English, English, English!

Wow... I never thought communicating could be so difficult or learning a new language could be soooo hard.... and I am not the one trying to learn the language. I wish we would have tried to learn a little more before the girls got here. We have some obstacles in our way right now. Both of the girls are in school now every day. They are both getting lots of help and catching on .. which is just great!! However, school is getting them so worn out that they just can't function when the day is drawing to a close, especially Auddy. We need to rethink everything... She is so tired that she can't communicate and she is hungry and just needs to veg for a while. I have been so bent on teaching them English with flashcards, labels, games, you name it... (maybe it's that type A personality in me)so that we can communicate and maybe I just need to chill and be happy with making it thru the day without a crisis or a melt down. We are expecting them to function like our bio kids and it's just not going to happen right now... shifting down a few gears.

Buy a house for $85 for a family in Haiti

The rainy season has started in Haiti and tents are badly needed. The Coleman company is providing tents to JIHM at a reduced cost.

The owner of Country Market in Alexandria has donated the use of his airplane to fly tents to Tom. Dennis Conn will be flying the tents to Tom between February 25th and March 5th.

Check out the link on the JIHM website if you would like to send a tent to a family in Haiti. The $85 will cover the cost of the tent and operating cost for the airplane.

www.jesusinhaiti.org/default.asp?contentid=68

Unic of Minn International Adoption Clinc

UM Intl Adoption Clinic has been great! So informative.. we have learned so much about the the girls, their health and what to expect with the trama that they have been thru. Wow have we got our work cut out for us! Auddy's recent growth spurt has put her in the top percent for her age and she isn't thru yet. No wonder she is so hungry.. they are both hungry much of the time but they are still very fussy about what they will eat.. that presents a challenge. Auddy loves spaghetti and Islande says she loves fish but she seems to love just about everything if she is willing to try it. They both are very concerned about Haiti and the people they have left behind in Haiti. They will defend it to the end, they are very proud of their culture and country. We had the same excellent translator today. He speaks fluent Kreyole, he was sooo helpful. He took the time after the appointment to talk to the girls about what they understood about this adoption. Auddy is much more accepting of the new circumstances. Islande is struggling with identity and therefore, rebelling and trying to figure out where she fits in this world. Her parents were not honest with her about what was going to happen. They didn't tell her straight up that they were relinquishing parenting rights. They made it sound like a vacation to Disney with no rules or consequences. She is disappointed that things aren't what she expected. She is survivor with a very strong personality and bright so she should make it. Auddy's favorite word is WOW and that explains what she is feeling and experiencing now. She is overwhelmed! School is so new to her and she is very far behind and everything is foreign and strange to her. She is more reserved and needs to get used to it all. If I would to put myself in her shoes.. at 11, getting moved to a different culture, a different language, different family, and different expectations and everything new to me, I am sure I would be overwhelmed too. I remember going to Haiti for the first time. We spent 9 days there and I was so happy to be home. We were adults with a wide range of experiences and we knew we were coming home soon and yet I just couldn't wait to have familiar foods, familiar smells and to be home. Praying, praying, praying.

Our first week with both girls..

One full week with both girls at home! We really had no idea how this would all work... They talk Creole with each other non stop. Islande's english understanding has really gotten much better but I believe that her english took a step back this week because now that there is two, they aren't so eager to learn english. Auddy knew and understood quite a bit of english before she got here or should I say with body language and pointing, it amazing how much she could figure out. She is still afraid to speak tho. They both need to work on their nouns and vocab. They both seem to understand the basics of what we are saying but doesn't have the confidence or words to express themselves. Islande is talking for her a lot because Islande just simply talks so much more. Islande is such a social butterfly! She wants to go some place every chance she gets. She is not used to be home with just our family because her family never had a home. If they were in a home, it was someone elses. They each have their own room but they really want to be in the room together. In the first week, we have had many firsts and now on Tuesday will be another first... Auddy starts school. Islande loves school so we hope Auddy will too. Mrs. Thompson and all of the kids will be ready for her! The french kids from the university will continue to help with the language barrier. They are great!! With Adam and Rachel, I used to have a pretty good idea of how they would react to certain things and situations.. with these two, I am wrong most of the time. I just can't predict reactions. Everything is so new... it's a very humbling experience most of the time!

