Finally Home

We were welcomed home to the airport by over 100 people awaiting our arrival.  She greeted everyone there. I was so impressed by her social skills at that moment.  When we left, she wanted to know where her house was, she stared out the car window the entire time.  When we arrived home, she was all smiles.  She opened every door, closet, and stared at everything.  It was such a joy to watch her discover everything including the pictures on the wall. 
Some favorites: bananas- I've found banana peels everywhere including her room and the backyard, spaghetti with lots of sauce, french fries with lots of ketchup, chick fil a nuggets, popsicles, eggs, toast with butter and jelly, cereal of any kind, KFC slaw, orange juice,bath time, the balloon people outside and ice cream, especially birthday cake, eventhough she first spit the sprinkles in the floor.  Some dislikes: green beans, mashed potatoes, cheese, olives, any kind of sandwich meat, and the cold weather. 

She has been a joy in everyway.  She sleeps 10-11 hours a night, when she gets stress, she wants to sleep.  30 minutes at Walmart was more than enough.  We did leave with 3 boxes of cereal and a Rapunzel doll though.  Garage saling was fun.  It was a joy to watch her purchase a pink purse, and a new bicycle.  It was a real learning experience for her to purchase her own items.  Apparently bicycle in creole is bacon.  Mwen vle bacon means, I want to go outside and ride my bike NOT I want to eat bacon!  It took a while to figure that one out.  She has slept with Savanna, Emma or us everynight.  Emma seems to be winning out more than the rest of us.  She goes to Emma's ballgames and sits and watches patiently.  She buckles her self into the car.  She loves watching Dora and Disney movies.  She absolutely loves the trampoline.  Sparkly clothes and headbands are always a preference over ones that aren't sparkly.

We are so blessed.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Yesterday we walked to Berline's grandmas house. It was a group God put together for this trip. Dad, Billy, Brock (god father of Bradley-her cousin), Jason (took food to Ti-Jacque -another cousin right after he was born in 2010), Rob, Franswa ( our dear friend and interpreter). We walked the trail and climbed the mountains. There are 2 real mountains you go up to reach her house. Rob carried a 50lb bag of rice the entire way. Brock carried a bag of baby food. We took 2 big bags full of clothes, candles, kitchen utensils, food, shoes, and treats. When we finally arrived, Amanese, her grandma, welcomed us with open arms. She was so grateful to see us.  After a warm greeting and handing out gifts, Edna, her aunt, shows us Ti Jacques's legs. One leg has 3 nickel size yucky sores. The other leg has 2. I wash them with wipies and put on some antibiotic ointment and cover with band aids. Later we found out from Agathe that they were a type of worm like ringworm he often gets from playing in the dirt. Amanese carries water for over an hour each directions. You can't blame her for not keeping the baby boy clean.
We feel we have to do something to help them out.  God will not hold me accountable for suffering in Haiti, but I believe God will hold me accountable for suffering to my new family when he has made us aware of their basic needs.  Rob, Dad, Billy and Brock have already begun conversations on returning and building a structure with some type of guttering and rain water collection to ease their burdens.  We are praying for provisions and abilities for their future.

The Beginning of the End!

Early August 2012

It's amazing how God puts things in perspective for you and creates beauty out of chaos.  We got the email that we had been waiting on during the past 21 months.  The US Embassy had approved our I-604 and Berline now had to complete the Consular Doctor's appointment and the Visa appointment.  Our Visa interview was scheduled for Monday, August 27 at 10:30 AM.  I called Jabet Renard, our beloved Haitian friend, and confirmed that he would be able to take her for the interview.  He said, "Okay, my friend! No problem!" which he says to every question I ask him.  I emailed him a copy of the documents sent by the US Embassy and we waited. 

Everything went smoothly.  Berline went to the Consular Doctor and there were no issues then Jabet took her for the Visa interview which was completed without any problems.  Her Visa would be ready in less than 48 hours.  Christy and I were amped to be at the end of the process.  There was still one little issue that had to be resolved prior to traveling home.  We had to have IBESR authorization to travel.  Our primary hurdle in getting authorization was ensuring that our Haitian Attorney would be in Haiti to complete the process.  Mme Cyprien has a tendency to go on extended breaks to France, the US, and Africa.  Timing was everything.  I emailed her and she said it would be completed without any problems.  Which means that it may or may not be done when you get to Haiti. 

When do we go to Haiti became the pressing question.  Christy and I began discussing our options then out of nowhere God created beauty out of chaos for us.  The Boys and Girls Club proposed using a Taco Bell disaster relief grant to take a team of kids to Haiti to support building projects in Coq Chante.  The plan was to partner with Whitestone Church and leave for Haiti on September 8.  Christy and I were both excited to find out that we would have an opportunity to spend a week in the orphanage prior to bringing Berline home.  We believed that it would help her transition to the United States and into our family.  Crazy as it seems we were willing to wait an additional two weeks to go pick her up after waiting 21 months to get to this point.  Looking back on it now I am glad that we did.  That was possibly the best 7 days I have ever spent in Haiti!