Our Rock(s)

One thing that we have learned throughout this adoption is that WE are NEVER in control of what happens...or doesn't happen. We have had to learn to depend on others. God has been and will be our only hope in the adoption and every aspect of our lives and this process has made us realize that more than ever. We have to be comforted in knowing that he has a plan and everything will happen in His time. This has been a hard thing to accept at times, but we are really trying.
The other "rock" that we are depending on is Mr.Rock Cayo, the director at the ANA "O". Rock is truly our Haitian Angel. We have a sense of relief in knowing that he is doing everything in his power to get Jean Delson home with us. Just this week we learned that the most recent letter we had to write to IBESR is in the hands of Rock and that he is going to personally deliver it to the powers that be and plead our case with them. This is such a comfort and truly an answer to our prayers. We feel like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders knowing that Rock is handling this situation. Thank God...thanks Rock
Pray that we have some good news soon...we all know it is much needed. ~Melissa

News from Bongo!

We ordered a report for Jean Delson on his birth family and got some progress news today. The lady who does the reports is a Haitian named Granny Bin. Here is the update we received:
"We made a trip to Bonga to visit Jean Delson Chery was born. His bio mother was not there. on of the relatives told us that he was going to make every effort to locate her so we can have an interview. Her mother and father are living but were not present as they were working in a section of Bonga which was not accessible by our car. Our car got stuck several times on the rocky roads (pictures will be in the report). I imagine that we will have to make another trip before we can finish this report.
Jean Chery's father was very kind."
Granny Bin hopes to have our full report to us soon after the new year. We are really excited because it will contain pictures and family history that will mean the world to Jean Delson.
Thank you to everyone who has been contributing to make this report happen!It is really a priceless gift. ~Melissa

Having his cake...and eating it too :-)

Notice that Jean Delson is the first one done with his cake!

Growing up before our eyes

Recently, some families that are adopting through ANA had went down to visit. They said that all of the kids were doing well, despite a recent outbreak of pink eye. YUCK. Anyhow, one of the families, the Peckys, sent over some new pictures of Jean Delson. I can not believe how big he is getting. He is sure growing up fast.

Lori Jones, our case worker from ANA, brought back some discouraging news. It appears that our case is still in IBESR and was waiting for us to send a notarized letter stating that we have lived together for 10 years(this is one of their new guidelines, that a couple be married or living together for 10 years)...one problem ...we have not lived together for 10 years. So, Lori is going to send our lawyer from Haiti into IBESR and fight our case. She is VERY hopeful that he will be able to convince them to send our case through, sine it was there before their new laws kicked in.

We ask for your continued prayers and in the meantime enjoy these updated pictures. ~Melissa

Updates from Haiti

We just received word from Lori Jones that Haiti has been without power since tropical storm, Noel, hit 9 days ago...this would explain the lack of communication lately. Anyhow, Lori and Rock were going in search of a generator so the staff and kids can at least have power back. Unfortunately that is a VERY expensive task, a generator in Haiti and 2 freezers, that they need for the food, will be about $12,000. Please pray that they are able to get these necessities soon...and that Lori is still able to make some headway at IBESR! ~Melissa

Calling for Prayers

This week Lori Jones, our new case worker at ANA (and the owner!), set our to Haiti. Her main goal while she is there this week is to get the families who have been stuck in IBESR out...we are one of those families. She said that she will go to the IBESR office everyday and try to meet with them and encourage them to sign off on our cases. Please keep Lori in your prayers this week in hopes that she is able to make some headway. ~Melissa

Getting Bigger!

We got the latest updates on Jean Delson's height and weight this week. We think that the MI shirt must not make him very happy, we will need to get him a WI shirt :-). He is coming in at 32 inches and weighs 24 pounds. He is up 1 pound since we were in Haiti this April...he is ever so slowly moving in the right direction.

