Bridges of Faith BLOG
The Haitian Orphan Project -- WE ARE NOT GIVING UP!!
by Rev. Tom Benz on 10/06/10
I have worked in international programs for more than 20 years -- the Haitian Orphan Project challenges us more than any in those years!!? Let me explain . . .
First, the January 12 earthquake (4:53 PM) leveled much for the Haitian infrastructure, including entire government agencies.? I stood in front of the Haitian IRS building, once a huge multi-story, stone and concrete structure.? In a moment, it pounded its way to the ground, all records and employees inside.? The country still struggles to emerge from this magnitude of destruction.? Even in this devastation, we have obtained the first six passports for the pilot group of ten beautiful children.? God is faithful.
Next, the Haitian authorities have never shown much warmth to foreign adoption.? Before the quake, adoptions stretched from two to four years.? I have not found a single precedent to the program that we propose, to bring adoptable Haitian orphans to BridgeStone, Alabama, for several weeks of rest, English study, and immersion in the Gospel.? Of course, we will bring families interested in adoption to BridgeStone to meet these kids, incubating adoptions and forever changing the lives of these – the least of these – of Haiti.
From my first glimpse of Haiti’s orphans on the news following the quake to our exploratory trip to Haiti in February, these children break my heart.? I saw, first hand, the squalor in which they live.? I still hear, echoing in my ears, the words of an orphanage director simply stating the numbers of children he watched die and the numbers who will die without intervention.? And I cringe, realizing that these kids live just 90 minutes from the coast of Miami.? If these are not our neighbors, then who are our neighbors?? If these are not the least of these, then please show the real least of these to me so that I can help them.
Many people express their frustration with the obstacles thrown in the way of improving these kids’ lives.? But the children still suffer from wrongs they did nothing to create.? They epitomize innocence.? Recent reports state that only 2% of the rubble has been removed.?
As Charley Elgin, the strong man of God spearheading this initiative, pointed out, surely there are giants in the land.? "Most people focus on the difference in the report of the 10 spies verses Joshua and Caleb’s report.? Did you know that God was aware there were giants in Canaan before He told Israel to cross the Jordan and take the land?? Well He did …. It’s not like He said to Michael and Gabriel … "How did we let that slip past us … I never would have told them to go there if I knew about those giants!"? Another point, I believe that Joshua and Caleb saw the giants too.? But the giants were of no concern to them in light of who God is." ?
I implore you now to continue standing with us in bring children out of darkness and suffering into faith and life in Jesus Christ.? We want that to happen by bringing them to BridgeStone, our 140 retreat center in Central Alabama, to see the goodness of the Lord and to help them find adoptive families.? Yes, this has drawn on now for months.? Yes, it has strained our faith.? Yes, we sometimes feel weary in well doing.? But getting one group of ten kids through the obstacle course will prepare the path for many others.? Perhaps the tenacity that God is giving us will inspire other groups to take up this cause.? God’s will is not always easy.
God has given us strength to make many steps forward.? We have improved our physical plant for this task.? Our team has shown resilience in the waiting.? And we will continue to hold fast to our hope in Christ that we will see children redeemed, both physically and spiritually.? We will run while we can.? When we can no longer run, we will walk.? When our legs fail, we will crawl to see the transformation that only Christ can bring to innocent lives.
Will you continue to stand with us?? After receiving the last passports, we will apply for visas.? We may have to travel to Haiti to negotiate the visas and the governmental permission for children to travel.? We are in no way finished with the expenses of emotion, travel, time, and dollars.? We need your help.? I personally, along with all of Bridges of Faith, need your prayers.? Your prayers and your gifts of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more helps pave the way for children’s lives to be redeemed.
Thank you for your prayers, your friendship, your support, and your love for the children.
For the least of these,
Tom
334 221-0385