Auddy's first week at the Sperrs

Auddy arrived from Haiti to Miami on Monday night at about 8:30 -- I was able to come into customs to finish up the process at about 10:30 on Monday night. We ended up processing her customs ppw in the main terminal in Miami instead of in the private plane terminal like we did with Islande. The customs' workers were very helpful and even gave Auddy a little bag with some food in it. It was another "God" thing that she was even on that plane and that they allowed Paul, Barbara's son-in-law, to bring her thru customs... you see, Auddy got Barbara's spot on the plane! Barbara was the one listed as the official escort and Paul was not listed on any of the docs. By the grace of God, they allowed Auddy and Paul to come into the US without the proper authorization. Paul has been helping Barbara bring in kids but never had done it by himself. God worked many miracles that day! (plus Auddy's ppw from the prime minister of Haiti was not signed until Monday morning!) Auddy and I got to Minnesota and home by Tuesday night about 10:30.

Wednesday, we stayed home during the day and let Auddy and Islande get to know each other better. They have talked Creole none stop ever since. Wednesday night, we had the shower! Wow! It was wonderful to see everyone and see all of our church and family support! The gifts were unbelievable! Everything was just perfect! The girls are already enjoying their new goods... they are both very worried about what it THEIRS and what is OURS. We are working on the organization of our house and our lives... I have to say this week was overwelming!

Thursday, Grandma went to school to see it all and help with the classroom planning. Auddy got to see the school for the first time and everybody went to bed early!

Friday, More firsts... the first valentine's party for both girls... first 4-wheeler ride, first snowmobile ride, first tractor ride and sled ride for Auddy.

We are on our way to the basketball game tonight. Islande LOVES basketball and has been asking about going to the game since she woke up this morning!

Auddy's first day and the shower!

Wow, wow, wow -- this has been a week to remember and now today was just so much fun... Thank you to everyone who came to the shower! Thank you to all of you who gave so generously! The girls will be the two best dressed little haitian girls in the states! plus all the cool girl and school stuff... We made it thru the 1st full day with both of them at home.. we are overwelmed! Praise the Lord.. glad HE is in control.

How do I say thank you to a mom and dad that loved thier daughter enough to give her more than they could offer? We have spent 17 days with this amazing, bright and beautiful young lady, she is full of spunk and is tanatious enough to survive in this new environment. She gave Don a run for his money while I was gone. I can see just what they gave up,and my heart aches for them. Islande misses them too. I pray that we are up to the responsibility placed upon us.

Auddy has been here less than 24 hours. She is still overwelmed and in shock. How can we help this little girl find her place in this world? She has a heart of gold and I just found out that Altimay led her to the Lord before she left Haiti. Thank you Altimay and thank you Tom for showing her what a loving home looks like. She just smiles about so many things. Although, today she cried because her hands were cold in the snow. We will have to work on getting the gloves on good and tight.

Auddy is home!

Call about Auddy -- Calling all prayer warriors!

HI everyone,

Thank you for all your prayers these last few weeks... we have been thru what someone else termed "a game changer"!

Update: Islande has been here for almost 2 weeks. She is healthy and doing well adjusting to school and the cold. She misses Haiti and has had alot of hard/bad memories from the earth quake but she is adjusting. Praying for her to "accept" her new family and new surroundings and adjust to so many different things and new people and traditions.

Wow the last two weeks have been a whirl wind but nothing tops today...Sunday!


At 2pm, Talked with Cherrie (the one who arranges flights out of Haiti)-- They hope Auddy will fly out this week but nothing for Monday,

At 3pm, we got a call from our congressman's rep saying we are at the top of the pile to be signed by the prime minister in Haiti but don't get your hopes up because it probably won't happen so that we could have Auddy the beginning of the week.

Rachel went back to St Paul. I was going to ride with her if I could fly on out Monday but no luck.

