[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