Today I said goodbye to our child again and
flew home. We continue to not know when we will bring this child home to be
part of our family physically, but he is most definitely a part of our family
in spirit. He is with us daily in our hearts, our minds and in our conversations.
Since removing him from Giving Hope Rescue Mission we have
asked God over and over “why us?” How could our child still be living apart
from us? Why are we part of this impossibly hard situation?
And the answer that comes to us is always His loving but
insistent response – for such a time as this.
Every day, every minute, every second that our family is not
together is a day when our resolve strengthens to allow God to USE us. If our child had come home last spring there is little likelihood we would still be
involved or available to the Giving Hope Rescue Mission families. Without him home we have and continue to be
willing to be used in whatever way God calls us.
THIS, my friends, is “waiting well.” We wait, with great
pain, but allowing God to use us in the gap. In the wait much can be
accomplished. In the wait we are here for His will. Even when it hurts. Even at
our personal and professional expense.
We are not martyrs. Not even close. We have kicked and
screamed and cried through many months. But God continues to grab our hands and
use us. When we are scared He has sent us champions. When we are weak these
champions have held our arms up. We are glad He has infinitely more patience
and strength than we do.
We want to publicly say that we love and support
all of the Giving Hope families. We know that every person, no matter what
point of the adoption you are in, is hurting. Our most sincere empathy is with
you. We pray for God to give you resiliency and strong discerning hearts and
minds.
Earlier this month 10 families traveled to Haiti to seek some answers on behalf of all GHRM
families and children.
There were some incredible moments. God moments. Connections
made “by coincidence” during air travel that were no coincidence and greatly
enhanced the ability of the group to advocate properly and move around Port au
Prince safely.
This trip was foreordained, was purposeful, and was very
productive. Some very clear leadership and talents were displayed on this trip
for which we are incredibly grateful.
The stories that may emerge from the trip are complicated and not all will be shared here.
Importantly what we want to convey is that we/you are being
heard. Where there was no cohesive voice, there is one now. Where there was
lack of coordination there is coordination now. Where there were mixed messages
being sent to the proper authorities the message now appears to be unanimous.
IBESR, Bureau of Protection of Minors, and the US Embassy
(with ALL of the proper entities included in both the US and Haiti) are working
in tandem to protect the interests of children, birth families and adoptive
families affected by Voice of the Orphan and Giving Hope Rescue Mission.
We have no reason to believe that by speaking out, speaking
with one voice, or presenting evidence there will be any need for the Haitian
or US government to close down Haitian adoptions. Individual adoptions by families
previously contracted with VOTO, with adoption decrees and in the immigration
process, are in no way “on hold” and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
That being said, the message to our group was very clear:
Giving Hope Rescue Mission has no authority to move children, withhold
paperwork, withhold children or process adoptions. Voice of the Orphan is a
non-entity in Haiti, also without authority to move children, process
paperwork, negotiate any type of release of children or represent adoptive
parents. It is of crucial importance, in our opinion (based on what we were told in Haiti), that families engage with IBESR and not
with GHRM or VOTO representatives.
Our group of 10 has written notes and instructions from this
past week and these are available upon request.
Please know that, no matter how you choose to proceed in
your adoption, your story is relevant. Your statements are important. Your
voice is necessary.
Know that we have and are sharing what we are permitted to
share. But that we may not be able to give you all the answers you are looking for.
We encourage you to put aside any fear and to connect with
the proper authorities (as outlined in the instruction letters being sent out)
at once. If you have questions, please email the ghrm.voiceyourconcerns@gmail.com
address and one of the group will help you immediately.
We need to affirm that
we are not in the business of secrecy, gossip, or withholding information from
one another. What you share with one, will be shared with all. But will never be passed along to any staff or founders
of VOTO or GHRM. We will love you, support you, and help you in any way
possible. But we will not keep secrets among the adoptive families and we
encourage you to join us in transparency.
With hope,
James, Tammy-Dawn,
Kimberly, Anne, Amy, Tara T., Kasey, Shasta, Kris and Amanda
