We can't wait for the day we will always be with you!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Happy 13th Birthday Redjina!
Today is our sweet angel Redjina's 13th birthday!
This is the sweetest child on the planet!
She truly is an Angel!
We miss you and we love you.
We can't wait for the day we will always be with you!
But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:36
We can't wait for the day we will always be with you!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Happy 16th Birthday Matt!
Happy 16th birthday today Matt. The last 16 years have been a joy, but they have gone by so fast!
Matt being Matt in Haiti - Haiti is Matt's passion!
Matt in the market in Beloc, Haiti - His favorite place on the planet!
Matt playing high school baseball - Baseball is Matt's other passion!
Matt almost home after a Homerun!
Don't you see that children are God's best gift? The fruit of His generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Psalms 127:3-4
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter - Jesus is Risen!
Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, Mary Magdalene, Salome and Mary the mother of James went to put burial spices on Jesus’ body. On the way they were discussing who would roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb. But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone – a very large one – had already been rolled aside. So they entered the tomb, and there on the right sat a young man clothed in a white robe. The women were startled, but the angel said, “Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body. Now go and give this message to His disciples, including Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there, just as He told you before He died!” The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, saying nothing to anyone because they were too frightened to talk.
It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person who saw Him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom He had cast out seven demons. She went and found the disciples, who were grieving and weeping. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they didn’t believe her.
Afterward He appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn’t recognize Him at first because He had changed His appearance. When they realized who He was, they rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them. Later He appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief – their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And then Jesus told them,
“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone,
everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.
But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”
When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
Happy Easter!!!
Easter photos of four of our family of six!
It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person who saw Him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom He had cast out seven demons. She went and found the disciples, who were grieving and weeping. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they didn’t believe her.
Afterward He appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn’t recognize Him at first because He had changed His appearance. When they realized who He was, they rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them. Later He appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief – their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And then Jesus told them,
everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.
But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”
When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
Easter photos of four of our family of six!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday - Jesus is Crucified!
So Pilate ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip then turned Him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify Him. They dressed Him in a purple robe and made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on His head. Then they saluted, yelling, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they beat Him on the head with a stick, spit on Him and dropped to their knees in mock worship. When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him again.
Then they led Him away to be crucified. A man named Simon was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Hill). They nailed Him to the cross. They gambled for His clothes, throwing dice to decide who would get them.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when the crucifixion took place. A signboard was fastened to the cross above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against Him. It read: “The King of the Jews.” Two criminals were crucified with Him, their crosses on either side of His. And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. ”Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at Him. “You can destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, can you? Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but He can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe Him!”
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then, at that time Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought He was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to Him on a stick so he could drink. Another said, ”leave Him alone, let’s see whether Elijah will come and take Him down!” Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed His last breath. When the Roman officer who stood facing Him saw how He had died, he exclaimed, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”
Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for Him while He was in Galilee. They and many other women had come with Jesus to Jerusalem.
As evening approached, an honored member of the high council, Joseph gathered his courage and went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman military officer in charge and asked him. The officer confirmed the fact, and Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth, and taking Jesus’ body down from the cross, he wrapped it in the cloth and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then Pilate had his men stand guard and roll a stone in front of the entrance of Jesus' tomb.
to be continued...
Then they led Him away to be crucified. A man named Simon was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Hill). They nailed Him to the cross. They gambled for His clothes, throwing dice to decide who would get them.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when the crucifixion took place. A signboard was fastened to the cross above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against Him. It read: “The King of the Jews.” Two criminals were crucified with Him, their crosses on either side of His. And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. ”Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at Him. “You can destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, can you? Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but He can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe Him!”
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then, at that time Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought He was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to Him on a stick so he could drink. Another said, ”leave Him alone, let’s see whether Elijah will come and take Him down!” Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed His last breath. When the Roman officer who stood facing Him saw how He had died, he exclaimed, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”
Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for Him while He was in Galilee. They and many other women had come with Jesus to Jerusalem.
As evening approached, an honored member of the high council, Joseph gathered his courage and went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman military officer in charge and asked him. The officer confirmed the fact, and Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth, and taking Jesus’ body down from the cross, he wrapped it in the cloth and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then Pilate had his men stand guard and roll a stone in front of the entrance of Jesus' tomb.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Our Sweet Angels See the Doctor
On Tuesday evening, April 13, 2011 Jesula and six of her sweet orphanage friends, that are also in the process of being adopted, were brought down to Port au Prince. Over the next three days the girls went for Psychological Examinations, Medical Examinations and Blood Tests. This is all part of the medical requirement for the adoption process.
