Saturday, January 30, 2010
Transporting
Kids are starting to be transported out of Port-au-Prince again. In case I was not clear about this in the previous post, the Haitian and American governments put a stop to evacuations effective last Monday. There was concern about the process, mostly I assume the receiving end. Now there is a very stringent process in place which apparently will take many hours/days to get thru. As the rules seems to change daily, even hourly, I can only pray I have all that I need when our time comes. Right now I am praying that our time will come. Like others, I feel that time is of the essence. There is enormous politcal pressure surrounding the evacuation of these orphans, who were orphans before the quake, who were matched with American families before the quake. Please pray that Stevenson ("Estivenson" in Creole) will soon be reunited with his sisters and with his new mommy. Please pray for our PAC group, that all these families will be reunited, and soon.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Topsy Turvey
What a topsy-turvey week this has been. Been told to expect our babies home at anytime since Friday, running around desperately trying to finish my homestudy update, having the chruch raise the entire amount for the adoption fees (!!!!) and then having the entire process put on ice. Sickingly wondering if they would ever come home. Hurting for myself, Stevenson, the girls, Lucas, and all our friends going thru the same.
It's been the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. Yesterday I was so depressed I could barely function. And yet somehow I knew we were not done yet, no matter how discouraging the news. So I held on to that gift of deep knowledge. It really is difficult to go thru all these extremes. Right now it looks as though it's all going to work out. The State Department and USCIS and the Embassy in PAP, and the Orphanages, and most of all, individuls on the ground, in ways big and small, working now to resolve the issues, move forward, and get these kids home.
Pray for us. We need all the help we can get!
It's been the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. Yesterday I was so depressed I could barely function. And yet somehow I knew we were not done yet, no matter how discouraging the news. So I held on to that gift of deep knowledge. It really is difficult to go thru all these extremes. Right now it looks as though it's all going to work out. The State Department and USCIS and the Embassy in PAP, and the Orphanages, and most of all, individuls on the ground, in ways big and small, working now to resolve the issues, move forward, and get these kids home.
Pray for us. We need all the help we can get!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Our Kids In Haiti
I'm scrambling around for paperwork and funds. Please, please pray that it all comes together. My son is coming home, and Lord, I have to be ready.
The situation on the ground in Haiti is as I feared it would become. Beyond bad. The Joint Council released news last night that was very discouraging. Running out, some orphanages completely out, of food and water and fuel. Difficult to transport kids, and dangerous. The embassy is surrounded by people desperate to get in so they can get out of Haiti. There is no food, water, or 'facilities' at the Embassy. HOWEVER! We have a wonderful advocate gaining entry into the country today. Marie has been working on her end of the paperwork and this person will eventually be processing the kids out of there. There is much work to do in between and some of it is dangerous. There is no way for these kids to avoid danger at this point, so we must pray for their safety and their release.
For me specifically here is my biggest obstacle(that I am aware of)...I redid my fingerprints in March. They are in the database at USCIS...somewhere....old case is closed, but those fingerprints are not 15 months old...FBI says new fingerprints are two weeks out even expidited...USCIS are the people that need the prints.The irony is they actually have them from my previous case but they don't know it and/or can't/won't use them; how crazy is that? Do they not get that this is an EMERGENCY?
Haiti fatigue. It's setting in even as the situation gets worse down there.
The situation on the ground in Haiti is as I feared it would become. Beyond bad. The Joint Council released news last night that was very discouraging. Running out, some orphanages completely out, of food and water and fuel. Difficult to transport kids, and dangerous. The embassy is surrounded by people desperate to get in so they can get out of Haiti. There is no food, water, or 'facilities' at the Embassy. HOWEVER! We have a wonderful advocate gaining entry into the country today. Marie has been working on her end of the paperwork and this person will eventually be processing the kids out of there. There is much work to do in between and some of it is dangerous. There is no way for these kids to avoid danger at this point, so we must pray for their safety and their release.
