Yesterday we attended a program at the kids' new elementary school, which culminated with their mascot revealing the total amount collected in their "Hundreds for Haiti" fundraiser. Students, parents and teachers emptied piggy banks to collect over $2600 which will go directly to the BRESMA orphanage in Port-au-Prince. If you ever doubted how God can take such a horrendous tragedy and turn it into such an overwhelming blessing...you must be equally in awe. These families here have never met the people they will help and have never lived "without." Still, they feel burdened to help. Thank you, thank you!! Hundreds of children just like Pierre and Ange-Laurette will have a safe and loving orphanage home, with food and water, now because of you!
All eyes were on Pierre and Ange-Laurette at the school assembly. They were TRYING to hide in the back corner of the gymnasium next to Bruce and me. We had taken a course last year on "Conspicuous Families" and how people will know at first sight that we have adopted our children. What we didn't know is that we would be a "super conspicuous" family! :) Arriving from Haiti at this place and time has changed everything about the welcome the kids are receiving and the questions/comments people have. It is simply a wonderful thing to experience from our end. Each good wish and tear we see lets us know that others understand on some level how emotional and deeply touching this whole process has been. To have Pierre and Ange-Laurette under our roof tonight, sleeping soundly all night long, and then laughing half the day long...is really one of the greatest gifts we will ever receive.
A funny one-liner from the week that many of you might have heard: A Watertown woman who is fluent in Creyole has been checking in on the kids. I told her that I felt the kids were adjusting very well, but she agreed to ask them if there was anything they wanted her to tell me. After speaking to each child on the phone, she said, "Pierre is much more animated today. He said, 'If I need to tell my mom something, I will just tell her myself.'" I had to smile. Not the most tactful way for him to respond, but it sure was encouraging to me! Later that afternoon while laying on the couch watching a movie, Pierre said, "Mom, me love it here." I looked to Ange-Laurette, and she added, "Me love it here too." As thoroughly exhausted as we are...and as much of a sacrifice as this has been to our other kids (who have been amazing)...I would recommend just "going for it" when you feel God's next calling. He has HUGE blessings in store for those who follow.
