. They were also able to pick Losha up yesterday, and he will be able to stay with them through the court date, instead of at the orphanage. Those are both big answers to prayer. They will all be going to a Baptist church tomorrow at 3:00 in the afternoon, and will have an interpreter going with them. Losha was at the hospital for a full four days, and has not really been able to see his friends yet; Mom and Dad plan to take him to see them sometime next week. He was a little nervous coming back to Mom and Dad, not having seen them for a while, but is ok now.

The court date is the next big problem - 2:00 Tuesday. Pray that all goes well.

Thank you.

Joel

Joel spoke with his parents today and forwarded me an update to share:

“They (Ed & Robin) went to Nishi Malov (I don’t think that is spelled correctly) on Monday and had an interview with the Director of the Ministry of Education, the director of the orphanage, and a social worker, all of whom endorsed them. All went well, they had a safe but wild ride they said! They are having an interesting time trying new foods.

Losha might have to stay at the orphanage until the court date because he has lost so much of his russian language, but Mom and Dad really want him to be able to stay with them. I think he is kind of nervous. They would appreciate prayer for that. They also need prayer that they will be able to remain in Penza until the court date. There is some ten day restriction they are trying to get past.

On Tuesday they visited eight doctors, had an amazing nurse who helped them get through, they are all done with their russian medical checkups. They say they are doing fine, just waiting now. They hope to be able to do a little sight-seeing.”

Let’s continue to be praying for our brother and sister as they are in Russia.

[UPDATED* AS OF 10AM] Lord willing, the visas will *did arrive via FedEx this morning [praise the Lord with us!], and three Fosters will be boarding a plane for Russia this afternoon! Ed and Robin Foster are leaving today with Alex (a.k.a. Losha, Lyosha, Alosha, Alexsey, Aleksey, etc.). They plan to stay in Russia for three weeks, in order to finalize his adoption. Alex has been living in Illinois with the Fosters since May, and he has really settled in with them and with all that is going on at their church. You can click here to scroll through some of the Foster family’s photos from the last ten months.

Since Ed is a self-employed tradesman, the loss of three weeks’ work will be an additional financial burden to the family, on top of the expenses already incurred during Alex’s adoption process. This past Sunday evening, Morning Star was able to collect about $1500 toward the Fosters’ needs. Two of the three airline tickets were covered by someone’s donation of frequent-flyer miles, and the bookings were able to be rearranged so that the Fosters could travel together rather than on separate flights (which was originally the case).

We are rejoicing to see these details come together! Everyone is excited to see Alex’s adoption become official and permanent. Please join us in praising God for all that He has accomplished over the last couple years to bring Alex into this family! And please join us in prayer that, three weeks from today, Alex’s “hope to stay” will have come true and he will be coming home for good.

Alexey “Alex” Kharl Foster

Visit Alex’s HOPE TO STAY page.
Keep track of updates about the adoption.
Read what Ed and Robin Foster have to say.
View photos of Alex with his family.

Hannah’s Heart (the adoption-fundraising division of Global Grace) can facilitate tax-deductible donations, if you would like to give toward the offsetting of the Fosters’ travel costs and many other expenses.

Over the last year or so, Lyosha “Alex” Foster (see Hannah’s Heart “HOPE TO STAY” page | see photos) has become “part of the family” here at his adoptive family’s home church, so it can be easy to forget that his adoption has not yet been finalized.

While we normally try to stay OUT of court, the Fosters have been waiting for a court date in their adoption of Lyosha. The scheduled court date is March 11, 2008. This means they will be flying to Russia next week and will be there for approximately three weeks.

Please be praying for the Fosters as they prepare to travel. While this is an exciting time, they also carry great burdens. There are airline tickets to purchase, arrangements to make, and many projects to complete before leaving for Russia.

If you are able, please also consider helping the Fosters make this trip. You could donate funds through Hannah’s Heart/Global Grace (designated for Alex or the Fosters). If you have Mileage Plus award miles with United or United affiliates (Star Alliance), it could be arranged for you to share them with the Fosters to help offset their travel costs.

Rejoicing with our brother and sister,
Jeremy Scott