The Beginning

During my family's two years of living on LaGonave, for about 6 months, our family grew to number 6 as we took care of and loved twin Haitian boys who's mother died at birth.

Then the Haitian lawyer informed us that because my parents already had two biological children they did not qualify for adoption under the 1974 law.  Painfully the twins moved out of our home, into a cousin's who raised them.

After Anna joined our family we discussed being open to adding onto our family though adoption. We did not discuss it much or pray regularly having told the Lord that we were open to His leading. But waited for Him to put a child on our doorstep.

Part of not earnestly pursuing adoption was knowing that the law had not changed and with biological children in the home we would not qualify.

Following the quake we learned about the Presidential dispensation that allowed parents to still adopt. But we continued to wait while praying more often for the Lord to show us His will and His timing.

July 2012 for the first time in our 14 years in Haiti a lady appeared on our step with a child. We quickly asked Eli and Anna their thoughts and finding unanimous positive reactions felt the Lord open the door.

 Under the advice of our Haitian friends and neighbors we made arrangements for her to return in 3 days, giving us time to research what it would take for us to legally accept the care of this baby.

We talked to our families and field director. We emailed a few people for prayers. We waited. She never returned.

But the door remained open in our hearts....the journey begun