Christmas in Haiti

HELLO FROM HAITI

We arrived safely in Haiti yesterday. The children are doing well. Jenifer is as sweet and beautiful as ever. Yesterday was a great day. We devoted our entire day to weighing, measuring and assessing each of the children living at the Bercy Baptist Children's Home for any medical issues. We have been blessed to have a new baby in our care. He is in need of much prayer. He is severely malnourished, lethargic and has skin issues. Pam (mostly Pam) and I have become his daytime moma's. We can tell after 2 days of feeding and loving, he is doing better. PTL. We get so excited every time he shows a little progress. Today, he is smiling and sitting up. By the way, he is approx. 2 years old.

Keep us in your prayers.

Haiti Mission Trip

Just a short note to let everyone know that our trip to Haiti is scheduled for December 8-15. A small group of six will travel to Bercy. Our mission is primarily to work with the children at the orphanage in preparing them to present a Nativity Program for the church and to have a Happy Birthday Jesus party for the community children. There is also a plan to do some ministry work at a nearby prison. We visited the prison in January and witnessed God working in lives of many of the prisoners. In one cell, 12 men prayed for Jesus to come into their lives and live as their Savior. It will be good to return and visit these children of the King.

No positive developments on the adoption. We are excited to be able to see Jenifer and spend some time with her. The arrival is so exciting and the departure is very sad. In January, Jenifer sobbed and sobbed which broke our hearts. It is hard to understand why it is so difficult to bring a child out of a poverty stricken nation.

Will post pictures when we return from Haiti.

News from Haiti

We have heard from our agent in Haiti. She has instructed us to file the required paperwork with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This form is titled "Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition". This form will give Bob and I approval from the U.S. government to adopt a child from another country. We were told not to file this form until all the paperwork in Haiti had been submitted to different agencies and had reached the official government office. It is my understanding that all forms had to go through several offices before reaching the government office that makes the final determination. I have not been told that it is in this office. However, I was told to file the Orphan Petition. To Bob and I this a positive step. We also have been instructed to file the required form with the Haitian Immigration Services when we are in Haiti in December.

God is in control. His timing is perfect.

Haiti in December

Bob and I have been praying and seeking God's will as to when we should return to Haiti. There is a very good chance that we will be going in December with a mission group. An opportunity has come our way and we feel this is what the Lord wants us to do.

I have contacted our adoption agent who lives in Port-au-Prince to see if there is anything that we could do while there to help with this process. We are waiting for her response.

When I do get discouraged, I go to Tara and Troy Livesays blog which gives a long list of bloggers who have adopted Haitian children and start reading their updates. There have been many successful stories with some taking as long as three years to finalize the adoption.

It really breaks my heart to know there are so many needy children in Haiti and it hard to understand why it takes so long. Yes, I know there are needy children in the U.S. and all over the world. However, God has called us to adopt this little 11 year old girl from Haiti.

Please continue to pray for Jenifer and the other children in Haiti.

Prayers for Haiti

The people of Haiti have suffered greatly this hurricane season. Many have died and many are homeless. The Bercy children's home came through the storms with very little damage. All of the children are safe. However, the number of children has more than doubled. More than 50 children and 4 adults from another home that was destroyed in the last storm have been relocated to the Bercy home. Your prayers will be appreciated.

There is no news on the adoption. Right now the main focus in Haiti is survival. Please pray.

God is in control.

We finally received word from our agent in Haiti that she is a waiting on a document from a family member of Jenifer's that has not been seen in four years. Bob and I need your prayers. This waiting is a very difficult time for us and I am sure it is even more so for Jenifer. So, this means that until this relative is found, everything apparently is being held up. The dossier is still with the agent. It has not gone to the Haitian government for review. God is in control.

Visit to Haiti

Missing Jenifer

We would love to go to Haiti before the end of the year. Jenifer expressed in her note that she missed us and wanted to know when we will be back.

They say once you reach a certain age that the days fly by. Let me tell you that my days are not passing fast. It seems like it has been years since we began the adoption process. Actually, the papers were sent to our agent in Haiti in May.

God has given Bob and I a special bond with this child. We love her already as she is our own daughter. I saw a happy picture of her on Tasha Rae's blog. You can find her blog address on cabaretkids.blogspot.com. Jenifer was having fun with David Garrett of the Jax. Baptist Convention. David along with other Pastors recently traveled to Bercy. David loves the children and they love him.