For me specifically here is my biggest obstacle(that I am aware of)...I redid my fingerprints in March. They are in the database at USCIS...somewhere....old case is closed, but those fingerprints are not 15 months old...FBI says new fingerprints are two weeks out even expidited...USCIS are the people that need the prints.The irony is they actually have them from my previous case but they don't know it and/or can't/won't use them; how crazy is that? Do they not get that this is an EMERGENCY?
Haiti fatigue. It's setting in even as the situation gets worse down there.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Our Local Church
Saturday we had a church meeting, in which I asked the Youth Pastor to pray for Haiti and gave him a short synopsis of the situation with Stevenson. I knew they were planning on praying for Haiti on Sunday and I wanted to jump in the loop. I was asking for the Lord to smooth the way for Stevensons journey home. We need all the help we can get! Wesley called me later and asked me if it would be ok to make the donation request specific to Stevenson and our family. This is the blog post they sent out on Saturday eveing.
***********************************
I’m sure your hearts have been heavy as you’ve heard and seen the devastation in the aftermath of this week’s earthquake in Haiti. Our immediate reaction at seeing something so tragic is wondering how to best respond to help alleviate the suffering. You may be wondering how we as a church can respond to this tragedy.
Tomorrow, at the end of our service we will be taking up a special offering for Haiti. We have a unique opportunity to reach out in a way that is very personal, and will make an impact for years to come. Please come ready to be generous tomorrow as our Pastor, Jim, shares with you the opportunity we have as a church to be generous and reach out in a powerful way.
James 1:27 says “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
Compass, tomorrow we’re going to get as pure and genuine as we can get. I can’t wait!
*******************************
The response was overwhelming, both in terms of moral support and monetary means. I am so grateful and overwhelmed! God is great and God is moving! I will write more about this later, but I just wanted to SHOUT OUT to God for his grace and mercy.
Compass Church, you rock!
***********************************
I’m sure your hearts have been heavy as you’ve heard and seen the devastation in the aftermath of this week’s earthquake in Haiti. Our immediate reaction at seeing something so tragic is wondering how to best respond to help alleviate the suffering. You may be wondering how we as a church can respond to this tragedy.
Tomorrow, at the end of our service we will be taking up a special offering for Haiti. We have a unique opportunity to reach out in a way that is very personal, and will make an impact for years to come. Please come ready to be generous tomorrow as our Pastor, Jim, shares with you the opportunity we have as a church to be generous and reach out in a powerful way.
James 1:27 says “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
Compass, tomorrow we’re going to get as pure and genuine as we can get. I can’t wait!
*******************************
The response was overwhelming, both in terms of moral support and monetary means. I am so grateful and overwhelmed! God is great and God is moving! I will write more about this later, but I just wanted to SHOUT OUT to God for his grace and mercy.
Compass Church, you rock!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Today's Letter to the Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton from the Joint Council
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street N.W.
Washington D.C., 20520
Dear Madam Secretary:
First and foremost, we would like to thank you for your outstanding leadership in
coordinating the United States' humanitarian response to Tuesday's tragic earthquake in
Haiti. This is one of the greatest human tragedies in recent history. We understand that
the focus of immediate efforts is to ensure that all who survived this terrible disaster have
access to life sustaining necessities such as health care, food, water and shelter.
As you begin to construct the next phase of the United States' and international response,
we urge you to consider the needs of orphan children. As you well know, these children
are already among the most vulnerable and in circumstances like these, are at even
greater risk. Our experience has been that a natural disaster of this magnitude can not
only have serious effects on children previously orphaned, but sadly, also be the cause for
additional children to find themselves displaced or orphaned.
As we understand, there were approximately 20,000 children living in Haiti's 187
licensed orphanages prior to this disaster. The vast majority of these institutions are
located in Port-Au-Prince and the surrounding region. In a small percentage of cases, the
children are eligible for international adoption and have been matched with American
families.
With this in mind, we respectfully request that you give every consideration to
employing some or all of the following options for assisting Haiti's orphaned children:
Ensure that these children are a high priority in all U.S. evacuation and relief
plans.
Coordinate with U.S. based faith based and private relief partners to help
channel relief an appropriate level of relief to orphan children.
Identify opportunities for temporary care and shelter within Haiti or Haiti's
border countries where these children could be safely evacuated.
