A Week Ago Today...

I was a desperate mother.  I could NOT leave my computer.  My phone was crazy ringing non-stop.  I enlisted lawyers, representatives, news, media, anything, everything I could possibly think of.  My son was in a desperate country after a horrifying natural disaster.  I just wanted him out.  We prayed and prayed.  It was as if every breath I took was a prayer to God Almighty, pleading with Him....

Sunday:  Our break-through and glimmer of hope.  We received several emails from the Vice Consul in the Embassy at Port au Prince, asking for various information, and finally confirming that Joshua had a visa appointment on Monday morning, if we could just see that he arrived at the embassy.  That would prove to be a difficult task.

Monday:  Steve makes contact with our orphanage director who can not believe that he wouldn't need to present any papers.  Steve forwards the emails to him to prove it, and he reluctantly agrees to take Joshua to the embassy.  The mass crowds and guards throw him to the back of the line, he becomes frustrated, and after a two hour drive to the embassy he leaves.  

Through God's kind providence, we have phone contact with a gentleman (Mike Wilson) that is trying to get his daughter out of NLL as well.  We tell him that the embassy is asking for Joshua at that moment and to please convince our director to go back to the embassy.  He's gone to the orphanage to find food, with our son.  So, Mike calls him, tells him that he'll meet him at the embassy, and that they are asking for Joshua.  Meanwhile, Mike gets to the embassy with ABC News crew, and when our Director arrives with Joshua, they are finally ushered in the gate, bypassing the lines.  Once they are in, they are safe.  They are fed, given water, and checked by a medical team.  They are issued their visas, and hours later, they are on a private jet, stopping once in Santo Domingo for refueling, and then landing in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida around 2ish AM Tuesday in a small hanger.  

Meanwhile: Sunday night we feverishly try to get a flight to Ft. Lauderdale for Steve to fly into Haiti with a team so he could escort Joshua home.  It's a no-go.  Monday morning, we're told that it would be wise to book a flight to Florida.  So, off we go.  We land in Miami, and head toward Homestead, which is the air force base we were told he would probably land in.  THEN, we're told it could be Fort Lauderdale or Texas.  TEXAS????  Ok.  Finally, they make a decision.  Ft. Lauderdale!  So, we book a hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale next to the private airport, only to be told they switched airports and now it will be the main Ft. Lauderdale airport.  Crazy 'til the very last minutes!!!

I will never forget the moment that I walked in and whisked him up into my arms.  Praise God.  Praise God for bringing my sweet baby boy home.  It was nothing short of a miracle.  I am so thankful to so many people.  God used a multitude to bring this little guy home.  I will be forever thankful.