It Takes a Village

I had a nice long conversation with one of the Directors of International Students at JCCC this morning. She was very helpful and encouraging. There are many tiny details involved in this journey, but I won't bore you with those. I'll just give you the key points and ask for prayer over those.

Firstly, I will be sending Guerry's transcripts to JCCC as soon as I get them from Haiti. Please pray over this review process and that his hard work will speak for itself. We pray it is enough to allow him to begin study at JCCC this fall. If not, we will get him the proper classes and try again in the Spring.

Second, Guerry will be taking an English assessment test in the next couple of weeks and would appreciate your prayers. This is not a pass-fail kind of a thing, but he must reach a certain score and that can be nerve-wracking. I wish I could fully articulate how very grateful Guerry is for this opportunity and for all of your support, he is truly grateful and we are as well.

Lastly, JCCC is asking us for financial proof that we will be able to cover Guerry's first year of school which is $12,000. We have set up a college fund to serve two purposes. One, to provide yet another proof that we are financially able. Two, we hope to use this fund to help pay for tuition, books, transportation and more while Guerry is working through college in the U.S. I have included our Paypal button for donations if you feel led to help in this way.

More than anything we know that God has given us this vision for Guerry's future and it is through His leadership and His power that all things will work together for Guerry's good (Romans 8:28). Thank you all for being a part of this journey in whatever way you feel led. We are so blessed to have friends and family who are so supportive and loving. We appreciate you all!

Praying Circles

We all got to Skype with Guerry and about 20 of his dorm mates tonight. Our hearts are so full! He is so thankful, hopeful and joyful. It is an amazing feeling to give a kid a chance in this world. We are trusting the Lord to make this happen. We have been reading this book at church and are learning to pray big circles around big dreams. This is one of those. Thank you so much for praying this circle with us.

 

Love, The Gallaghers

Guerry

10 years ago Shane and I began our child sponsorship journey with one boy, Guerry (pronounced Gary). He was 11 at the time (the same age as our oldest son now). We wanted to do so much for him, but just didn't know how, so we just faithfully sent our sponsorship check and prayed for him. We received pictures of him and updates. One year a friend journeyed to Haiti and visited the orphanage where Guerry lived and brought back a good report on his wellbeing. We continued to sponsor Guerry and eventually more kids. Then in 2010 tragedy struck the nation of Haiti in the form of an earthquake. We were concerned for the kids in the orphanage and waited to hear an update. A newsletter finally arrived which shared that all was well and the kids were safe, but the orphanage did sustain some damage. That moment began a stirring in my heart to go and see for myself how the kids were doing. In January of 2012 a friend and I travelled to Haiti to check things out. We were excited to get to the orphanage and get our hands on some kids we could love. As we walked to the orphanage that first day my thoughts turned many times to Guerry. I wondered if I would recognize him after all these years and if I would see him at all that first day. He was really the only person I "knew" in Haiti. As we walked through the gate Guerry's face was the first face I saw! I knew him instantly. He was heartily working on the project we had come to complete. Although he was as skinny as a rail and it looked as though a stiff wind could take him out easily, he was shoveling and scraping rock, and mixing and pouring concrete like a 200 lb linebacker. To say I was proud is an understatement. The boy that we had sponsored for many years was now a man and I was delighted to find him such a willing servant.

I had a great week spending time with our sponsor kids as well as all of the 120 children who call the Imagine Missions orphanage home. I got to see Guerry in action in the sewing room using his amazing skills on the treadle machine as well as witness his servant heart and nurturing spirit towards his fellow students and "family".

As I returned home I had many thoughts of how we could help these beautiful kids more. Shane and I continued to pray for the next 2 years and discuss many options. We could adopt, we could send more financial support, or we could host some students. We kept up our contact with the kids and especially Guerry. We emailed and chatted on Facebook. In that time, God began to talk to us about offering Guerry a home and support for him to go to college in the U.S. Shane began saving money without me even knowing (did I mention how much I love that man and his heart?) I began checking into schools and visas. We contacted Melissa, the orphanage director, to tell her what we were thinking. She heartily agreed and said she would talk to Guerry about it. A few days later I got a Facebook message from Guerry who with all seriousness promised me he would be the best student ever. We are so excited and thrilled to hopefully welcome Guerry into our home and family very soon.

We would love it if our dear friends and family would join us in praying for Guerry and this journey to the U.S. for school. Here are some specific prayer requests:

1.    That Guerry’s passport would be expedited quickly and efficiently.

2.    For Guerry as he begins to study English at a deeper level and also to study to take the ACT.

3.    It is a ways away, but the last “hoop” Guerry will have to jump through is an interview at the American Embassy to be approved for a student visa. This is a tough interview process, which he will have to go to alone.

There are many more small details, but we believe that God is aware of every one of those.  We appreciate all prayers!

We will soon be setting up a savings account for Guerry. His ultimate goal is to become a doctor so we will be taking donations towards his college fund for a while! We’ll let you know of more details as we find out from the bank.

We thank you all so much and are so excited to have you join us on this journey!