Exercise broad discretion in the issuance of humanitarian parole and temporary
visas for orphan children who have connections (adoption or familial) with
American families.
Identify opportunities for orphan children to receive temporary care and shelter
within the U.S.
Attached please find a list of orphanages we know to be in the affected region. We hope
that this information and the above recommendations are useful as your team devises a
course of action. If we can be of any further assistance to you on this or other matters of
mutual concern, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street N.W.
Washington D.C., 20520
Dear Madam Secretary:
First and foremost, we would like to thank you for your outstanding leadership in
coordinating the United States' humanitarian response to Tuesday's tragic earthquake in
Haiti. This is one of the greatest human tragedies in recent history. We understand that
the focus of immediate efforts is to ensure that all who survived this terrible disaster have
access to life sustaining necessities such as health care, food, water and shelter.
As you begin to construct the next phase of the United States' and international response,
we urge you to consider the needs of orphan children. As you well know, these children
are already among the most vulnerable and in circumstances like these, are at even
greater risk. Our experience has been that a natural disaster of this magnitude can not
only have serious effects on children previously orphaned, but sadly, also be the cause for
additional children to find themselves displaced or orphaned.
As we understand, there were approximately 20,000 children living in Haiti's 187
licensed orphanages prior to this disaster. The vast majority of these institutions are
located in Port-Au-Prince and the surrounding region. In a small percentage of cases, the
children are eligible for international adoption and have been matched with American
families.
With this in mind, we respectfully request that you give every consideration to
employing some or all of the following options for assisting Haiti's orphaned children:
Ensure that these children are a high priority in all U.S. evacuation and relief
plans.
Coordinate with U.S. based faith based and private relief partners to help
channel relief an appropriate level of relief to orphan children.
Identify opportunities for temporary care and shelter within Haiti or Haiti's
border countries where these children could be safely evacuated.
Exercise broad discretion in the issuance of humanitarian parole and temporary
visas for orphan children who have connections (adoption or familial) with
American families.
Identify opportunities for orphan children to receive temporary care and shelter
within the U.S.
Attached please find a list of orphanages we know to be in the affected region. We hope
that this information and the above recommendations are useful as your team devises a
course of action. If we can be of any further assistance to you on this or other matters of
mutual concern, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Incomprehensible
Well, I was private for two whole posts, and luckily I got alot of things out of my system. But our world has changed drastically, and so here I am again, open to the public. With my two private posts tucked quietly into the draft file.
I heard it said that the word has not yet been invented for what has happened to Haiti on January 12, 2010. It's incomprehensible. And sadly, I know that things could get worse for so many before it gets better. So that makes me crazy-hyperviligent. I have worried and cried for Marie and the children in PAP, for Veniel and his family and staff. It was such a relief to hear that they made it...at least, most of them. Veniel lost some staff members, I'm not sure who. And I just saw a blog that had a picture of the collapsed Guest House, and it's unrecognizable. Grief, frustration, helplessness, worry, obession. These are the emotions that have wracked me since Tuesday night. For all the people of Haiti. For the ones I know. Particularly for the orphans, including especially the new ones. For the families stuck in adoption limbo now that the buildings that house the files and the people that move them thru the system are gone. Incomprehensible.
The plight of the many existing orphans of Haiti has not gone un-noticed by Govt. officials, and for that I am grateful. A thinking person can only surmise that the orphan population of Haiti has exploded over the last few days. The ones in orphanages, and especially the ones that are matched with families may be the lucky ones after all.
One of those is my son.
I am glued to the computer, hoping to hear news of any sort on his well-being, as well as the direction of the State Department in terms of getting him, and the ones like him, home.
We were in the later steps of the beginning of the process. It seems the US Govt. is moving to bring home the kids who were slated for passports and visas. It seems that those that have finalized paperwork are going to be processed soon also. We were not at that stage yet, but I remain hopeful that we will be processed in some way in due time. Perhaps even faster than due time, because of the magnitude of the crisis. Before the earthquake, the orphan situation was often described as dire. Now it's...? Incomprehensible? I'm not sure that word covers it anymore. Before the quake, it was estimated there were 1 million orphans in Hait, in a population of about 9 million. Now? How many? Rough estimates on the ground say the number has at least tripled. All of Haiti is now officially a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions, and the children there are the most vulnerable. Especially those that have no family.
