Another Step Closer

I thought I would share this blog post for all of my followers to stay updated on the progress of our adoption.  Barry and I received an update from CCAI today that said that President Martelly, the President of Haiti, signed off on 100 dispensations on Monday, December 26th.  Even dispensations of those who don't have dossiers yet in IBESR.  We are currently waiting for our dossier to reach IBESR and the only thing holding us back from getting there is Junior's birth certificate.  Please pray that our dossier was one of those signed by the President and also that Junior's birth certificate would come quickly.  We appreciate all of you and your prayers and support through this process!

Love at first site.

You know that moment when you look into your newborns face and the love you feel is indescribable? That was what I felt today when looking into John's (aka: Junior's) face. The moment our eyes connected that feeling so quickly returned. He is unbelievably amazing and more. When he saw Barry and I he immediately called us mama and papa and offered us a hug. He actually recognized us from our pictures we sent to him in October.
 - I will say that the journey to get to the orphanage was all but smooth, but our coordinator Patrick got us there in one piece. We were able to go to Lifeline with another family from Denver, Colorado, that are adopting Wenkie, a 5 y.o. He and Junior are like brothers and were excited to ride in the "machine" (creole for car). Barry and I were also able to meet our friend's kids that will be adopted into our church family, along with Junior.  Rob and Teresa's little girl, Roselie (Dashka) and Pastor Steve and Kathryn's little boy Luis (Ernelson).  They are all precious children and we are excited to have a never ending bond with 3 Haitian children from the same orphanage in our community.  God has truly blessed us with that opportunity. It was amazing to see the children in the orphanage and to recognize several from pictures of other adoptive families and files that Barry and I reviewed before deciding to adopt Junior.  I will say that pictures don't do these children justice.  They are all so beautiful.  Not only physically, but in their personalities.  I am praying that all of them will end up with loving families in the United States.  There are several that have families and several that are still waiting for paperwork in order to be assigned to a family.  -We were able to meet Mama Nicole, the founder of Lifeline orphanage.  She went to college in Kentucky and God called her home to Haiti along with her Pastor husband to start an orphanage.  I am glad that God did because she has been a tremendous influence in Junior's life and literally saved him from dying.  Junior was brought to the orphanage by police officer's whom found him on the steps of the police station at 5 days old. Mama Nicole took him in and was able to nourish him back to health.
 -We said our goodbyes at the orphanage and took Junior and Wenkie back to the hotel with us.  They were both very excited to be with us and when we arrived they seemed to know exactly why they were there.  We immediately went to dinner at the hotel and the kids ate like they have never eaten a meal before in their lives.  They ate every morsel of their rice and beans, some of Barry's french fries, my spaghetti, and all the bread on the table.  Their bellies almost burst!  Literally.

-I was concerned about Junior going to sleep the first night in a strange place, but he layed his precious little head on my shoulder and I sang Away in the Manger.  It didn't take him long and he fell asleep.  I was able to sleep next to him and throughout the night, he would reach over and feel for me to make sure I was still there. About 3:00 am, the rooster started to crow.  Junior woke up and whispered mama and reached for me.  I snuggled with him as he fell back to sleep.  There is nothing more precious than a sleeping child, especially, your own child.  I will never forget that first night with my son!

To God be the Glory

I wasn't sure how to title my first blog except with "To God be the Glory." There are no other words to describe this journey we have been called to embark on except by giving our Lord and Saviour the credit. I will save how we started this journey for another post later. But for now I wanted to preface our most exciting moment with this post. Tomorrow we meet our precious new son, Jean Benito Antoine Poppen (4 y.o.) We will meet him in his temporary home, Lifeline orphanage, and will then have the privilege to spend 4 wonderful days at our hotel with him. So with that said, pray for safe travels to Haiti and that our new found journey with our precious son will be one of many blessings. We love all of you and appreciate all the support and prayers thus far. Also, thank you so much for the overwhelming financial support we have received for our adoption and for providing for the financial need that will be helping to provide food for the precious children at Lifeline. I will do my best to keep all of you updated during our trip. I will leave you with this verse that spoke to me today: "When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.". -Matthew 25:40