Daniel's First Trip to Haiti

Hi All -

Daniel here. I have the privilege to take my first trip to Haiti with the same ministry Jennie went with in July 2014 - Heartline Ministries - Haiti!

I am headed to Haiti the week of October 17th on a trip designed to use soccer as a way to bring the Gospel and love of Christ to the youth in Haiti. Through a partnership with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Haiti, we will organize and support soccer clinics and host a tournament towards the end of the weeklong experience. We will also spend time during the week at the various Heartline facilities supporting the work they are doing in partnership with the people of Haiti. This includes the maternity center, the men's discipleship program, the women's education center and likely visiting some orphanages and other places throughout the week.

Please pray God would continue to prepare our team for our time in Haiti. Pray for the hearts of the Haitian people we will have the opportunity to love. Pray God, in His grace, would work in and through us as we share the Gospel in word and deed. Pray that many would trust in Jesus as Savior and King. Pray for our safety and our families while we are away. Thank you!

You can also support our team through donations of items requested by the FCA in Haiti.  It is very difficult to mail supplies to Haiti, so our ability to pack them with us makes a big difference. FCA has provided the following list of items that we are trying to collect. You can either mail them to me (prior to October 14th) or send me a donation which I will use to purchase the items. Anything is appreciated. Let me know if you need my address.

Thanks again for your support!

Requested Items:

1. MOUTH GUARDS FOR THE BASKETBALL PLAYERS 

2. KNEE PADS

3. ANKLE BRACES

4. ELBOW PADS

5. JUMP ROPES

6. TENNIS VISORS

7. TENNIS UNIFORMS

8. VOLLEYBALL UNIFORMS

9. 2 (TWO) BASKETBALL TROPHIES ( FOR A TOURNAMENT WE WILL BE HAVING IN DECEMBER ) 

10. 12 BASKETBALL MEDALS

11.VOLLEYBALL BALLS

12. SOCCER BALLS

13. SOCCER PUMPS/NEEDLES

The ones underlined in red have been noted as the most important for FCA right now.

2 Years...

I have been contemplating what to say here as we hit the 2 year mark of when our "Yes" become a reality. When AWAA accepted us to begin this Journey to The Fisher Five and my words are failing me. It feels like both yesterday and forever ago. So much has changed yet so much has stayed the same.

I listen to my to precious girls playing in the playroom during "quiet time" and I get this longing for a 3rd little voice I have never heard. I imagine the laughter intensifying, the silliness escalating, the love abounding and my heart knows she is missing.

Whoever "she" is.

We pray for our "Baby Haiti" every day. Last night, Anna Beth chimed in "soon" as Daniel prayed for us to trust in His timing to bring her home. What a hard and wonderful reality, that even our 4 year old knows that someone is missing and she wants her home... soon.

Soon is such a relative word I suppose. We started this journey 2 years ago, we are only officially "waiting" in the Haitian System for 8 1/2 months. (In pregnancy terms, she should just about be here. - In Jennie pregnancy terms she would be here!)

So, we wait for that call, the one where things change because "she" becomes a name and a face that changes our world forever.

Recently, there is a truth that the Lord has been subtly reminding me lately ... "Be Still..." It is a hard one for me, but one I keep hearing and cannot ignore.

Sweet little one, our hearts long for that day, but until then know you are so very loved.

We choose to trust and Be Still.

Be Still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10

Moments

This morning I was asked the very normal question one is asked during this process... Any news?

I provided the update that we are simply waiting and they asked how long it has been and it hit me... 

19 months since our agency said yes... 

Wow. 19 months. ...

Yet only truly waiting now for 3.5 months so a long ways to go...

I received the packet to start our home study updates this week too...

I got a bit overwhelmed at these two thoughts combined together...

Yet our God in His infinite wisdom provided the gentlest and most precious reminder in the moment I needed it most.

What was it you ask? 

In our social media filled world it was actually the Instagram update of another adoptive family here in the US beginning their journey as a family. It was a congratulatory welcome to the world of their sweet little one...

Her name, it was her name.... and her beautiful dark skinned precious face...

This precious child's name was one that the Lord has impressed on our hearts and that has spurred us on in this journey.  It may not be our daughters name but it is part of her story, our story. 

Selah Joy "P"... Whomever you are, wherever you are, you may never know the people who prayed for you today....

However, this mama will always know the ways the Lord used you to encourage my weary heart on its path to my beautiful Haitian daughter, whomever she may be...

Psalm 18:30 - "As for the Lord, His way is perfect..."