We have a source of possible information that we are hoping on now. There is someone who knows someone and the connection is very strong and that someone they know is a high-up official/lawyer. This looks promising for at least finding some information out beyond "You are still in MOI" (which is the stage we are in and have been in for over 8 months - average is 4-6 months). We are hopeful and will be praying!
This Weekend
We are going to the place we went to earlier in the spring - leaving today and coming back Tuesday AM. I probably won't be posting anything until we are back on Tuesday, so...have a great weekend! This will be a little break for all of the mission staff.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Appreciation
Something that I feel that I haven't done in too long of a time is express my appreciation. I have a great sense of appreciation for those who have supported us financially to be here. We do not have a high number of supporters and are not rolling in the dough, but through those of you who support us, God is meeting our needs (nearly to the penny). We give great praise to God for His work through His people and we thank you for following His direction. If God tells you to stop donating to us, don't worry - He'll meet our needs in other ways as He always has. First and foremost, be obedient to Him.
I also appreciate the words of encouragement via email and through comments on this blog - especially through the last few weeks of my traveling to the States and exploring the job possibility. I have not replied to everyone's comments directly, but I do read them and appreciate them all!
We take the emails and comments that are sent seriously. Our eyes and views may be tainted by our frustrations and circumstances, so having people drop notes our way is very helpful. Pointing us to our one true source of knowledge and hope, the Bible, is a great thing that most have done - we may not be reading on our own what the Lord is saying through your words to us.
We have had a number of people suggest that we talk to government officials in the States to see if they can do something to help us out. We are not experts in the Haitian governmental system (is anyone?), but the experiences that we have had tells us that having someone from the States tell someone from Haiti what to do does not work well. And if they did tell them what to do, the person holding the paperwork may still do what they want regardless of what someone tells them. This is not to say that it would NEVER happen and that God could never work through a State-side government official, I am just saying that it may not work quite like we may expect it to. I don't want to shut this possibility off, however.
This adoption scenario is teaching us many things and that is where your support in prayer and comments is greatly appreciated. We are constantly struggling with knowing how much effort we ourselves put into finishing the adoption and how much to let God take it over. We often times feel that there is NOTHING else we can do. Then once in a while we think about driving to the place our paperwork is and seeing if we can't get in and personally request that they work on our papers. At what point are we doing everything that we can, and at what point are we striving to get the adoption done in our own efforts, either way continuing to trust God for results. It seems that we could always be stopping in on our orphanage director, but we don't know if this would make things worse... Basically, we often struggle with what to do next and waiting is one of those possibilities. What we ACTUALLY do often depends on what we feel is best at the moment which sometimes changes from day to day. As I type this paragraph, I don't know where or how to end it... Perhaps that is a great example of not knowing what to do.
Boring Car Stuff...
I like filling up the vehicles with fuel. I know exactly what to do and that feels good. :-)
I also appreciate the words of encouragement via email and through comments on this blog - especially through the last few weeks of my traveling to the States and exploring the job possibility. I have not replied to everyone's comments directly, but I do read them and appreciate them all!
We take the emails and comments that are sent seriously. Our eyes and views may be tainted by our frustrations and circumstances, so having people drop notes our way is very helpful. Pointing us to our one true source of knowledge and hope, the Bible, is a great thing that most have done - we may not be reading on our own what the Lord is saying through your words to us.
We have had a number of people suggest that we talk to government officials in the States to see if they can do something to help us out. We are not experts in the Haitian governmental system (is anyone?), but the experiences that we have had tells us that having someone from the States tell someone from Haiti what to do does not work well. And if they did tell them what to do, the person holding the paperwork may still do what they want regardless of what someone tells them. This is not to say that it would NEVER happen and that God could never work through a State-side government official, I am just saying that it may not work quite like we may expect it to. I don't want to shut this possibility off, however.
This adoption scenario is teaching us many things and that is where your support in prayer and comments is greatly appreciated. We are constantly struggling with knowing how much effort we ourselves put into finishing the adoption and how much to let God take it over. We often times feel that there is NOTHING else we can do. Then once in a while we think about driving to the place our paperwork is and seeing if we can't get in and personally request that they work on our papers. At what point are we doing everything that we can, and at what point are we striving to get the adoption done in our own efforts, either way continuing to trust God for results. It seems that we could always be stopping in on our orphanage director, but we don't know if this would make things worse... Basically, we often struggle with what to do next and waiting is one of those possibilities. What we ACTUALLY do often depends on what we feel is best at the moment which sometimes changes from day to day. As I type this paragraph, I don't know where or how to end it... Perhaps that is a great example of not knowing what to do.
Boring Car Stuff...
I like filling up the vehicles with fuel. I know exactly what to do and that feels good. :-)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Adoption:USCIS follow-up
I sent a follow-up email to the USCIS last night, so hopefully they'll get the email this morning. I wanted to remind them that we are waiting for an answer from them regarding where they are at with the paperwork and why they sent the paperwork before it was finished.
We are also going to send an email to the State-side person who we think might receive the paperwork if the USCIS really did send it out.
We'll see what happens...
We are also going to send an email to the State-side person who we think might receive the paperwork if the USCIS really did send it out.
