Kervens Update

We have an update on Kervens we want to tell you about.  But first, we have to give you a bit of background about the Haitian culture and how it can impact adoptions.  You see, Haiti is a beautiful place, a beautiful land, a beautiful country, with beautiful people.  However, and this is a BIG however, there is a pervasive lack of hope that permeates the country.  Oh, it is not the fault of the people...they are doing what they can.  Most of the people we have met are truly doing their best to live, to survive from day to day.  But that's just it, they can only survive at times.  There is no excitement about the future for many of them.  There is a deep, dark concern for the future, especially when it comes to young children.  The loving, strong parents of many children in Haiti are truly concerned for the welfare of their children. 

Day by day living in one of the many tent cities.   Those suckers in the middle of the bowl will bring a smile to your face, right?

Madame Sugar...pronounced shu-gar.  She is the "light" in the toddler room at Maison, where Kervens now stays.   I am sure he has stolen her heart by now.   =) 

And so...they do what none of us American parents can comprehend...they travel on a tap tap (a Haitian taxi) or they walk a LONG WAY to bring their child into the arms of a very capable pastor named Pierre Alexis.  Pierre runs the orphanage, Maison.  He is very well respected in the Port-Au-Prince community.  And moms (and occasionally dads) will literally walk up to the security gates of the orphanage and relinquish their flesh and blood.  Sometimes this is a very painful decision on the part of the parent(s), and unfortunately, at times, the decision does not seem to "pain" them one bit.  And in the cases where no emotion is shown at the relinquishment of their child, it appears that they have already "checked out" as a parent - there seems to be no attachment.  However, if they really were completely detached, then they would leave their child in the nearest ravine or ditch - which is the case for many young children over there.  So, somehow the parenting "instinct" kicks in just enough to get them to the orphanage.  And there they leave the child...knowing that their child has hope here.  Knowing that their child just might get three meals a day.  Knowing that their child just might get an education some day.  Knowing that their daughter won't be kidnapped, or raped, or sold by another family member as a sex slave.  Knowing (hoping) that their child will get flown to the United States for a better life. 

A ravine outside the orphanage walls.  One infant, who is now safe at the orphanage, was found near this spot. 

If you want to see a real-life example of how adoptions like this work (because I know it blows our minds to think like this), just go to http://www.hulu.com/watch/202472/adopting-haiti.  There is an hour-long documentary on the orphanage, Maison, where Kervens is located, and it shows how adoptions happen, just like I have described.  It is a bit sobering to watch. 

So, one day, back in March of 2010, a mother and father (rare) walked up to the orphanage with their 9 month old little boy, named Kervens. Just two months after the earthquake that shook Haiti in January, they were fighting to survive.  They handed this sweet little boy into the arms of Pierre Alexis.  As for the relinquishment of parental rights, there are some signatures that must be acquired for the child to be "legally" adoptable.  And Kervens' father has still managed to evade signing the final paper at the orphanage.  So, when we were there in October, Pierre said he was going to get FiFi to track down the father.  FiFi is the liason between the child and the parents.  I asked, "How does she manage to track down the father?"  Pierre said, "Oh, she will just dial a phone number of a person she knows and tell them to deliver a message to Kervens' father, telling him to come to the orphanage...that we need to speak with him."  "And the message actually makes it to him?"  I asked.  "Most of the time," Pierre said with a half-smile. 

Kervens with his favorite Nanny Marise...she is the "gem" of a lady I mentioned in my first blog.
We will forever be grateful for her genuine love for Kervens.

So, this is where we stand.  We are told that Kervens' father is suppose to make an appearance at the orphanage next week.  Will you please pray that he will feel compelled to come, that he will have the money for a tap tap ride, and that he will be of sound mind to keep his appointment?  We lack this final "hoop" to be able to proceed legally for Kervens' adoption.  Well, I am sure it won't be the last hoop we have to jump through in the world of international adoption.  But it is a BIGGIE!  Thanks!