Just a few days before we went into a Ukrainian court of law to adopt Nadia, we discovered she had a sister named Yana who was also living in the baby house.   Yana was born in March 2000.  We were told she would never be available for adoption to either Ukrainians or foreigners even though she was healthy, and we were not permitted to see her.  While we were dismayed with these circumstances, we proceeded with our adoption of Nadia.  We knew she was indeed meant to be our daughter, and there was no way we were leaving without her.

 

Several months after returning home from Ukraine, we could not forget Yana.  We decided to hire a translator her.   The intention was to place a letter in her adoption file so that whoever adopted her (and we always believed someone would) could find us.   We were surprised to learn that Yana had already been adopted and that she was adopted by a Ukrainian couple.  The translator easily located Yana (now called Nastya, which is ironically Nadia's former name) and her adoptive parents.

 

In June of 2002, we connected with missionaries in Ukraine who met with the Neezhelskys.   These missionaries, Heidi and Brandon Ganz, helped us begin a relationship with the Neezhelskys, and we are forever grateful to them for their assistance.    We have since been able to keep track of Nastya and watch her grow through photographs. 

 

In February 2004, Nastya's story and situation became a bit complicated, and we have been working hard to ensure a good life and future for her.   It is our hope that one day the two sisters will be reunited and have an opportunity to know each other.