I had one quick conversation with Chase yesterday (in the middle of coaching Elias in his T-Ball practice). He said that things are going really well. His biggest impression is Mission of Hope and the amazing things they are doing in Haiti. Even more, the amazing vision they have for the future.
Chase spent a lot of time yesterday sorting supplies and food from containers. It was mind-numbing work, but desperately needed. Three more 18-wheelers with containers were arriving last night, and two more today. While many organizations are not able to get their supplies out of the port, Mission of Hope has access to one just five minutes away from their facility. So, supplies come through in a quick, steady stream and they are able to get them distributed to the people and organizations that need them most.
The morning started out heavy with a woman dying in the clinic. Death is such a part of life there. As he watched a line of 150-200 people line up at the clinic as the sun was rising, they spontaneously burst into song, then into prayer with one another. God is redeeming the Haitian people and it has been amazing to witness that in person.
He plans to evaluate amputees today and possibly work in another clinic. I don't know much other than that.
Thanks for your prayers everyone!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Chase in Haiti- Update #1
Chase is in Haiti! A few weeks ago he connected with a group of medical professionals and other Christians here in Austin who have been involved in helping the Haitians since the day after the earthquake.
Chase was asked to help establish a prosthetic clinic in Haiti and he jumped at the chance! There was an extra spot on a private jet so he left for Haiti on Tuesday morning. He only found out about the trip three days ahead of time, so his mind was a bit of a whirlwind as he tried to make plans and gather his thoughts and things before leaving. He was so thankful that his boss let him go on such short notice.
Today was his first full day in Haiti. We finally had a successful phone connection this evening so he talked as fast as he could before the phone went dead. These are the basic details of his time so far....
He is working with a ministry called Mission of Hope that has been in Haiti since 1998. Located about eight miles north of Port Au Prince, MOH is in a strategic location and is doing incredible things. Chase said they are feeding up to 400,000 people a day! They have 18-wheelers coming in delivering much-needed supplies that are then used by MOH or distributed throughout Haiti. They also have a church, school, orphanage, clinic and are building a hospital. Chase and others will be setting up the prosthetic clinic in the basement of this hospital.
Chase went around Port Au Prince today and said that people are slowly getting back to living life again. Vendors are out selling their wares in the streets and cleanup is beginning. There are piles of rubble everywhere, but some buildings are left standing and operating once again.
He passed by a white-looking field about an acre in size. He was told that it is a sulfur mine area but has now become a dump for an estimated 80,000 bodies. The bodies were dumped there in hopes that the sulfur would cover the stench of the decay. Horrible. Just horrible.
Part of the amazing timing of this trip which seemed random but was certainly ordained by God is that Chase was able to take part in a very important meeting today with all the international players involved in medical and prosthetic care in Haiti. He said it was like the UN- people from all over the world from various organizations and the UN, WHO, IRC, USAID, Handicap International, etc. It was a very serious meeting for people to report who they are and what their intentions are in Haiti.
Chase was third in line to stand up and speak, and he said he was nervous but just prayed for the right words to communicate. He was relieved that no one drilled him with questions like they did with the others and he credits that to the solid reputation that Mission of Hope has in Haiti. He had several people come up and talk to him afterwards and was invited to a second meeting tomorrow for prosthetists to go over more technical details of prosthetic care there.
He also spent time playing with kids in the orphanage today and can't wait to go back and play more tomorrow.
Chase feels amazing favor from the Lord and miraculous provision. Thank you for your prayers!
He ended the call by saying, "My life will never be the same... and neither will yours!" Looks like we have some new adventures ahead and I can't wait!
I'll post more as I hear from him. He's been trying to send pictures so hopefully I can post them soon.
Chase was asked to help establish a prosthetic clinic in Haiti and he jumped at the chance! There was an extra spot on a private jet so he left for Haiti on Tuesday morning. He only found out about the trip three days ahead of time, so his mind was a bit of a whirlwind as he tried to make plans and gather his thoughts and things before leaving. He was so thankful that his boss let him go on such short notice.
Today was his first full day in Haiti. We finally had a successful phone connection this evening so he talked as fast as he could before the phone went dead. These are the basic details of his time so far....
He is working with a ministry called Mission of Hope that has been in Haiti since 1998. Located about eight miles north of Port Au Prince, MOH is in a strategic location and is doing incredible things. Chase said they are feeding up to 400,000 people a day! They have 18-wheelers coming in delivering much-needed supplies that are then used by MOH or distributed throughout Haiti. They also have a church, school, orphanage, clinic and are building a hospital. Chase and others will be setting up the prosthetic clinic in the basement of this hospital.
Chase went around Port Au Prince today and said that people are slowly getting back to living life again. Vendors are out selling their wares in the streets and cleanup is beginning. There are piles of rubble everywhere, but some buildings are left standing and operating once again.
He passed by a white-looking field about an acre in size. He was told that it is a sulfur mine area but has now become a dump for an estimated 80,000 bodies. The bodies were dumped there in hopes that the sulfur would cover the stench of the decay. Horrible. Just horrible.
