January 12, 2010: The email string between my friend Cathleen (also adopted a son at the same time.)
2:20pm PST, Cathleen: I missed the exact but something like earthquake in port au prince!
2:20pm PST, Jill: Yikes, really? Oh no!
2:20pm PST, Jill: Oh my word… I just saw 7.0 magnitude! It happened 29 minutes ago… It’s on CNN now. 6 miles deep.
2:20pm PST, Jill: Yikes, really? Oh no!
2:20pm PST, Jill: Oh my word… I just saw 7.0 magnitude! It happened 29 minutes ago… It’s on CNN now. 6 miles deep.
2:30pm PST, Cathleen: they are ok, tom said he talked to jean. jilllllll....I don't understand....
2:40pm PST., Jill: “Everyone is freaked out and shaken. Sky is gray with a cloud of concrete dust. I just held on and bounced across the wall. Rocks thrown everywhere. Screaming everywhere. “
I am in tears over this. For our kids. Haiti, the people… what this will mean. They are saying this is a “catastrophe of huge proportions.”
2:45pm PST, Cathleen: I am so glad GLA is ok. but I am worried now. I am worried about so much.
3:10PM PST, Cathleen: posted on GLA site: NOTICE: WE ARE FINE AFTER THE 7.3 EARTHQUAKE. THE HOUSE SWAYED AND SHOOK. KNOCKED DOWN PEOPLE, KIDS, THE FOOD OFF THE STOVE FOR SUPPER, ALL OF MY GLASS WARE OUT OF THE CABINET, BUT WE ARE ALL OK! SHOOK UP A LITTLE, BUT OK! WILL POST MORE LATER! STILL HAVING AFTERSHOCKS AN HOUR AFTER THE MAIN EARTHQUAKE! PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND FOR HAITI!
So… this was the start to a year that has been full of highs & lows, sadness, fear, blessings, exhaustion and complete happiness. We are the lucky ones – to have Samuel in our lives. Out of this horrible tragedy was a big miracle for us because we were able to bring Samuel home about 9 months sooner than expected. I can never express what this has meant for our family…
I have a huge heart for the people of Haiti. They are incredibly strong and giving people. Beautiful people. Wonderful spirits. They are resilient, caring and very gracious people. I know so many who are strong Christians and put their hope/excitement in “the next life” knowing that earth is not forever. The country is beautiful in my eyes, and I will always wish I were making more of a difference for Haiti. So while I am full of gratitude for having Samuel at home, it’s also hard to think of what the people of Haiti have been faced with – the same earthquake that allowed Samuel to come home, also created chaos in a country that didn’t need any more devastation… and a year later, it hasn’t gotten much better or easier.
I am sad for their hearts - for the pain and suffering they have endured. I pray that God will keep a special watch over Haiti and that He will protect those who have given their hearts to Him, and continue to work in the lives of those who are still searching. And I pray God will give Joe and I the opportunities to stay involved – and help the people of Haiti & GLA however we can. I am proud to have a son from Haiti and a connection with the country. We want to instill in him a deep love for the Haiti and its people. It is a very special place.
I also cannot forget the incredible relationships that have been formed via the adoption and earthquake experience. We never thought that in addition to gaining a child, we would also form some life-lasting bonds with people through this experience. GLA staff, volunteers, people in Haiti, other wonderful adoptive families from US/Canada, media contacts and so many people in the community who have supported us. It really is awesome to think about the people who have come into our lives because of this journey... something we never considered when starting our adoption process.
I am thankful that Joe was able to be a part of the evacuation with the 81 US children - and that he was able to be a part of Samuel's story, first-hand. The memories he has, the pictures & videos we were able to get will be priceless when we are able to share the story with Samuel. Joe formed a special bond with Samuel through that process and it is something he absolutely treasures.
My one last thought would be to ask that you continue to support Haiti... they need continued support whether that be money, goods, or school sponsorship. There are so many ways to give... but if you want to give to GLA, I can tell you that they help not only the children within their walls, but also the surrounding communities. It is an organization we strongly believe in... They also have a wonderful school sponsorship program, where you can sponsor a child - something that means so much to those kids. You can visit http://glahaiti.org/ to donate (tax deductible.)