We'll see what happens...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Adoption, BCS: In the Swing
No news on the adoption front. I spoke with the guy who knows someone in MOI and he said he'll give the person a call to see if they found anything out. I hope he can find something out from that person!
Boring Car Stuff...
Today, I was back in the swing of things around here. There are so many things broken that it's almost as if nothing was touched while I was gone. I am sure some things were done, but many were not. The guy who used to be the mechanic told me that he had been driving around doing things and not doing much mechanic work. So there were lots of job security-type items calling my name.
The big dump truck cracked its rear differential housing, the spring perch is too worn through, and the frame is cracked. The old Toyota seems to have a leak of the differential fluid at the hub and I was told that the transmission isn't shifting into 1 or 2. The Patrol had a flat tire. The Montero had a flat tire. The new Toyota pickup had a couple warning lights on the dash (I solved the only light I saw, but was told another is coming on once in a while). The Canter is down to 3 of 5 studs on the front passenger side front and the fuel tank has a crack and is leaking.
Boring Car Stuff...
Today, I was back in the swing of things around here. There are so many things broken that it's almost as if nothing was touched while I was gone. I am sure some things were done, but many were not. The guy who used to be the mechanic told me that he had been driving around doing things and not doing much mechanic work. So there were lots of job security-type items calling my name.
The big dump truck cracked its rear differential housing, the spring perch is too worn through, and the frame is cracked. The old Toyota seems to have a leak of the differential fluid at the hub and I was told that the transmission isn't shifting into 1 or 2. The Patrol had a flat tire. The Montero had a flat tire. The new Toyota pickup had a couple warning lights on the dash (I solved the only light I saw, but was told another is coming on once in a while). The Canter is down to 3 of 5 studs on the front passenger side front and the fuel tank has a crack and is leaking.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Back in Haiti
I made it back. The trip and flights were great! It's nice to be back with my family - time to spend more time with them!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Going to My Family
I have scheduled the flight back to Haiti for Saturday. I will be leaving early in the morning. Thank you Greg, assuming you wake up in time to drive me to the airport! :-)
I sincerely thank all of the people that I have met with and have been kind by providing fun, food and friendship while I was here. My parents were incredible and very helpful as well as my sister, Becky, and her husband Ron! There are many other people that I wanted to meet with and I haven't yet - my time here has been a constant whirlwind. I hope that next time, my family will be with me and we'll all get to say "Hi" and get to thank you personally for your support - Lord willing!
Though the circumstances seem rough and I am not sure exactly what my purpose was from the Lord's perspective, I am happy to be headed back to be with my family and am not one bit disappointed that I didn't get the job. I was able to catch a bit of a break by being here and I will be able to bring some difficult or impossible items back to my family.
Now we'll wait out the remaining, unknown time for the adoption to complete as a family!
I sincerely thank all of the people that I have met with and have been kind by providing fun, food and friendship while I was here. My parents were incredible and very helpful as well as my sister, Becky, and her husband Ron! There are many other people that I wanted to meet with and I haven't yet - my time here has been a constant whirlwind. I hope that next time, my family will be with me and we'll all get to say "Hi" and get to thank you personally for your support - Lord willing!
Though the circumstances seem rough and I am not sure exactly what my purpose was from the Lord's perspective, I am happy to be headed back to be with my family and am not one bit disappointed that I didn't get the job. I was able to catch a bit of a break by being here and I will be able to bring some difficult or impossible items back to my family.
Now we'll wait out the remaining, unknown time for the adoption to complete as a family!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
No Job
I just found out that I did not get the job. They ended up giving the job to an internal candidate.
I am not sure why God brought me here other than to give me a break (I would have rather given Tina a break). Not my will, but His. I will be bringing a bunch of goodies back for my family.
I am looking forward to seeing them again. I am looking into flights and will be flying out of here as soon as feasible while getting the cheapest flights possible. Thank you for your prayers and support. This does make the decision process easier because I don't have anything to choose from (do I take the job or not and leave the family there alone).
OK - I have work to do now. I am done twiddling my thumbs.
I am not sure why God brought me here other than to give me a break (I would have rather given Tina a break). Not my will, but His. I will be bringing a bunch of goodies back for my family.
I am looking forward to seeing them again. I am looking into flights and will be flying out of here as soon as feasible while getting the cheapest flights possible. Thank you for your prayers and support. This does make the decision process easier because I don't have anything to choose from (do I take the job or not and leave the family there alone).
OK - I have work to do now. I am done twiddling my thumbs.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Prayers
We are at a point in this process and in our lives where we need prayer now more than we have ever needed it before. That is not to say that it could never get worse and we won't need more prayer later, but rather that we have not had to go through something like this so long and challenging in the past.
We have many things to be thankful for and are thankful for them all (those that we realize). Faith, family, friends, food, funds, clothing, shelter, etc...all of those things we are much more appreciative of because of this experience than we have ever been before.
This current trial is very wearing on me and my family. The children are doing well and appear to be more resilient (perhaps because they have the child-like faith and trust that we loose as we become adults who are more "in control" (so we think) than we were when we were younger). Tina is...OK and I am...OK. We often struggle to find the joy in our circumstances.