Please pray with us on the adoption. By bringing Jenifer to America will also mean there would be room for one more needy child in Haiti to have the hope of shelter, food, clothing and an education at the children's home.

Jenifer

It is difficult at times to wait even when we know that God's timing is perfect. It has been two months since we have heard from the agency in Haiti. Even though we were told it may be months before we hear any news, I did email Ms. Barb requesting an update.

Recently, during rest, I dreamed we were at the children's home in Haiti with a mission group. I had been there for three days and realized I had not seen Jenifer. I woke up immediately seeking the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. In the letter we received from her in June, she told us that she missed us very much and wanted to know when we were coming back. Please pray for this child that she is content and God will give her the peace of knowing that we love her even though we are not there with her. But most of all, that she knows of His tremendous love and sacrifice.

What a blessing it was for us to go on the mission trip to West Virginia with the others from Suwannee County. I must say this was one of the best trips I have ever been on. Bob and I were on the evangelism team. Our team under the leadership of the Holy Spirit had the privilege of knocking on approximately 800 doors. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

Jenifer enjoying fun at the beach,

Happy Memories

The picture of Jenifer above was taken in January when we were in Haiti with a mission team from our church, First Baptist of Live Oak. On Sunday afternoons, when a team is visiting, the older children from the orphanage travel with the team to the beach. This is the only time the children leave the compound. WOW, they have fun swimming and playing. We traveled about 30 minutes to a private beach where everyone enjoyed a few hours with the children. They were so happy and full of energy. We love this happy picture of Jenifer and have it framed hanging on our wall.

We have heard nothing since our paperwork for the adoption arrived in Haiti. I do know of a family that submitted their papers in January and expect to have their child by October. But, then I read different blogs where families have waited 18 - 24 months. As I have mentioned before, this entire process is in God's hands. Bob and I know His timing will be perfect.

In the meantime, our friend Liz from Shindler Drive Baptist Church in Jax. just returned from Haiti with pictures of Jenifer and a sweet note from her. Hope to get Bob to scan the note (I don't how) and I can share with everyone. Her handwriting in English is very legible. Most important she expressed her love for Bob and Linda. Liz reports that her English has improved considerably since she was last in Haiti, June 2007. I think all these children at the home have such a desire to learn. They want to be able to communicate with the missionaries. So, many are studying very hard to learn English.

Bob and I are leaving next Friday to go on a mission trip with the Suwannee Bapt. Assoc. group. There are 50 people traveling to West Va. There are 12 from our church. We will be gone 7/18- 7/25. Please remember all of us in your prayers that we will be able to accomplish all things that the Lord directs us to do. Pray that we will be open to the Spirit's call and be willing to step out of our comfort zones to serve him. Last, pray for safety and good health for the team.

Please continue to pray for the adoption and Jenifer's safety.

Just For Fun

This sweet girl, Fausterlee, gave me an afternoon of beauty. This was quite a job as I have short hair and Fausterlee was bound and determined to get every single strand of hair on my head pulled into a small bunch and then she would fastened with colorful rubberbands and clips. She accomplished what she set out to do. By the way, the wetness at the top of my shirt is not water, it is perspiration. Think it was about 100 degrees in the shade that day. It was a lot of fun for me because it made her so happy.

Wait, Wait, Wait

Yes, this is the waiting period. It may be months before we hear anything. Bob and I were talking this morning and we both agree that the saying "no news is good news" may really be true in this situation. We have become familiar in hearing we need this and that piece of paperwork notarized with four copies translated into French, authenticated by the State of Florida and by the Haiti Consulate General in the U.S. We do know that all the required paperwork is in the hands of the person in Haiti that can make this adoption happen. Now we wait. God's timing is always perfect and that is the only way we will be able to get through the days ahead.

For Bob and I we already have those parental feelings toward Jenifer, we do trust in the Lord to take care of our child in Haiti just as we trust in Him to watch over children and grandchildren here in the U.S.

Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

Jenifer's bracelet

Last June, my good friend Cindy made bracelets for all the children at the orphanage. Cindy got her nephew and nieces involved. They made the bracelets from different colored beads and put each child's name on by using lettered beads. The children were so happy having something personal. Jenifer is trying to show her beautiful bracelet. Also, she is holding her newest friend, the teddy bear that plays "Jesus Loves Me."

