Our Cooridinator just sent this to us. Thank you Chareyl!

Joint Council should have some
News on getting all the referred/adoptive children out of Haiti very shortly. There
Have been lot’s of rumors floating around about how this will be done and when so I have
Been asked by Joint Council to tell everyone to PLEASE hold tight.
This morning I received information that the US embassy in Haiti is having orphanages/staff
Bring children in for Visa’s, although this is true to an extent, we cannot have ALL
The orphanages taking their children to the embassy at one time. Joint Council is
Working hard to secure a safe building with security where all the children can be taken and the USCIS
Can process paperwork from that location, as I understand it some children will be given Visa’s
and others Humanitarian Parole (although an official announcement has not been made yet).
So for now, please do not have your orphanage and their staff take children to the
Embassy it is not safe. We should have a safe place to take them very soon.
Let me tell you that Tom and Rebecca have been working tirelessly through the weekend.
They have been working with many US and Haitian officials to bring our children home. Besides getting
Approvals to bring the children out of Haiti they have been working on all the logistics involved;
Buildings for processing and ways to get the children out of the country, how to get families
To their children etc. And on top of that they have been battling rumors and the media.
So again let me deliver their most recent message HOLD TIGHT, we will have news soon.

I personally want to tell Tom and Rebecca and all the volunteers at Joint Council THANK YOU
For all that you are doing. I am grateful we have Joint Council to advocate for us.

Please let me know if you have any questions and watch for news from Joint Council.

Please advocate for orphans
in Haiti!

Dear Family, Friends and Church Body,
You've received many emails concerning Haiti and we are SO GRATEFUL for your time!

2 Thessolonians 3:13 But as for you, brethern, do not grow weary of doing good.

There is a great opportunity before us to change the status of an orphan to that of a son! Namely, our sons in Haiti, Changlais and Schneider. Please continue to pray for Changlais' status, it is still unknown.

Joint Council is working very hard towards Humanitarian Parole for the current adoptions in Haiti. PLEASE JOIN US IN THIS EFFORT to bring these orphans to the U.S. now!

Please call and/or email our U.S. Senators from NC Richard Burr (contact Burr at the Washington office (202) 224-3154) and Kay R. Hagan, (contact Hagan at the Washington office (202) 224-6342) and Congressman Patrick McHenry (contact McHenry (828) 327-6100).

Use the sample conversation below.


I/We are friends of Chris and Melissa Peterson, who are in the process of adopting a sibling of two, Changlais Fils-Aime 1-13-04 and Schneider Fils-Aime 3-08-05, who were living at the Hope for Little Angels of Haiti orphanage prior to the devastating earthquake in Haiti.I/We are aware that USCIS has the authority to issue a humanitarian parole for Changlais and Schneider to travel to the United States to live with Chris and Melissa Peterson pending final adoption processing in Haiti. While granting a humanitarian parole is outside the normal procedures, the United States government has granted them in the past to places like Romania and Cambodia.While I/we realize that the United States seeks to honor the adoption process established in Haiti, I/we feel that Changlais and Schneider and the country of Haiti would be best served by Changlais and Schneider being placed with Chris and Melissa Peterson, their future mom/dad. I/We feel that Haitian authorities would agree to this if it was proposed. What better way for the United States to help Haiti than to care for Haiti's child that is already so loved by this family.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP!

In Christ Jesus,
Beauty For Ashes Adoption Ministry
Chris and Melissa Peterson
(828) 855-1650, (828) 855-0939
chris@beautyforashesadoptionministry.com melissa@beautyforashesadoptionministry.com

Blessed

It is not humanly possible to get them to look at the camera at the same time. Even as goofy looking as I am.