I am asking for your prayers - please hold us up in your prayers! Pray that the adoption gets finished. Pray that we can find the strength in our Lord to persevere to the end of this adoption process. Pray that we not fail in our faith and trust and not grow hard, weary hearts. Most of all, pray that the Lord's will be done through us in His timing, not ours, and that we are accepting of that timing.
We have many things to be thankful for and are thankful for them all (those that we realize). Faith, family, friends, food, funds, clothing, shelter, etc...all of those things we are much more appreciative of because of this experience than we have ever been before.
This current trial is very wearing on me and my family. The children are doing well and appear to be more resilient (perhaps because they have the child-like faith and trust that we loose as we become adults who are more "in control" (so we think) than we were when we were younger). Tina is...OK and I am...OK. We often struggle to find the joy in our circumstances.
I am asking for your prayers - please hold us up in your prayers! Pray that the adoption gets finished. Pray that we can find the strength in our Lord to persevere to the end of this adoption process. Pray that we not fail in our faith and trust and not grow hard, weary hearts. Most of all, pray that the Lord's will be done through us in His timing, not ours, and that we are accepting of that timing.
Email from the USCIS, Job
Yesterday I received an email from the USCIS. They are processing the I600 and requested the DNA test of Lou's birthmother.
We are still in the middle of figuring the email out. It appears that they sent it to the States when they should not have - they have to complete it yet. They will be able to complete it when our orphanage director gets our paperwork through MOI and then obtains a Haitian passport for Lou. Because MOI is taking so long, the other place(s) (USCIS) that have remaining paperwork is getting confused apparently. Our adoption agency is working on figuring out how to respond to the USCIS.
When I got the email yesterday, I was thinking it was good news... But it appears that it is not. Hopefully and prayerfully, the paperwork will not get lost as it gets shuffled back and forth.
Job
I still have not heard anything about the job I applied for. I was told that I should know by Thursday (tomorrow) and I am trying to be patient with that response as well.
Apparently I have A LOT to learn, because I am being taught MANY things.
We are still in the middle of figuring the email out. It appears that they sent it to the States when they should not have - they have to complete it yet. They will be able to complete it when our orphanage director gets our paperwork through MOI and then obtains a Haitian passport for Lou. Because MOI is taking so long, the other place(s) (USCIS) that have remaining paperwork is getting confused apparently. Our adoption agency is working on figuring out how to respond to the USCIS.
When I got the email yesterday, I was thinking it was good news... But it appears that it is not. Hopefully and prayerfully, the paperwork will not get lost as it gets shuffled back and forth.
Job
I still have not heard anything about the job I applied for. I was told that I should know by Thursday (tomorrow) and I am trying to be patient with that response as well.
Apparently I have A LOT to learn, because I am being taught MANY things.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Not Much Happening
There is not much happening with the adoption. We are continuing to wait past the date (once again) that we were told by our orphanage director we would be out of MOI. Trying to be patient.
Tina and the children are doing well in Haiti - they miss me, they tell me (and I miss them!). We appreciate any and all prayers regarding the completion of our adoption!
I am doing well here. My stomach issues are no more. I am now trying to mentally prepare for what is to come after I find out about the job I applied and interviewed for last week. There will be many things to do whether I get the position or not and those are the things that I am trying to prepare for.
Tina and the children are doing well in Haiti - they miss me, they tell me (and I miss them!). We appreciate any and all prayers regarding the completion of our adoption!
I am doing well here. My stomach issues are no more. I am now trying to mentally prepare for what is to come after I find out about the job I applied and interviewed for last week. There will be many things to do whether I get the position or not and those are the things that I am trying to prepare for.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
St. Cloud
I came to St. Cloud to stay at my sister's place for the weekend. My cousin Jackie and her husband, Scott, are also here this weekend. Scott and my brother-in-law, Ron, went fishing yesterday and did pretty good - caught some keepers and froze them.
It has been nice to be here and not have anything to do. I am taking some time to rest mentally. I plan to go back to my parents house Monday morning. Next week, I have a number of people that I would like to visit with.
Mentally, I have been pretty patient while I wait to find out what is going on with the job situation. I don't know what is going to happen, but I do know what I will do if either option becomes available. I am OK with either result.
It's not easy to be away from my family.
It has been nice to be here and not have anything to do. I am taking some time to rest mentally. I plan to go back to my parents house Monday morning. Next week, I have a number of people that I would like to visit with.
Mentally, I have been pretty patient while I wait to find out what is going on with the job situation. I don't know what is going to happen, but I do know what I will do if either option becomes available. I am OK with either result.
It's not easy to be away from my family.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Interview
This blog post was supposed to go two days ago, but had some issues...
We checked out the location of the company where I had the interview on Tuesday morning. It was easy to get to and close to the hotel.
I went to building when I was scheduled at 11 and signed an agreement saying that they could do a background check on me. I was then told that the manager for the position was in the next building. I headed over there and she waited for me by the front door. We went to her office and chatted a bit. After about 15-20 minutes we headed to a restaurant to eat. We ate and talked about the company, the position and the people in the department. It was a fairly easy meeting so far.