All documents are in Haiti. Ms. Barb will be meeting with the Haitian government soon. Please keep us and Jenifer in your prayers.

Jenifer's Baptism

Last year in June, we had the opportunity to see Jenifer and several other children from the orphanage partipate in baptism. Cheryl had been talking with the children about Jesus. Jenifer and several others trusted in Jesus as their Lord and dedicated their lives to follow His teachings. Interesting for us is that God had not placed on our hearts to adopt Jenifer. He loves us so much that He made sure that we were there to share in the most special day of the little girl that would become our daughter.

Mealtime in Haiti

Mealtime in Haiti

It was wonderful to be able to spend time with Jenifer in January. She was by mine and Bob's side every chance she got. She is a very sweet girl and is very respectful toward Bob and I. We have decided to home school her for a few years. Holly who lives down the street and homeschools 5 children has volunteered to help me set up whatever I need to do. This is totally new for me so I seek out those Christians that I know have their children's best interest in mind. I think Jenifer will catch on real quick. She is a young Christian who loves to sing and praise the Lord.

I did hear from Barbara in Haiti today and she needs a few more documents. We have them all ready and will mail them tomorrow. Maybe when this is all finished, I will write a book on this experience. I might even be smarter than a 5th grader.

FedEx

More great news! The dossier arrived safely in Haiti. It is now at the FedEx office waiting to be picked up. I talked with our agent, Barbara, via email and she is aware that it has arrived. Found out from Barb's daughter that Ms. Barb who works day and night in PAP with the children and women's ministry just returned from Burma after helping with the disaster relief. This lady is 63 years old and has a large, comfortable home in NY state and chooses to dedicate her life to God's people who are suffering.

Market day in nearby Cabaret, Haiti

Dossier to Haiti

Finally the documents are on their way to Haiti. Bob and I went to Lake City yesterday to have copies made and to FedEx dossier to Haiti. What a job! Don't think the lady at the business where we had the copies made had ever done a project so big. By the time she finished copying, everything was completely out of order. Bob and I started sorting, stacking and assembling. After two hours of standing and become extremely frustrated, I suggested that we bring the papers home and I could sit down and make sure everything was in order. I felt like we had come to far to let something this simple add more time to this process. Who knows what will happen when the officials in Haiti start going through this mass of paperwork?

Bob took the 500 page dossier to FedEx today and it is on the way to Haiti. We were told it will arrive in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday.

I received today an email from Cheryl, Director of the Baptist Orphanage, in Bercy. She reported that all is well with Jenifer. We have some friends in Jacksonville that will be going to the Orphanage in June and they have volunteered to take some things to Jenifer for us. So, we are excited that we can write to her and send pictures and she will know that we are working hard on bringing her to America. For those of you that have been to Haiti, you know this is a big deal for someone to do this for you. Liz and Buddy are great friends.

Daddy's baby girl

Let's Celebrate

Today, Bob and I received our approved documents from the General Consulate for Haiti in Chicago. Everything was stamped and in order. This was a very emotional time for me. The Lord spoke to my heart "Only Trust Me". Honestly, I never thought we would have come this far in just a few months. Next step is to FedEx all completed documents with translations and many additional copies to our agent in Haiti. By the way Ms. Barb, is an aggressive advocate for the children of Haiti. She has assembled all the documents that go into Jenifer's dossier. She works very closely with an attorney to make sure everything is handled properly. We have never met her and we know we love her. Hopefully, we will get to see her when we travel to Haiti to bring Jenifer to her new home in America. When she receives our dossier (some time next week), she will start meeting the Haitian Government. As mentioned before, this could take up to six months. We are so excited to know that Jenifer may be with us before the end of the year. Please pray for God's will to be done in this child's life.

My Children

Happy Mother's Day! Where did all those years go? Kevin is now 41 and Kim is 37. It feels just last yesterday they were babies. Kevin loved his first grade teacher. I was homeroom chairman planning all the parties. Kim was an active toddler and would go to all the school events with me. My babies were both sweet and loving children. God gave me two wonderful blessings. My mom lived only a few minutes away and would visit several times a week. My sister, Ginger, was a teenager still living at home.

Love and cherish those in your life as often as you possibly can. The years change our lives for ever.
Now Mom, Dad and Ginger have gone on to be with the Lord. If only we could have the wisdom when we are young to really appreciate those who are important to us.

