Something Worth Fighting For
I love when people ask (and sometimes even just assume) how
we chose Haiti. Most people think that we were working with the Colorado Haiti
Project and that our volunteer time stirred up a desire to adopt from Haiti.
But the reality is that we chose Haiti, pretty much out of a hat. Okay, it was
a bit more logical than that, but you know what I mean. Here’s what happened:
Drew and I have always had a heart for adoption,
particularly because my older (and only) brother, Sean was adopted. Not only was my
brother adopted, but he happened to be college roommates and best friends with
the guy that would one day -now- be my (most amazing) husband! It’s such a
beautiful story…one that God had up His sleeve all along. All the years of
waiting and wondering that my parents endured. The questions I had about when
my prince charming would arrive. It all falls together beautifully in this
gloriously ordained puzzle that is ever-growing. It seems like it should be the
end of an amazing love story, but it continues. There is more love and much
more story.
When we knew for sure that International adoption was right
for us, we looked at our adoption agency’s list of countries, without a single personal
connection to any, and chose Haiti. Proximity, age, timeline, travel
requirements…they all lined up with what we were hoping for. And that was it!
Done. Haiti. “We’re adopting from
Haiti”. Our eyes, hearts and souls lit up when we said those four words. And in
that moment, God planted little Haiti-shaped seeds in our hearts. He has
faithfully watered them, fed them and grown them tremendously over the past 2-ish
years. And with those seeds came a desire to learn more about our children’s
country, culture and history and a passion for the people of Haiti; the family
of our kids—our family.
We sought out the Colorado Haiti Project in December of 2015
and after several emails and phone calls, we had a face to face and shared our
hearts. Shortly thereafter I was meeting interns, staff and volunteers and
exactly one year ago today, I helped with my first ever CHP event, their 2nd
Annual Farm Dinner. I even met an amazing Haitian young woman named Christelle
throughout the planning phases of the event. And because of our awesome friends
and family (aka: our village), we continue to meet people with connections
to Haiti, from Haiti, who had adopted from Haiti, visited Haiti, lived in Haiti….the
list goes on and on.
Our passion for Haiti hit an all-time high (thus far) on our
recent visit to Petit Trou de Nippes, Haiti this past April. We met amazing
people. We laughed together, ate together, learned together and made lasting
memories.
So why am I telling you all of this? Well, it’s because I’m
asking you to reflect. Maybe you’re reflecting as a fellow adoptive-parent from
Haiti (or somewhere else). Maybe you are my family or a dear friend that will
one day know and love my Haitian children. Maybe you work in Haiti or maybe you
know nothing about Haiti except what you hear in the media. Whatever the case…will
you take a moment to reflect with me…?
One thing that Drew and I realized after our trip in April
was that there was SO much more we could do than adoption. Now, pause: adoption
is beautiful and it is challenging and it takes the right open heart and open,
patient mind. I’m not downplaying adoption at all here, so please know that!
What Drew and I became so much more aware of is that there are millions of
children in Haiti (and the world) with hopes and dreams for their futures.
Dreams that may soon be snuffed out by reality if we don’t do something. We
have this amazing organization right at our fingertips. They have been working
in the same area of Haiti for 26 years, folks. That’s commitment. And here’s the
thing…they’re still learning and growing together. They have established an
important trust that is hard to find and that
trust has led to partnership and friendship. I have friends in Haiti, my
friends. And you should meet them. They’re the best!
Okay, so now the reflection part. (I never said I’d be
quick!)
I hear, so often, some (what could be taken as) negative or
snarky comments about Haiti, particularly when it comes to adoption. I am
guilty myself, even, but I often wonder how those comments can be harmful,
particularly to my future children. Phrases like “Haiti just does their own
thing” or “We all know Haiti ___ (fill in the blank)”. But what I have been
thinking about and want to share with you is this: Do we really know Haiti? Think about what that means. Do we know their fight for independence? Do
we know the pride in freedom that
they rightfully possess and cherish? Do we
know the struggle and despair that many face daily? What it means to be
without food or a job or a house or a family? The list goes on and on, dear
friends. And what I’ve come to realize is that we don’t know Haiti at all. Our country has painted its own picture of Haiti
that, in my opinion, is very inaccurate.
In the adoption world, it seems that we often think Haiti is
the only culprit in the pain-stakingly long process, but our State Department
is an equal contributor. Yes, Haiti does things their own way in their own
time, but I guess what I’m reflecting on is, what makes our ways and times
superior? When did we become the ultimate? I often envy the beautiful culture I
had the privilege of experiencing in rural Haiti. My loving, hospitable and
generous friends with hearts of gold and determination beyond measure. Their
hope far exceeds any I have seen and they dare to dream of all that is
possible. Perseverance. Passion. Drive. All wrapped up in this beautiful
culture. But there are limited resources available and a history of oppression
and corruption (let’s not start on America’s role in this) that they are still
fighting. If you ask me, what they need is not for people to fight for them,
but rather to fight alongside them. Get
to know them. Respect them for their ways and their differences. Earn their
trust, just as the Colorado Haiti Project has, and stand with them in
partnership and hope.
When we returned to Colorado in April, the first thing Drew
and I began reflecting on is “what else can we do?” How do we fight (harder) alongside
our friends? How do we keep kids out of orphanages by keeping families
together? Create jobs? Build infrastructure? There is so much…where to start?
Lucky for us, we get to work with the Colorado Haiti Project
to accomplish this and so much more. We’re seeing families growing home
gardens, receiving agriculture education, animal husbandry training and
entrepreneurship training. Scholarship students are returning to the community
to teach at St. Paul’s…the very school they grew up in. Water-borne illness is
far less common because of 12 safe-water wells and Community Health Aides are
working in their villages to keep their neighbors safe and healthy.
But, more than anything, I get to teach my kids about the hard
work, pride and perseverance of their homeland. They will one day meet our
friends in Haiti and know that their blan
parents possess a love for Haiti that extends far beyond the act of adoption. It’s
not just something I want to talk about and read about in books. I want them to
see it with their own eyes and feel it with their own handshakes and high-fives.
I want them to know that their biological family is our family, too. That it
doesn’t stop at the signing of papers and court officials legally declaring us parents.
We feel a strong responsibility to our children, our friends in Haiti, their
children, and all the generations to come to do everything in our power to walk
with them. Fight with them.
Today marks the 101st anniversary of the U.S. invading Haiti
and 330 Marines occupying Port au Prince. Nothing I know compares to that
difficult time in history for Haiti. But I do know that Haiti has changed my heart
and the way I think about so many things. They have made my heart bigger and
much more full. I challenge you to open your heart up to something new and
unexpected today. Maybe that’s Haiti. And maybe you can be a catalyst for change
with Drew and I at the Colorado Haiti Project.
Maybe it’s another cause that’s near and dear to your heart.
The options are endless. But whatever it is, challenge yourself, your kids,
family and friends to think differently. Fight for something today and every day;
but not on your own terms. In partnership and trust—together. As ONE.
Comments
Post a Comment