After lunch we headed back to the office for a group-type interview. She directed me to a conference room and went to get the other five employees in the department so they could fire questions off at me and I at them. This was my first time in a scenario like that and it went pretty well. Around 1:15 we finished up. She told me that she had another person to interview tomorrow (Wednesday) and that she hopes to have an answer Thursday of NEXT week. That part surprised me. I was expecting an answer sooner, but I can wait.
This morning we took a look at a house that I will buy if I get the job. It is a very nice house and I would be please to prepare it for my family to arrive. If the Lord wills, it will happen. Otherwise, I’ll wait to see what He had in store next for the immediate future.
There are times I feel like a wondering nomad, but that’s what I am being called to do in this “moment” of my life. My biggest concern is for my wife and children at this point. I don’t want to ask them to do what they cannot. Tina is great and she has a great perspective. I have so much respect and honor for her, for her attitude , and for what she is doing. There is no better woman for me! I miss her dearly (I love you, Tina!).
We checked out the location of the company where I had the interview on Tuesday morning. It was easy to get to and close to the hotel.
I went to building when I was scheduled at 11 and signed an agreement saying that they could do a background check on me. I was then told that the manager for the position was in the next building. I headed over there and she waited for me by the front door. We went to her office and chatted a bit. After about 15-20 minutes we headed to a restaurant to eat. We ate and talked about the company, the position and the people in the department. It was a fairly easy meeting so far.
After lunch we headed back to the office for a group-type interview. She directed me to a conference room and went to get the other five employees in the department so they could fire questions off at me and I at them. This was my first time in a scenario like that and it went pretty well. Around 1:15 we finished up. She told me that she had another person to interview tomorrow (Wednesday) and that she hopes to have an answer Thursday of NEXT week. That part surprised me. I was expecting an answer sooner, but I can wait.
This morning we took a look at a house that I will buy if I get the job. It is a very nice house and I would be please to prepare it for my family to arrive. If the Lord wills, it will happen. Otherwise, I’ll wait to see what He had in store next for the immediate future.
There are times I feel like a wondering nomad, but that’s what I am being called to do in this “moment” of my life. My biggest concern is for my wife and children at this point. I don’t want to ask them to do what they cannot. Tina is great and she has a great perspective. I have so much respect and honor for her, for her attitude , and for what she is doing. There is no better woman for me! I miss her dearly (I love you, Tina!).
Monday, August 10, 2009
My Flight Story
Here is something that I typed on the road and am posting from the hotel:
Here is my summary story of my trip here:
Leaving the mission was difficult. I didn’t want to leave my family there. I started missing them the minute the door closed on the vehicle and I watched them disappear through the window.
Things went well. When we got to the airport, two guys came up to the car to grab the bags. I was very happy to have them there – I didn’t want to fight the crowd and my bags. They grabbed the bags and did their job – I just kept an eye on them and followed. I paid them once I got through the security checkpoint and they put them on a cart for me. I got my bags checked in without any issues even though both bags were just under 10% heavier than they should have been (the scale I used at the mission wasn’t exactly accurate).
We left Port-au-Prince on time, if not a couple minutes early, on the plane. The guy that sat next to me and I started talking. It turns out that he is adopting from Haiti, too, and he was adopting from a place that I was not only familiar with, but I was in the process of helping the missionaries at that orphanage diagnose their car problems (Three Angels). We talked most of the way to Miami. He, Jason, was a great blessing to me not only in conversation, but as a distraction from leaving my family behind. Thank you Jason! We’ll continue to be in touch!
When we got to Miami, Jason helped me get through customs faster than I probably would have on my own. I got through the customs line first and waited for him. Just as he was getting done, a customs agent was trying to get my attention and said, “Sir…MOVE!” Apparently, they didn’t want me standing there waiting for him. He was done anyway so we walked together and he stayed with me helping me as far as he could.
I got to the gate to Atlanta on time, but it was full (I was standby using my dad’s pass because he used to work there – thank you Dad!). I sat around for another 1.5 hours for the next flight – it too was full. I sat around for another 1.5 hours and I barely made it on that flight.
All along through the missing flights and arriving I managed to easily find people that would let me borrow their cell phone – I quit my service over a year ago. It was so great to have so many nice people that would let me borrow their phone.
I got to Atlanta and the flight was supposed to be a piece of cake to get on according to what my dad saw on the list of passengers. It wasn’t. I was hanging on by a thread as I saw the list of standby passengers and the number of available seats. In the end, I made it by 1-3 people.
Getting to Minneapolis felt very good – very familiar. I walked to the baggage claim and I saw some feet that looked familiar as I descended the escalator. Those feet belonged to my sister and mom, with my dad and brother-in-law’s feet right behind them.
After hugs and some brief conversations, my bags were sitting there waiting for me. They got there before I did – probably on the first flight I missed.
As we walked to the car, seeing the cars all nice and clean without barriers/defense on the fronts and rears was very different than I had gotten used to. As we drove to my parent’s home, seeing the sides of the roads without debris or garbage or pigs or dogs with tumors hanging was strange. I had gotten pretty used to those things. It was good to see all of the familiar sights again.
As I started to unpack some things and talk with my parents, I was getting pretty light headed. It was overwhelming to be back in the States, I had a long day, and I hadn’t eaten much (hardly anything). I was ready for bed and went to sleep around 12:30.