At 6pm, we got an email from Cherrie -- asking if we could be in Miami by Monday afternoon.. Auddy MAY be on the flight..or may not be on Monday's flight. If we can't be there, there is a chance she would still come but then the gov't would put her into protective custody at Miami social services. Last time it took a week to get the child out when the parents weren't there on time.
If she is not on the flight on Monday, there is a good chance that she would be there on Wednesday's flight. We will know for sure if she will be on the plane on MOnday by noon tomorrow. Next step: arrange a flight. Don will stay home with Islande. I can't wait until after noon and still get to Miami by 5pm. I need to leave by 10am so I booked a flight! We will either get Auddy Monday or I will be stuck in Miami until at least Wednesday.

Please pray that she come tomorrow!!!

I don't want to be stuck in Miami for 3 days. --- Ann, I will be coming to visit you if that's the case!!


Many Blessings,
Tamela

A good day! Drums and Basketball

Today was a good day! Islande got to see Adam and Michelle's house and even played Adam's drums. He taught her how and she loved it.

Islande also loved the basketball game! When we told her we were going to a game, she thought we were going out to shop to shoot baskets. Then she found out we were going in the TAPTAP to see a game and she was jumping up and down. She watched every shot and was so excited!!

UM Intl Adoption Clinic did a great job- no word on Auddy yet

Islande had a Dr. appt at UM Intl Adoption Clinic... they drew 14 tubes of blood from her! She wasn't happy about that one. We had a creole translator for 3 hours! The appt took almost the full 3 hours. She was checked over good.

Barbara checked on Auddy's file today at the embassy. It's in there but not signed off on yet. The Prime Minister has to sign each one individually now... will know more either tomorrow morning or Friday afternoon.

Islande's 11th Birthday -- Today -- her first Bday in the US

Islande's 11th Bday tdday .. she loved all the birthday attention and the party with the cousins. The second day of school was good. She is amazing us with her english improvements and her memory. She has nice cursive writing and got some of the countries right on the test of the South American countries. She isn't always excited about having mom follow her around in school.. but too bad! haha. She also got to call her mother in Haiti today for her birthday. She loved to talk to her and her mother loved to talk to Islande. They chatted in Creole but we could tell some of the things she was telling her about. She has asked many times a day to call Haiti, we told her that it was part of her birthday present. Her aunt has also called us before to make sure she is OK. This kid is a survivor!

No word on how the appt for Auddy went...

Islande got to go to school today!

Islande's first day of school went well!! Syndey was her personal tour guide. Don and I tagged off and spent the day with her and 4 different french speaking students from the UMM spent time with her and translated. She even got to talk in front of all the kids during the reading rally. She told them her name and said "read to me please!" She actually can read english and got all her math addition problems correct. She was tired and hungry when the day was over!

Our first weekend at home

Sunday, Jan 31st

Islande's first time at church, Sunday School and Pizza Ranch! Then we watched HighSchool Musical II - her favorite movie and played in the shop. She wasn't too excited about the ball but did race us across the floor.

Saturday, Jan 30th

Islande stayed home all day and we got her room all ready. She slept in her own bedroom for the first time. Plus we had company for the afternoon and evening. She colored pictures for everybody and enjoyed playing.

Islande is HOME!!

Friday, Jan 29th -- Islande get to go to school for the first time and we get a tour. She will have Mrs. Thompson as her teacher and she will sit next to Sydney. She is excited. We bought all the school supplies and are ready to go. She also got to see Margie at PMA. Margie and Dr. Fred speak french. Islande smiled from ear to ear when they talked to her in French. We also got to meet a lot of people in town and had fun with the seat belt and all the CD controls in the car.

Thursday, Jan 28 -- Islande, Don, Adam and Michelle make a quick trip to Grandma Carolgene's. Islande gets to meet grandma and they pick up Islande's bed. Meanwhile, Patti, Shawn and I get started painting Islande's room (Adam's old room). Islande has been sleeping upstairs in Rachel's room next to us. When she heard me get up, she immediately came into the bathroom and climbed into the shower with me!! She is pretty much attached to my hip. This is going to take some getting used to.

