Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Mountains Have Been Moved

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families; he leads the prisoners forth with singing." (Ps. 68:5-6a)

This has been such an incredibly moving day. For the last week I've been following the story of the BRESMA orphans in Haiti. (I will not undertake to write out the whole thing, but you can find their story by searching online.) Last night and into this morning they were rescued. The BRESMA orphans and their caretakers have been in my thoughts pretty much non-stop for the last week. Like so many others, I've just been begging God to save these innocent children. Words can't begin tell you how much joy overflowed from my heart to see the video of them getting off the plane on American soil. Now they will go to the families who were already waiting to bring them home, no longer to be called orphans. What a beautiful and sacred thing. (Go here and here and you will know my joy.)

I know there is still an unfathomable amount of needs in Haiti, but I think if I don't stop and celebrate the victories then I will lose heart.

It looks like my friends Debra and Jamie will probably have their boys home soon. Praise the Lord! That is such a miracle in the midst of a tragic situation. The earthquake could have delayed their adoptions for years, but instead they are coming home sooner. My little heart is doing back flips.

Debra's family is now suddenly in need of a bigger vehicle - one for two adults and four kiddos. (Their youngest is just four weeks old. Can you imagine going through all of this in your post-partum weeks? Seriously.) Ronel's adoption was not even close to the end, so they are delightfully surprised by this news. Join me in praying for God to wildly provide for every single need they have. Personally, I'm praying really big, like that someone will just give them a great SUV.

Our God is good, friends. He is mighty and good. One day we will understand why things happen the way they do, but until then we put our faith in who He is and not what He does. And sometimes - a lot of times if we're looking closely - we get to see miracles.

"For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

39 comments:

Sister Lynn said...

Praise God!

I just read Melissa's post on the other blog. Thank you both for helping make this so real.

One with you in praying for Haiti.

Blessings,
Sister Lynn

Peter and Nancy said...

With one adopted child at home, and another on the way (both from India), the stories of interrupted adoptions have been breaking my heart. Thanks for sharing some good news!
Nancy

Patty said...

Oh praise God!!!

You are so right, we need to stop and praise God for the victories in Haiti. God has done mighty things!

I will stand w/you in agreement for someone to give them an SUV.

Luke 1;37, a memory verse of mine!!

See you all in 2 days!

Lauren said...

That is awesome!

ocean mommy said...

This makes my heart so happy! God is working in ways our little human brains can.not.fathom. I LOVE IT!!!

blessings,
stephanie

Unknown said...

this is all so amazing!
praying too that amos and ronel get to come home quickly.
and those two pennsylvania sisters are pretty amazing.
i'm curious as to what their story is? how they decided to work in haiti at the orphanage, etc.
i was hoping they were christians..but can't tell.

Shelli Littleton said...

You just celebrate! Our God is good. "Savior ... He can move the mountains ... our God is mighty to save ... He is mighty to save ...."

Marla Taviano said...

Oh, praise Him!

The Reardon's said...

Very encouraging post Amanda. Thanks for posting those links.

Missy Robinson said...

As parents, both thru birth and adoption, let me tell you how excited I was to hear those babies made it home!God has moved and it is apparent, just by witnessing the speed with which the orphans got rescued. When you have adopted a child, you are automatically in those waiting parents shoes again... crying, praying, smiling, crying more... I've never done anything so SPIRITUAL in my life.
You are right, God is good.

The Haines said...

My heart is doing back flips as well Amanda! Our friends, the Rhodes, are waiting for their Frankie to come home any minute!! Praise Him- he HAS moved mountains!

Suzi K said...

Such wonderful news- a blessing in disguise.


And Amanda, why does praying big mean an SUV? Why not a MINI VAN?:) Just Kidding!!!

Heather said...

God is so good. Praying for Debra and that the Lord would meet her family's needs and then some!! PTL for the miracles this week in the midst of so much devestation.

Kristen said...

It was so nice to meet you tonight, too! I'm so glad you shared about BRESMA with your readers. I love what God is up to!

Angela said...

I have been praying for The Parkers'.
Ronel is such a lucky boy to be going home to such a hip cool family!
I am blessed that they are my friends. I thought of Romans 8:28 today when I thought of their situation!
Carley had such a great idea for all the stuff they will need if Ronel gets to come home, "A Ronel Shower".
Maybe I should start planning! ;-)

Rhonda said...

Amen!

debra parker said...

"And Amanda, why does praying big mean an SUV? Why not a MINI VAN?:) Just Kidding!!!"

Seriously love that!