I got up at 5:30 the next day and heard a cardinal outside. I went to sit on the front steps. That was my worst point thus far. I was completely overwhelmed thinking about my family and the amazing blessing that it is to be able to live in the States – we have it so nice here in the States. After a short bit, my mom came out to comfort me and eventually recovered.
On that Saturday, the first thing we did was go get tabs for my truck so I could pick it up from my good friend’s house (thank you Greg for hanging on to it in your garage for over a year! I bet it will be nice to not have that in your way any longer). It was good to see Greg and his wife and child. They are expecting in September and I forgot to take pictures for my wife to see – I’ll be back. They were on their way out and I continued my mechanic job – I replaced their thermostat before they left (it was the most difficult thermostat replacement I have ever done – not easy to get to).
We did some shopping and then headed back to my parents house. That’s about all of the somewhat interesting things that happened. I still have many things that amaze me that I hope I never take for granted again:
• High water pressure for showers
• Hot water out of the sinks and showers
• Access to many things at many stores – all readily available
• Cheap foods (some fruits and veggies are more here)
• Clean roads and rivers
• Smooth roads
• Green, lush grass
• Padded carpet
• Towels that don’t smell like mildew (not my wife’s fault)
• Mold that doesn’t grow in minutes
Many, many more things (I need to keep a list so that when I feel like complaining about something I can just turn to the list and feel more privileged than before I looked at the list).
Here is my summary story of my trip here:
Leaving the mission was difficult. I didn’t want to leave my family there. I started missing them the minute the door closed on the vehicle and I watched them disappear through the window.
Things went well. When we got to the airport, two guys came up to the car to grab the bags. I was very happy to have them there – I didn’t want to fight the crowd and my bags. They grabbed the bags and did their job – I just kept an eye on them and followed. I paid them once I got through the security checkpoint and they put them on a cart for me. I got my bags checked in without any issues even though both bags were just under 10% heavier than they should have been (the scale I used at the mission wasn’t exactly accurate).
We left Port-au-Prince on time, if not a couple minutes early, on the plane. The guy that sat next to me and I started talking. It turns out that he is adopting from Haiti, too, and he was adopting from a place that I was not only familiar with, but I was in the process of helping the missionaries at that orphanage diagnose their car problems (Three Angels). We talked most of the way to Miami. He, Jason, was a great blessing to me not only in conversation, but as a distraction from leaving my family behind. Thank you Jason! We’ll continue to be in touch!
When we got to Miami, Jason helped me get through customs faster than I probably would have on my own. I got through the customs line first and waited for him. Just as he was getting done, a customs agent was trying to get my attention and said, “Sir…MOVE!” Apparently, they didn’t want me standing there waiting for him. He was done anyway so we walked together and he stayed with me helping me as far as he could.
I got to the gate to Atlanta on time, but it was full (I was standby using my dad’s pass because he used to work there – thank you Dad!). I sat around for another 1.5 hours for the next flight – it too was full. I sat around for another 1.5 hours and I barely made it on that flight.
All along through the missing flights and arriving I managed to easily find people that would let me borrow their cell phone – I quit my service over a year ago. It was so great to have so many nice people that would let me borrow their phone.
I got to Atlanta and the flight was supposed to be a piece of cake to get on according to what my dad saw on the list of passengers. It wasn’t. I was hanging on by a thread as I saw the list of standby passengers and the number of available seats. In the end, I made it by 1-3 people.
Getting to Minneapolis felt very good – very familiar. I walked to the baggage claim and I saw some feet that looked familiar as I descended the escalator. Those feet belonged to my sister and mom, with my dad and brother-in-law’s feet right behind them.
After hugs and some brief conversations, my bags were sitting there waiting for me. They got there before I did – probably on the first flight I missed.
As we walked to the car, seeing the cars all nice and clean without barriers/defense on the fronts and rears was very different than I had gotten used to. As we drove to my parent’s home, seeing the sides of the roads without debris or garbage or pigs or dogs with tumors hanging was strange. I had gotten pretty used to those things. It was good to see all of the familiar sights again.
As I started to unpack some things and talk with my parents, I was getting pretty light headed. It was overwhelming to be back in the States, I had a long day, and I hadn’t eaten much (hardly anything). I was ready for bed and went to sleep around 12:30.
I got up at 5:30 the next day and heard a cardinal outside. I went to sit on the front steps. That was my worst point thus far. I was completely overwhelmed thinking about my family and the amazing blessing that it is to be able to live in the States – we have it so nice here in the States. After a short bit, my mom came out to comfort me and eventually recovered.
On that Saturday, the first thing we did was go get tabs for my truck so I could pick it up from my good friend’s house (thank you Greg for hanging on to it in your garage for over a year! I bet it will be nice to not have that in your way any longer). It was good to see Greg and his wife and child. They are expecting in September and I forgot to take pictures for my wife to see – I’ll be back. They were on their way out and I continued my mechanic job – I replaced their thermostat before they left (it was the most difficult thermostat replacement I have ever done – not easy to get to).