Wednesday, Jan 27 -- We finally got home to Morris about 4pm. Stopped and bought Islande a coat at Columbia and a few other things. She likes hotdogs and french fries, not to excited about the bread. She LOVES Doritos and washing her face - 20 times a day and checks out every bathroom she sees.

Tuesday, Jan 26th -- spent the entire day in the Miami airport. Ended up on the runway in the Delta plane for over 2 hrs then waiting another 2 hours then switching our flight to American and sprinting thru the airport to go thru customs again, security and running to gate D46 from H15. Lost the haitian parole card at the last security check point... would have missed the plane completely if we would have waited to get it back... now what!? We got to MPLS to the hotel about 11. Rachel met us with a hotel room, supper and something for Islande to wear that was warmer than shorts.

Monday, Jan 25th - Waited and Waited for the plane to finally land. They had to stop in the bahamas for a refueling. 200 miles to Miami and we tracked the flight the entire way. They landed about 9:20 and we got the kids just after 10. 6 little ones on the plane with Barbara. Islande was the oldest, another one that was 6 and 4 little ones between 1 and 3. One had a really hard time with a new mama but the rest were excited!

Our Last Night without ISLANDE! I hope....

We got a an email today at 4:45 -- we need to be in Miami by tomorrow afternoon to PICK UP ISLANDE! We are on our way! Praise the Lord and keepin' prayin'! Still praying for Auddy's humanitarian parole. The longer we wait, the harder it's getting to get them issued and get thru customs. Pray for Auddy, she will be sad when she finds out that Islande is already here.

Call from Washington!!!

We got a call from Washington!!! Islande has been issued a humanitarian parole! We will wait for more direction. Praise the Lord! They are still working on Auddy!

Haiti Trip -- Sept 09

Hi There,

Wow, the days in Haiti have gone fast! We have been traveling in Vera
or Barb’s car and have covered a lot of Haiti. It’s not as sunny
today so that is relief. We have been to the doctor for Islande, the
MOFA with our Psych eval, MOJ requesting Auddy’s parents archieves,
the photo place to make passport /id photos and the US consulate
several times plus lots of stops to drop off /request approval on
documents. Barb and Vera are such an improvement over the last
process that I just can’t believe the difference. They are organized
and do this systematically and write down every step they have done .
Today they had Vera, Barb and Milynn is three different vehicles
running with adoption stuff plus the had several extra runners to
stand in lines for them. Barb pulled up to the building to get IDs
and honked her horn. A guy came running out and got Islande’s
parents’ ID info. We gave him $800 haitian including ID fees (about
$20 total) and in a couple of hours we came back to check on his
progress. We were not able to file the I600 today because we still
need a new archieve for Auddy’s mom so that will be filed in January
when we come back. Pray that they get what they need so that we can
file with confidence that everything will be approved. Wow… if anybody
can get these kids out of here, it’s them!

The length of time for this trip was perfect to get done what we
could, the Lord has answered many prayers. Tom’s family has been
great! I have figured out that bugs in Haiti love me.. I am praying
that my system is strong to fight it off. Thanks to everyone who has
prayed and/or listened to this process along the way!


Many Blessings,
Tamela

Haiti Trip -- Day 1 -- Sept 9, 09

Hi Everyone,

I made it to Haiti and we have had a great first day. Claudy picked me
up at the airport with auddy and everything went fine. I even have a
new haitian phone. If you ever think our phones are cheap, you should
see them here. For $14 you can have a phone that you buy minutes for.
It’s definitely a third world country when it comes to electricity.
It’s amazing how much time they spend just getting the electricity to
work without blowing something out. The boys are being very nice to
me here and trying to make us all feel at home. Everytime I sit down
somewhere, they quick go and get a fan to blow on me. I must look hot
all the time. haha They love the IPOD music, they know so many praise
and worship songs.movies that I brought and the little computer.
Today we met Islande, the little girl that Barb has in mind for us.
She will be spending the day and night with us. Auddy and Islande get
along very well and are talking all the time. The girls and I have
covered a lot of ground today including both of them getting a new
hair style at Barb’s village today while we worked on ppw . The girls
love to sing along to the IPOD and make up dance steps to the songs
as they are singing, it's a good way for them to learn how to pronouce
some english words.

