I have been working on this posting for a couple of days now. It's not an easy one for me. See, a couple of days ago, on this blog, I said that I hoped my heart would continue to break for the things that break God’s heart. Be careful what you ask for. . . . . `Just one word: Haiti. Aurgh. I haven’t been able to stop crying about it since I first heard the news. Haiti: the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Haiti: with so many orphans already. Haiti: already victim to hurricanes and corruption and famine. How could this happen to Haiti?!?!?`In the late fall and early winter, I was wrestling with the specifics of our next adoption. Would this child be born in the U.S., like Seth? Or from another country? As I thought and prayed through this decision, I was reminded that Seth's adoption agency primarily handles domestic and international adoptions from Haiti. So, because for me it's all about "what I know", I started researching Haiti. I read a lot about it. I had no idea things were so bad there -- or, I had turned a blind eye to it. About a year ago, I handled an asylum case for two Haitian siblings, so I knew there was political unrest, violence and deep corruption there. But did I know that food is so scarce they make patties out of feces to have something to eat? Did I know the orphanages are bursting with children with nowhere to go? Did I know that people were randomly shot in the street for expressing unpopular opinions? This from a country just a few hundred miles off our coast....`God really grew my heart for Haiti over the last few months. Nevertheless, for reasons that I won't bore you with, I decided baby number two is from the U.S. like Seth. And I felt good about it. Enter earthquake. Sigh. I don't know if it changes anything or not, but the point is, I don't know. `What I do know is that I have to do something. Anything. I cannot sit by and watch that devastation and not be moved. Impossible. What does that mean for me? I'm not sure yet. I know that Adoption-Link is collecting money and goods to send to the two orphanages where they work – soon to be bursting with kids. http://www.adoption-link.org/ I can participate in that. But it’s not enough. I was supposed to go to Africa (Zambia) with World Vision in May -- Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I cancelled my trip. I’d rather go to Haiti in the upcoming months. No, they don’t need lawyers. But what they do need (or will in a couple of months) are people who can swing a hammer or hold babies, and I’m qualified for both of those. :) Maybe that means our plans about the next adoption change. Maybe not. But our plans are not always God’s plans anyway, and I’m open to what He has for us. Whatever and wherever. `God, be with the people of Haiti. Hear their cries and answer their needs. Make Yourself known to them in a personal way. Lord, have mercy on them. And, Father, teach us to reach out to them as Jesus would have. Amen and amen.