Haitian Super Heros

Having reached our 11th snow day here in the Shenandoah Valley, our four guys are working hard to entertain themselves :-) There is always a lot of grumbling when I mention it is time to read. I personally love to spend time in a good book, but my guys aren't big literary fans, so I decided to entice them by reading "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightening Thief" aloud. They want to see the movie that arrives in theaters on Friday, so I have promised that if they commit themselves to this reading time, we will see the movie once we have finished the book. I am hopeful it is working as the two youngest decided to be Super Heros/Greek Gods and stamp out injustice and dust bunnies wherever they could find them. It is such fun to watch them "fly" around the house and cure all the evils of the world. If it were only that easy...

Each day as I watch the news or see images on the computer, I am personally thankful that life brought these two little Haitians into our hearts. It is impossible not to see my boys in the faces of the hungry, injured and orphaned children in Port-au-Prince. We know that our family was blessed beyond measure when we brought them home. It is not for us to know why or how they were chosen for this life here in Virginia. We simply trust and believe that their lives have a special purpose and pray that we will help them discover that path. With all the arguing in the media, it is so easy to get caught up in the debate over what is the right way and wrong way to help the little ones in Haiti. Over the years of working in Haiti, it has become very clear that when it comes to caring for orphans there can be no one answer that covers the situation of each & every child separated from family in Haiti. I believe that every child deserves the love and security of a family. If it is not possible for that to happen within their country & culture than there should be other options. I am hopeful that politics will be set aside as the world tries to help the Haitian people (big & small) move forward and that we can find opportunities to for all Haitian children to grow & prosper regardless of where they live.

That being said, today we give thanks for our family here and in Haiti as we learned that Pierre's Haitian mom is alive and well! Many thanks to all our family & friends who have contacted us in the last few weeks expressing support and prayers for her well-being and for Pierre's heavy heart as we waited to hear. We have not heard about Ched's family but are praying the news will reach us that they are okay as well.

Wishing a Rainbow for Haiti

My heart is heavy...so heavy I am finding it difficult to get much work done this week. I have had the privilege to travel to Haiti many times over the years. I have met so many wonderful people in Haiti...both Haitian & American. This week's earthquake has caused devastation that is beyond comprehension, even for individuals who have traveled & spent time in Haiti. This country & her people live on the edge of existence...there is no room for error...the balancing act between life & death is precarious even on a good day. We are thinking about and praying for friends & family who are still unaccounted for tonite. Our family includes the Haitian families of our two sons adopted from Haiti. It is difficult to explain to such small boys what has happened. Thanks to the many friends here in the US who have sent messages to tell us they are thinking about our family and those we are connected with in Haiti. Many have asked how they might help. Our contacts are all saying the same thing: send money. It is too time-consuming and too difficult to send material goods. I have included some links that you can go to if you have the heart to contribute. My best advice is to give to those organizations who have had a presence in Haiti for years and those who will help with medical care & children. There are many good people working hard everyday and especially now to make a difference for children & their families.

I have posted a few photos from my trips there. These are all from the Port au Prince area. It is a beautiful country with incredibly strong & resilient people. I don't know how I would pick myself back up after a disaster like this, but I am confident that they will. Until they can, I will continue to pray for a rainbow of help & hope for them all.

My last visit with Pierre's birth mother in Port au Prince.

Heartline Ministries - they work with women & children. Some friends of mine are missionaries with this group. You can see their blog updates on the what is happening right now in Haiti at: www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com

World Wide Village - an umbrella group that helps with many areas in Haiti. The Livesay Family also helps with this organization.

Partners in Health - A medical group run by Dr. Paul Farmer. Extremely well run and has a strong permanent team in Haiti.

Hope for Haiti - another medical missions group that has a strong permanent presence in Haiti. These folks help a lot of children.

Hearts with Haiti - This organization helps with a group home for children with disabilities and two homes for street boys. Their main home & guest house collapsed during the earthquake. The children are all accounted for and safe. The director was injured but is receiving care. They will need a lot of funding to get the resources they need to care for all of the children.

Lastly, the group I have worked with over the last few years is Angel Missions Haiti. We provide medical services to children through a medical visa program, through partnerships with numerous orphanages and with a new surgery center that was due to be opened in April 2009. The status of our center is unknown at this time. We will use any funds we receive to support our partner organizations we are already working in Haiti at this time.