My Thoughts About Haiti

A few have asked why I put that wonderful Haitian orphanage on my links of adoption agencies. I just came across a newsletter in my mail today solidifying why.

Long long story--in the midst of our adoptions we seriously considered adopting from Haiti. Lots of reasons why, and those are still valid reasons to this day. We would not rule it out. As you read this story, you might find yourself wanting to adopt from Haiti.

In the midst of looking into Haiti, we found Maranatha Ministries, and have been nothing but impressed since. They run a top notch orphanage in a country where substandard and squalor are the norm. I got on their newsletter list, and receive regular ones in the mail and a weekly one via email.

Typical adoption situation goes something like this--malnourished birth mother gives birth to an underweight, malnourished baby. Mother's milk does not come in because she is malnourished. Or, in some tragic cases, mother perishes in child birth. Baby is vulnerable to losing it's life because of it's condition at birth. Many times desperate family members scramble to find an orphanage that will save the baby's life. To purchase baby formula in Haiti is like asking someone for a brick of gold, no joke. It's is premium commodity. So babies die, and they die a lot.

They are also discarded. A few years ago, when I first started getting emails, I got the most frantic one of all. A baby boy was found in a pig trough down a ravine. Yes, a pig will devour a baby, and had a few days before. I know--it's horrifying. This little boy was rescued by someone and brought to Maranatha Ministries. I didn't hear anything for a long time, but I prayed for that little boy. I was so thankful to hear he was alive, but did he survive?

I finally posted on Maranatha's message board just asking what happened. His adoptive mother sent a quick email saying her family had just adopted him and he was a plump little boy living in Arkansas. That was about two years ago.

I will type out the latest story from Maranatha Ministries most recent newsletter written by his adoptive mother:

"Yesterday at church, Zak asked me if he could pray, I said yes. He said "I want to pray on the floor." I told him, "Okay." Now, no one else was doing this, however, in the past he has observed two young men doing this at church. I watched this four year old lay face down on the floor with his face in his hands praying. Tears began to roll down my face, I was just in awe of the Holy Spirit and how this little guy was moved and how he responded. He did this several times throughout worship. He even knelt and put his face down on the floor placing it into his hands with his little behind sticking up in the air. How precious this was! I myself have never done this at church, I sat feeling so blessed and thought "is this how Jesus' mother felt as she watch her son do things like this?"

I am so blessed to have a son that loves the Lord as he does. He always wants to pray and talk about Jesus. He is so thankful for everything. He even thanks the Lord for Mommy's car and going places.

Zak came from a country that struggles in so many ways and a heritage of voodoo. He serves the Lord with no inhibitions. He serves the Lord with all his heart and I know without a doubt in my heart and mind that he was spared for a mighty purpose. I feel so honored to be his mother. As I write this e-mail tears pour from my eyes, yesterday will forever be burned in my memory. God is so awesome!"

For some reason, God has put on our family's heart a burden for Haiti. I don't know that we'll ever adopt from there. But we still support Maranatha Ministries. Don't be surprised if sometime in October or November, I start pestering you. I will pester you for money. For my local friends, I will pester you for baby formula you might have. Or maybe those formula coupons. Why? I do an annual formula drive and I send it right to this orphanage.

I make no money on this believe me. I use all the money and go to Costco and buy their name brand formula. My youngest son was raised on it! Plus, it is seriously cheap. Some folks give me Walgreens coupons, and I'll go use money to buy their label brand. I then pay the bucks (usually over $100) to have it sent to John McHoul's (director of Maranatha Ministries who has lived in Haiti since the 70's) son, Sam, who lives in Florida. If I time it right, Sam can take it to Haiti where he visits his family for Christmas.

They also use some canned items. Peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, etc. I also check with John first to see if there is something they need especially.

So, if you ever want to know why we support Haiti, for children like Zak. Just click on the link, then click on photo gallery, and you will see the happiest kids in the Caribbean. Yet, they live in a country where it's a daily survival for everyone.

If you are encouraged like I am by this great place, feel free to sign up to receive John's emails. You will be inspired. He also has a pretty good sense of humor about living in Haiti. You can also receive their monthly paper newsletters as well.

If you do nothing now, that is fine. But give me $20 (two big cans of powdered baby formula) closer to Christmas, and hey, you have literally saved a baby's life. All prayers appreciated too.