We are here in Haiti

We are here, now at COTP. The trip went well, the reunion with the moms was good. We are on day 2 1/2 here volunteering. Elijah is such a sweet, cute kid! He will fit in with the rest of our family. Please pray for the rest of our trip, and pray the adoption will go fast, it will be agonizing leaving without him!
More later...

Leaving!

The day is actually here, or should I say the middle of the night? I am so tired, but am up, dressed, packed and ready to go. I ask for many prayers please, especially for Wed. as that is the day the girls will meet their moms and we will be in a very dangerous city. Also please continue to keep the girls in your prayers for a lifetime, as we don't know what their future holds in Haiti.
I will update when I get home,
Blessings!
Kim

Many Blessings

Today at church we got up in front with Helande. Ella and Sarah couldn't make it, Ella's still recovering from a kidney infection. We explained our plans for our trip and Pastor T prayed for us. He also made an announcement about the funds necessary for travel to Haiti. Our church graciously paid for half of our expenses and he told people if they want to help further to see us after. We were very blessed with several people giving checks and cash, and we should also be getting some more funds soon. I can't believe the sacrifices people made so I can go to help in Haiti! I feel so blessed. Thank you all so much.

Thank You

Christella's Family... a thank YOU



The letter that Lori translated for Christella's Mom.

Hello Friends,

I am Guerda, the mother of Christella. Christella was a baby that I had without pain and when I was pregnant with her I never felt a thing and I was never sick. It was when she was born, I saw that she had something on her back that was giving a lot of pus (fluid). I didn't deliver her in the hospital. When she was born at 11pm and I saw her back, we ran with her and took her to Bernard Mevs Hospital because we were very scared for her. When I got to the hospital, there wasn't a doctor there. There wasn't any beds either, but the nurses looked at her. They said that there was no doctor right then but the nurses all agreed that they would hold her until morning when the doctor would come.

He said that they couldn't do anything. After that, I went to my house. This gave me many problems when they told me that they could do nothing for my child. The next day, I left my house very early so that I could go to another hospital called St. Catherines Hospital in Cite Soley, Port-au-Prince. This hospital didn't even receive her. They sent me to General Hospital, which is the big government hospital. At that time the General Hospital was on strike and they weren't really working. They told me that they couldn't do anything for her because that day they had 5 children die in the hospital. After that I was obligated to return to Bernard Mevs hospital. It was then that I found a doctor that said he would admit Christella to the hospital. Then he told me that she needed an operation, I asked how much money I had to give him. That doctor told me that I had to give him $5000 Haitian dollars (US$675). I told the doctor that I couldn't ever give him that much money because I didn't have it. Then he humiliated and made fun of me in front of many people. He said that he would never do anything for me or Christella. He never took care of her again.

I had to leave the hospital, but I still came back. After some time, a doctor wanted to operate, but he couldn't see in what way he would do the operation. He sent me back to my house again. After that, I just asked God what to do for my child because I didn't have any money. I didn't have anything at all. I couldn't work and care for my 2 year old twin girls. My husband couldn't find work. All I could do was pray because I had nothing else. It was during that time that her back healed and didn't have any fluid coming out of it again.

After some time, it opened back up again. I took her several other places and I can't even remember them all. Her back would leak fluid off and on throughout all of these months. I finally told Christella's godmother that I wanted to try to go to a hospital of white people with her. She responded that she would take me to a distant village called Kazale where there were good white people that believed in God and help people a lot.

Without even thinking, I said let's go with her now. When I got to Kazale, I found the white people's clinic. The man at the gate looked at her and let us in. When I got inside the clinic, they made a chart and they the white lady look at her. She sent me to Healing Hands. The doctor said that he would never touch my child. He said that if she was operated on she would die. I chose not to listen to him because he was encouraging me to give up and let her die. I couldn't lose hope.

I returned to the Kazale clinic and they made a way for Christella to have an operation for water on her brain. They put in a tube that has helped her a lot. He couldn't believe that she lived. After she was discharged from the hospital, I went back to Kazale to see Lori. Christella's back was leaking and she wasn't doing very well. Lori took some pictures and gave me some medicine. I took Christella home and gave her the medicine and put cream on her back. It healed up and stopped leaking. Lori called me that weekend and told me that she wanted to get Christella's birth certificate and come to Kazale on Sunday. I did that and she told me that there were some very good white people trying to help Christella by finding a hospital and doctor that could do the surgery for free.

On Monday we started doing all the paperwork. I couldn't believe it was all happening so fast. The white people said she needed an operation quickly and that they were going to do all that they could to get her to go to the United States so that an operation could be done. When she told me that I was very happy because I saw that God was doing HIS work for my child.

I don't recognize your face and I could never pay you for the services that you are donating for me child and my family, but God in Heaven will repay you.

Many, Many Thanks.



Helande's Family... a Thank YOU


This letter came with Helande's paperwork. Lori translated for little Bugs Mama and I thought that it was important to share with all you prayer warriors out there!

