By Kerri Porter
On January 12th, I no doubt started my day just the same as I normally do. I probably awoke from my warm bed and took a warm shower and then ate a hearty breakfast. I most likely scanned through my overflowing closet of clothes muttering to myself that I have nothing to wear. From there I’m sure I made myself a nice cup of coffee from my hundred dollar Keurig and hopped into my Chevy to get to the school where I teach. The sad thing is, I bet the majority of Americans were going through similar motions, all of us caught up in our own luxurious world.
And yet…miles across the world, the earth was literally crumbling around the people of Haiti. Kids wandering the streets while their parents lie injured or dead around what used to be their home – now just a pile of dust and rubble. What few possessions families may have had now lay underneath the fallen buildings and piles of bodies. But as my pastor once said “Where there is death and destruction, God brings new life.” I couldn’t help but wonder as I looked at pictures of Haitians praising God in the streets after the tragedy whether or not Americans would have responded the same way; whether or not I would have responded that way.
While maybe we cannot all answer that we would honestly turn to God if we were in that situation, I do have hope for America. I do believe that people here have done a small part in helping. This small seed of hope comes from my church in Chelmsford, MA.
Grace Community Church in Chelmsford is a growing community of non-denominational believers who are passionate about serving, praising and sharing the truth. This church also has HUGE ties to Haiti. A family at the church started an organization called Servants for Haiti and has been making mission trips there for years. So when devastation struck over there, many people in the church felt the tragedy over here close to their hearts. One night while gathering for an emergency prayer meeting for Haiti, the orphanage they work with and specific families in the church, revealed stories of hope from Haiti.
This is one of those stories of hope.
Jake and Kristin Scott fell in love with a little boy when they went on a mission trip with the church to Haiti. Kemly, a boy about 2 or 3 years old (no one really knew for sure) captured their hearts and soon after coming back from their trip they knew they wanted him to be a part of their family. Their first child. They started the adoption process last July and were told that it would take a couple years before everything would be settled.
That all changed the day of the earthquake. As Jake and Kristin heard only bits and pieces of what was going on over there, I’m sure all that was on their mind was their son Kemly. Miles away and nothing they could do, except lean on God and other believers for prayer and support. A huge wave of relief came to them when they learned that the orphanage and children in it were safe…but then a new problem arose. Where were the papers for the children who were being adopted? Would they be able to have their son come here after all?
After a week of worries emerging and prayers answered, the Scotts got an answer I’m sure they’ll never forget. Their son, who was supposed to come next year, could be in their arms in three weeks. With only one set of Lego’s and a couple children’s books, the Scotts continued to pray and thank God. Then, just a short 10 days after the earthquake, Kristin received a call that she needed to fly down to meet her new son in Orlando the following day. They had found the documents needed to get some of the adopted orphans into the United States. Kristin was on a plane the next day. Jake, Kristin and Kemly became a family that day. A family with an amazing story of hope, trust and love for God amidst a storm in their life. A family with hope from Haiti.
A couple other families from Grace have also had a huge hand in Haiti. Another adopted child was received into a family who already has three children adopted from Haiti.
The most touching part of this story comes from a phone call the Scotts had with an immigration officer in Haiti. Kristin asked him how they were able to get Kemly without all the proper papers. In pondering this question, the immigration officer replied, “Our God is bigger than just a piece of paper”.
Below is a picture below of the Kristen Scott with her happy, healthy newest addition, Kemly Scott.
My hope for Americans and specifically Christians, is that we don’t get too carried away with our lives that we forget about this recovery process for Haiti. They still need a lot of help and prayer. The initial shock has worn off, but the hurt over there has not. Keep praying for healing and rebuilding and that the Haitians would continue to turn to God for their hope.
Check out these articles below for more info on Jake and Kristin’s personal story as well as more incredible stories from Haiti!
http://rhettsmith.com/2010/02/15/haiti-day-4-displaced-people-displaced-god-displaced-disciples/
http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_14309530?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com
Comments
No Responses to “Kemly Comes Home: A Story of Hope from Haiti”