The Salinda Stallings Story

The Salinda Stallings Story:

For about five years now Jothum and Rochelle Stallings have been traveling to Haiti as short term missionaries helping out http://HeartlineMinistries.org. Heartline does a number of different ministries in Haiti. There is a church; (It’s English-speaking with a few hundred people, some Haitians, some UN workers, some guys hoping to pick up an American visitor…); a women’s ministry (teaching women pre-natal care, how to sew, bank, invest, and become self-sufficient); and an orphanage (boys and girls homes in different houses, many waiting for adoption.) They do lots of other stuff too that you can find on their website. Back to our story…

When they go to Haiti, Jothum is usually doing repair and plumbing work, Rochelle working in the women’s center and orphanages. They keep going back because, well, they just love the people. About once a year they bring a group from Cottonwood Church with them. Over two years ago, when Jothum was working in the girl’s orphanage, one of the babies made it into his lap. God spoke. Jothum was hooked. Her name is Salinda. Since then Jothum, Rochelle, and Heartline have been working on her adoption. But there have been setbacks…

• Once they decided to adopt, Rochelle became pregnant. Should they still go forward with adopting Salinda?
• Once they had all their paperwork translated, the money sent, and the dossier sent in, it was lost. Should they start all over?
• Once they started all over (by now Jothum Jr. was born) nothing happened. Nothing. Like zero, nada, zilch. The money was paid, the new dossier sent in and translated, but nothing seemed to be happening. And yet another year went by. Sometimes it’s so tempting to quit.

But then came the earthquake. First they didn’t know of Salinda was alive. Then they got news that not only was she alive, but some children were having their adoptions fast-tracked by the government if the process was already started. Then they got news that some of the Heartline children were coming to the US, but some not, (thanks to government paper work). Then, last Friday, they received a call. Salinda was on her way to Florida. The adoption was final. Saturday they left for Florida. Today they are with her. Tomorrow they arrive in Albuquerque. Inconceivable! That word, I do not think it means… Well, it means squat to God.

If you want to meet Jothum, Rochelle and Salinda at the airport, their flight comes in at 6:35, its SW #390. However they made me PROMISE TO DO EVERYTHING LOW KEY. Salinda is going through a major culture shock (she is almost 3 now). Please, no loud noises, no balloons, none of that fun, wild American stuff. Just lots of Haitian type hugs. I believe we have meals starting on Tuesday (let Malinda know if you want to help millymac@msn.com).

Lets take a minute to thank God for answering prayers for Salinda. Jothum and Rochelle can say, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.” I Sam 2:27.

Please continue to pray for Heartline Ministries, for Ira’s friends and family still in Haiti, for Compassion International as they look for the thousands of children they still have missing. May this one miracle be the beginning of many!

Dan for Cottonwood