Starting the Adoption Process

Since November/December, Brent and I have had it on our hearts to begin our adoption process, and we really felt like Haiti was going to be where this was going to happen. Sadly, after a great deal of research and prayer, we decided upon a Haitian orphanage through an organization called Heartline Haiti, only to find out that it wasn't going to be possible for us to adopt at this time. In January, the Haitian government began reenforcing an old law that prohibits those with biological children from adopting out of Haiti. We haven't given up hope, but this is on hold for the time being.

Through those conversations with the organization, however, we were encouraged to look at local fostering/adoption in the meantime. We prayed about this and decided to pursue this option, while keeping an open door to a future Haiti adoption as well. We also went ahead and scheduled a trip this summer to go to Haiti with the kids to serve with Heartline in their English Camp. We are so excited to see first-hand what this organization is doing through it's various ministries, and for both us and the kids to have a wonderful cross-cultural experience. Jessica is also hosting a Purse Party next month, which will benefit the Women's Program of Heartline. If anyone is interested in doing the same, they'd love people to do so, as it supports a wonderful mission of job skills training.

We begin our adoption/fostering training next week and should have our paperwork in order so that we can begin taking in 2-3 children beginning in August after we return from Haiti. We are preparing our hearts for this new chapter in our lives!