Tomorrow we go back to the US Embassy and wait in line. We pray that
the ppw will fly thru the offices. Barb and Vera are soooo organized
and have every process charted out so we are finally filing something
that will move us closer to adoption. Pray that they will accept our
paperwork and that make sure nothing is forgotten.

Talk to you soon and thank you for all of the prayers.

Blessings from Haiti,
Tamela

Sept 2009

Hi there,

We have some exciting news and an answer to pray over the last 2
weeks! PTL! Thank you to all of you who have been praying for a
paperwork miracle!

Vera called me with some good news! Milynn (Vera and Barb's haitian
assistant) was able to track down the tribal official in Jeremi. He
has all of the record books so we will be able to get the achieves we
need, however, he has been fired so he took all the books hostage !
only in haiti...he has agreed to work with us to get Auddy's birth
certificate achieves and her parents' certificates. yippee! For now,
we don't have to go to Jeremy to find these records.
The Lord's timing is always perfect! haha

I am leaving for Haiti on Monday morning at 6am and will arrive at
3;45. I am traveling alone and will be staying with Auddy at Tom's
house. I will deliver some paperwork that needs to be renewed, bring
school supplies and law books for Vera, towels for all of tom's kids
and schools supplies for Auddy. I am so excited to see Auddy! We
haven't seen her since she moved to Toms. Plus, Vera and Barb have
another little girl that I will get to meet while I am there. Her
name is Islande. She is only 3 weeks younger than Auddy, so we would
end up with fax twins. Don and I still feel that we should be
getting 2 children at once rather than one. Pray that the Lord will
make it very clear to us as to whether or not we should adopt 2 rather
than 1. Don is not able to go on this trip because of the harvest so I
will need to take lots of pictures and notes. Pray for clarity and
direction.

I will be in Haiti until Thursday noon and will be flying back and
home sometime on Friday morning. Please pray for me on this trip
that I will be safe and that we have very clear direction as to how we
should proceed with the adoption process.

There is a new video out from the Becker church's trip to Haiti. It
tells you a little more about JIHM. They did a really nice job with
it, if you have time, take 10 mins to watch it.
Tom's compound is where I will be staying for the next few days.

Here is the link:

www.jesusinhaiti.org/video/Jesus In Haiti Ministries 2009.html

August 2009

Hi Everyone!

First the good news....
We have some exciting news about Auddy's progress -- Connie and Steve
Nuest plus Barb Goulet and Ashley Nuest (plus Ashley's roommate) we in
Haiti in July and were able to spend time with Auddy. Her english has
gotten better and she was able to TRANSLATE for Connie when they went
to Good Samaratan Orphanage (where Auddy is originally from). That is
the best news we have heard in months! We are excited that she is
doing well at Tom's. She is growing taller and gaining a little
weight and she is loving all the groups that are coming into Tom's
home and staying there. It has given her a chance to learn more
english and has helped her blossom. She is also going to get to go
to real school this fall with Tom's boys.

Then the bad news... and a request to pray!!
On the adoption note... We are at a stand still. Vera (our adoption
processer) says there are still some issues with Auddy's parents death
certificates. If we can not get this figured out with the death
certificates, Vera says that the US embassy will not issue a visa for
Auddy to immigrate to the US (when that time comes.) Please be
praying for a paperwork miracle!

Vera will be going to Jeremy to look for this paperwork sometime
between August 17th and August 28th to find what we need. When
someone dies in the tribe, it is suppose to be recorded in an tribal
log book. Then every year, the log book is suppose to be brought to
Port a Prince to be put in the archives. Vera could not find the
record of their deaths in the archives. A couple of possibilities
exist, maybe the log book has not been delivered to PAP because the
tribe could not afford to buy a new one. Maybe it wasn't recorded in
the log book but there could be other records in the church or some
where else in Jeremy. We need to find documentation or we can not
proceed. Please be praying for this to be settled so that we can move
forward.

Miracles happen every day in Haiti ( and here too of course!) . I
talked to Vera recently and we haven't given up hope but they do need
to come up with some specific paperwork to get this moving. Pray
specifically for Vera's trip to Jeremy between August 17th and 28th.
Pray that she will find what she needs so that we can bring Auddy
home. We need proof of Auddy's parents death.


