Encouraging words go a long way. Thank you.

There once was a time I would get an idea, subject, song, and/or  a person that I wished to write about… There used to be a day where my mind thought in potential blog posts. Though, now I feel as if there is so much to say, yet so little words to describe what is going on.  The past few weeks have just flown by.  It has been a month of constant growing and changing, not only in the children but in me as well. I’m learning that each moment of change, conflict, sadness, grief, etc. is a moment for growth. Whether I like it or not, whether it is awkward, uncomfortable, sad, or just plain undescribable; God is moulding me and changing me each and every day.  Hopefully, to look more like Him and less like me.  

Each day I am amazed by each of these children I spend time with daily, how much more they are able to do and accomplish. For the children at the main house, I am especially surprised at how much they are able to say!! Maybe because I didn’t necessarily know what the children were saying six months ago, I didn’t think they were talking much. But now I feel as if the children are just growing and blossoming. Recently we had a team here who helped evaluate some of the children. It was encouraging to see how well our children were doing and also to see for those who have delays or disabilities what they can do along with us to help the children develop and grow at a proper level.  It’s amazing how much some proper nutrition, love, and hard work can change a child. Not to mention seeing God alive and well within the hearts of these children and those who love them and pray for them! 

On a side note: I cannot express how nice it is to hear/read encouraging words from those who visit  GLA and those who follow our story; whether it is an adoptive parent, volunteer, team, a visitor, staff member, family, friend, or someone who just happened to find this blog. Those words of encouragement mean more than you could ever imagine.  

Tonight my words are few but please know that I'm am forever grateful for your continual support and encouragement. 

…to be continued…

-B

Take heart. The Lord has overcome.

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

Progress--From survive to thrive.

     Recently Dixie wrote a post 7 new babies admitted in the last 24 hours (Please read that first)… And I can’t help but share the progress on two of the seven. These two little boys have captured my heart. One hurt by pure neglect and one hurt by a lack of education but both loved by the nannies, nurses, volunteers and staff here at GLA. Both boys names start with J so I'll refer to them as J1 & J2.

     J1 is a 7 month old baby boy who first came to us in early January. All of the GLA staff worked together to get him to a healthy weight of 8lbs 5.5oz. Five days after he left, he came back to us, referred to us by Samaritans Purse again because he had diarrhea and vomiting while he was back with his mama. Mama fed him one meal of boiled plantains that he vomited and then she had not fed him again. On arrival January 30^th, his weight had dropped to 7lb 3.5oz (Yes, more than a pound in 5 days). Now, February 16^th he is gradually gaining weight and is at 8lb 4oz. Thankfully, he is becoming the happy baby we had seen glimpses of before. 

     J was also referred to us by Samaritan’s Purse. Mom says he’s one, but as you can see he is a big boy… Length wise! Mother has breast fed him his entire life. However long that is, we still do not know. J is such a sweet boy and his smile has captured my heart. We have been practicing standing and trying to gain muscle strength in his arms, legs and back. When he came to us he couldn’t bear weight at all; I know it doesn’t seem long but he is able to stand for 15 seconds while holding on to the edge of the crib… He just needs help to stand himself up! Joseph was 17lb 4 oz on arrival January 30^th and he is now up to 18 pounds thanks to Medical Mamba (Protein enriched peanut butter), love from his nannies, nurses, volunteers and staff here at GLA and God.

 

     These few pictures give just a glimpse into the boys progress from January 30th to now. J1 and J2 are two very special little boys. They continue to need a lot of extra attention, love, support and physical therapy. Both of them are currently at GLA for assistance and will eventually return to their families. Please pray for them as they continue to grow and learn how to thrive not just survive.


Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." -Mark 10:27

…to be continued…

-B