Russian orphans to visit Hilton Head families and hope for return trip

Ten Russian orphans are flying to the United States for the first time Wednesday to visit with Hilton Head Island families in what they think is a three-week exchange program.

A few months from now, though, many of them might return as adopted children to grow up in America. Those working to bring the children here are seeking families looking to adopt. Four of the children have already found homes, though they won't know that until they get here.

The children, accompanied by Russian government officials and an orphanage director, will visit through a program set up by the nonprofit International Guardian Angels Outreach of Dallas.

Gregg and Christine Carr, who created an orphan ministry at Hilton Head Presbyterian Church last year, contacted the outreach group when they learned of its Russian Orphan Exchange Program after they set up the church ministry.

The program places orphans with American host families for three weeks. During that time, families can begin the adoption process.

The Russian government usually requires prospective parents to visit the country twice before children can be adopted. The exchange program counts as one visit, Christine Carr said, so would-be parents still will be required to make a trip to Russia.

After three weeks, the children must return to Russia. It then takes about four months to finalize paperwork.

Christine Carr said all the children have host families to stay with while they are here, but she still seeks adoptive families for six of the children: Alexey, 13, Ivan, 12, Ilya, 12, Anastasia, 8, and two siblings, Luba, 8, and brother Andre, 6.

"We have some people interested, but nothing's firmed up," Carr said. "We have people waiting to meet them when they get here."

Carr and her husband, Greg, have adopted two daughters from Russia, Grace and Hope, and will be welcoming another, Tatiana, into their family as part of the outreach program.

The Carrs have been helping host families prepare for the children's arrival. Many families are trying to learn Russian, and some will bring with them to the airport welcome signs they have written in the language's Cyrillic alphabet, Christine Carr said.

"We're really excited to be a part of this," she said.

The Carrs said they are thankful for the community's help in bringing the children here and making their stay enjoyable. Of the $32,500 program costs, Christine Carr said they need only to raise $9,000 more. She asks anyone interested in adopting or contributing to call her at 843-363-5100.