We did some shopping and then headed back to my parents house. That’s about all of the somewhat interesting things that happened. I still have many things that amaze me that I hope I never take for granted again:
• High water pressure for showers
• Hot water out of the sinks and showers
• Access to many things at many stores – all readily available
• Cheap foods (some fruits and veggies are more here)
• Clean roads and rivers
• Smooth roads
• Green, lush grass
• Padded carpet
• Towels that don’t smell like mildew (not my wife’s fault)
• Mold that doesn’t grow in minutes
Many, many more things (I need to keep a list so that when I feel like complaining about something I can just turn to the list and feel more privileged than before I looked at the list).
Quick Post, Lou
We're (the "we" is my mom, dad and I) about to start our 5 hour drive. I wanted post a quick message to say that things are going OK.
Food isn't liking me very much so I am trying to play it safe with what I eat. It will probably take the same amount of time to get used to it here as it did to used to there. If so, I should be done pretty soon and things should be OK.
I might be writing a blog post on the road, so stay tuned!
Lou
Tina told me that Lou seems to be having more issues with dairy again. He seems to be going in cycles of good and bad. When he doesn't do so good, she cuts back on the dairy and then he seems to loose weight. Hopefully the adoption does get done soon so we can have his medical needs assessed.
Food isn't liking me very much so I am trying to play it safe with what I eat. It will probably take the same amount of time to get used to it here as it did to used to there. If so, I should be done pretty soon and things should be OK.
I might be writing a blog post on the road, so stay tuned!
Lou
Tina told me that Lou seems to be having more issues with dairy again. He seems to be going in cycles of good and bad. When he doesn't do so good, she cuts back on the dairy and then he seems to loose weight. Hopefully the adoption does get done soon so we can have his medical needs assessed.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Decompression
I am still adjusting to things. Man what a difference. I am hoping to have time tonight to write some more, but I am still trying to catch up and organize things for the interview Tuesday. We'll be driving tomorrow for about 5 hours.
I have to prepare for the interview and get into business mode (shifting from dropped-jaw mode).
Everyone seems to be doing OK in Haiti, too. This journey has not been easy!
I have to prepare for the interview and get into business mode (shifting from dropped-jaw mode).
Everyone seems to be doing OK in Haiti, too. This journey has not been easy!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I Made It
I made it to MN OK. I really don't feel that I have the mental capacity for a decent blog post right now, so I'll just say that I got in last night around 10 PM and, right now, I am still a little mentally/emotionally loaded.
More later...Thank you all for your prayers!
More later...Thank you all for your prayers!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Your File is..., Misc
I went to pick up my US driver's license in the guts of Port-au-Prince (boy is it hot down there! And crazy busy, too!). I need it for my trip to the US and the Haitian driver's service had it to create my Haitian driver's license (they have had it for a looong time, but not as long as the gov't has had our adoption paperwork).
On my way to get my license, I paid a surprise visit to the orphanage director at her office. There was one person there that was doing paperwork. The director was not there. I went because I had to drop off a paper that Tina knew we didn't sign and to drop off another paper that they didn't have but Tina knew we needed.
I was allowed in to talk with the person doing paperwork. I told her that the paper I had in my hand was to replace the same paper that they had without the signature. I asked her to find the file and replace the paper I brought with the paper they had.
She started looking...and looking...and looking, but could not find our paperwork. I waited about 20 mins while she sorted through what looked like not that much paperwork. In other words, it appeared that she had gone through all the stacks of paperwork at least once within the 20 mins.
There are two ways that I can look at this and I am fighting to look at it the positive way (perhaps I have gotten a little too used to Haiti). One way is to think that they lost it. The right way is to think that they were working on our case and that the director wasn't there because she had it and was trying to make progress.
I will continue to try to hope for the best.
Misc.
Sleep
I made it until 3 AM this morning. I was very happy to see that on the clock this morning. The last 4-5 days I have been waking up around midnight and not being able to sleep well until I got up around 4 or 5 AM. I guess I have too many things to think about lately.
Jack
There is a gentleman, Jack, that is staying here at the mission for about a week. He has been helping to do various things. He has mostly been helping Pastor Rob's brother, Roger, with construction related things. Yesterday, he was pulling wood from the rafters and somehow his ladder gave way and he fell. The story that I was told (I haven't seen him yet) was that he has stitches in three places on one of his arms for a total of about 15 if I remember correctly. He also hit his knee and hip pretty bad, but was up and walking around yesterday afternoon.
I am so thankful that all I have had is a few cuts and bruises. With the amount of things that I do around big, heavy, "dangerous" things and with the odd ways of making things work here (like tying two ladders together with rope to make your own extension ladder), I have enjoyed my time here without any major incident.
Driver's License
I have to go into Port again today to finalize my Haitian license. It wasn't fun yesterday waiting in the heat and crowds to get my US license and I am anticipating the same "non-fun" today. Hopefully things go well. Yesterday while we were there, a guy started talking to our mission driver who took me (and Carter) there. He asked our driver if I knew how to speak Creole. Now, the words that I know mostly revolve around the mechanic shop and some construction as well as the everyday words that usually go around those mechanic and construction words - so I can get along fairly well. I answered him in pretty good Creole (speed and accent) telling him that I cannot speak Creole. It's not going to be as funny telling you this story here on the blog, but it was a very funny moment that cut through the heat and stress of hanging out waiting for transportation related paperwork. In the end, this paragraph may have been a bit boring for you.