Part of the amazing timing of this trip which seemed random but was certainly ordained by God is that Chase was able to take part in a very important meeting today with all the international players involved in medical and prosthetic care in Haiti. He said it was like the UN- people from all over the world from various organizations and the UN, WHO, IRC, USAID, Handicap International, etc. It was a very serious meeting for people to report who they are and what their intentions are in Haiti.
Chase was third in line to stand up and speak, and he said he was nervous but just prayed for the right words to communicate. He was relieved that no one drilled him with questions like they did with the others and he credits that to the solid reputation that Mission of Hope has in Haiti. He had several people come up and talk to him afterwards and was invited to a second meeting tomorrow for prosthetists to go over more technical details of prosthetic care there.
He also spent time playing with kids in the orphanage today and can't wait to go back and play more tomorrow.
Chase feels amazing favor from the Lord and miraculous provision. Thank you for your prayers!
He ended the call by saying, "My life will never be the same... and neither will yours!" Looks like we have some new adventures ahead and I can't wait!
I'll post more as I hear from him. He's been trying to send pictures so hopefully I can post them soon.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Home for the Holidays
Our family had the special opportunity to be featured in an adoption special that was aired on the local ABC affiliate on Christmas Eve. I wish we could link to the whole show here because it was heart-warming to see families and children from all walks of life who were brought together through adoption.
The team that came out to film our family were so talented and did a great job at editing a couple hours of footage into a three minute feature. Of course it's a little weird to watch ourselves on TV. But this is God's story, not our own, and we hope that people who watched were encouraged by our experience with adoption.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cWAepnXbOI
The team that came out to film our family were so talented and did a great job at editing a couple hours of footage into a three minute feature. Of course it's a little weird to watch ourselves on TV. But this is God's story, not our own, and we hope that people who watched were encouraged by our experience with adoption.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cWAepnXbOI
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Future Para-Olympian
Elias was so so so excited to try out the prototype for his running leg this weekend! He's been anticipating this for a very long time and it was awesome to see him finally run with a "real" running leg.
Chase is especially excited because he was able to fit a knee on the running leg. Usually kids start out with just a straight bar instead of a knee. While it will be a little more difficult to control as Elias learns to use the running leg initially, he'll run much better and with correct form in the long run if he starts out with a knee now.
The first day Elias put it on he convinced me to wear it all day, including during his nap. Then he cried and cried when he didn't get to wear it to school the next day.
The running leg has also inspired his imagination about what it will be like when "he runs fast and wins a race and gets a trophy." He's been practicing a special run with his arms raised in the air like a champion.
And a champion he truly is.
Chase is especially excited because he was able to fit a knee on the running leg. Usually kids start out with just a straight bar instead of a knee. While it will be a little more difficult to control as Elias learns to use the running leg initially, he'll run much better and with correct form in the long run if he starts out with a knee now.
The first day Elias put it on he convinced me to wear it all day, including during his nap. Then he cried and cried when he didn't get to wear it to school the next day.
The running leg has also inspired his imagination about what it will be like when "he runs fast and wins a race and gets a trophy." He's been practicing a special run with his arms raised in the air like a champion.
And a champion he truly is.
Monday, February 15, 2010
I'm back
I'm going to jump in here on this blog and completely ignore an explanation for the 137 day absense. 137 days? Pathetic. Truly pathetic.
I'll get right down to business with an adoption update: There is no update. We are still waiting. I repeat- We. are. still. waiting. We never ever in all our lives imagined that we'd be waiting this long. I could write a hundred posts about this waiting and how we've dealt with it. (Sometimes with grace and sometimes with utter impatience and tears).
International adoption is never straight forward and usually full of lots of unexpecteds and twists and turns. There is usually a general timeline or order of things that one follows. However in our case, we've been waiting extra long because of our own choice. Crazy to some, but the right thing to do to us. Okay, I admit that sometimes crazy to us too. But we still believe that God wants us to continue to wait for an amputee child, so that's why we wait. At some point we may feel "released" to accept a referral for a non-amputee/special needs child, but at this point, we are certain that we are to continue waiting.
In the meantime, we try to live life as normal even though there seems like something/someone is missing. :-)
Here are some general going-ons:
- Elias turned FIVE. I'll post some pics of his awesome birthday party. I can't believe my sweet little boy is no longer little and growing up so fast. He's so smart and funny and challenging and loving and snuggly.
- Chase has a new job in San Antonio. It's a long, long commute, but he loves it and believes it is worth the sacrifice. He says he's learned more in a couple months than he has in years and really enjoys the challenge. We've been forced to simplify life because of this major life change and are better for it. Saying "no" to things and people is hard, but worth it for the quality of our family life.
- Elias is asking lots of questions about God and faith lately. From, "How can I really know God if I can't see Him?" to "Does Jesus poop? Does it smell?" Deep stuff.
- Elias has been loving school and has recently memorized all the books of the Bible, Psalm 100 and Psalm 23. It's so awesome to hear him recite these things, not only when we ask him to, but also while he plays with his cars or other toys.
