More for my own memory, I wanted to document my little blurb that I shared at our church's women's event last week. Perhaps some day when our little one is grown he or she will want to know what was up with Mom's craze over Haiti and jewelry parties!
"Three years ago my husband Ryan and I brought our second child - a daughter - home from the hospital. My heart was overflowing with love and gratitude and pride for my new baby girl. And just like with the birth of our son, I almost couldn't wait to have another! But this time, I knew that my next baby would not be born of MY body.
God placed adoption on my heart and the next 3 years were bathed in tears and prayers as Ryan and I tried to have the "faith of a child" and say yes to God's call. We always felt that adoption was a beautiful way to grow our family, but God had also called me to leave my full-time job...and so financing this journey would be even more challenging. But when God says "Move!", we know we must move!
We literally circled the globe as we researched countries and adoption agencies. Our hearts finally felt peace when God showed us Haiti.
We have been accepted into God's Little Angels orphanage outside of Port-au-Prince. Our wait will be long - and no doubt more tears will be shed. But we have faith knowing that the God who brought us to this place - will help us get to the "finish line."
During our season of wait our family wants to help to raise awareness of the orphan crisis in Haiti. It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 orphans wandering the "tent cities" of Haiti... with no where to sleep, no one to feed them, no one to call them in before dark.
We feel very blessed to be partnered with a non-profit organization called The Apparent Project. Its mission is to equip the mothers and fathers of Haiti with skills - (such as jewelry-making)- so that they can make a living, and not have to relinquish their children into adoption.
Tonight I have with me some handmade pieces of jewelry made by Haitian artisans. The jewelry is made out of recycled materials: oil drums, cereal boxes, paper... All funds raised for the jewelry pieces go directly to the artisan that made the piece.
Jeremiah 29:11 has been especially meaningful to me the last few years: "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
My prayer is that in some way "this mama" can be a vessel to the people of my child's birth country. And that through The Apparent Project - Christ's love and promises - will be "apparent" to all."
Katie you are something else. I am so proud of you and Ryan for what you are doing. I'm so happy that God has filled your hearts with so much compassion and love for His children, especially those that are in the minority.
ReplyDeleteI always knew that in some way, acts of Kindness, Good Deeds and whatever else, would follow you throughout your life.
Today is Palm Sunday. Among the chants and songs of praises of little children we know JESUS as the ONE who came to make us the children of GOD. "HOSANNAH"
My love to all of you on this exciting Journey.
Grandma Katie