Leaving
I am leaving tomorrow morning for MPLS. It's hard to leave my family. I want to enjoy the people and things of the States WITH them and not BEFORE them. My wife is incredible and puts a lot of focus on our children. There will be struggles, but I know that she'll make it through them OK with God's help. Please pray with me that all goes well for my family.
On my way to get my license, I paid a surprise visit to the orphanage director at her office. There was one person there that was doing paperwork. The director was not there. I went because I had to drop off a paper that Tina knew we didn't sign and to drop off another paper that they didn't have but Tina knew we needed.
I was allowed in to talk with the person doing paperwork. I told her that the paper I had in my hand was to replace the same paper that they had without the signature. I asked her to find the file and replace the paper I brought with the paper they had.
She started looking...and looking...and looking, but could not find our paperwork. I waited about 20 mins while she sorted through what looked like not that much paperwork. In other words, it appeared that she had gone through all the stacks of paperwork at least once within the 20 mins.
There are two ways that I can look at this and I am fighting to look at it the positive way (perhaps I have gotten a little too used to Haiti). One way is to think that they lost it. The right way is to think that they were working on our case and that the director wasn't there because she had it and was trying to make progress.
I will continue to try to hope for the best.
Misc.
Sleep
I made it until 3 AM this morning. I was very happy to see that on the clock this morning. The last 4-5 days I have been waking up around midnight and not being able to sleep well until I got up around 4 or 5 AM. I guess I have too many things to think about lately.
Jack
There is a gentleman, Jack, that is staying here at the mission for about a week. He has been helping to do various things. He has mostly been helping Pastor Rob's brother, Roger, with construction related things. Yesterday, he was pulling wood from the rafters and somehow his ladder gave way and he fell. The story that I was told (I haven't seen him yet) was that he has stitches in three places on one of his arms for a total of about 15 if I remember correctly. He also hit his knee and hip pretty bad, but was up and walking around yesterday afternoon.
I am so thankful that all I have had is a few cuts and bruises. With the amount of things that I do around big, heavy, "dangerous" things and with the odd ways of making things work here (like tying two ladders together with rope to make your own extension ladder), I have enjoyed my time here without any major incident.
Driver's License
I have to go into Port again today to finalize my Haitian license. It wasn't fun yesterday waiting in the heat and crowds to get my US license and I am anticipating the same "non-fun" today. Hopefully things go well. Yesterday while we were there, a guy started talking to our mission driver who took me (and Carter) there. He asked our driver if I knew how to speak Creole. Now, the words that I know mostly revolve around the mechanic shop and some construction as well as the everyday words that usually go around those mechanic and construction words - so I can get along fairly well. I answered him in pretty good Creole (speed and accent) telling him that I cannot speak Creole. It's not going to be as funny telling you this story here on the blog, but it was a very funny moment that cut through the heat and stress of hanging out waiting for transportation related paperwork. In the end, this paragraph may have been a bit boring for you.
Leaving
I am leaving tomorrow morning for MPLS. It's hard to leave my family. I want to enjoy the people and things of the States WITH them and not BEFORE them. My wife is incredible and puts a lot of focus on our children. There will be struggles, but I know that she'll make it through them OK with God's help. Please pray with me that all goes well for my family.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
840
Today is our 840th day celebration of having started the adoption process in Haiti. We are going to celebrate by pulling our hair out. For me, I will celebrate a little differently - I am going to start growing hair so I can pull it out.
Finding answers to the reasons for our delays are very difficult. It's taking a lot of focus and time to remember and know where our hope comes from.
Finding answers to the reasons for our delays are very difficult. It's taking a lot of focus and time to remember and know where our hope comes from.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Hard to Get Paper
Well...
I called the orphanage director this morning and she actually answered the phone. She told us last time we saw her (six weeks ago) that she had the last "hard to find paper" that she needed and that we would be out in three weeks.
She just told me now that she has the last "hard to find paper" (again) and that MOI only accepts papers on Thursdays and Fridays (about another week from today). She will deliver that "last hard to find paper" to them on Thursday or Friday and it will take one week from when she drops it off. We will be just over 8 months in MOI.
It was very difficult to talk to her. She likes to talk over me and not answer or recognize much of what I say. She wants to hang up from the first moment we start talking - she has no interest in talking.
I was caught off guard that she actually answered when I called. I wasn't ready with my speech, but it didn't matter because she didn't really provide an answer to much of what I said. I did get a question out: Can we help to get it done in any way? Of course her answer is NO.
It's really unfortunate for us that she is not accountable to anyone for anything. It would be much more helpful if we had a proactive agency (she doesn't answer our agency either) that would assist us in these matters or even an intermediary. It's almost as if we are doing an independent adoption when we are not. But we do have an intermediary, the only One needed. Our Father can do all things. Please help us by praying on our behalf.
I called the orphanage director this morning and she actually answered the phone. She told us last time we saw her (six weeks ago) that she had the last "hard to find paper" that she needed and that we would be out in three weeks.
She just told me now that she has the last "hard to find paper" (again) and that MOI only accepts papers on Thursdays and Fridays (about another week from today). She will deliver that "last hard to find paper" to them on Thursday or Friday and it will take one week from when she drops it off. We will be just over 8 months in MOI.
