Hello Everybody!!
I have been sooooo looking forward to writing this letter! I am very happy to announce that Bella and Elijah are home! This past month has been an absolute whirlwind. A little over one month ago Jason and I were devastated with the news of the earthquake that shook Haiti. We had no idea then that out of such tragedy God would give us the miracle of our children coming home. We were sick over the realization that all of our efforts and all of the waiting was sitting underneath the rubble of what once was the building holding our paperwork. I felt absolutely helpless. The only hope that I had was the promise that these children were chosen by God for us, and that was enough. I began the arduous task of contacting Senators, Congressmen, Governors, even the White House trying to figure out what I could do to get help to my family in Haiti.
Within weeks of the earthquake the United States implemented Humanitarian Parole for children who were in the process of adoption before the earthquake. That would give my children permission to come to the USA without the need of Visa's or even a completed adoption! WHAT A MIRACLE! With the revelation of this amazing news I quickly began contacting everybody who was anybody in an effort to extract my children from Haiti. I soon realized that although there was a mandate to allow my children entry into the United States it was not going to come easily. Our stateside coordinator Natalie and a handful of parents were able to secure a chartered plane into Port de Paix, Haiti. They went in with the intent to prepare the hundreds of pages of adoption paperwork that Cindy and Keith (the mission directors) had made copies of. Thank God that they had the forethought to make copies! It took that team over a week to get everything in order to present to the officials at the US Embassy.
Then came the call for a team of five strong daddies to come in and help bring the children through the mountains of Haiti to Port au Prince where the US Embassy still stands. I received an email from a dear friend offering Jason the opportunity to go all expenses paid! Of course Jason jumped at the opportunity and he flew out the very next day along with 4 other fathers and one brave woman. I tear up even now thinking about my heroic husband. He truly is a hero. Two days and three countries later that team arrived in Port de Paix on a supply plane.
Our children were very surprised to see their daddy. Jason tells me that he took Elijah's face in his hands and looked him straight in the eyes and said "Son, this time I will not leave without you." Beautiful.
Keith secured a bus that arrived at the mission around 3:00 in the morning. They loaded 41 children and 17 adults onto that 'ole bus and began the journey through the mountains of Haiti. Jason tells me that there really aren't any words to describe the hellish ride that they had. He says that it was like the worst roller-coaster ride times twenty! They did not stop because a bus full of children and Americans was money in the eyes of a desperate people. The driver went from 10 mph to 55 mph over terrain that was great for mud riding or hiking... not driving. Jason says that he heard five pieces of metal fall off that bus during their travels. Apparently the safety of the passengers was the reason for the dramatic acceleration of the bus because there were several courageous (or stupid) men who managed to jump on the back of the bus. Who knows what their intentions were but I am sure that they soon forgot all of that as they realized that they were holding on for their lives! The bus made the 120 mile journey through the mountains in about 6 hours. Our Haiti family made it to the U.S. Embassy Saturday morning.
In the meantime I had traveled from Pensacola to Tampa with my two youngest boys and waited to hear word from Jason that they were flying into Miami. I wanted to be closer to the airport that they would be flying into so that it would not take me too long to pick them up. I ended up waiting longer then I had anticipated, but I was able to spend time with my daddy and sisters. Noah fell in love with his "Papa" and frequently asks me when we can go see him again.
While waiting in the U.S. Embassy Jason became very ill, he describes it as his "day of rest" tongue in cheek. Finally, the Prime Minister signed the travel documents allowing the group that my children and husband were in to come out of Haiti. With every triumph there has been some sort of test following... even to the very end. They were able to secure a military plane out, but that plane ended up having major mechanical problems and they had to wait one more day before the final flight out was secured.
I FINALLY got word that they were flying out on Tuesday. I was incredibly anxious to get my hands on my children and hold my husband. I drove to Miami and awaited the morning like a child trying to sleep the night before Christmas. I arrived at His House (the safe home for the children coming out of Haiti) 30 minutes before I was supposed to and I waited, and waited. I have learned a great deal of patience through this, not always happily... thanks mom for praying. Finally Jason came in the waiting room, he was literally 10lbs lighter... but I have to say that he never looked so good to me.
A woman came in reading off a roster. She asked us to raise our hands if we heard the name of our child. She read BellaVisa and I shot my hand up and hollered "She's mine!" There were about 9 children on that list. The woman smiled at me and said "We are getting pictures of your children and getting ready to bring them out to you. You will sign some paperwork and then you will be released to go." My eyes filled with tears, after all of this time, after all of the hardships it was going to be that easy. My body began to tremble as I waited to see my children. I could not sit still. I was a little nervous that the people working there was going to think that I was some sort of freak because I kept looking in every direction in anticipation of them coming in.. I had no idea which direction that they would be coming from. Then I saw them round the corner. They looked just as nervous and anxious as me. I drop to my knee and yelled "Elijah, Bella!" They saw me and walked quickly to me with their arms outstretched, big smiles on their sweet little faces! We hugged and hugged, I wept the happiest tears! Elijah stroked my hair and told me that he loved me, kissing my face. It was an amazing moment. When Noah saw Elijah he ran to him and said"I love you brother". Elijah pulled him into his lap and said "I love you too Noah." With in about 30 minutes I was signing the paperwork and we were walking out of that building with all of our children! That was the most liberating feeling.
We are adjusting well... I like to say that we are learning to "gel". We are a normal family dealing with all of the normal things that families do. I love my children, all of them. I am looking forward to experiencing all of their first time experiences. We were able to take them shopping for clothes and that was so sweet watching Bella skip from dress rack to dress rack squealing "Mama LOOK!" We signed Elijah up for soccer and Jason is going to be his coach! Noah loves having his brother and sister to play with. The simple things make me smile, like Bella dancing in the warm shower and Elijah consistently saying thank you and giving me a hug after every meal. I praise God for His GREAT FAITHFULNESS! Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I have included some pictures from the first moments seeing them in America. Please continue to pray as we gel. We love you.
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