Jenifer and her room mate pose for a picture.

Jenifer (right) and her room mate live at the Baptist Orphanage in Haiti.

Documents

Hooray! We have received the French translations. Today, the documents were federal expressed to the Haitian Consulate in Chicago. After they are approved in the U.S., they will be sent to our agent in Haiti. Then, we wait. We have heard that the paperwork can sit on a government official's desk for up to 6 months and others say even longer than that. You know.....this is all in God's hands and He can make happen whatever He desires. This entire process has shown Bob and I miracles all along the way. The Lord has put people in our paths that we would have never known.

We prayed and prayed for a Psychologist. Not so easy to come by when you are looking for specifics. Even made contacts in Jacksonville and Gainesville. It seemed like this step took forever. Then at the right time, we were given the name of a Christian psychologist who practises in Dowling Park (20 miles away). Not only was this man, very willing to help us....first visit found out that we both went to high school together in Fernandina Beach. He graduated the year before. We had two visits with him and took the written psychological tests and he charged us $150.00 total. It was more than worth the money to find out that we are only half crazy (just joking). This could have easily cost $1000.

God found us the perfect French translator (not surprising). Her name is Nikki and she lives in Indiana. A wonderful Christian lady, daughter of a Pastor, who has worked with our agent in Haiti many times. She knew exactly what was important. Her cost was one-half of what the other two translators were going to charge. Also, gave much needed advise on what Consulate to send documents to.

I am going to attempt to post some pictures. So far, I am not too good at the picture thing.

God Bless.

Our beautiful daughter is all dressed up for church. Fortunately, Jenifer lives at a Baptist orphanage with 35 other children. Thanks to the Jacksonville Baptist Association and individual sponsorships, these children in Haiti have a roof over the heads, eat three meals a day, go to school and receive medical attention if needed. Directly across from the Orphanage building is the Church. Haitian people come from miles around to worship our Lord. You know you have been to church when you attend a Christian Haitian worship service.

Jenifer has accepted Jesus as her Savior. We were blessed to have witnessed her Baptism when we were in Haiti last June.

Waiting for Jenifer

Last June, my husband, Bob and I made our second trip to Haiti. We traveled with a wonderful group of Christian friends from Shindler Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fl. Our purpose was to go and minister to the people of Bercy. First, by sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ and second to help with the many physical needs of the Haitians.



As on a prior trip, we were greeted by smiling faces and beautiful hearts. To be the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, it seems quite strange to find such loving and caring souls. We experienced joy-filled people praising our Lord Jesus.



To see pictures and the story of this trip, go to cabaretkids.blogspot.com, June 2007 archive.



The most life changing experience for us was meeting a 10 year old orphan girl, Jenifer. Bob and I both bonded immediately with her. Her language is French Creole. However, she was able to speak some English and said to Bob, "can I be your's and Linda's baby?" We spent as much time as we could with her. On the day we were leaving, we were advised to try and not become emotional with the children so as not to upset them. Jenifer was right by my side that morning knowing we were about to leave. She said, "I am going to cry because you are leaving". I told her not to be sad as we would be back. A beautiful smiling Haitian child took my face with her little hands and looked into my eyes and said, "Linda, I will be praying for you." We sadly returned to Florida knowing we were leaving this precious child and many others behind who struggle from day to day to survive.

Interesting, after returning God was dealing with us individually about this child. Approximately, 3 months after coming home, we started talking about what the Lord was putting on our hearts. We both knew that God was telling us to bring this child to Florida to live with us. For awhile, I was wrestling with God. Surely, you do not want us to do this. We are too old. We are retired. Our children are grown. We have grandchildren older than this child. In November, 2007, we started taking God seriously. We had received many confirmations that this was God's plan for our life for this time. In December, we officially started the process and contacted an agent in Haiti and the fun began.

After working for four months trying to complete the dossier (requires many individual steps) and a return trip to Haiti, we are very close to sending our documentation to our agent in Haiti. One purpose in starting this blog is to hopefully help those who are trying to adopt a child in Haiti. Along the way, I have made several mistakes that have caused time and money. As my husband and I are in the average income level, we are handling as much of this process as we possibly can. In future blogs, I will attempt to share ideas that might make your process easier, less expensive and time saving.