It Really Does Take A Village!

I’ve heard the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”, many times before and I have to say I have never experienced it like this past week. It truly will take a village to raise our children. Raise them into a family, a home and the hope of a brighter future.

This past week we received great news from our liaison helping us navigate the choppy waters of adoption. We have been waiting for seven months on what was next to proceed with our adoption and finally we received news we are ready to move forward. Move forward rather quickly due to some changes coming up in Haiti (as always). This phase requires us to get paperwork in, home study finished and this all costs about $10,000. Yes, $10,000 by March 30^th!!!

After a day of just sitting still (freaking out), crocheting and talking to God we sought our “village” for help! Many stood up and proclaimed “WE CAN DO THIS!” Starting with one woman in particular, who came out and met with us the very next day and planned our kickoff event for our one-year of fundraising. Early in a frigid morning she sat across from us and without a doubt in her voice led us out of our fearful “what are we going to do?” state. She turned our “we are doomed” fear into fearless fundraiser machines. God knew who we needed and what we needed right now.

The next woman was the one who received my phone call, as I looked over the notes I had taken earlier that morning, and with a calm tone in her voice said, “What do you need me to do? You have my help!” Then there was the woman, who met me in the cold of the night to donate towards our adoption after a long one hour drive, the other women who stayed up late to make items to sell for fundraising events, the woman who tirelessly researches, makes phone calls and emails to get us one step closer to bringing our kids home. It was also a dear woman that came to me in the beach of Haiti and said, “Your children need their mom and dad, what are you going to do about that?”

What I am trying to say is, it really does take a village to raise a child and I am thankful for our “village”. Our children will be coming home to a beautiful village that will help shape them into a man and woman of courage whom will be comforted and guided by extraordinary people and for that we thank you.

Getting $10,000 in less than 40 days will be nothing short of a miracle but I know for my God there is nothing impossible.  Stay tuned for all the upcoming efforts in which you can be a part of this beautiful journey of the Arellano Adoption. 

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