Lori Jones, our case worker at ANA, sent us an email this week that she was hoping to see our case exit IBESR sometime very soon. That will be a HUGE weight lifted off our shoulders, but still will mean another 5-8 month wait. We continue to pray for patience, something you can NEVER have enough of when adopting from Haiti. ~Melissa

Help make debt history

I just sent a message to my representative urging them to support the Jubilee Act, which will relieve some of the debt that keeps many developing nations trapped in a cycle of poverty.You can help this important bill move forward by taking action here: http://www.one.org/40days/Thanks! Melissa

Mother and child

I found this poem in an adoption article and it REALLY sums up the way that I feel. The wait for Jean Delson has been long and we still have no end in sight. I will remember these words to keep me going. -Melissa

ACHING HEARTS

Your heart is aching for someone to hold you.

My heart is aching for someone to hold.

My empty arms are here to embrace you, Soon we'll be together, Mother and child.
I hear your cries when you are hungry, I hear you whimper when you are alone,

I hear you giggle when the nanny makes faces, Soon we'll be together, Mother and child.
Hold on to your dreams of a family, of love And I'll hold onto the hope of bringing you home.

Hold on to your dreams, we are coming to get you And you'll be filling my arms, my heart, our home.
Give me your hand, I'll be there to protect you, Give me your heart, and I'll cherish our love.

The love between Mother and child is precious, Soon we'll be together, Mother and child.
I'll fly over an ocean to see and to meet you, I'd dig straight through the earth to be where you are.

I'm waiting my turn; time is all that's between us. Soon we'll be together, Mother and child.
~Julie A. Rocheleau

YOU CAN BE A HERO TOO!

As you probably read in one of my earlier posts, Lime Studios in CA recently held a benefit for the new ANA orphanage. Here is a link to the Amazing video they produced while at the current ANA facility: http://dreamsequencesvideos.com/limeaid/ . You will need to have the new version of Quick Time loaded in order to view the video, but trust me it is well worth it. You will see several appearances by the one and only Jean Delson. They need to raise a total of 1 million dollars to build the new orphanage, a school to serve both the children in the O and on the street, a medical clinic and a guest house for visiting parents. I encourage you to visit the ANA web page, which is listed at the bottom of my blog, and make any donation you can. Be a hero to these Haitian Angels!

Melissa

Haitian Hero

Everyday hero's are very hard to find these days. People whose selfless acts really do help those less fortunate. On CNN today, I ran across one of those hero's. The story is of a young man from FL, someone who had everything he could imagine while growing up. His name is Aaron Jackson and he can really be a role model for each and every one of us. This story left me asking myself, How can I do more...I hope it does the same for you:
CNN Heroes: Child of privilege helps Haiti's orphans - CNN.com*

God Bless,
Melissa

LIME - AID?!?!?!

If you're in the Santa Monica, CA area on Sept 7, there is going to be a really fun event that will raise funds for the new orphanage, It will also provide services to the whole community, including a school, clinic, and clean water supply. Check out the link for Lime-aid :
http://www.lime-aid.tv/ . Rock Cayo, the director of ANA orphanage, will be attending. They were in Haiti for several days and did some filming of the kids that will be shown. Here's hoping they raise the $400,000 needed for the new facility!
God Bless,
Melissa

Celebrating Milestones...Miles Away

Recently Jean Delson celebrated his 2nd birthday. Although we could not be with him in person, we were able to celebrate with him in spirit. We sent down some gifts for him and also a little money so he could have a party with the other kids. Sabrina, a Godsend to the orphanage, took pictures of the event and sent them to us. Here is a link to the: http://www.flickr.com/photos/troeds14/sets/72157600903555603/detail/

I hope you all enjoy them as much as we did....it really made us feel like we were there with him.



Scott and I have a new motto these days - "Everyday that goes by, is one day closer to bringing Jean Delson home." Amen to that :-)



Melissa

Just a Beginner

Hello to all! I have decided to start a blog so that you may all join me on the exciting journey to bringing Jean Delson home. Scott and I noticed that it has now been a full year since we began this journey and boy has it been a rough road. We have had many ups and downs along the way, but in the end we know that everything happens on God's timeline and not ours. I will post updates as we get them and also try to keep you up to date on what is happening at the ANA orphanage in Haiti.

Keep Praying!
Melissa