I hope today is a day of celebration in Haiti... that they can rest, knowing that nothing else bad happened to them on January 12, 2011. That they will feel safe and protected, knowing what is up ahead is far better...
2:40pm PST., Jill: “Everyone is freaked out and shaken. Sky is gray with a cloud of concrete dust. I just held on and bounced across the wall. Rocks thrown everywhere. Screaming everywhere. “
I am in tears over this. For our kids. Haiti, the people… what this will mean. They are saying this is a “catastrophe of huge proportions.”
2:45pm PST, Cathleen: I am so glad GLA is ok. but I am worried now. I am worried about so much.
3:10PM PST, Cathleen: posted on GLA site: NOTICE: WE ARE FINE AFTER THE 7.3 EARTHQUAKE. THE HOUSE SWAYED AND SHOOK. KNOCKED DOWN PEOPLE, KIDS, THE FOOD OFF THE STOVE FOR SUPPER, ALL OF MY GLASS WARE OUT OF THE CABINET, BUT WE ARE ALL OK! SHOOK UP A LITTLE, BUT OK! WILL POST MORE LATER! STILL HAVING AFTERSHOCKS AN HOUR AFTER THE MAIN EARTHQUAKE! PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND FOR HAITI!
So… this was the start to a year that has been full of highs & lows, sadness, fear, blessings, exhaustion and complete happiness. We are the lucky ones – to have Samuel in our lives. Out of this horrible tragedy was a big miracle for us because we were able to bring Samuel home about 9 months sooner than expected. I can never express what this has meant for our family…
I have a huge heart for the people of Haiti. They are incredibly strong and giving people. Beautiful people. Wonderful spirits. They are resilient, caring and very gracious people. I know so many who are strong Christians and put their hope/excitement in “the next life” knowing that earth is not forever. The country is beautiful in my eyes, and I will always wish I were making more of a difference for Haiti. So while I am full of gratitude for having Samuel at home, it’s also hard to think of what the people of Haiti have been faced with – the same earthquake that allowed Samuel to come home, also created chaos in a country that didn’t need any more devastation… and a year later, it hasn’t gotten much better or easier.
I am sad for their hearts - for the pain and suffering they have endured. I pray that God will keep a special watch over Haiti and that He will protect those who have given their hearts to Him, and continue to work in the lives of those who are still searching. And I pray God will give Joe and I the opportunities to stay involved – and help the people of Haiti & GLA however we can. I am proud to have a son from Haiti and a connection with the country. We want to instill in him a deep love for the Haiti and its people. It is a very special place.
I also cannot forget the incredible relationships that have been formed via the adoption and earthquake experience. We never thought that in addition to gaining a child, we would also form some life-lasting bonds with people through this experience. GLA staff, volunteers, people in Haiti, other wonderful adoptive families from US/Canada, media contacts and so many people in the community who have supported us. It really is awesome to think about the people who have come into our lives because of this journey... something we never considered when starting our adoption process.
I am thankful that Joe was able to be a part of the evacuation with the 81 US children - and that he was able to be a part of Samuel's story, first-hand. The memories he has, the pictures & videos we were able to get will be priceless when we are able to share the story with Samuel. Joe formed a special bond with Samuel through that process and it is something he absolutely treasures.
My one last thought would be to ask that you continue to support Haiti... they need continued support whether that be money, goods, or school sponsorship. There are so many ways to give... but if you want to give to GLA, I can tell you that they help not only the children within their walls, but also the surrounding communities. It is an organization we strongly believe in... They also have a wonderful school sponsorship program, where you can sponsor a child - something that means so much to those kids. You can visit http://glahaiti.org/ to donate (tax deductible.)
I hope today is a day of celebration in Haiti... that they can rest, knowing that nothing else bad happened to them on January 12, 2011. That they will feel safe and protected, knowing what is up ahead is far better...
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