Redjina and Jesula with the other girls, Chilove, Maeva, Onise, Eldie, Cadonia, and Berline before Psychological Exams on Thursday
Jesula having blood drawn on Friday
Redjina having blood drawn on Friday
Jesula and Redjina both handled all of these exams very well. They are such strong, brave children. They have experienced more challenges in their short lives than most people in this world could even imagine.
I want to add a special thank you to Ricot Louis Juste for the work he is doing for my girls and all of these girls. Ricot oversees Poor Children's Assistance Project (PCAP). He has a tremendous amount of responsibility and is involved with many churches, schools and orphanages in Haiti. Anyone that is able to help PCAP financially or otherwise, please let me know and I will get you in contact with Ricot. He is truly a wonderful Christian man.
Ricot with the nurse on Friday
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:14-18
Jesula and Redjina both handled all of these exams very well. They are such strong, brave children. They have experienced more challenges in their short lives than most people in this world could even imagine.
I want to add a special thank you to Ricot Louis Juste for the work he is doing for my girls and all of these girls. Ricot oversees Poor Children's Assistance Project (PCAP). He has a tremendous amount of responsibility and is involved with many churches, schools and orphanages in Haiti. Anyone that is able to help PCAP financially or otherwise, please let me know and I will get you in contact with Ricot. He is truly a wonderful Christian man.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Imitating Christ’s Humility
I am personally convinced that submission, dying to self, crucifying of pride, is crucial to feeling joy. We think of denying our self as somber, grim-faced business, when it is in truth a prelude to happiness. If you want power, learn to be assertive. If you want joy, learn to be submissive. We find joy in the absence of serving self because we experience love in serving others. Only when we die to self can we fully love another.
Self is a devilish creature, demanding all of our energy, wanting our constant attention, reaching even into our pocketbooks for favors. How can we ever hope to be attuned to another’s spirit when self is making so much noise? How can we ever hope to love another when self screams for our constant care? When self is alive and well, it offers us an all-or-nothing proposition.
We either pacify self, or we crucify it. ~Judson Edwards~
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:1-8
Self is a devilish creature, demanding all of our energy, wanting our constant attention, reaching even into our pocketbooks for favors. How can we ever hope to be attuned to another’s spirit when self is making so much noise? How can we ever hope to love another when self screams for our constant care? When self is alive and well, it offers us an all-or-nothing proposition.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Spring Time in Haiti
Shawna and I travelled to Haiti this past week, March 23-28, 2011 to serve and spend time with our beautiful girls. Our mission team consisted of 17 people. This was a special trip because 15 of the team members are in the process of adopting 11 of the girls from the orphanage in Camatin. Needless to say it was a blessed and emotional time.
This picture is of families from Grace Baptist Church that are currently adopting. There is one family from our church that is adopting that was not on this trip, and our Redjina is not in the picture!
We flew into Port au Prince around mid-day on Wednesday, March 23rd. We jumped in the transport truck and headed straight to the mountains. Three hours later we were at the orphanage in Camatin. Redjina, who is currently staying in Port au Prince, had final exams in school, so we would not get to see her until Friday, which was really tough. But that did allow us some special time with Jesula for the first couple of days.
Thursday
We worked on various projects around the orphanage including repairing chairs in the dining room, some minor electrical and plumbing repairs, and building benches for a new sewing room.
Thursday afternoon we loaded up in the transport truck and went to serve in the mountain village of Beloc. We saw the new house that has been provided for by our friends Jon and Amy Knowles. Matt and I delivered and carried the materials for this house back in January. It was awesome to see what God has done for this family in Beloc!
Friday
We loaded up and left Camatin at 5:30 AM and drove to Port au Prince. We dropped off two families at the United States Embassy to work on adoption business and then drove to Tabarre. After a short wait in Tabarre we went to pick up Redjina from school. She walks three miles each way on a gravel road to school each day. The schools there are nothing like schools here. Her school is just a one level block building with dirt floors and very basic furnishings. I'll never forget that moment when I saw her at school. She looked so beautiful in her school uniform.