- I continue to work with refugee women twice a week and love it. Elias goes with me on Mondays and it has been fun to serve with him at my side. It's not always fun for him, but it's been a good lesson for both of us to remember that serving isn't about us, but about the people we get to love and help. Our lives are richer because of our refugee friends!
Some random pictures:
I'll get right down to business with an adoption update: There is no update. We are still waiting. I repeat- We. are. still. waiting. We never ever in all our lives imagined that we'd be waiting this long. I could write a hundred posts about this waiting and how we've dealt with it. (Sometimes with grace and sometimes with utter impatience and tears).
International adoption is never straight forward and usually full of lots of unexpecteds and twists and turns. There is usually a general timeline or order of things that one follows. However in our case, we've been waiting extra long because of our own choice. Crazy to some, but the right thing to do to us. Okay, I admit that sometimes crazy to us too. But we still believe that God wants us to continue to wait for an amputee child, so that's why we wait. At some point we may feel "released" to accept a referral for a non-amputee/special needs child, but at this point, we are certain that we are to continue waiting.
In the meantime, we try to live life as normal even though there seems like something/someone is missing. :-)
Here are some general going-ons:
- Elias turned FIVE. I'll post some pics of his awesome birthday party. I can't believe my sweet little boy is no longer little and growing up so fast. He's so smart and funny and challenging and loving and snuggly.
- Chase has a new job in San Antonio. It's a long, long commute, but he loves it and believes it is worth the sacrifice. He says he's learned more in a couple months than he has in years and really enjoys the challenge. We've been forced to simplify life because of this major life change and are better for it. Saying "no" to things and people is hard, but worth it for the quality of our family life.
- Elias is asking lots of questions about God and faith lately. From, "How can I really know God if I can't see Him?" to "Does Jesus poop? Does it smell?" Deep stuff.
- Elias has been loving school and has recently memorized all the books of the Bible, Psalm 100 and Psalm 23. It's so awesome to hear him recite these things, not only when we ask him to, but also while he plays with his cars or other toys.
- I continue to work with refugee women twice a week and love it. Elias goes with me on Mondays and it has been fun to serve with him at my side. It's not always fun for him, but it's been a good lesson for both of us to remember that serving isn't about us, but about the people we get to love and help. Our lives are richer because of our refugee friends!
Some random pictures:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
MONSTER TRUCKS!!!
The Monster Truck Show came to town again, so we surprised Elias and took him and Elijah. The whole thing was a surprise, and while they asked an occasional question, they never really even wondered why we were driving so far or buying tickets for something.
Elias on the way to Elijah's house. Totally unsuspecting.
So excited to be together.
We stopped at the only restaurant we could find- authentic Mexican food. I even had (got) to order our food in Spanish. And the boys' favorite part was drinking Jarritos.
Elias takes a picture of us.
Video:They figure out where we are!
At the Pre-Show Pit Party
Fans are interesting and butt cracks are funny to young boys.
Check out the backflip and then the boys' reaction!
A little Monster Truck action for your viewing pleasure. The truck hits the wall at the end of the video- the driver actually passed out and they had to carry him out on a stretcher!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
My Best Friend's Wedding
Best friends' weddings are so fantastic! One of my best friends from childhood (met in 7th grade, friends through school then roommates in college) got married in her hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota in late August.
Elias and I flew to Colorado the week before the wedding and enjoyed spending time with friends and my wonderful, younger sister Liz. Then Chase flew in a few days later and seven of us drove in a borrowed mini van to Rapid City. While the drive seemed long as it stretched on at 12:30 a.m., the scenery through Wyoming was beautiful!
Ami (best friend and bride) was an amazing hostess with all kinds of activities planned and a ton of site-seeing around the Black Hills area. Again- very beautiful. Us Browns love us some purty nature and cool weather! I think Elias' favorite part of the whole trip was driving the ATV with his dad.
Elias and I flew to Colorado the week before the wedding and enjoyed spending time with friends and my wonderful, younger sister Liz. Then Chase flew in a few days later and seven of us drove in a borrowed mini van to Rapid City. While the drive seemed long as it stretched on at 12:30 a.m., the scenery through Wyoming was beautiful!
Ami (best friend and bride) was an amazing hostess with all kinds of activities planned and a ton of site-seeing around the Black Hills area. Again- very beautiful. Us Browns love us some purty nature and cool weather! I think Elias' favorite part of the whole trip was driving the ATV with his dad.
Elias and the groom, Nate
Elias and beautiful bride, Ami 
Elias was very serious about trying on his tux for Ring Bearer
Cool Dude
Gearing up for his big debut as ring bearer
The Browns and Schroeders (Meagan's parents)
All dressed up in our wedding attire
Dancin' the night away with mommy
Gettin jiggy (yes, isn't that an AWESOME shirt to wear to a wedding reception? I was so tired by the time the reception came around that I didn't even realize what he was wearing until I saw the pictures later
A fabulous trip and we can't wait to go back to South Dakota!
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