Kids, Creole, & Colossians.

~Kids~

                Honestly, sometimes I feel as if my day is just filled with Kids & Creole. Here at GLA we have roughly 150 children. Some are here for just assistance, some who have been abandoned and/or orphaned, and some given up for adoption due to circumstances beyond their family’s control. Whatever the reason, God has placed each one of these children here at GLA and I am honored to be able to be a part of their lives. I am thankful to be a part of this transition time between either becoming healthy and returning to their biological family or before they are adopted and placed with their forever family.

                There are a lot of things I didn’t and still don’t know about the whole adoption process. Before moving to Haiti, adoption was a definite possibility for my future, whether single or married.  As I see the process and amount of work that is put into just one single adoption I’ve realized that adoption is a hard and grueling but amazing and rewarding process.  Over the past five months of being here at GLA, I have had the opportunity of seeing about 8 children go home with their forever families and have seen many parents meet their proposed children for the first time. It has been such an honor to see this process happen. I can’t even imagine how it is for those who have been at GLA with these children from the beginning. What an incredible sight and story to see unfolding! Lord willing, I hope to have an adoption story of my own and be that parent meeting their child for the first time and then taking them to their forever home with me (and maybe a husband).  

***If you want to learn more about the adoption process and the state of adoptions in Haiti you can go to Dixie's Blog and read her most recent post ***

~Creole~

                I really never thought I had the capacity to learn a second language… but lately I think I may. The more I learn in Creole class and the more I am immersed in the language the more I am starting to speak and understand! I am in no way fluent and/or even that great but each new word I learn or person I understand, I have my own little internal celebration. At times I can’t even believe that I am speaking and/or understanding and yet slowly but surely it is happening. I am so thankful for the patience of the Haitian staff and our Creole teacher.  Day by day, little by little…

~Colossians~

                Sometimes (a lot of times) I lose sight of what is God is doing around me and if my actions are pleasing to the Lord. I am not always thankful for the life God has given me. Whether I gripe about a past, present or even future situations, my eyes are on what is seen and not what is unseen (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Why I worry about these things is beyond me, but I still do. I’m a thinker and a planner. I feel as if I need to know what is next and what the future holds, but I know I can’t. Here in Haiti, the staff at GLA lives in pretty close proximity. We work, socialize and live together 24/7. Coming from living alone for a long time, this is/was a big adjustment for me. I was recently reading Colossians and chapter 3 verses 12-17 stood out me. It is directly related to me and the life I lead here at GLA. Although not always the easiest, God has placed me here for a reason and I know I need to keep these verses in my heart.

Colossians 3:12-17

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members on one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

               So yes, just three word sum up the past few months… Kids, Creole & Colossians. The devotions I have been doing end in a prayer that the author has written and I’ve decided to mimic it. 

~My prayer for tonight~

               Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to grow during my time here. May I please you with my thoughts, words & actions. Bless these children around me and those I have yet to meet. Bless those I work alongside here at GLA. Please give us all the strength to continue to do your work here in Haiti. As the adoption process continues to change here in Haiti, place your hand upon it and let your will be done with the future of adoptions in Haiti. Help me to stay focused on your glory and not my own. Rule in my heart. Amen.

…to be continued…

-B