Sounding the Trumpet

Have you ever said yes to God about something, and suddenly found yourself

standing in completely unknown territory, wondering how you got there?

This has happened to me, with the decision Rich and I made to

say “yes” to adopting 8 yr old Augenson from Haiti.

Suddenly, as some of you may have read, I found myself starting a Facebook group

to raise awareness of the bill HR 4603, and an army of people

willing to call and write to Congress, asking them to act on behalf of these orphans in Haiti.

After a few days, we had 300 members, and the co-sponsorhip for the bill went from 1 to 6.

This week we have over 500 members, and co-sponsorship  just jumped to 13!!

(If you’d like a politics lesson in how that works, you’ll have to

read the comment I wrote on my Facebook wall).   But to sum up,

the more co-sponsors you have, the better the chance

this bill will see the light of day in Congress.

That was one blast of the trumpet that was placed in my hand.

Because of my new connection with this orphanage,

a friend’s mother heard about the plight of these children,

and is now also in the process to adopt.  And now another local friend is in process herself

to adopt one of Augenson’s brothers!

The Vineyard Christian School is currently doing a fundraiser,

and they have decided to donate to the orphanage we are working with.

And the Pathway Vineyard Church in Lewiston has generously loaned us

their new state of the art auditorium for a fundraiser of our own- a concert!!

So, here I am, sounding the trumpet again! I did not expect to say “yes” to political activism,

or to be a networker for other families to adopt through this orphanage, or to be a fundraiser for cause close to God’s heart.

And yet, I am!  I am raising the cry, to rally a group of people who would like to make a difference,

both locally and internationally.

As you know, we are in the process of adopting Augenson.  Here are Wisley (2 1/2) and Wisler (6) his brothers.

If would indulge me, I’d like to tell you the little bit I know about these boys.

And perhaps, you will find your heart aching to make a difference for these kids,

and the others at Wayom Timoun Orphanage.

Augenson and his brothers were found wandering the streets, holding hands,

last spring, by Pastor Rigaud, the director of the orphanage.

Their mother had been dead for some time, and the father

had finally abandoned them to the streets.

Sadly, this is not uncommon practice in Haiti.

We are praying about taking the littlest brother, who is 2 1/2 and very attached

to Augenson, as Augenson was basically his mother before they came to the orphanage.

If we are unable to take him, we hope a local family will adopt him so the brothers

can be close enough to see each other while growing up.

The cost of legal fees in Haiti to get one child released for adoption is $4000.

There are costs on the US side in the few-thousands as well.

There is also the cost of travel, going to pick them up, etc.

The children at Wayom Timoun are still sleeping outside.

In “good times” (pre-quake) food was scarce, and at times, bread and water

was all they could afford to feed the children.  You can imagine that since the

earthquake, it is even more difficult.

So, I am sounding the trumpet again… raising the horn placed in my hands

for such a time as this, to say: Would you like to make a difference?

Would you like to help 1 or 2 of these children come to the states,

and experience the feeling of a family who won’t leave,

and a full belly every day?

Would you like to help Pastor Rigaud feed these and the myriad

new orphans created by the earthquake?

You can make a difference.

You can donate even a very small amount, and added to the gift of others,

this help buy Augenson’s visa, a plane ticket, or a 50 lbs bag of rice for Wayom Timoun.

There are many, many worthy causes to work for and give to.  But I also know that as Christians, our true worship is to care for the widow and the orphans.

And so, I boldly sound the trumpet I have been given, and ask:

Will you help?

You can attend our fundraiser concert

on Sunday, April 25th, at 6 p.m.

at the Pathway Vineyard in Lewiston, ME.

You can order our new CD online here, which we are selling to raise money

for the adoption costs.

You can email me at: springeve@gmail.com

if you have any questions, or would like to give to this cause.

Thanks for taking the time to read this long letter.

Most of all, please pray, for the children and the care-takers in Haiti,

and for Rich and his group traveling to Haiti on April 8th.

It truly “takes a village” to undertake something this huge.

Thank you for following our story.  Thanks to all of you who are already purchasing CD’s! I’ll keep you posted!

Little updates:

Our dossier (paperwork) for Augenson’s adoption is enroute to Haiti.  We have heard DC is “working on a plan” for parole for these kids, but with no timeline. I’ll post here, as we learn more!

God Bless,

Spring