It was very difficult to talk to her. She likes to talk over me and not answer or recognize much of what I say. She wants to hang up from the first moment we start talking - she has no interest in talking.
I was caught off guard that she actually answered when I called. I wasn't ready with my speech, but it didn't matter because she didn't really provide an answer to much of what I said. I did get a question out: Can we help to get it done in any way? Of course her answer is NO.
It's really unfortunate for us that she is not accountable to anyone for anything. It would be much more helpful if we had a proactive agency (she doesn't answer our agency either) that would assist us in these matters or even an intermediary. It's almost as if we are doing an independent adoption when we are not. But we do have an intermediary, the only One needed. Our Father can do all things. Please help us by praying on our behalf.
Adoption Progress?
Today we'll hopefully find out some information. I have a guy checking out to see where the paperwork currently is within MOI (the stage we're in) and hope to hear from him today. I also plan to pay a visit to the orphanage director to see what's going on from her perspective. I have been told that I should be able to get my Haitian driver's license today (and I'll need my State-side license, too, that they needed to process the Haitian license). During that trip, I'll be stopping by her place.
I have made calls to the orphanage director consistently throughout the weekend and she never answers. I left a message on Friday and haven't heard anything from her (I am not surprised). My emails have all gone ignored, too.
I'll provide an update later today.
I have made calls to the orphanage director consistently throughout the weekend and she never answers. I left a message on Friday and haven't heard anything from her (I am not surprised). My emails have all gone ignored, too.
I'll provide an update later today.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Time to Think
I have time to think. Things are pretty quiet (I do have music playing in my ears, though).
I have an incredible wife! It's almost as if she wants me to leave on Friday, though I know that she doesn't. She is very supportive of the decisions that I make. I include her in all of my thoughts and planning, so she plays a role. She leaves the decision making up to me and supports the direction that I take. She encourages and is steadfast specifically in her daily duties!
Without a doubt (none whatsoever), this is the most difficult thing that we have ever done. Having Lou is, and will be until his death or ours, a challenge no matter where we live (US or Haiti). Not knowing what is coming next in the adoption would be frustrating to anyone (if not EVERYone). Doing it on the mission field after selling 90+% of your things and leaving your friends (specially small group friends) and family simply heaps more onto the pile of difficulties. We are nearing the end of our adoption process, but we don't know when it's coming. Daily life here is not a walk in the park (are there parks here?). Tina pulls it all off with renewed strength every morning in spite of going months without leaving the compound. She is great!
My wife and I are not "special" as it relates to being able to handle these challenges - everyone has the one necessary resource to do what we are doing. We serve a big God and it is He who is carrying us through - in His strength not ours.
I have an incredible wife! It's almost as if she wants me to leave on Friday, though I know that she doesn't. She is very supportive of the decisions that I make. I include her in all of my thoughts and planning, so she plays a role. She leaves the decision making up to me and supports the direction that I take. She encourages and is steadfast specifically in her daily duties!
Without a doubt (none whatsoever), this is the most difficult thing that we have ever done. Having Lou is, and will be until his death or ours, a challenge no matter where we live (US or Haiti). Not knowing what is coming next in the adoption would be frustrating to anyone (if not EVERYone). Doing it on the mission field after selling 90+% of your things and leaving your friends (specially small group friends) and family simply heaps more onto the pile of difficulties. We are nearing the end of our adoption process, but we don't know when it's coming. Daily life here is not a walk in the park (are there parks here?). Tina pulls it all off with renewed strength every morning in spite of going months without leaving the compound. She is great!
My wife and I are not "special" as it relates to being able to handle these challenges - everyone has the one necessary resource to do what we are doing. We serve a big God and it is He who is carrying us through - in His strength not ours.
Worthwhile Encouragement
This was a worthwhile encouragement as we continue to wait for the adoption without communication.
Can't Sleep
Too much to think about. Too hungry (at 2:30 AM?). I ate, but still won't be able to sleep.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Job
I had a phone interview with a broker/dealer on Wednesday and I am very interested in the position. The interview went well. Yesterday I received a call from their HR department and they would like me to come for a second interview.
I will be leaving next Friday and flying into Minneapolis. The interview will be in the middle of next week. I am excited to meet the people I may be working with and excited to find out more about the position. As far as traveling goes, I have to say that I have mixed feelings because I always imagined ALL of us going back to the States when the adoption was done, but this will be worth it to move on to the next stage in our lives. Tina and the kids will be fine here on their own - it is very safe on the mission. We hope it won't be for long!
I hope that we are near the end of the adoption and we'll be continuing to push it along and do whatever we can. God takes care of everything.
I will be leaving next Friday and flying into Minneapolis. The interview will be in the middle of next week. I am excited to meet the people I may be working with and excited to find out more about the position. As far as traveling goes, I have to say that I have mixed feelings because I always imagined ALL of us going back to the States when the adoption was done, but this will be worth it to move on to the next stage in our lives. Tina and the kids will be fine here on their own - it is very safe on the mission. We hope it won't be for long!
I hope that we are near the end of the adoption and we'll be continuing to push it along and do whatever we can. God takes care of everything.
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