Matthew 5:3-12 (NASB) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5) Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth . 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10) Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11) Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Last night a brother in Christ encouraged me with these verses and they have been with me all day. Notice that each one of these is the exact opposite of what the world teaches us. Me first, No mercy, if it feels good it must be alright (whether it is sin or not) and I deserve this. You know what we deserve? Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yes we deserve death. However God in His sovereignty had mercy on us and sent Jesus to pay that penalty for us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Have you ever been persecuted? Probably not in a blatant obvious way, but as a follower of Christ most likely words (Jesus Freak, Bible thumper, Religious nut, etc.) or snubs. As adoptive parents of African American, and Bi-racial children, we have had the mean looks, disparaging remarks and even "where did you steal that baby from", but what a joy and honor to take that for our precious babies, and as a Christian for our risen Savior. I guess I am a Jesus freak of the 1st order. Again Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great:

Eternal Destruction

Where's Savannah. Too cold daddy. As long as my 13 yr. old calls me daddy, I'm good.

Do you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in a personal way? Listen to this: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9(NASB) For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7) and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8) dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9) These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.
You might say I'm a good person and I give to charities, and even go to Church on a regular basis. I do good things which will get me to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8,9 (NASB) For it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Also Matthew 7:21 (NASB) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22) "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast our demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23) "And then I will declare to them, 'I never know you; Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Unless you have confessed your sins to him, asked forgiveness, and asked Him into your heart, you fit into the category of the above verses. Please come to Him right now, not later (because you will receive the penalty of eternal destruction if you don't). I have put a prayer of salvation in the upper right hand corner of this blog, please confess to him now. That decision will save your life (literally). I don't know everybody who reads this but I love you enough to care whether or not you live or die. Your choice.

Burning Fire

My two posers Iz and El.

Jeremiah 20:9 (NASB) But if I say "I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name," then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones: and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.
James 1:27 has that effect on me. "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
Listen, caring for orphans is more than a good deed, more than a humanitarian act, more than feeling good about yourself, it is Pure and Undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father. If you are reading this and know Christ as your Lord and Savior, please do something to care for orphans and widows. What, you might ask? You can adopt a child (many different scenarios), you can assist financially (someone you know who is adopting), Foster care, go on mission trip to help at an orphanage, etc. When your eyes are opened to the reality of orphans, their living conditions in 3rd world countries, their neglect (including in our own country), helplessness, you should feel as I do and James 1:27 becomes like a burning fire shut up in your bones. Wake up and help one or more of the 143 million orphans in the world. For most people orphans are out of sight out of mind. Let your heart burn as mine does and speak forth as loud and as often as you can about the need for people to step up and live out James 1:27.

Adoption Ministry

Melissa and I have been in the adoption arena for just shy of 15 years and been through a gamut of experiences. Some good and some not so good, but the outcome always good. Six children (5 from birth and 1 at 2yrs old) from the foster care system. We were licensed to foster so that we could get the children while we were waiting for the Decree of Adoption. Currently we are in the process of adopting 2 boys from Haiti (our 1st international adoption).

All this to say that out my passion for Christ and reaching the lost for Him, and our adoption experiences and heart for orphans, we have started an adoption ministry called Beauty for Ashes Adoption Ministry. The name comes from Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has annointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengence of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of deapair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

Our heart is to draw people into God's family by adoption Romans 8:15 For you have not recieved a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons for which we cry out "Abba !Father!" and to open people's eyes to the fact that God is passionate about orphans. James 1:27 "Pure and Udefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

For more details please visit our website at beautyforashesadoptionministry.com

Psalm 16

Somebody had to take the picture. Noah, what are you doing?

Psalm 16 (NASB) 1 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2 I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You." 3 As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips. 5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Have you set the Lord continually before you? I confess that I have struggled with this, but look what David says happens when he does this. 1) he will not be shaken 2) his heart is glad. 3) his glory rejoices. 4) his flesh will dwell securely. What does it mean to set the Lord continually before me? What does the apostle Paul mean when he says pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17? To have the mindset of the presence of Almighty God and the lifestyle of prayer through which you act on knowing He is there.
I've heard people say "I just need to find my path in life". Here David says that God will make that known to me. Read verse 11 again, and again. Do we like pleasures? Yes, we do. Do we think they are found in God's right hand. Be honest, that is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind. Change your mindset, change your lifestyle. Change is the key word when you choose to follow Christ. He will change you. Titus 3:5,6 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Read and open your heart. May God richly pour out the Holy spirit on you today.