Then Tuesday came and went without too much of anything...except to tell us not to freak out. Everything is under control. We participated in a conference call with an advocacy group that didn't really yield anything we didn't already know after reading the USCIS fact sheet.
Wednesday was another day frought with anxiety and worry and being tired. The hurry up and wait is absolutely no fun. Quite frankly, I am ready for it to be over!
And tonight one of the adoptive fathers was able to talk to Chris. She has an appointment at the embassy tomorrow for 56 of the kids. I believe it is to complete the visa process. She does not think that they will be leaving tomorrow or even Friday, but soon....we really hope it is soon. American Airlines has flights going out daily and have arranged to take our kids for free from Port-au-Prince to Dayton...not sure how many stops will be in there, if any at all. Thank you American Airlines!!!
The kids are all still good - a few have runny noses and belly aches, but even that isn't surprising as it is quite common in Haiti to begin with. They did get their tents today, so now they have shelter!!! And there is a team of 10 people on their way to Port-au-Prince from the Dominican Republic. They have with them 90 tubs of supplies. Delta allowed them to take 4000 pounds worth of stuff from Boston to the DR for FREE. It would have cost them $25,000 otherwise. Thank you Delta!!!
I am still exhausted mentally, emotionall, and physically. I am hoping that with this evening's news I will be able to sleep. And yet, the time and the day are still unknown. AND, he still isn't here, as in my arms. When he is here, in my arms, then I might be able to take a breath.
God is still in control...that fact has never changed, never will. He has done some amazing things in the last week:
- He kept all of the HIS Home kids safe, as well as Hal and Chris
- He has provided somewhere safe for them to be where there is food, water, and now shelter
- He has reunited families here in the United States with their children in Haiti
- He has paved the way for families without completed adoptions to be united with their families - families like us
- He has continued to keep the safe through the numerous aftershocks
- He has provided two amazing people to continue to care for the children - Hal and Chris truly do epitomize what it is like to be 100% committed to the will God has for them. Hal's already looking for a new orphanage.
- He kept our friends the Pierres safe through the earthquake
We don't know what the coming days, weeks, or months hold. Without an immigration visa, we have a few more adoption hurdles to cross that we weren't anticipating. We know, though, that God will be in control of each and every step along the way. Though we may legally only be his guardians when he arrives, we are his parents and we will always be his parents.
I have a sticker that a friend gave me that says, "Adoption is when God grew me in your heart instead of your tummy." I couldn't think of a better way to say it. Joshua has been in our hearts for more than the 2 1/2 years he's actually been in our lives. God knew a long time ago that we would adopt him - that he would need us for his parents. God knew it would be a long, trying, painfully slow process. God knew the earthquake(s) would happen. None of what has been going on is a surprise to him. The future is no more of a mystery to him than the past was.
As long and painful and frustrating as the past week has been, I know that God's hand has been in every part of it. I am thankful that He does not leave us, nor forsake us. He is sovereign. He is good. He is the almighty. And, even, through this time of difficult waiting, He is to be glorified.
To God be the Glory!
Always hoping. Always trusting. Always loving. Always praying.
Always.
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