I am praying. Hope this all happens!

jennyhope said...

my my my! i love debra! I am so thankful for this post. I am amazed at her double portion. Praying big with you!!

Kristen Howerton said...

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Jamie and Debra through this process as we've waited for our own son to come home. I am thrilled that we might be getting our kids out!!

Kristen Howerton said...

PS I love your blog title. I have an 8-month-old and I am rocking some SERIOUS baby bangs right now.

Morgan Lea @ Gloryfilled said...

We've been so blessed to find out that my 2 nephews in Haiti are closer than ever to coming home to their forever families.This has seemed impossible the last few years.Praises to God!!

Mary H. said...

Praise the Lord!
That is wonderful news.
I will pray for the family to get a larger vehicle, too.

Have a blessed day!

Whittaker Woman said...

I have been stalking Deborah too! I am so excited for them! Praying it all works out! H

CAROL LIVIN FOR GOD said...

Thanks Amanda for making this real to us when I saw those little ones get off the plane it thrilled my heart to see there smiles. And the families lovin on them.
Our God is good
Love Carol see you this weekend God willing

ncmama said...

I think I've been spending too much time on Facebook - I keep looking for the "like" button in regards to this post! Thanks for sharing.

Michelle said...

God is good...all the time! Praying His name is heard above all else in Haiti!!!!!!

The Johnsons said...

I am so happy for these families and (no longer) orphans! Thank you for sharing a joy in this tragedy. And for your post - today I needed to hear to trust in Him and not what He does.

Kristen said...

We have been talking quite a bit about Haiti and the earthquake over at our house. Ellery has been asking a lot of hard questions...why did God make the earthquake happen?...etc. etc. I keep telling her we will never know why He allowed it but good things will come from this...things that will glorify Him.
I was so thrilled to tell her the story of these little ones. Praise God.

Gina said...

Amanda - I, too, have been following this story and PRAISE GOD for His mercy to place them in safety so quickly.

Blue, Heather, Campbell and Piper Bryan said...

I know you have absolutely no idea who I am - I am just a random girl in SC who loves to read your blog. I am "that girl" who sits at work (sshhh! - don't tell anyone what a bad employee I apparently am :) )when there is not much going on and reads blog after blog from the blog lists of friends. Yours brings such joy to my heart. I love to read what the Lord is doing in others lives -even in the lives of those I have never met. And it just encourages me so much to read yours and see what the Lord is doing THROUGH you. I want you to know that what you write is such a ministry in itself. Please don't stop. Thanks so much :)

Amanda May said...

To God be the glory!!!!

I love how that sweet gentleman referenced the 'parting of the seas'!! A truer statement has never been made...whether he knows it or not!!

Oh how I pray that people will know Who made this rescue happen...He is amazing!

katiegfromtennessee said...

Wow, all those kids are going to be united finally with adoptive parents!!! That is amazing!! That does cheer my heart!:) No, nothing is impossible with God! In Him is Light and there is no darkness, none at all! Praise Him, He has made a way to redeem mankind and restore this world and to rule and reign forever! Praise His Name!:)

katiegfromtennessee

Libby said...

I had never heard of the BRESMA orphanage & the sisters until I read about them in your previous post. I am in awe of them after I read everything I could find, then stood disbelieving at my tv watching them ALL get off of a plane in the US. And here I was praying for WATER for them. God is so beautiful. To think that this disaster is leading to adoptions being expedited; when will I get bolder in my prayers? Grow my faith, Lord.

Fran said...

Amanda...I have never met Debra but have followed her blog and just love what they are doing for this precious boy in Haiti. I'm praying with you over all the needs and praying specifically for Debra and their needs for a larger car.

God will provide! He just will.
Love you and thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Fran

Cindy- My Life HIS Story said...

So thrilled. We must celebrate every victory to His glory!! Still praying for miracles for other families that I know are waiting on word of their soon-to-be-adopted children. May God continue to move swiftly!

Can't wait to 'see' you tomorrow!

Carol said...

Thank you. I needed this reminder today and I will be praying for your friend and her new SUV.
Carol

Connie Hughey said...

My good friend, Rob Kelch, just returned from Haiti with 26 orphans. They were evacuated early Tuesday morning from the Three Angels Relief orphanage! They too had been waiting to be adopted,and their new families were so happy to finally have them home.

What a blessing to know that all of these children will be lovingly cared for and safe in their new homes!

Lindsee said...

We ARE praying big. I am excited to watch this journey play out right before our eyes.

Jeannie (HAPPY HEART) said...

Praise you Jesus!

Crying happy tears.....

Thanks for telling us about this. Everyone needs to see this.