Questions Answered

Truthfully, making plans these days seems a bit arrogant. Life has taught us over the last two years that plans have a way of changing as life throws us new unexpected curve balls.

But many have asked us, "what now?"

The first month back in the US we traveled 4 States, road on 6 planes, drove hundreds of miles, slept in 7 different houses or hotels. We've now called a "cease travel" for a while in order to give babies a chance to get over colds and intestinal upset, learn a sleep schedule and give Patrick and I a chance to do what everyone keeps encouraging us to do: rest and heal.

Part of our traveling took us to Indianapolis, the headquarters for the area executive covering Latin America and the Caribbean division of Global Ministries. There we embraced by our partners, took part in a debriefing, a psychological interview and attended several meetings where we redefined our responsibilities for the next few months.

Global Ministries has proven itself to be an amazing employer during crisis. They have treated the entire situation from a loving, compassionate place. They responded quickly shuttling emergency funds to our partners in Haiti as the dust still hung in the air. They have kept in close communication with the Villier's and the board of CONASPEH listening to the needs voiced and the plans outlined. They have truly put in action "loving accompaniment" and "critical presence," honoring our Haitian partners and being directed by their voiced needs and goals. Rather than barging into the country deciding and bringing "what Haiti needs," our employers and partners here have dared to ask the Haitians, "what do you need, and how can we help?" We have been pleased and honored to see our employer's true colors emerge in their critical response.

Their response to our family was also from a place of compassion. We have been put on a home leave, assigned to heal and strengthen ourselves for the work that lies ahead. For the time being, we won't be going on church itineration, but instead putting time and energy into the healing process. They listened to the challenges our family faces with adoption and have responded with love, reminding us that there is no timeline on healing and putting our family together. They will be helping rebuild our lives financially as we anticipate putting a home back together and replacing the tools of our trade lost in the earthquake. Although many materials lost can't be replaced--photos, sentimental gifts, art--they are ultimately only material things. We escaped with our lives, our health, our family intact (and expanded). We are blessed to have an amazing support system in our employers and friends that ensures our lives will move forward.

We are planning to go back to Haiti. If we could leave tomorrow as a family (with adoptions legalized and done), we would. But we have a circus full of bureaucratic hoops to jump through and processes to tread. It takes time. We moved to Kansas because we have family here and we were quoted a shorter time to process legal adoption paperwork in this state. My brother and his family opened their home to us, and for the time being we are calling Kansas home. Whether that is for the next month or more, we can't be sure.

What our life and work will look like when we return to Haiti is once again up for definition. We have been keeping in contact with Global Ministries and the Vilier's. Patrick hopes to plan a trip to Haiti soon to find a home for our family and discuss with the Villier's their hope for our work in time to come. I hope to resume clinical outreach on the CONASPEH land, re-establishing a family practice presence in the community and linking in with medical outreach centers already working in the city. CONASPEH has voiced interest in utilizing groups visiting from abroad to help rebuild and reconstruct their buildings and catalyzing their projects. Patrick and I will likely play an active part in mission interpretation and trip planning for friends coming to learn, listen and lend a hand.

In the meantime we are staying in contact with CONASPEH and Global Ministries, stepping out of the limelight to focus on the needs of our family.

Global Ministries has been busy with emergency relief, sending money and supplies to our partners in Haiti. If you are anxious to get involved NOW and need to find a way to do so, please contact their website and find out what our partners need.

Thank you again for you love and support. We are grateful to have such an incredible community to accompany us and our Haitian friends on this adventure in life.