Author: darthjedi

Inception

A romance that brought forth a beautiful love child, inception was a phenomenal essence conceived of the thirteenth floor and the matrix – I would say, to date, the best movie I have ever seen!

My bucket list

Im thinking that im a pretty simple guy – there is not much i want to do before i die – and in saying that, all the little things like going to Italy or to Jerusalem are all within my grasp at any time I would want to take the risk – but i suppose my list would be simple for things that are somewhat out of my direct control (although not my sphere of influence):

1. Have a carefree day – just one!
2. See each of my children commit their lives to Christ and persist unwavering
3. Dance with my daughters on their wedding days – and love the man they are marrying
4. See my sons feel they are successful in life and have a healthy God-loving family
5. Live to an old and healthy age still married to and living with the wife of my youth

Not to much to ask for right?

The mind of a 5 year old

Late last week our friend Junior from HIS Home for Children came to stay with us for a week. When he walked in and our daughter Christella saw him, she hid, and went off alone and was in tears – such strong tears that she was having gut-wrenching convulsions.

I turned to Junior and said "I bet she thinks you’re taking her ‘home’" – and sure enough – she was afraid Junior was here to take her back to the Orphanage. Once Amanda and Junior (Amanda in English, Junior in Creole) explained that Junior was only here to visit, and when he left, Christella would be staying with us – she brightened right up, and not another word of it.

It was a great confirmation that she loves us, and wants to be with us, but a sad testimonial to how much trauma she has experienced in her short little life.

What can change in a single year…

Wow, did this really make me emotional… tonight, i pulled up the first picture that we ever saw of our daughter Christella, almost 5 years old, only 24 pounds.

Christella - Nov2008

And Christella, today, almost 6 years old – and a very healthy weight! 🙂

Christella_March2010

The sting of bitter-sweet moments…

Below are pictures of the Hotel Villa Therese that we stayed at twice last year in Haiti, before and after pictures posted by our friend (and Hotel Manager, Alix). 

It took me a few minutes to even be sure that I was looking at the same structure – unbelievable.  And then, when searching to try and understand how the guests of the Hotel fared, I found this article…

 

I have heard people, perhaps carelessly, talk about how much “beauty” they see in the ruins of Haiti, but can we really forget so quickly what happened to the lives of the people there, and how this destruction impacted people around the world, once we are home, and comfortable in the safety of our lives?

I have to warn you, that it is absolutely heart-breaking; and only one single story, in a country full of devastation.

While I’m usually someone with a lot of words – there really isn’t anything that I can think to say – just numb silence…

It will always be with bitter-sweet memories that I recall the month that the Lord brought our children home to us.

 

VT_Before

 

VT_After

UNICEF – Champion for Children or Cesspool of Evil?

Anyone that has ever championed for the lives of children in Haiti and other places around the world would certainly think the later, from my experience I’m inclined to agree.  Skim through this blog to see what people working on the ground in Haiti to protect, feed, and find homes for orphaned children think of UNICEF – and there are plenty others too.

I certainly agree that the children need to be protected, but UNICEF is not about protecting children – because actions speak much louder than words – it’s pretty clear to see that UNICEF is really about reducing the population, not saving children.

I can’t tell you how many children, only over the last year, that I have seen – directly or through the eyes and cameras of friends in Haiti (and the number I’ve seen is only a tiny fraction of the number from one single orphanage in Haiti) that come into the orphanages starving and close to death because they’re families can’t take care of them, or their relatives can’t take care of them, and they want these children to have a better life.

UNICEF wants these children to remain at home with their parents, or their relatives, receiving little or no medical care, and little or no food, offering little to no help for providing the care that they need – despite the wish of the parents or guardians; UNICEF in essence is condemning them to death.

I am very thankful that my children made it out of Haiti before UNICEF slipped the noose and pulled the lever – but what about all the other families, and all the other children.

 

Special Field Report: Haiti’s Orphans Held Hostage from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.