Please Pray for the Stewarts

Once again, I am calling on you to pray. To pray hard and fast. It is the only thing to do when there is nothing you can do. The thing is, there is nothing more powerful.

I do not know the Stewart family personally but a friend shared their story with me tonight. They are from Austin and are in the process of adopting from Haiti. We MUST petition God on their behalf. My heart is so scared for them. Here is the status update of the father:

UPDATE: After being matched with our adoptive son, Kelly, 18 months ago, coming to Haiti 9 times over that time to visit and bond with Kelly (he calls me Papa), and spending tens of thousands of dollars on the adoption process, we found out yesterday that as of Oct 1st all, and I mean ALL, the adoption laws are changing in Haiti. This means that all the dossiers that are not in Social Services (IBESR) as of this week will be rejected and have to start the process all over again. Our dossier is not in Social Services because we have been married 9 years, nor 10 years per Haitian adoption law.

The orphanage's lawyer will try and submit our dossier TODAY, but since we have not been married 10 years, it is a crapshoot whether or not they will accept it. It is literally up to the whimsical discretion of some overworked, under-paid administrator in the most overworked, under-paid department in the Haitian government.In addition, if our dossier is rejected, whatever relationship we have with Kelly will be terminated and not recognized by Social Services. He will then go in to their new processes and they will match him with a different family.

This is dire for us.

Only God's hand can make a way for us an Kelly in this process. A medical visa is out of the question. We are desperate... desperate for God to intervene. Please pray. Please fast. Please tell anyone and everyone you know to pray for this process today.

Please pray for this family tonight. For only God can move this impossible mountain. You can watch the moving story of journey to Kelly here.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

Britany

Need Your World Rocked?

Stop what you’re doing. Get in your car, drive to the bookstore or hop on Amazon.com and download/order Orphanology by Tony Merida and Rick Morton. No, really, RIGHT NOW.

I have spent this quiet morning with tears rolling down my face. Captivated by the love of God for His people, moved by how adoption is a beautiful picture of God’s redemptive love for us…it’s the Gospel, OUT LOUD.

I love this quote from the book: “While it costs us a lot to adopt children, it cost God the blood of His own Son. It cost Christ to give up His own life in obedience to the Father. Christ, the One who “endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:1-2) came to redeem us and make us part of the family.”

I had originally typed a dissertation in response, but my mom recently warned me to be careful with my delivery. She so often offers the wisdom my passion so desperately needs:) So, I will heed her words and pray you will take my advice, get this crazy book and allow Jesus to rock your world!

I, personally, needed the encouragement and reminder as to why Ryan and I have chosen this journey… I Love how God gives us what we need right when we need it!

UPDATE:

Sunday we arrived home from my birthday, camping trip with the best surprise ever! Our finalized Home Study was in the mailbox. I just held the papers and cried. It’s amazing how I will go days with very little thought of our adoption and then moments will come when I am completely overwhelmed with emotion. We have waited 4 months for this and can now move forward with applying with USCIS.

We also received a sweet letter from my oncologist stating that I was, in his opinion, cured. Both my social worker and AWAA family coordinator believe this will be very beneficial in convincing the Ethiopian government on the cancer issue. He also included some surprising words of speaking of my character and ability to care for a child. It was so sweet and meant so much to Ryan and I.

I am encouraged and excited that we are able to finally DO something! We will begin filling out our application to USCIS and gathering the remainder of dossier paperwork necessary.

I see an awesome fundraising benefit in our future!! Now to plan!

Love and appreciate your prayers so much<3

Brit

P.S. GO BUY ORPHANOLOGY HERE! Have you read it? Has it already rocked your world? Leave me a comment below and tell us what you thought!