Rather we are ready or not we will be leaving for Haiti in 5
days! Here is a brief synopsis of what has transpired in the last few days and
what lies ahead. After receiving the
call that we had our Embassy appointment in Haiti we found out we are
responsible for ALL the travel expenses.
We thought much of these would be covered so we had not budgeted for
them. Our oldest daughter Madison leaves
for college in two days and along with that trip comes a hefty check for
tuition. Our oldest son has moved back
home and is beginning a new college the following the week – yep more college
tuition that we didn’t account for.
To top all of this off I have just contracted walking
pneumonia and a horrible sinus infection, which is making me move in slow
motion. Trying to prepare everything for
an international trip and leaving four kids behind is no small task in
itself. Not to mention, a crazy busy
week of work and packing and moving Madi to a new school. We have updated our wills, packed our tiny
little carry on for 5 days (if you know me you are wondering how in the world I
am coping with this), typed up all the instructions for the sitter, shopped for
groceries and tried to thoughtfully plan items to bring to the staff at our
orphanage all in the past 3 days( notice I use the term “we” very loosely)!
So, in 5 days we will land in Miami, spend the night with my
parents and head to Port au Prince and charter a flight out Sunday morning for
Cap Haitian to lay eyes on our precious daughter Esther for the first
time. I will be totally transparent as I
speak here. Along with this trip comes
VERY mixed emotions and a lot of tears (I am NOT a crier so that’s weird). I
want, more than anything, to hold my precious baby in my arms for the first
time but I don’t want the inevitable end of the trip to take place without
carrying her home with us. This was one
of THE top reasons we have never pursued International adoption prior to this
one. Even though our little one is in a
great orphanage it’s still an orphanage in a third world country and leaving
her behind is heart wrenching to me.
I read this quote today by Randy Stinson and it really hit
home:
“We are committed to Gospel-centeredness. The doctrine of
adoption is at the heart of the Gospel. We are born outside of Christ, but it
is through Christ that we receive “the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we
cry ‘Abba! Father!’” (Rom. 8:15) Physical adoption is a daily living picture of
this spiritual reality. It is a constant reminder to our family and others of
the grace and mercy of God and His love for the lost and care for the
fatherless.”
This is why we are doing what we are doing and I will put my
pity party aside, step up and trust God in my head not just my heart and get on
that plane, meet my precious baby, know my kids at home will survive a few days
without me, love on the staff at the orphanage and leave there forever changed,
know I am “committed to Gospel-centeredness” and doing what we are called to
do. It might not be easy but God didn’t
say it would be easy – we are ready and willing to GET UNCOMFORTABLE.
How you can help:
1.
Any financial contributions for our journey can made by
clicking on the right – we will add your name to our Piece of the Puzzle
fundraiser so you will forever hold a piece of our puzzle in our hearts and
Esther’s. $5 or $500 – every amount helps.
2.
Commit to praying for us over the next week for
safe travels, healing and peace.
Continue to pray for us when we get back home that a miracle would
happen in our case and we would bring Esther home before the end of the year.
3.
Pray for our orphanage and their staff as they
struggle with the day to day care of many little ones in not so great
conditions. Some have recently lost
loved ones and continue to care for our babies.
Many have to see death and devastation all around and are doing their
best to make a difference in the life of a child.
Blessings,
Tiffany
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