Dear Supporters,
I am Rosemene, the mother of Helande. I gave birth at my house in the area of Lacoupe Madigra. When I finished delivering her, I saw my child was born with a ball on the back of her head. When I saw this, I went to the Sodo Hospital with her. The doctor said that he couldn't do anything for my child. After that, they sent me to the Kanje Hospital, but I didn't go. I preferred to come to the Grace Health Center in Kazale. When I came to the clinic, they sent me to Healing Hands Hospital. When I got there, they did a consultation for her and they said that they couldn't do anything for her. When I was finished passing in all of these places and they said that they couldn't do anything for my baby girl, Lori said that she would create a way to find a contact with someone so my child could go and get an operation in another country for her head. After Lori told me that they found a good doctor who would do the operation for my girl, I was so very, very, very happy because now I had a hope that my child could be helped and saved. I tell God thank you before everyone. I thank Lori and I thank every person that I don't even know that gave us this big grace, this big favor. Thank you for the expenses and sacrifices that you are giving to help my baby and our family. You are doing this so that my child will have life. I believe that God will give you reward and repay you on my behalf. Thank you. Thank you very much.

My Health

I forgot to update about my tests. I was given several blood tests over a weeks time. The doctor told me that he screened for types of Hep., mono. and other things. My liver was enflamed, but was getting better. So I was given the ok to take my malaria medication for the trip, and when I get home I need to do one more blood test to be sure it is all cleared up. He guessed it was just a strange virus that I caught. Thanks for your prayers, I am glad it was not serious!

Getting ready

I am physically and mentally preparing myself for my trip to Haiti. I have been packing for a week now, tracking down items around the house, buying things I may need and making sure all of it will fit in one suitcase. I also have been preparing myself for the trip to a country I have never been. I have talked with Sarah a lot about what to expect but I know it will not be the same as actually being there. I KNOW I will come back a changed woman. I hopefully will change in a good way and become closer to the Lord. I can't wait to see my son, to make this whole adoption thing seem REAL. Right now it all seem so far away. I hope that spending time with Elijah doesn't make the wait harder, but that is something that can happen. I just pray that God will give me strength, for the journey to Haiti, to give the girls to their families, to see my son and then let him go again, and to return home with a happy heart. Please keep Sarah, me, Helande and Christella in your prayers this week and next.

A sad goodbye to these precious babies. They have certainly touched many people here in the USA. I know God has a plan for both of them and I pray that He will protect their health and their lives in Haiti. I am so glad they are going to parents that love them so much, but I am also so sad to think I will most likely not see them again. I will miss you both so much.

Going to Haiti

I can't believe it, it has been a whirlwind of planning! Sarah and I are going to Haiti! We are leaving next week, and flying Helande and Christella home to their families. It was totally last minute but we are actually going. I am nervous, excited and anxious. We are taking 4 different airlines/flights to get around. We will meet Lori or someone from her clinic and return the girls, then will meet Daryl from COTP and fly from PAP to CAP to the orphanage. Then we will spend several day there playing with the kids and helping however we can! I can't wait to meet Elijah!!

Saturday.. it's been a week already?

I can't believe it has already been a week since I last posted. I have been feeling sick for several weeks. I thought I was just fighting off the flu bug or something so I put off going to the doctor. I finally called on Monday and they had me get some blood tests done. I went in yesterday to hear the results. I still don't know what I have, but my liver is inflammed. This means I could have hepatitis, mono, or just a bad virus. I had to go back to the lab to get more specific tests done and I hope I will know more on Monday. Pray! Sarah and I are wondering if one of the babies could have passed hep A around? We are not sure if they have been tested.

Loren had another soccer game today. They didn't do as well, they lost 5 to 2. Loren had some really good passes though. He is really growing and looks like he is getting older. I don't know what I will do when he is taller than me.

Corinn turns nine on Monday. She had a birthday party at my parent's house last week with two of her friends. She and her friends had a good time.

More Thank You's

Jeremiah's brother and his wife have sent us another gift of money for our adoption, or the upcoming trip. We are so grateful for their giving! I can't believe how supportive they have been, emotionally and practically! Thanks a ton!

Also, one of Jeremiah's co-workers gave us a bunk bed for the boys' room! It is in good condition and will work great for years to come. While Jeremiah was picking it up they also gave us a like new ten speed mountain bike for Loren! We have been blessed. Thank you!

Soccer Season

I am not a soccer mom. Sure, I drive a van. Yes, I take my kid to every practice and game. But I am not a soccer mom. I don't stand on the sidelines yelling at my kid, or other kids, or the refs. I don't bring snacks for everyone. (unless instructed too) And I don't know what is going on during the game most of the time. I am glad I have my husband who actually enjoys and plays sports with me to explain all the penalties, rules and positions. I would say he is a soccer dad. I also am glad that I was able to figure out on my own that Loren's team won (3 to 0) their first game! Hurrah for you, son!

This afternoon Loren is on the way to Seattle with his dad to see a college football game. They are both very excited. Meanwhile, I am picking up 2 little girls to go with my 2 girls to my parents' house. We are having an early birthday party. Corinn wanted to do a makeover party so we are doing a bit of makeup, nails and hair. Then pizza, dessert, gifts and a movie and come home. Should be fun!

