We are experiencing the Mount Everest of learning curves. In preparation for the "becoming a family" learning curves, we are crawling our way through language learning, feeling our way through understanding the impact of trauma, and braiding our way through hair and skin care. Fortunately, mountains are for climbing...and persevering...and standing in awe of the beauty around you. Last Saturday, one of our stops along the climb was our first hair and skin care class. The Cradle, an agency in Evanston, offers this and other classes. We're grateful for their training and support. Wayne and the other dads were applauded for their effort and growing skill.
New shoes provide health.Shoes are foundational to good health. In many developing countries we serve, children are forced to walk barefoot for miles to gather clean water, to visit a doctor or to go to school. Diseases like hookworm, jiggers, tetanus and other parasites enter the body through the feet. These diseases can stunt a child’s growth and development, as well as cause life-long cognitive impairment. Walking barefoot in rocky or muddy terrain can also cause injury to a child’s feet, further opening the possibility for infection or disease. http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/about-shoes.shtml
We don't know if the girls have received our letters. If they did receive the letters, we don't know if our words were translated. We aren't sure if the clothing we sent actually worked for each of the girls.
What do we know? We were thrilled to receive this simple sentence from our social worker.
The shoes all fit and the staff is working hard to prepare the girls for the transition!
We aren't sure how our letters have been received. Were our words translatable? Did someone read our words to the girls? How did the girls respond? We don't have the answers to any of these questions. We have to have faith that our words are helping to build the foundations of family from over 1,800 miles away.
A letter, individual Valentine's Day cards and heart candies are leaving for Haiti today. We wrote about the recent snow, what Valentine's Day is and how it is celebrated, how we think about and pray for the girls everyday, how we are looking forward to being together soon.
Many of you so kindly take the time to check in with us and ask how things are going-how the girls are-what we know about the timeline. Very often, we lack answers to these seemingly basic questions.
We certainly find ourselves questioning-wondering-puzzling over the challenges that arise during this journey. It's these moments that lead us to seek inspiration. Inspiration from words, from songs, from others in the pursuit of a brighter world.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think on these things. Philippians 4:8
The verse above and the story linked below are a few recent sources of inspiration.
People often ask us how things are going...what we've heard recently. As crazy as it seems, there are weeks that go by where we don't hear anything.
Our correspondence is really one-sided. We have sent an e-mail, not knowing if it has been shared with the girls, and we included cards for each of the girls when we sent down their clothes, shoes, and backpacks. We are hopeful that we'll receive an update when our social worker returns from Haiti. She may not get to see the girls, but hopefully we'll hear how they are doing.
Selecting cards proved a bit challenging, not knowing each of their favorite colors, animals, etc. However, I've always liked the quality of cards made by Papyrus. When I was ready to write our messages, I noticed the insert that Papyrus includes with all their cards - amazingly apropos.
Today's date marks the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. We may never know the memories that are locked inside our girls' hearts.
We continue to be amazed by the resilience of the Haitian people and we feel truly blessed to have the honor of supporting the girls in their healing.
We've shopped for countless baby gifts, books and toys, crafts and candy. Shopping for clothes and shoes for pre-adolescent girls and a teenager? Not so much.
After a great deal of wandering, picking jeans up, putting jeans back, holding up jeans in the air and looking silly, we settled on what we hope will work for the girls.
We are grateful for your ongoing support and generosity. Thank you for continuing along the journey with us.