A request to sign a petition.....
There is some legislation out that would eliminate the biggest and
hardest step in the Haiti process and that is the visa. Please sign
the petition on the link below.
I have also attached the details of the bill if you are interested

Grrrr! No wonder I can't sleep... the US Govt didn't come thru with protection for these children in PAP. The US Embassy is going to be total confusion today. NO idea when our girls will even get close to the embassy and until we do.. we won't know if they are eligible for the humanitarian parole! Keep prayin'!!

Info from one of the orphanages -- For His Glory1

Orphans Intend to Depart Haiti

Orphans begin procedures to depart Haiti at U.S. Embassy

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti) On January 20, 2010, 133 orphans from the Maison des Enfants de Dieu (Children of the House of God) orphanage will begin the difficult process outlined by the U.S. Department of State for humanitarian parole and onward transportation to the United States. In accordance with instructions received from the State Department, as relayed by the Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) at 8 p.m. today, orphans along with orphanage staff members have been instructed to arrive at the U.S. Embassy as early as possible on Wednesday morning. JCICS warned that no food, water or facilities would be available for the children while processing at the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince.

JCICS further relayed that orphanage requests to the U.S. Embassy for security and transportation for the children have been denied by the State Department. The U.S. ministry associated with this orphanage, For His Glory Adoption Outreach (FHG), was also asked to stop requesting security, transportation or even water at the orphanage location. Following discussions with staff and board members in Port-au-Prince, the difficult decision was made that all 133 children, including approximately 60 children under the age of 3, will begin early in the morning of January 20th to walk the over 2 kilometers to the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince. This decision was made due to the limited staff available and the increasingly dangerous security situation at the orphanage in Port-au-Prince. The staff will carry as much water, food and baby formula as possible with them for the orphans while processing at the U.S. Embassy. JCICS relayed that once processing is completed, the orphans will travel to the United States on "cargo jets to locations that are not often known until an hour or so before the flight leaves."

Kim Harmon, President of FHG, acknowledged that "this arrangement is far from ideal for the safety and well-being of the children. We are calling to all who care about these precious children to pray earnestly for their safety tomorrow."

FHG is a ministry to the people and children of Haiti. Our ministry is dedicated to fundraising and assisting the orphanage, Maison des Enfants de Dieu, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

JCICS STATEMENT

January 19, 2010 8 p.m. est

UPDATE: Haiti

It is once again my job to be the barrier of bad news. Another day come and gone and no change. Despite extensive Congressional support and all of your calls to your Members of Congress we have hit roadblock after roadblock. At this point we respectfully ask that you stop contacting your Members of Congress requesting their assistance with obtaining security, transportation, and water for the location. The Department of State has not and apparently will not provide the small assistance that we have requested.

Given the current circumstances, at this point we are recommending that someone from each orphanage escort the children who qualify for humanitarian parole or adoption visas to the U.S. Embassy in Port-A-Prince. We recommend that the orphanage staff arrive with the children and any adoption paperwork that has not been destroyed as early as possible in the morning in order to attempt to obtain visas or parole for the children. Please understand that this option may not be considered safe and that the U.S. Embassy did not allow some orphanages onto the premises today. Additionally, please note that it has been reported that there is no food, water or facilities for the children to use while at the Embassy. As noted during our conference call earlier today, these are our recommendations only and should not be used to replace your or your orphanage director's good judgment.

It is our understanding that any children processed by USCIS in Port-A-Prince are leaving on U.S. cargo jets to locations that are not often know until a hour or so before the flight leaves. At times children have left Haiti without the knowledge of their adoptive parents.

This is currently the worst case scenario for the children's well-being and safety but at the moment there are no other options.

As we receive more information we will continue to share it with you. While the situation at the moment is terrible I can only hope that our collective efforts produce some positive news. Despite the roadblocks Joint Council has not given up on the save haven and we continue to advocate for its creation and a more transparent and safe process in uniting these children with their adoptive families.

Rebecca