Second Day of Homeschooling

It is day two of homeschooling. Yesterday was a long day. We didn't get through everything I though we should have, but we did 5 hours of schoolwork. We also had to go to the dentist to repair some of the kids' sealants. I scheduled it right in the middle of the day, bad mistake. Today we started out good, then went to the swimming pool with Sarah and her kids. It was a lot of fun and we got a good workout in! We got home late, but I had my kids finish up the rest of their work. Surprisingly they finished with no complaints! The best part is I can use 2 hours of pool time to count toward our school hours. We have to keep track of hours for the school program the kids are in. Loren needs 25 hours a week and Corinn needs 20.

I am off to put the kids to bed, we will see how the rest of the week goes.

Please help with Haitian adoptions

Bureaucracy Stops Adoptions in Haiti

A CALL TO ACTION

***********************************************************************

Dear friends of Haiti,

A bureaucratic nightmare has forced the stoppage of Haitian children from
receiving their U.S. visa and joining their forever families here in the
U.S. A simple phone call from the U.S. Department of State to the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security would quickly and easily resolve this
situation. To date, no such phone call has occurred and Haitian children
continue to suffer needlessly. We are asking everyone with a heart for
Haitian children to rally together, make some noise and help our children
find their permanent, safe and loving families.

What can you do? Make four simple phone calls.

1. Call your U.S. Senator.
o You can find your Senators' phone numbers at www.senate.gov
o Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff

2. Call your second U.S. Senator.

3. Call your representative to the U.S. House of Representative.
o You can find your representative at www.house.gov
o Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff

4. Call the Congressional Coalition on Adoption
o Their number is 202-544-8500

When should you call? Today, Thursday or Friday

o For maximum affect, we are asking you to make these calls within the
next 72 hours - sometime before the end of the day Friday.

What should you say? Speak from your heart and give them the following
information.
o The Department of State has stopped issuing visas to Haitian
orphans.
o The problem behind the stoppage was fixed by the Department of
Homeland Security.
o BUT, no one told the Department of State.
o Your office must get involved and make the Department of Homeland
Security communicate with the Department of State.
o Your office should contact the Office of Children's Issues at the
Department of State. Their number is 202-736-9090

Can you explain the problem behind the stoppage? Here is some additional
information...
o The U.S. Department of State (the consular office in Haiti) is
ruling that visas can not be issued to legally adopted children due to the
absence of the words 'irrevocable and unconditional' in the Haitian parental
relinquishment documents. The Department of State is incorrect. USCIS has
already resolved this issue and has been approving orphan status since June
2007. Sadly, USCIS has not communicated the resolution to the Department of
State. USCIS has already written a legal opinion that orphan status can
legitimately be granted to these cases, but the Department of State and
USCIS have thus far failed to communicate the information that will release
the children.


We need to send the same concise message to each of these offices: there are
legally adopted children in Haiti who cannot get Visas and come home due to
the lack of communication between DOS and USCIS.

Please act on this message yourself, and pass it along to anyone you know
who has children waiting, has adopted in the past, or just has a heart for
Haiti. Each adult member of your household can call separately.

We need to depend upon sheer volume to get our point across so please call
today!

Summer over?

It is Labor Day and here I am at the computer. Jeremiah is working today, but he just had his days off and we had a great weekend. It was Jeremiah's birthday and we went to this dirt racetrack with some friends and watched cars racing around on Sat. and were treated with a firework show after the races. Sarah watched the kids for us so it was a nice getaway. Then yesterday we went to church and a BBQ. We also had time to swing by a friends' house and pick up a bunk bed they were giving us! We set it up in our son's room and hopefully the bottom bunk will be used sooner than later by Elijah.

I have been feeling sad lately, mainly because of Helande and Ella going home soon. We were originally thinking that Sarah and I would take them back to Haiti, but now it looks like we will have someone else escort them home. It may be very soon. The whole thought of it grieves me. Mainly because if something happens with their shunts they need to get help fast, and they may not be able to do that in Haiti. I just wish their family could move to the US or somewhere with better medical facilities. I will miss both girls so much but especially Helande since she has spent so much time with us. Since meeting these girls and starting our adoption, my eyes have been opened wide to the world and countries that need help. I so want to help every single orphan or hurting child.

I have been praying about mission work, and I'm not sure where God will lead with that. Jeremiah is not at the point where he would like to give up his job, but he is able to take vacation days back to back so he may be able to take a month or two off at a time. Maybe we should just start with a visit to Haiti and see what happens.

Homeschooling starts tomorrow. I am not ready at all but that is ok. One of the benefits of homeschooling is flexibility. I mean, for the last 10 minutes my kids have been watching two spiders in the corner "fighting". That's educational isn't it! I am not sure if I should explain that they may not be fighting....

The weather here has been not too desirable, I am thinking summer may be over. I do love the fall though. I hope that we have mild weather so we can do some fun outside activities.