More Lessons in Patience

God is again teaching us to be patient.  Michael was supposed to be on a plane with a one-way ticket to Haiti this morning, but that has all changed with the news of violence and rioting in PAP. The violence is mostly due the elections that were held Sunday and the fact that the people are angry about their corrupt, evil government.  Michael's plan was to begin excavation, retaining walls and pouring the foundation for our house.  Now we will wait until Yves says it is safe to travel in PAP.  Here are some things you can pray about for us. First, pray that Yves will be able to get NGO (non-profit status) in Haiti. This will be very helpful when it comes to getting shipments for the orphanage out of port.  The ports and the people who run them are corrupt and take advantage of people who are shipping things in the country, either by stealing the contents or charging outrageous fees to retrieve the shipments.  We are especially concerned with the shipment of our building materials and the Christmas shoeboxes that will be distributed to the Haitian children.  Also, pray that cholera will not take another life, the death toll is up to 1,650.  Pray that God will do a miracle among the leaders of the Haitian government by changing their hearts and that He will protect the people from riots and violence.  Their anger is completely understandable given all that the Haitian people have endured just this year.  We know that God can change Haiti and our small frustration with delays and lessons in patience are NOTHING compared to what the Haitian people are enduring.  God will get us there in His time.  Thank you for praying for us in this transition.  Michael is hoping to be able to fly out later this week depending on the news we get about the state of PAP.  I will keep you posted!

Thank You Robert!!

I love this picture of Robert Upham.  You can see his sweet spirit and know why we love this guy so much!  With all of the bad news coming out of Haiti right now and news of the spreading cholera and resulting deaths, I want to thank God that there are men like Robert Upham who love Him and are willing to use the resources God has given to help the desperate people of Haiti and especially the orphans at All God's Children.  After the earthquake, Robert began to be burdened by the fact that the orphanage did not have clean, reliable water.  He began a personal mission to install commercial filters and tanks that hold 7,500 gallons of water for the orphanage.  Knowing now that the cholera may have started in Mirabelais, I am so thankful for Robert's hard work and generosity! It is good to know that the children and people we love at the orphanage have clean water and can stay cholera free!  Thank you Robert! But mostly, thank you Jesus!

Re-Entry in Tough

Coming back home from Haiti is a hard transition.  As much as I missed my boys and wanted to see them, it feels like we are living in two worlds.  The question we get the most is,"When will you actually move?". Well only God knows that answer, and as soon as He works out the details of building materials, shipping crates, excavating, etc. we will go!  We actually were able to purchase our land while we were there this time. Two acres overlooking the orphanage with a gorgeous view! Believe it or not this process is much like it is in the states, requiring a survey and a closing.  One more huge step closer to getting there.

We had a great team of 16 people who went with us this time.  So much work was accomplished and lots of time was spent loving on kiddos.  Three things happened that were significant to me.  First of all, since the beginning of the adoption process we have been trying to find a Haitian attorney that can be trusted.  Not an easy task.  The attorney who has done the work for the orphanage in the past has been in France studying.   But much to my surprise, Yves had set up a meeting with him at a grocery store in PAP!  Wilkie Joseph is back in Haiti and willing to take our case.  We will soon be signing a contract with him.  What an answer to prayer! With a government as corrupt as Haiti's, it is a relief to have a Godly man represent us.

The second thing was how much the girls have warmed up to us.  On past trips they have been shy and reserved, but not this time!  They actually sought me out and rarely let go of my skirt. This was very affirming to me that they are beginning to bond.  The last thing, and most precious, was when I asked to see Jossett's photo album.  She is Jeff'-Taline's birth mom and I wanted to see pics of her other 6 children and possibly get some insight into her life. I was hoping to maybe even see a pic of Jeff-Taline's father.   There were only about 10 pics in the small album and right in the middle on them was a pic of me holding Jeff-Taline.  I pointed to it smiling, and she said (in broken english) "your her momma".  I was so surprised by this and it washed away any feelings I had of hurting Jossett.  She loves me, and loves Jeff-Taline so much that she wants a better life for her.  How selfless! And what a surprise blessing that God allowed for me!

A few trip pics...

One of the things I wanted to do on this trip was check out the markets. The boys were glad to see some familiar items!

We bought these fireworks to put on a show for the orphans. They had never seen fireworks, but I think Michael and Yves had the most fun with them!

Wilkie Joseph (on the left), the attorney we were praying for.

Handing out food

Every girl needs a tu-tu! I don't care where you live!

A mystery as to what burned this baby's lips. 

Much needed pampering for the nannies.

These ladies take care of the orphans 24/7

My sweet girls. We were waiting for fireworks to start.  Soon after this pic was taken they were in tears, afraid of the loud fireworks... :( 

Our Team

We spent hours filling balloons with water.  They were gone in a matter of seconds.

Food was distributed by some of the team members in a town about an hour away from the orphanage.