A bit of news...

I just sent out an email and wanted to share it with those of you who do not get those emails.  But it is a praise and wanted to let everyone know what is going on.

 

Greetings to all,

Well, we have just a little bit of news to share.  Dr. Bibiana and 3 more had stayed here with us for 1 night a week and a half ago.  Then when returning to the Dominican they stayed last night also. 

I'm not sure if you all know who Dr. Bibiana is.... she is the adoptive mom of Guerline, Savanah's adoptive mom!! Confused yet?  Bibiana and her husband Sandy lived in Haiti for quite a few years and had adopted 3 Haitian sisters.  Guerline grew up, got married and is now adopting the daughter (Savanah) of her sister here, who had not been adopted.  Now that I've confused you all, I'll go on with our news.

Yesterday afternoon after Bibiana and friends arrived, she came over and smiling said "Did you get the news?"  I just said no.  Her husband called her, since Guerline called him.  They got word that the adoption has been totally approved now and everything is on it's way to get the passport.  Well, I came in, got on the internet and there was a note from Guerline.  Here is what she wrote:

Hello, a bit of news. So as you know Magdala (birth mom - Karen's input) had already signed the court papers. The lawyer informed the agency that he is working on Savanah's passport now. I asked how long might it be from now. She said, a month to 2 months.
Keep on praying; it's getting closer.

Okay, so Bibiana asked if I had the lawyer's phone number...I gave it to her.  She called and talked to a gal first.  Very pleasant person.  After explaining who she was and that she was going back to Canada today but would like to take some good news to Guerline, the gal gave her the cell phone number of the lawyer.  She called him.  He said the passport papers had to go to immigration and then two other offices, then Savanah can go home.  BUT....and this is the GREAT news... Savanah's new OFFICIAL name is now Savanah Ivan.  That is her adoptive family's name.  So I have written and asked the school here to change her paperwork to the new last name so that when she goes to Canada she will have proper papers there for school. 

So please continue to pray for this last process to go quicker than expected so she can get into her new school in Canada soon.  We ARE seeing some faint light at the end of this 5 year long tunnel now.  Praise the Lord!!

Thank you for your prayers for this long overdue adoption.  We know God is working on it and will do whatever needs to be done to complete it.

Summer is over, Fall returns

Welcome to fall....

As anyone who has been to Haiti knows, we don't REALLY have a lot of change in seasons.  I think we have 3 seasons, Hot, HOTTER, A Bit Cooler.  And we do not have a very definite rainy season anymore... just sort of off and on.  But we DO have hurricane season and we praise the Lord we have not HAD a hurricane here.  We have had rains from storms, but we needed the rain when it came.  

We are pretty much back into normal since we've been back.  Don is cleaning out the water tank to deliver water.  Once we get a new tank this one will be used for a septic system for Vero's house.  But until that time, he is delivering water with it.  And we are working on getting some food out to the outer regions now, too.  

Before I get into that I wanted to share just a few pictures with you.  First of course, are our girls.... Savanah is getting so tall... and skinny.  She doesn't like to eat...at least good food.  But she relents when we tell her that she can't grow up and be strong unless she gets some food in her.  She is all legs and loves anything like gymnastics.  Abbie has done a great job of teaching her.

 Abbie had a concert.  She played piano and danced.  She loves being involved in anything musical and also loves gymnastics.  The girls do well together but like sisters, they like to squabble, too.

 Our friend, Bud, (a former missionary) came down to work with the school they still help.  He also spent time helping Don with several things.  He is always a HUGE help to us.  And then Savanah decided he needed some work by a beautician.  She did grandpa's hair, too, but Bud's was the most involved.  (He was such a good sport.)

Another missionary couple, David and Ginger, are in the midst of switching the focus of their ministry.  They are staying at our dorm for a bit until they came make some firm decisions.  Thankfully David is an electrician and when a problem erupted with our electric, he went up on the poll to do some work for Don.  I was glad Don had help with that one. 

   

 David and Ginger are working with a feeding program and have made friends with a fellow who is in charge of distributing food to needy areas and to programs who help the poor.  They told him about our bucket ministry and he is giving us a trial on it.  He had been taken advantage of and found some of the food he gave out on the market.  Needless to say he is a bit cautious now when helping.  And that is fine with us.  We do not give out enough to one person or family that they would sell any of it.  I'm sure he will find that out and prayerfully help us with some things.  

David and Ginger's ministry is similar to ours, the ministry of helps.  They are willing to work with different organizations and help where needed.  They also have a heart of children who need help.  

School starts this week and we have signed Savanah up again.  Although we had heard that the adoption was finished, we have heard nothing from the lawyer.  He had told the birth mother it was finished now.  And another person heard him say that.  But nothing has come our way, nor to the adoptive mom on the subject.  So, we still need prayers for that.  Savanah talks constantly about "going home to her house in Canada".  And being with her mommy, daddy and sisters.  

Now that things have calmed down in our house, as far as getting things back to "normal", whatever that is, I am back to helping those who come to me for things.  The heat here right now has gotten to so many.  But I think we are heading into a "bit cooler time".  Which means the low 80's, which would be normal.  

I found something on the internet today written by Susie Larson.  I'd like to share that in closing.....
 "May you find a moment of peace and quiet tonight to thank God for all that is right in your world.  May you have the presence of mind to release your cares and worries to Him.  May you have the gritty faith to grab a firmer grip on His promises to you.  And may you wake up in the morning knowing that you've gained ground even during your sleeping hours because God is always moving on your behalf.  As you entrust your whole self to Him today, He'll get you where you need to go tomorrow.  Sleep well tonight."

We pray you are walking with the Lord and holding on to His Hand in all you do!