From there we headed to the Courthouse to take care of adoption business. Shawna and I were scheduled to meet with our attorney and make a Court appearance. This was the main purpose for this trip. Well, this was interesting to say the least. The Courthouse, a small block building, is located on a busy street lined with people, trash, and rubble. We parked in an alley behind the Courthouse. We were lead through a crowd and inside a very small room, perhaps 10 feet by 10 feet. We met briefly with our attorney. Shawna and I presented our passports to a Court representative who made some notations. Then Shawna and I were each instructed to sign a blank piece of paper. Yes, that's right, a blank piece of paper. We were there perhaps 15 minutes and then we left. How is that for a Court appearance? Only in Haiti!
After Court, we took the girls to dinner in Petitionville, which is where the upper class live in Port au Prince. This area is still not nice in American terms. But I must say, the restaurant was really good. We had pizza that would rival most any place in Knoxville. The girls had never been to a restaurant before so it was big fun.
After dinner, we stopped at a nice market (grocery store) in Petitionville. The girls had never been to a market before. We walked up and down each isle and the girls were amazed by all the food. I told the girls to pick something out. They were hesitant at first, but before long each had several items and big smiles on their faces. Jesula's first choice was chips, and Redjina's was Oreos!
There was an elevator in the market. The girls had never seen an elevator before, much less been in one. Jesula was really hesitant about getting into the elevator and had really big eyes when there door closed and it started moving. Redjina just smiled and said "wow"!
When we left the market we made the three hour drive back up to Camatin. We got to the orphanage about 11:00 PM. Needless to say, it was a very long, emotional, interesting, exciting, fun day in Haiti!
Saturday
Saturday was beach day. The orphanage is located on the side of a mountain and there is not really a place for the girls to play outside. They spend the majority of their time inside. So, the beach trip is something the girls always look forward to and is great fun for everyone.
Sunday
On Sunday morning we attended church in Camatin. The church sits just up the hill from the orphanage. After church we served lunch to the church members and locals which is always a treat.
The church currently meets under a tarp, but will soon be moving into a new building provided by the efforts of the Hope Alliance. Kym Meehan, who is a very special lady, heads up the Hope Alliance. It was such a blessing to meet, serve with, and get to know Kym on this trip. She has done many wonderful things for the orphanage and the church in Camatin.
Sunday afternoon we loaded up in the transport truck and went to serve in the mountain village of Coq Chante. We walked several miles up and down the mountain side. Redjina hiked the steep, narrow, rocky trails barefoot. It was an amazing sight. We delivered food such as beans, rice, and cooking oil to the area people and prayed over them. They are always so thankful!
Late that afternoon, while were still in Coq Chante, we received a phone call notifying us there would be riots Monday in Port au Prince. The decision was made to go back to the orphanage, pack up our things, and leave that evening, instead of the next morning. They wanted to get us through PAP that evening before the riots started the next morning. So we hurried back, packed, had dinner, and spent a few more minutes with our girls. Jesula was sad to see us go, but was in good spirits and was sweeter than ever those last few minutes. We said tearful goodbyes and loaded up and left.
We safely arrived at the mission house in Tabarre around 10 PM. This is where Redjina lives during the school year. So she came too and we were able to spend that last night with her. We had a great evening with Redjina just talking about "one day".
Monday
We were up and ready to leave for the airport by 9 AM. We said goodbye to our dear Haitian friends. And as we had the night before with Jesula, we shared a tearful goodbye with our angel Redjina.
We made it to the airport without any issues. At the airport we were informed the riots had started. Thankfully our trip home was uneventful, but just like that it was over.
We love our girls beyond explanation. As a result, our trips to see them take painfully forever to come, and then go by so painfully fast!
Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. It is not proud or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of being wronged. It rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:47
This picture is of families from Grace Baptist Church that are currently adopting. There is one family from our church that is adopting that was not on this trip, and our Redjina is not in the picture!
We flew into Port au Prince around mid-day on Wednesday, March 23rd. We jumped in the transport truck and headed straight to the mountains. Three hours later we were at the orphanage in Camatin. Redjina, who is currently staying in Port au Prince, had final exams in school, so we would not get to see her until Friday, which was really tough. But that did allow us some special time with Jesula for the first couple of days.
Thursday
We worked on various projects around the orphanage including repairing chairs in the dining room, some minor electrical and plumbing repairs, and building benches for a new sewing room.
