Hope for Haiti's Orphans

If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday" (Isaiah 58:10).

As Haiti’s plight continues, more orphans are in peril. Yet, in the midst of madness, a glimmer of hope flickers. Orphans are being united with their forever families.

This little laughing angel is Rebecca, a beautiful Haitian orphan! (Well, actually that’s inaccurate. Passé. Rebecca is no longer an orphan. Since Monday, she joined her adoptive, forever family in America and is now the happy daughter of Kevin & Cara Boone.)

Like all Haitian adoptions, Rebecca’s adoption was a long process. (For those who are partners of the Orphans First Prayer Chain, you know how often we’ve prayed that this would change.) But, since the earthquake hit last week, amidst pandemonium and tragedy, miracles are taking place. Rebecca is one. And so are 25 other orphans now in America thanks to the tenacity of Cara Boone. In trying to get her own two Haitian children safely home, Cara opened a way for other orphans of the same orphanage. Says Cara:

“A miracle occurred on Monday when the orphanage we were adopting from in Haiti was the first to bring all 26 children home to the US. It was a miracle and it took around the clock working to make it happen, but God brought all of it together in the most amazing way. Now our two children that we have been in the process of adopting for the past 3 years, are finally home!

As our family revels in the joy of having them home, we feel compelled to not stop... just because we have ours home! We started out trying to save two children, God multiplied that effort by saving 26 and now we desire for Him to use us to save more.”

I believe God wants to bring a lot more Haitian children to America. I also believe, as I’m sure most people do, that He wants us to reach out

Sadly red tape and chaos still bar many orphans from coming swiftly to America. 133 children in Maison-des-enfants-de-Dieu have been stuck for days. Today, nannies struggled to lead (and protect) the children as they walked in precarious conditions from the orphanage to the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince only to be turned away because not all of the paperwork was in tact. (Hello, folks, a huge earthquake destroyed a lot of stuff you know).

Shockingly, the US Embassy provides neither food nor water for the orphans en route to America. So where is all the aid money going? (No comment except to encourage people to donate to reputable, Christian non-profits. Orphans First is one to consider. Details and donate button on the website.)

Children in another orphanage – Maison-de-Lumière, where Orphans First funds a feeding program – are safe so far, and teams are planning to go over and help. Meanwhile, the children are scared and need our prayers. Orphans First recently sent more funds for relief (thanks to donations). The biggest need though is to pray and ask God where/how we can help. We can’t all go to Haiti. Most can donate. But one thing we’re all called to do is pray.

For my part, I hope to join a bunch of Haitian orphans arriving in America at this time. I’m looking forward to hugging them, and talking to them (en français of course).

On another note, one of my favorite writers, Jerry Jenkins, is helping Orphans First by donating proceeds from his book, Writing For the Soul. Details here.

I have more thoughts about Haiti, dreams to pray over. But it’s now late for me and I still have lots to do. I’ll post again soon.

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
January 2010 © Copyright
www.orphansfirst.org
www.Janey.DeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter.

Heartache for Haiti

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world with thousands are orphaned, beautiful children. Since the recent catastrophe, thousands more are orphaned. Thousands injured. Thousands starving. Haiti’s plight is desperate.

So what are we gonna do?

You can sleep too much, eat too much, watch too much TV, do too much computer stuff -- BUT you can NEVER pray too much. Never. That answers part of the question as to what we’re to do: Pray!

For years subscribers to the Orphans First Prayer Chain have prayed over Haitian adoptions. We have watched God move and bring precious children home to their forever families. Adopting a child in Haiti often takes between 3 and 5 years. Let’s pray God uses this tragic disaster to open up adoptions and make them easier – at least for godly parents.

Orphans First has supported several orphanages in Haiti over the years and more recently a feeding program in Port-au-Prince. By God’s grace, we plan to increase this support.

For those wanting to help orphans in Haiti, and who want their money to be used in a God-fearing manner to help children, send your tax-deductible gift by using the donate button on the Orphans First website. Details are also on the site.

Orphans First is a non-profit organization helping hurting children through Christ—one by one.

On another note, you can hear me being interviewed about my parenting book, Heaven Help Me Raise These Children! on The Authors Show (under Christian Authors section) today on Monday Jan.18, 2010.

I’m praying about going to Haiti. For now, I must remind myself: I can only do what I can do. God, please help me to either accept that or to do more. Still, Lord Jesus, help us do more to help Haiti.

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:13-14).

Thanks for your prayers.

blessings,
Janey

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
January 2010 © Copyright
www.orphansfirst.org
www.Janey.DeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter.

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World by David Jeremiah is by far one of the best and most relevant books to read in 2010.

With increasing terrorist attempts, political madness and an ever-plunging economic crisis, many of us are asking, “What on earth should we do now?”
Dr. Jeremiah’s book answers that question. Clearly. Simply. Biblically.

Written in a turn-page style, the book is laced with real-life stories that speak to our situation, and Scriptural truths that Dr. Jeremiah unfolds so we catch their potency. All point to one message: We should be about our Father’s business. But while many of us believe that, we often don’t know how to make this truth practical. This book shows us how. It helps us set our focus on Kingdom priorities so that we’re not engulfed by the chaos.

Every pastor and every layperson should read this book. It provides pragmatic training to equip us for the dark era in which we now find ourselves. This book shows us how to make this season of worldwide chaos the best season of our lives – and those around us.

I reviewed this book as a Thomas Nelson book reviewer.

Janey DeMeo M.A
.
Copyright © January 2010
www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter.