Tag Archives: Haiti

adoption update.

October 4, 2008 – 10:46 pm

paperwork. paperwork. paperwork.

We are in the stage of grabbing all the paperwork that is needed for our dossier.  During the lights out vacation after Mr. Ike we had our home study.  It was good.  I should have that in hand soon.  Next on the things to do is the psychological evaluation.  Then we will have the blood work and HIV testing done.  After that I think the only thing “to do” will be to get what seems like one thousand copies of passport photos for each of us.  Once all that is done we send everything off to be authenticated.

Each step of the way there is money to be paid.  That is the biggest issue in my mind.  It looms.  I have no idea why it does.  God provides the exact amount EVERY time we have needed it.

Once our dossier is complete (hopefully sooner than later) we will send it with half of our adoption cost to Haiti.  That is where my mind stands still.  I really can’t wait to see how God provides the funding for this.  I also somewhat feel guilty that I cannot afford on my own to do this.  False guilt.

This boy is already part of our family.  If he never comes to live with us physically we will still love and care for him.  He is with us forever.  The conversations of and about him are endless.  I hear little voices request to bring him home for “my” birthday.  Yes, Honey, I wish I could.

I have a question for all of you adoptive parents of older children.  Did you change your child’s name to an American name?  I have a lot of thoughts about this but I am curious to hear what some other thoughts are.  Feel free to email me if you would rather keep it private.

By debra parker | Posted in adoption | Also tagged , | Comments (7)

The boy and The Astros.

September 25, 2008 – 8:23 pm

Look what I got in my email inbox today.  This has been an emotional day.  I love this child.  For real.  Ernest emailed all around and asked people to send me Birthday wishes.  I am so glad he did.  Thank you Licia.  And Thank you Jamie for taking this stuff to him.  For the love.

By debra parker | Posted in adoption | Also tagged , | Comments (5)

what is he thinking…?

September 8, 2008 – 8:40 pm

that is what I am thinking.

Our boy in Haiti has seen some of the most horrendous things with his own deep dark eyes.  He lives in a place where he is genuinely loved.  There is an almost permanent smile that rests on his face.  What about the last couple of weeks?  Is his smile still flourishing?  My initial thought is how could it.

The rescue center is without water.  At the present time water is being brought up and ran through filters to ensure that it is safe for drinking.  This is a costly process.  If you are willing please donate $40 to Real Hope for Haiti. The $40 will cover the approx. cost of 250 people having clean water for a day.  Go to Licia’s Blog and click on the side button to donate.

We, the Parkers, love our little Parker man in Haiti.  We think of him, pray for him, worry for him, and more than anything want to be with him.

Please pray for the people of Haiti, for our son, for Licia and all the rescue center staff/children.

By debra parker | Posted in adoption | Also tagged , , | Comments (2)

they knew.

August 7, 2008 – 9:00 am

“Has Mom met him yet?” That is the question that the kids asked over and over the days I was in Haiti. Together as a family we had prayed for this boy.  We asked that he would know the love of a family. Our hearts were moved towards adoption it just seemed to be over our head financially.  Every time God would bring adoption to our lips our reality would smack us straight over the head.

going back a year.

The kids began to refer to him as their future brother.  “We are going to adopt him!” They would say.  I used cautious words to prepare them for what might not happen.  They listened but I don’t think they ever let the idea of their future brother go.

My trip to Haiti was scheduled.

We would make a trip to the Rescue Center.

I would meet him.

On the morning when our group arrived at the Rescue Center I was pretty nervous.  My eyes scanned the small faces that were surrounding us.  I was talking with people, laughing with people, meeting friends, but all the while I was looking for him.

It seemed like an eternity before I actually laid my eyes on this little boy.  My heart melted even more than the hundreds of times I read his story on the blog.  I stood there stilled and watched him play.  I thought about what I could say to him.  Nothing grand enough came to mind.  In all honesty it took every bit of strength to walk over to him. It was as if I knew my life would be forever changed.  I have no idea what my words to him were.  It doesn’t matter. His eyes were overwhelming.  His smile even more. I grabbed my camera and shot some photos of the boys playing.  Then I asked if he would take a picture with me.  He must have thought I was so weird.  I was so worried that he did.  I would not have forgiven myself if I had chickened out.  The kids would treasure this photo of their mom and their in-love brother.  With that I walked away.  Physically I was away from him but to this day my thoughts are with him.

Later that day he and I colored, chalked, and laughed.  I couldn’t ask for more.  He knew that I thought he was special.  He knew that he was my favorite.  I think he liked that.

Our time at the RC was done.

I arrived home with more questions.  I knew that our family could love this boy.  Could he love us?  Is he too old to transition to life in America?  What would his life be like if he stayed in Haiti?  Could he?  Would that prove to be better for Him.  What would life look like for him if he did.

Questions are so hard.

moving forward.

Licia posted a blog pleading for a family to take this child.  This child that we loved.  The child that we prayed would have a family soon.  This child that our children called brother.

This child was ours.

It was as complex simple as that.

To say all the questions are gone would be a lie.  We have many questions just about different things.

Nothing is more amazing than hearing Carly or Colt talk to EVERYONE about their brother.  God has worked out an amazing love in their heart.  They always knew.  Even when their parents were full of fear.  They knew.

By debra parker | Posted in adoption | Also tagged , , | Comments (6)

meeting the family. {in pictures}

July 20, 2008 – 10:52 pm

Last night was just one of those nights when all energy is drained and you don’t even feel like opening up the laptop.  I am so glad that I did.  My inbox held one of the most precious sights I have seen.  I could not resist the urge to share this moment.

Thank you Licia for this precious gift.

By debra parker | Posted in adoption | Also tagged , | Comments (10)

YESTERDAY

July 3, 2008 – 3:50 pm

YESTERDAY We were discussing adoption and about this child all day. YESTERDAY I had a good conversation with Kim about adoption. YESTERDAY Fundraising ideas seemed to be hovering in my thoughts. YESTERDAY I read two blogs from friends that are in the Dominican. YESTERDAY Their photos stirred the emotion that I have been trying to keep settled.

YESTERDAY Licia posted this blog.

YESTERDAY I read it and immediately felt the all knowing feeling of “my life is about to change forever.”

YESTERDAY I sent the link to Ernest at his night gig.

YESTERDAY I received a reply from Ernest saying…”Ronel Parker?”

YESTERDAY (actually in the early am) we e-mailed Licia telling her we were ready to practice some water walking.

TODAY we enter the LONG adoption process that we have prayed about for years.

By debra parker | Posted in adoption | Also tagged , | Comments (23)

project 365

May 13, 2008 – 3:34 pm

So I have decided to take on a new project. I have been watching people play this out on flickr and have honestly admired them for doing it. I think it is the right time for me to tackle it. If you want to play along that would be great fun. You can find more information and ideas from here. I plan to capture an image of myself, my kids, my husband, and or life for the next 365 days. I am all about documenting moments and letting more spill over than I probably should. That is just me.

project 365: day one

As you can see from project 365: day one my mind is still full of thoughts + emotions to process from my time in Haiti. This is the couch that becomes my office from the hours of 9-3:30 each day. I realized that the last two days I have been doing alot of this starring off into the distance. It seems my mind is just rolling through all the images I have seen and the places they fell in my heart. I am trying so hard to hold onto each one. I do not want to forget one small minute but I know that is bound to happen. I am sure it already has.

Yesterday I walked into Wal-Mart and the first thing I noticed was a large display of Goldfish crackers. Noah, one fun and spunky Livesays, carried around a box of goldfish crackers just like that one. The silly connection made me smile and share the news with Ernest. I went on to talk up fun stories of Noah and the other Livesay children (seriously great kids). I miss Haiti. I miss all the people there.

There is a brush in the bathroom that no one uses. I have no idea why it is there. Every time I come across it I remember Haiti. On the handle is the word belle. Belle is the creole word for pretty or beautiful. I used that word many times in my seven days in Haiti. Each time I would snap a picture of a Haitian girl I would turn the camera around to show her the image. The same thing would happen each time. She would see with her own eyes how beautiful she was. Her eyes would light up and soon a huge smile would be held on her face. I had the awesome privilege to look into her eyes and assure her that I saw the same thing…belle.

The days have been full since I have been home. Ernest started a 2nd shift job last night. This is a blessing all on it’s own. He will work there until his funds are raised with AIM. This is the same company he worked for while he was in college here in Houston. They remembered him and decided to re-hire him for this period of time. He just started an already worked out all the time off he needed for camps and other speaking engagements that he has scheduled. Only God. They are also fully aware of his short term agreement with them. Awesome. Ernest is so excited about all the opportunities that lay before him. AIM is wonderful as well as working with Chris to begin a Youth Ministry at our church. I am proud to be the wife of my blue collar preacher man.

By debra parker | Posted in Reflection, family, haiti.love, ministry, project 365 | Also tagged , | Comments (5)

Haiti. Day Three.