Thursday afternoon we loaded up in the transport truck and went to serve in the mountain village of Beloc. We saw the new house that has been provided for by our friends Jon and Amy Knowles. Matt and I delivered and carried the materials for this house back in January. It was awesome to see what God has done for this family in Beloc!
Friday
We loaded up and left Camatin at 5:30 AM and drove to Port au Prince. We dropped off two families at the United States Embassy to work on adoption business and then drove to Tabarre. After a short wait in Tabarre we went to pick up Redjina from school. She walks three miles each way on a gravel road to school each day. The schools there are nothing like schools here. Her school is just a one level block building with dirt floors and very basic furnishings. I'll never forget that moment when I saw her at school. She looked so beautiful in her school uniform.
From there we headed to the Courthouse to take care of adoption business. Shawna and I were scheduled to meet with our attorney and make a Court appearance. This was the main purpose for this trip. Well, this was interesting to say the least. The Courthouse, a small block building, is located on a busy street lined with people, trash, and rubble. We parked in an alley behind the Courthouse. We were lead through a crowd and inside a very small room, perhaps 10 feet by 10 feet. We met briefly with our attorney. Shawna and I presented our passports to a Court representative who made some notations. Then Shawna and I were each instructed to sign a blank piece of paper. Yes, that's right, a blank piece of paper. We were there perhaps 15 minutes and then we left. How is that for a Court appearance? Only in Haiti!
After Court, we took the girls to dinner in Petitionville, which is where the upper class live in Port au Prince. This area is still not nice in American terms. But I must say, the restaurant was really good. We had pizza that would rival most any place in Knoxville. The girls had never been to a restaurant before so it was big fun.
After dinner, we stopped at a nice market (grocery store) in Petitionville. The girls had never been to a market before. We walked up and down each isle and the girls were amazed by all the food. I told the girls to pick something out. They were hesitant at first, but before long each had several items and big smiles on their faces. Jesula's first choice was chips, and Redjina's was Oreos!
There was an elevator in the market. The girls had never seen an elevator before, much less been in one. Jesula was really hesitant about getting into the elevator and had really big eyes when there door closed and it started moving. Redjina just smiled and said "wow"!
When we left the market we made the three hour drive back up to Camatin. We got to the orphanage about 11:00 PM. Needless to say, it was a very long, emotional, interesting, exciting, fun day in Haiti!
Saturday
Saturday was beach day. The orphanage is located on the side of a mountain and there is not really a place for the girls to play outside. They spend the majority of their time inside. So, the beach trip is something the girls always look forward to and is great fun for everyone.
Sunday
On Sunday morning we attended church in Camatin. The church sits just up the hill from the orphanage. After church we served lunch to the church members and locals which is always a treat.
The church currently meets under a tarp, but will soon be moving into a new building provided by the efforts of the Hope Alliance. Kym Meehan, who is a very special lady, heads up the Hope Alliance. It was such a blessing to meet, serve with, and get to know Kym on this trip. She has done many wonderful things for the orphanage and the church in Camatin.
Sunday afternoon we loaded up in the transport truck and went to serve in the mountain village of Coq Chante. We walked several miles up and down the mountain side. Redjina hiked the steep, narrow, rocky trails barefoot. It was an amazing sight. We delivered food such as beans, rice, and cooking oil to the area people and prayed over them. They are always so thankful!
Late that afternoon, while were still in Coq Chante, we received a phone call notifying us there would be riots Monday in Port au Prince. The decision was made to go back to the orphanage, pack up our things, and leave that evening, instead of the next morning. They wanted to get us through PAP that evening before the riots started the next morning. So we hurried back, packed, had dinner, and spent a few more minutes with our girls. Jesula was sad to see us go, but was in good spirits and was sweeter than ever those last few minutes. We said tearful goodbyes and loaded up and left.
We safely arrived at the mission house in Tabarre around 10 PM. This is where Redjina lives during the school year. So she came too and we were able to spend that last night with her. We had a great evening with Redjina just talking about "one day".
Monday
We were up and ready to leave for the airport by 9 AM. We said goodbye to our dear Haitian friends. And as we had the night before with Jesula, we shared a tearful goodbye with our angel Redjina.
We made it to the airport without any issues. At the airport we were informed the riots had started. Thankfully our trip home was uneventful, but just like that it was over.
We love our girls beyond explanation. As a result, our trips to see them take painfully forever to come, and then go by so painfully fast!
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