Home Sweet Home

There's no place like home... my own bed, a hot shower, chick-fil-a and the fireplace. :) After a long 2 day journey I finally made it back to Atlanta. We started out yesterday at 8 am and didn't leave Haiti until 6 pm. We spent 4 hours in the American Embassy waiting on the final documents on the kids and then another 4 hours on a bus at the airport waiting on our plane to arrive and get through all the documentation. And this was all with 6 kids! We were thankful to at least be in an air-conditioned bus and to receive some water and snacks from the US Army guys. Then there was the 4 hour flight to Miami. The kids did awesome the whole day and all slept almost the whole flight. Thanks for all your prayers!
The best part of the day was seeing the kids unite with their parents in the Miami airport! What a happy ending!! Seriously, after 10 days of so much hopelessness and suffering, this was amazing! I cannot describe the happiness and emotions in that room. I was thinking while I was at the orphanage about how as Christians we are all adopted into God's family and what a wonderful thing that is! Many of the kids that I encountered will get a second chance and a new life with a family. But many of the others will never leave Haiti (as well as many who are suffering around the world). But anyone can receive that Second Chance, that New Life, that Hope that God offers to the world through Jesus Christ! I praise God for these kids getting adopted but even more for the adoption into His family that He offers to anyone who will receive.
It is good to be home but I'm already missing my precious kids in Haiti. We did receive word the night before I left that the visas came through for the kids being adopted to Argentina and Maki's mom is coming to get her and Sophie on Sunday! It made it easier leaving knowing she will get to leave soon. I have lots of pictures of her and the other kids that I hope to upload to facebook soon but just wanted to share 2 pictures with you now... the first is of me with Maki & Sophie and the second is me with some of the kids (and an adopting couple) with our pilot at the Port-au-Prince airport.
Once again, thank you SO MUCH for all your prayers and support in this journey. The only way I can keep doing what I'm doing is because of your continued prayers. I know that so many were praying for me down there... I definitely felt your prayers!! I know that many of you would have liked to go to Haiti to help, but let me tell you, you were there with me, through every day, loving on each child, treating each patient! May God bless each one of you! And thank you again!! I'll keep y'all updated on my future, but for now I'm going back to work part-time at Kennestone Hospital and will continue to pray about what's next. Only God knows when my next journey will be! :)

Flying home

Just wanted to let y'all know my schedule and ask for your prayers in our travels. We are leaving the orphanage tomorrow morning and flying out of Haiti on a private plane with either 4 or 8 kids (depending on which ones get visas... pray that they would come through) and flying into Miami. Pray that everything goes well with the travel and that all the kids do ok on the plane (One of the reasons I'm going with them is to help Barbara take care of the kids). Pray for no problems in immigration. And pray that I find a comfortable place to sleep in the Miami airport and am able to get on the early flight Friday morning (Someone is donating me a buddy pass). God has been so faithful during this whole experience and I appreciate you all so much!! Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support on this final journey of my trip. May He be glorified!!

Last Day in Haiti

So I think this is my last full day in Haiti. What's funny about all these adventures is that God keeps taking me to new levels of trusting in Him and not worrying about knowing everything. I usually don't plan trips in 1 day or go somewhere not knowing how long I will stay. Cherie, the woman that coordinated me getting down here told me when I was in Florida that she had pegged me for a spontaneous, fly by the seat of your pants kind of person... I told her that I was actually a type A who likes plans but that has been forced to trust God on all these adventures. :)
I will admit that I am looking forward to getting good sleep in a bed that is not shared with a baby, taking a hot shower and going back to daily life that is not so hard. But as much as I'm exhausted and totally physically and emotionally, this experience will forever stay with me... The precious faces of these kids that just scream to be loved, their smiles when you play with them or just talk to them. These people that are dedicated to make a difference in the world and give kids a second chance. The citywide destruction and tent cities every few blocks. The medical problems and the look of fear and hopeless on so many faces. And the assurance of knowing a God who is loving and wants to give Hope to the hurting.
Like I said, I think I'm leaving tomorrow... I will post when I know my definite plans but the plan is for me to leave with Barbara and some more kids that have been cleared to go to the States. Again, thank you for all your prayers. Continue to pray for my endurance and health (I don't feel so great today but I think it's more exhaustion). Pray for the adoption process for the kids and that Barbara would get the visas and all the papers for them. And continue to pray for the people of Haiti. Love you guys and appreciate you so much!!

Another day of precious kids

These babies are precious, they really are. They are hard work and I still don't sleep well at night, but you can't hep but love them. Maki woke up at 6 am laughing and playing... I tried to tell her that it was too early to play, but I guess an 8 month old can't understand that! :) She doesn't let me sleep much and requires a lot of attention, but you can't help but love her. Her laugh and smile is amazing... I wish you all could meet her.
Barbara, the lady in charge of the orphanage got back today and it working hard trying to get some more kids out. It's difficult and becomes even more difficult when other people try to take kids out of the country without proper documentation. There are a lot of kids that were already in the adoption process pre-earthquake. She's hoping to get some more kids ready to leave this week. Also, the dads that are here from Argentina had more meetings today and are trying to be able to take their kids home as well. Please pray that these kids would be able to get to their new homes soon, that the process would be smooth and quick. Being here at the orphanage is better than being on the streets, but it's still far from ideal.
I spent most of the afternoon organizing their pharmacy. People brought in more supplies and donations (we have tons of stuff now). And who better to organize it than me, especially after I spent years doing this in Brasil (Jen & Sharon, I missed y'all... wish you could have been here to help me!)
I still don't have any definite plans because it depends on when there are planes and seats, but I'm probably leaving later this week. Please pray for my last few days - for health and endurance and that I would do my best at whatever tasks God gives me. Thanks guys so much for all the prayers! You've been a part of this ministry in Haiti!