May 5, 2008 – 6:27 pm

This day is bringing the sights and sounds together to form some kind of workable shape.

Day 3 in Haiti.

Up and ready by 6 AM to begin the journey that has been the source of the huge imagery in my mind. A literal mountain stood before me waiting to challenge the very depth of who I am. Along with my fellow teammates I was to climb this mountain. Over and over on the way I recalled I look up to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth. Serious words were flowing from my heart to His ears about His help coming to aid me up that mountain. It came for sure. It came in the form of a donkey that transported one weary and WIMPY traveler. He is good.

The donkey carried me to some of the sweetest hours of my journey in Haiti.

The village is busting with life. A friendly bonjour is given with each passing home. This long dusty road is now being overshadowed by the children that call this place their home. In the next moments we find ourselves at the Church we traveled to visit. The sounds of singing and teaching are echoing out of the walls of this place. It feels familiar in an odd way. From the moment I step into the church my heart begins to unleash all the feelings that have been stored for safekeeping. Tears. God you are here. You are here in this place with these people. They love you and you love them. God it is no surprise to you that there is suffering going on here. You are not surprised by all the images I have taken in. You know each heart and seek to bring them all to you. You speak to them in ways I cannot comprehend. They are yours.

If by only an inch I understand this love a little more.

After church I made my way outside. I am not kidding when I say that there where children everywhere. I snapped picture after picture to watch the children’s eyes when they looked at themselves in the viewfinder. They were amazed and I think they felt downright good looking. That made me happy. After the photo sessions were over came the most fun. I joined Aaron and Sarah with a group of kids singing and laughing. They taught us motions to their songs and laughed at us when we actually joined them. The smiles they gave where worth more money than I will ever posses. The fact they thought I was funny is enough for me to love them for life. Together we exchanged names and shared the love of Jesus. In a silly twist I will be known to them as Debra-me-too. I will never forget looking up to see Sarah’s sparkling blue eyes beaming. She was telling the kids through gestures “You make me smile.” That is almost enough to bring me to tears for a month.

The walk down from the village was long and hard. I could have filled a bucket with my sweat alone. The price made the journey more valuable. As I type here in my bed watching the endless bugs enjoy the light on my screen I feel renewed. Today God lavished his love upon me. Today God lavished his love upon a village up on a mountain top. I am amazed by the way He demonstrates his love.

One day a group of 12 Americans travel up a mountain. Through their sweat and confusion they touch, hold, and talk with village children in Haiti.

One day a remote village in Haiti does church. Through their simple beauty and endless joy they laugh with, smile at, and love on a group of 12 Americans.

Things to carry away: I love Jesus-me-too. laughter. squatty potty. The shade/breeze love language. The largest group hug in my entire life. Aaron’s misfortune. The mountain hike/donkey ride. The descent off of the mountain. A scrapped knee.

By debra parker | Posted in haiti.love | Also tagged , , | Comments (5)

Portraits from Haiti {1}

May 3, 2008 – 1:06 pm

Look at those glasses!

Beauty.

this is our truck! awesome.

By debra parker | Posted in haiti.love | Also tagged , | Comments (3)

Haiti…I am here!

May 2, 2008 – 5:16 pm

As I type the sounds of creole are lingering in the background. I have made it to Haiti. The sights and sounds are as I had envisoined and yet affected me in a way that I did not expect. I have officially been in Haiti for less than 24 hours but I know that this place will leave a lasting impression upon all my days.

At the present moment we are at the Rescue Center. The work done here is truly amazing. I have been moved to tears many more times than can be counted. The children have grabbed onto our hearts as well as our hands. I have colored with, sang songs with, rocked to sleep, and held so many tender souls. I have seen what I’ve seen and I can’t forget it. It is true.

On our journey to the Rescue Center we crossed the paths of so much life. The rivers were full of people washing clothes, bathing, and socializing. I could not bring myself to lift the camera and shoot. I sat still and savored each sight. The countryside is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. The mountains are nothing short of breathtaking. My current memory verse is so fitting for these days. Psalm 121:1-2 I raise my eyes toward the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD the maker of Heaven and Earth. I have said those words over and over today all the while gazing at the gorgoues mountain range. God is just better than He has to be. Yes He is.

This post may be full of spelling issues and rambling. I just wanted to write and share the very real fact that my heart is melting. And it is not because of the heat.

Melt on.

By debra parker | Posted in haiti.love, ministry | Also tagged , | Comments (2)