Update from Troy in Ukraine

Just updates from Troy in Ukraine today. These were his emails of the morning events while I was sleeping in out big, soft clean bed.

I didn't get your email until today because blackberry service was awol while at the orphanage. We did sleep there last night. It was as cold as ever partly because no radiator this time--now that it's spring of course why would we need it? I also enjoyed another cold shower.

We are at the birth cert place. Their computer is down due to insufficient electricity so we are crossing our fingers.

Clothes were a big hit. Pants a little big on Nastia and Victor but we'll sort through.
***

We have their birth certificates. They are Kellers!

But off to a slow start. Just a few hours left to get SS number and file
for passports. Cross your fingers.
***

Been driving around in Odessa for an hour trying to find the SS place. Keep
asking the people and they make up stuff. Had to pay a cab to guide us.

Tatiana and victor got into some sort of squabble I couldn't quite follow.
Victor cried for a bit and she is avoiding everyone. She went to the back
of the van to read her bible. They're actually doing pretty well
considering they've been cooped up in a van since 5:30 am.
***

Then we texted back and forth this morning. The orphanage said they wouldn't ask for a donation and when he got back they asked him for $1500. We were going to donate anyway, but he didn't return with much more cash than that... so we'll see how that plays out. Our other texts.

I asked how things ended up:
Actually, we got everything done in Odessa today and don't need to come back.

I asked about passports:
No passports actually in hand but we filed for them. And we won't come back to pick them up--they'll be brought down to us in Kiev. (I really don't think Natasha wants to stay at the orphanage again).

They will stop at the Orphanage to say good bye and to pick up their bags and then drive back to Kiev tonight.