It's beyond fortunate that Stevenson is at the Les Cayes facility. Having been thru an earthquake of this magnitude I know they felt it, and they may have even sustained some damage, but the word out is that they are safe, they are fine. I'm relieved for that but anxious for the future. So I'm sure I will remain glued to my computer, searching for news of the next right thing to do to get my boy home.
If you wish to donate to our orphanage in Haiti, this is the link for that site.
I heard it said that the word has not yet been invented for what has happened to Haiti on January 12, 2010. It's incomprehensible. And sadly, I know that things could get worse for so many before it gets better. So that makes me crazy-hyperviligent. I have worried and cried for Marie and the children in PAP, for Veniel and his family and staff. It was such a relief to hear that they made it...at least, most of them. Veniel lost some staff members, I'm not sure who. And I just saw a blog that had a picture of the collapsed Guest House, and it's unrecognizable. Grief, frustration, helplessness, worry, obession. These are the emotions that have wracked me since Tuesday night. For all the people of Haiti. For the ones I know. Particularly for the orphans, including especially the new ones. For the families stuck in adoption limbo now that the buildings that house the files and the people that move them thru the system are gone. Incomprehensible.
The plight of the many existing orphans of Haiti has not gone un-noticed by Govt. officials, and for that I am grateful. A thinking person can only surmise that the orphan population of Haiti has exploded over the last few days. The ones in orphanages, and especially the ones that are matched with families may be the lucky ones after all.
One of those is my son.
I am glued to the computer, hoping to hear news of any sort on his well-being, as well as the direction of the State Department in terms of getting him, and the ones like him, home.
We were in the later steps of the beginning of the process. It seems the US Govt. is moving to bring home the kids who were slated for passports and visas. It seems that those that have finalized paperwork are going to be processed soon also. We were not at that stage yet, but I remain hopeful that we will be processed in some way in due time. Perhaps even faster than due time, because of the magnitude of the crisis. Before the earthquake, the orphan situation was often described as dire. Now it's...? Incomprehensible? I'm not sure that word covers it anymore. Before the quake, it was estimated there were 1 million orphans in Hait, in a population of about 9 million. Now? How many? Rough estimates on the ground say the number has at least tripled. All of Haiti is now officially a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions, and the children there are the most vulnerable. Especially those that have no family.
It's beyond fortunate that Stevenson is at the Les Cayes facility. Having been thru an earthquake of this magnitude I know they felt it, and they may have even sustained some damage, but the word out is that they are safe, they are fine. I'm relieved for that but anxious for the future. So I'm sure I will remain glued to my computer, searching for news of the next right thing to do to get my boy home.
If you wish to donate to our orphanage in Haiti, this is the link for that site.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Dry Season
This is classic Elle Marie. She goes pedal to the metal till she conks out. Doesn't everyone sleep in the car with their bookbag on as well as their BICYCLE HELMET????
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Ava has not had a melt-down in 6.5 days, although she was considering it this morning. That's quite a stretch considering how the last 3 weeks have been. Maybe we'll get through the week-end unscathed, I can hope. Although I have to say, before she started doing this on a daily basis, week-ends were the most likely time. Something about close proxcimity and not being on as tight of a schedule.
I do appreciate all your thoughts and prayers, your support, your emails, and sharing your experiences. I know many of us knew our adoptions would be hard, and we did our best to prepare ourselves, but I don't think anyone knew what we would really be dealing with. I'm talking especially to you, my fellow Haitian-Baby Mamas. You know who you are!
My sister is coming on Tuesday to stay for two weeks, and I'm looking forward to that for alot of reasons. My battery needs to be recharged. There is nothing like being around the people that love you unconditionally, for that. I was not kidding when I said I felt like I had lost a part of myself in all this mess. I've lost my baseline optimism, and my capacity for joy is buried deep inside me somewhere. I want to find these things again. They propel me thru life. I need these things back.
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