May 29 2013
I
am writing this from Jacksonville: I have been here two
weeks today. The first round of routine medical appointments is done.
I'm waiting for the second round to be scheduled. My friend Sharon Turner brought me home from the airport. Another good friend, Annakay Hines, loaned me her car so I could do what needed to be done. Another good friend, Judy Nelson,
has taken me out for fun and orphanage shopping. Other friends are
sharing whatever they can, especially friendship. God has blessed me
with good friends!
My son's twin boys were born on April 29th, several weeks early. They were good sized for preemies and have not had many health issues. As of now they are scheduled to go home from the hospital tomorrow. I can't wait to get to Maryland to meet them! And to see their big brothers, Cole and Cree.
Brenda Whitmer and Jacqui Eckdahl from Kentucky are staying with the kids until next week. Samuel Chery, our driver/assistant director, is in charge the rest of the time. The group from First Baptist Hattiesburg just left after a few day visit: they redecorated the boys' rooms. I can't wait to see pictures. The girls still love the gorgeous they got in March. Thanks, guys! The orphanage could not continue without your help. With all that's going on there now Brenda and Jacqui need all the prayer support you can give them.
Since I left 4 yo Tamara fell out of her wheelchair at school and broke a rib: 7 yo Sonson walked without his walker! ; Rosa and Claudine are being treated for severe stomachaches; Christian was taken to the clinic because of fever; and Cassandra went to the clinic because of severe vomiting. As far as I know all is well now. They say Tamara is getting bossy again: that's how we know when she feels well!
Lovena (born in August 2011) left our care in February to return to her grandmother. She was healthy and ready to go. Unfortunately, Lovena's birth mother kidnapped Lovena in mid-April. Rumors in the community were that the mom wanted to sell Lovena or use her in voodoo ceremonies. People went all the way to the Domican Republic searching for her without success. We had almost given up hope when Lovena was miraculously returned to her grandmother after 3 weeks. After much prayer and consideration, Lovena's grandmother and Keziah Furth have returned Lovena to my house temporarily to keep her safe. She will eventually be moved to another orphanage. Hundreds of people prayed for Lovena's safe return. We are all thankful to God for her safety.
Orphanage Tourism is a new term to me, learned from hearing other orphanage directors discuss visitor policies. Well, I saw it in action shortly before leaving Haiti for the US: 36 college students were brought by bus from a local guesthouse to visit our orphanage with no warning. They are not supporters, they just wanted to see an orphanage in a fifth world country. Yikes! That's a rare occurrence at our house but it's something interesting to be aware of. I love visitors but ask that only people who have an interest in us personally come for a visit.
Like everyone else in this economy we continue to need your financial support. We still need a couple to come help run the orphanage. The kids need more than I can give them. Contact me if you feel God calling you to help out.
God is good, all the time. That sounds a bit trite and it's hard to make sense of when things aren't going well but I know, without a doubt, that God can and will work out everything in His own time. I am blessed to be His child and to be loved unconditionally by Him. So are you.
Blessings, all! Thanks for your continued support!
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Christian has a presence about him that makes me believe he has great things in store. He needs more one-to-one time with someone to help discover and develop his abilities.
Lovena is safe! When she was kidnapped by her mother we were afraid we would never see her again. Thank God for this precious girl!
Rosa and Claudine are our beautiful big girls.
Sonson is determined that he WILL walk. He can take a few steps without a walker now.
Amazing Tamara! She is so strong and persistent.
