Day 9 and Day 10 in Haiti

Day 9- Sunday (4-10-16)

Today marks one week since we met the boys. The relationships we have been able to build in a week are unbelievable. The amount of trust that A places in Joey is beautiful to see. C is a happy-go-lucky boy who seems to be a little easier to connect with and likes his mama holding him, but Joey and A have something special.  

To start the morning, we arrived at the guesthouse to walk with the kids up to church. When we arrived only a few kids were dressed and ready, most of the other kids were still upstairs getting dressed. As I was putting away my backpack in the office, I hear people laughing. I step out of the office to see C running down the stairs stark naked to see his mama. He thought it was hilarious…needless to say, I quickly took him back to his room to get dressed.

After everyone was ready, we walked the rocky road to church where the congregation is passionate about worship and living for Christ. During the service, the pastor always asks the visitors if they have something to say or want to sing. Well…last Sunday this caught me off guard and I quickly said no (much to Joey’s disappointment), BUT this Sunday, with our fellow adoptive family and Alison, we sang the Doxology for the congregation (it makes me laugh to type that). Our fellow adoptive family has visited the church many times before and was much more comfortable with the order of service and Joey only needed a little encouragement. Next time, I’m going to suggest a livelier piece of music. J

After church, we had a chance to meet Nathan for the first time. He is the C4C rep that works with IBESR and USCIS to get our adoption complete. It was nice to be able to say thank you in person for all of the work he is doing for our family.

We had a great day with the boys. The weather is pleasant and we spent a lot of time outside. At one point in the afternoon, the older boys got some instruments going and in just a few minutes everyone was dancing (or laughing at Joey’s dancing). The nannies think Joey is hilarious because he dances and sings all the time.

Today was a turning point for A, as today was the first time that he got out of Joey’s arms to play for more than a minute or two. He had a great time playing soccer without being attached to Joey and he also joined in the band activity with the other kids. He loitered around the edge of the activity until I found an instrument for him to play, he was excited to participate. 

We turned on the phone again today to be able to talk to the kids. We are so thankful that they are well taken care of while we are away, but can’t wait to see them soon. We really can’t wait to be a family of 6 and not have our hearts torn between two worlds.

Day 10- Monday (4-11-16)

This morning was a little different from the rest. Normally, we eat breakfast around 8, but because our cook is also serving at another guesthouse, breakfast came a little earlier. Alison had to leave before breakfast to travel to the airport to pick up another adoptive family, and our fellow guests were not yet downstairs. So, for the early breakfast it was just me, Joey, and Jean Claude (the security guard at the guest house). This was a special breakfast because Joey and I had no one to help us interpret and Jean Claude speaks very limited English. The 3 of us ate together and shared what limited conversation we could and believe me…great effort was made by Jean Claude and Joey. ( I have to make a side note here…my precious husband who sings random songs loudly in public and dances like a girl and does other somewhat embarrassing things LOVES PEOPLE, and that makes those somewhat embarrassing things a little more acceptable).  Jean Claude just radiates kindness, his smile is contagious and he and Joey worked very hard to make meaningful conversation and learn from each other. The conversation ranged from translating basic words from Creole to English to JC teaching Joey a song in Creole. The most precious part of speaking with JC is that when conversation is low he consistently reverts to telling us about Jesus living inside of his heart. I can’t think of a better topic of conversation. It may have sounded awkward, but Joey worked so hard to understand and repeat and the more Joey tried the bigger JC’s smile got. I’m thankful for little opportunities God gives us to love His people.

After our sweet breakfast with Jean Claude, we traveled up to spend time with the boys. When we arrive at the crèche, the boys are usually still upstairs. Today, A was sitting at the top of the stairs with his legs crossed and his hands together as if he were praying. When he peeked his eyes open and saw us he got a big grin on his face and returned to his prayer position, which he maintained until he thought I was going to kiss him. As soon as I got close, he ran for his Dad.  Joey and A spent some time this morning putting together puzzles and practicing letters. It was sweet to watch him focus so hard on a task. C just liked dumping his puzzle out and letting me put it back together. Both boys did a little drawing and again; it was fun to watch A become so focused on a task. It was a great day with both boys. Toward the end of our time with the boys, C went up for his bath and was so tired that he was asleep before we could even say goodbye…he played hard today.

 Today, we were so blessed to witness the union of a very special boy from C4C with his parents. God’s hand in the adoption process is undeniable, and the more time I get to spend with other adoptive families the more I realize the provision of God in all of our lives. It is extraordinary. We sit and we describe how completely impossible our journeys would be without God sending people to help provide or God sustaining us in just the right way to keep us on the path in which He has placed us. The stories that we are getting to witness are a testament to Christ’s love for us, and I feel so blessed to be a small part of it.

None of us know what this looks like in the long run, but we all know that it is exactly where God wants us and despite undeniable challenges, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tomorrow, we are anticipating the arrival of two more adoptive families. Outside of putting our arms around Molly and Linc…Saturday is coming too soon.