November 23, 2006

  • Amazing how the LORD works out the details, isn't it?  This evening I got to chat with Alex (who arrived back from Okinawa on Thanksgiving evening, Japan time), and he told how he'd asked one of the interpreters there in Vladivostok to buy a particular something for Dmitry (it's to be his Secret Santa gift, so I don't want to give it away), explaining who he was.  The jazz festival was covered by the local television news station, and after interviewing the head honchos with the Navy band, they then requested an interview with Alex!  Permission being given, the interview took place.  He said it started off as would be expected, with his name being asked, how long he'd  been in the Navy, etc. but then came the "So, how are you enjoying your first visit to Russia?" query, to which Alex responded he was very pleased to be there as he has a young brother who'd been adopted from Russia three years ago, so it's great to be able to visit Dmitry's homeland, and so on.  According to him this angle really piqued the interest of the interviewer.  I don't remember what all Alex said was asked and he answered, but the interpreter (who, of course, had been present for translation) afterwards told him it was so wonderful to hear a positive story about adoption, as it's generally not highly regarded in Russia.

    Isn't that something though?  We adopt Dmitry, Alex joins the Navy, gets posted to Japan, then goes to Russia to perform in a jazz festival, and winds up being interviewed on Russian television and talks about Dmitry's adoption, thereby providing a rare positive news story about a Russian orphan adopted to the U.S.  Sadly, most news stories in Russia about that topic tend to be about the tragic deaths of the adopted children at the hands of their new parents.  Isn't it fabulous that our Alex was able to present it in a favorable light, by saying how he loves Dmitry, and so on?

    I've emailed our Gladney interpreter in Russia, wondering if she can possibly locate the interview at the Vladivostok news station website (assuming there is such a thing, but I'm confidant there is).  We'd love to see it!

    Oh, and happy, happy day!  When Alex sets sail for three months in January or February, Beth and Hannah are going to fly home to Texas!  e-banana

Comments (4)

  • That is too cool! I hope you can get a hold of a copy of the interview.

    And yay for beth and hannah coming home (for a visit?)

  • Oh yes, just for a visit. I'm not sure how long they'll be here. It'd make no sense for them to sit alone in Japan for the three months Alex is at sea, though. Much more sensible to come home for part of the time!

  • What an interesting story about Alex being interviewed in Russia!  I hope the remarks he made about adoption help in some way;  it's bound to touch somebody!

    It will certainly be nice for Beth and Hannah to visit!

  • That is really cool!

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