Saturday, November 14, 2009

Leaving Home

Park Oleksandria in the Fall

After much thought and prayer, we feel that God is moving us back to California. There are several factors involved in our decision to leave Ukraine. The most important reason being Edna's health and the progression of the conditions affecting her spine. Many of you have been following her progress through our blogs and we thank you for all of the prayers and encouraging words. Unfortunately Edna has gotten to the point where the pain and discomfort have made everyday life a struggle. She can't sit or stand for any period of time or even carry a bag of groceries without feeling pain. The medications that are available here deal with the swelling and inflammation, but they are also potentially damaging her kidneys. The medications that she received on our visit back to CA seemed to be helping, but they are not available here and an effort by a private doctor to get them from the U.S., France, or Russia was not successful. She would also benefit from physical therapy like the kind she received in CA, making our decision that much clearer.

So it is with heavy hearts that we have started the process of leaving what we consider to be our home here in Ukraine. This is not to say that we don't miss all of our friends and family back in CA, but we have spent the last 2 1/2 years pouring ourselves into the lives of those around us with the hope of making Christ known to them. We have made so many friendships here that we know will remain even after we leave, but we can't help feeling a sense of loss in leaving Ukraine. We feel as if there is still so much to be done here, but we know that God is moving us on and He has a plan for us.

Thank you to all of you who have already welcomed us back to CA. We will need your continued prayers and support as we are planning for a March 1st, 2010 departure date.

Українець
Українка

9 comments:

MoonDog said...

thanks for all you have done for the people of kiev and pryluky. I have enjoyed following your blog. we just returned home with our two children adopted from Pryluky. how lucky you have been to spnd so much time there.

Little Viky said...

:((((((
upset
and praying for you

Olya Velichko said...

WOW. I'll be praying for you guys that God would lead you and show you what he has in store!!!

You'll be greatly missed!!

we have to hang out more before you leave!!!!!

Greg and Edna Silva said...

Thanks, everyone. We will truly miss our home here. We are going to appreciate all that we see and do before we leave. We'd like to see all of our friends before we leave as well! I pray that the Lord will bring us back if it is His will. :)

Olya - I think we are planning a trip up your way next month! It will be great to see you all! :)

Edna

benjamin morrison said...

sad! greg, are you gonna be at the leaders meeting in kiev on dec. 4-5? would be great to see you!

Greg and Edna Silva said...

Hey Ben. Yes, I will be there. Looking forward to seeing all of you guys.

-Greg

Little Viky said...

What if Edna gets healed before you leave? Will you stay?

Cara Denney said...

Hey you guys!
I can TOTALLY relate to your situation, as I am in sort of the same place, but just don't know how long I will be here or where next (back to Kyiv? stay in the states? or?). So, you aren't leaving until March? Guess I won't see you in CA, then, because I will be going back to Ukraine by March. Oh well...see you "here, there, or in the air". love you guys...take care...

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