ELA HAS CHANGED HER NAME TO MELANYA!!!

Dear friends,

Ela has chosen to use the name of her baptismal saint
'' SAINT MELANYA''
So from now on, her blog will chage from ''Project Ela'' to ''Melanya's Blog''
We are so happy for her, she is doing well at school and she will start very soon to use the internet.
As soon as she decides what e mail she will use, I will let you all know.

ELA VISITED WITH OLD FRIENDS

Ela went to Zaporozhyie and visited with old dear friends.

Ela, Sasha and Ula

Ela with Doctor Galina Galkina, Solnishko orphanage director and a mom to Ela from birth to eight years old.

Ela holding a little orphan boy and next to the sweet woman who was her mentor as a little girl.

ELA GIVING THE TEDDY BEARS TO THE LITTLE ORPHANS

Dear Friends,

Ela arrived at the baby orphanage Solnishko and gave the little ones the bears that David and I sent.

The little ones were very happy!!

ELA WAS BAPTIZED!!!!

Dear friends of Ela,

Wonderful news!!
On December 31, 2008 Ela joined the Ortodox Church and was baptized!!!
We are so happy for her, and we thank our friend Inna for guiding Ela to the church.
Congratulations dear Ela!!!

Ela on her baptism day, showing her new blessed silver cross, a present from
grandpa David and mama Sonia

Ela posing outside in the snow

ELA ARRIVED IN ZAPOROZHYIE TO SPEND CHRISTMAS VACATIONS

Ela has grown into a lovely young woman, she is doing great at her school, getting good grades and has many friends.

She arrived today in Zaporozhyie, Ukraine where she will spend her Christmas Vacations, staying at our sweet friend Inna's home.

She will also go visit the Baby Orphanage Solnishko, and she will give the teddy bears David and I sent, to all the little ones.

( relaxing at Inna's home )

NEW PICTURES OF ELA

Ela took these pictures with her cell phone, she looks lovely and very happy.

ELA MOVED TO LUGANKS

Well, Ela did not liked the Khortitsa's school and decided to move east to Luganks.

She took the bus there, and we are happy to report she is settled and very happy in the new school, where some of her old orphanage friends are studying as well.

So now she is living on the border with Russia and we are in contact via our friends Inna and Sergey, who call Ela on her cell phone, check on her progress and translate letters to me.

I hope Ela will be happy there and she will do well in school. She will find an internet cafe and start sending e mails, practicing her English.

Here are some pictures of Luganks.