A Week to Remember

Printable Version "I just want to know if anyone remembers me?" A child's unanswered question is one of the touching reasons the Russia team at Gladney has been working endlessly to organize a Russia Heritage Service Trip for two years.

Seven Gladney families embarked on an adventure to visit the region where their family became complete. For the 10 children on the trip, between the ages of 11 and 18, this journey was their first time returning to Russia after being adopted. The families had the opportunity to visit the region of the child's adoption including: visiting the orphanage or place where the orphanage used to be. In most cases, the families experienced seeing the orphanage director, as well as, judges and adoption staff in place at the time of their adoption. Some even had the chance to visit the hospital they were born in and one child was able to visit the home where his birthparents once resided. The children were allowed the opportunity to speak one on one with the orphanage director and ask any questions they had. The initial question; "Does anyone remember me?" was answered to all with a resounding "YES!", even to the point of calling the children by their Russian names. A warmer welcome was nowhere to be found.

There was not a frown in the room as the children shared with officials and others their own scrapbooks of their lives. Gladney also presented to each region a "Then and Now" scrapbook of Gladney Russia Adopted children from that region. The families were able to visit four of the regions where Gladney has adopted from: Smolensk, Ryazan, Kaluga and Pskov.

However, this trip was not completely sentimental. As a service piece to the trip the children were challenged with raising humanitarian aid to provide to their orphanage. Amazingly, over $10,000 was raised in a very short amount of time and presented to the respective regions visited. And, not to be forgotten, cultural sites all across Russia were visited along the way helping the children learn of the history of their birth country.

This two week trip was a tremendous amount of work, but an amazing success. The Gladney staff in the U.S. and Russia was phenomenal spending personal time to make sure the trip was "pulled off without a hitch". As Gladney Director of Intercountry Adoptions, Arienne Harvey assisted in organizing the trip. Karen Jordan, with her dedication to seeing these children get back to their homeland for a Heritage trip, led the trip to success. Although retired from Gladney, she spent countless volunteer hours planning what has been proved by the children's smiles as "trip of a lifetime". This trip would have not been the same without the help of Lisa Elder (Russia adoptive mom, Russia adoptive aunt, and a Gladney Board member) who rounded out the planning committee with her determination of focusing on planning every detail to make this trip memorable. Sheryl Roberts, our then Baylor intern, was a key connector who patiently awaited and aided families with the mounds of paperwork required to travel on the trip. This trip was a unique experience especially for Arienne and Karen, because they were fortunate enough to assist with all of the placements on the trip, some of which were 16 years ago!

The Gladney Center would like to thank the families who ventured on this trip and allowing the staff to be a part of your lives. This trip was not an easy endeavor physically, emotionally, or financially. Gladney appreciates your kindness and caring for the lives of these children. This service to Gladney families and, more importantly, the children is one that Gladney hopes to continue. Although the Heritage/Service Trip is very time consuming and a large commitment in one's life, the priceless trip helps build on the puzzle pieces of these children's lives.

Financial Participation
We invite your financial participation and, if desired, you may designate a specific country and/or Focus Area.

To learn more about financial support for Russian orphans, please call Mark Melson at 817/922-6034 or email mark.melson@gladney.org.

Looking to Adopt?
Gladney staff is committed to assisting families interested in adopting from Russia. Find out more about Russia Adoption.