Posted by Doug Phillips on March 31, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 31, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 31, 2010 | Permalink

Exotic Food Tasting from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 31, 2010 | Permalink

The Baby Conference from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Join us July 8-10 for The Baby Conference: A Historic Family Summit on the Triumph of Life over the Culture of Death. This conference features nationally known speakers, teachers, and experts on adoption, the blessing of children, bio-medical ethics, and more. We hope to see more than 2,000 from around the United States gather for this special event, as they experience the joy of standing in solidarity with like-minded families who have embraced the blessing of children and who aspire to raise their own children with a love for life, and a multigenerational vision of victory.

Come a few days early and join us for a special Faith and Freedom Tour of Texas that begins with the Alamo and ends with the Second World War. For more information go to The Baby Conference.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 30, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: Haiti’s Orphans Get a Mountain-Top Memorial Service For Their Parents from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

One morning they were members of happy households, and the next they were alone in the world. This is the story of the great orphan tragedy of 2010 in Haiti. But on March 13, Rescue Haiti’s Children took more than one hundred orphans by “tap tap” bus away from the city, to an altitude of 6,000 feet in the beautiful mountains of Haiti to honor their dead mothers and fathers, and to remember the lives of brothers and sisters killed in the great January 12 earthquake.

It was the memorial service that none of them had experienced. It gave the children an opportunity to testify to the work of God in their lives through their parents and to finally experience some emotional closure in the wake of the unimaginable pain. For most, this was the first time hey had stepped outside the orphanage since arriving after the earthquake.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 30, 2010 | Permalink

The latest flap by the Left over any vestige of Chrsitianity is currently taking place right here in the Alamo City. This time the issue surrounds the reference of “Our Lord” on a university diploma at Trinity University. A group of students led by a Muslim girl Sidra Qureshi who is president of Trinity Diversity Connection has stated according to the San Antonio Express News:

“A diploma is a very personal item, and people want to proudly display it in their offices and homes,” said Sidra Qureshi, president of Trinity Diversity Connection. “By having the phrase ‘In the Year of Our Lord,’ it is directly referencing Jesus Christ, and not everyone believes in Jesus Christ.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 30, 2010 | Permalink

This weekend we brought you our video report on “The Return of Rood” which documented this special orphan boy’s return to his home and the discovery of the remains of his mother. We have now posted some never-before seen images of the remarkable journey with Rood. To see the powerful photographic report on the “Return of Rood,” go here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 29, 2010 | Permalink

Come on the European Faith & Freedom Tour from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

To download a PDF brochure of the trip, click here. To sign-up, contact Kevin Turley at kturley@visionforum.com. Registrations close this week.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 29, 2010 | Permalink

Over the years I have loved listening to the radio journals of Paul Butler. He is every bit as professional as NPR, but comes with a comprehensively Christian perspective. Last week I was honored to be interviewed by him for an important radio news journal report on the Haitian orphans memorial service we conducted for the 100 orphans in Haiti a few weeks ago. Once again, Paul did a wonderful job. It is really worth clicking on the image above to listen to the interview.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 29, 2010 | Permalink

David Livingstone Message for the Patty Family from Vision Forum on Vimeo.

This past weekend. the following clip was played at a fundraiser for the Rafiki Foundation, and the work of the Alan Patty family in Liberia. I share a brief look at the story of David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 29, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 28, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 27, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: The Return of Rood. from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Thirteen-year-old Rood survived the earthquake, but his mother, father, siblings, aunts, and uncles did not. It was his mother’s instinct to protect him by covering him as the walls came down that save his life. After more than two days under the rubble, crammed into an area with no room to move, and only after most everyone in the community had determined that he could not be rescued, Rood had an idea. What if they found a jack and went in the back way? One friend agreed to try. Rood was rescued, but his arm needed to be amputated.

Now he returns to his community and home for the very first time since the tragedy. There he explains to me the fateful events of January 12 and beyond, and we are both startled to discover that his mother’s bones are still on the ground. But Rood takes comfort in the mercy of God and prepares for the life God has before him. —Doug

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 27, 2010 | Permalink

Here is a world-class Christian history tour, a Ph.d-level study on Church history, the ultimate homeschool experience, the great family vacation adventure of a lifetime, and a giant dose of spiritual and practical encouragement all wrapped up into one. Join the Phillips family and other like-minded families on the 2010 History of Christianity and Western Civilization European Faith and Freedom Tour. To download the entire PDF click here. To sign up, contact Kevin Turley at kturley@visionforum.com.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 25, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: Haiti’s Orphans Get a Mountain-Top Memorial Service For Their Parents from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

One morning they were members of happy households, and the next they were alone in the world. This is the story of the great orphan tragedy of 2010 in Haiti. But on March 13, Rescue Haiti’s Children took more than one hundred orphans by “tap tap” bus away from the city, to an altitude of 6,000 feet in the beautiful mountains of Haiti to honor their dead mothers and fathers, and to remember the lives of brothers and sisters killed in the great January 12 earthquake.

It was the memorial service that none of them had experienced. It gave the children an opportunity to testify to the work of God in their lives through their parents and to finally experience some emotional closure in the wake of the unimaginable pain. For most, this was the first time hey had stepped outside the orphanage since arriving after the earthquake.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 24, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 24, 2010 | Permalink

“Let me get this straight—we’ve got a health care plan passed by a Congress that hasn’t read it but exempts themselves from it, signed by a president that hasn’t read it and smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes... and financed by a country that’s broke. What could possibly go wrong?”

-Kim Coghlan, Life in a Shoe

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Reagan on Socialized Medicine from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Triumph Perseverance Bradrick does a quick security check of the runway in preparation for his uncle’s wedding.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

At the wedding of David and Monica Brown.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

God gave us one of the finest group of men in the history of our internship. Above they are seen at the conclusion of their internship, after an evening of speeches.

Not pictured—Micah Neidhart

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: Traveling to the Mountains from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Beall Phillips and Becky Morecraft plot world domination at the Brown Wedding. Liberty serves as secretary.

More conspiracies.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 21, 2010 | Permalink

At the ripe old age of eighteen, David Brown is getting married. It happens today. And his story is amazing.

When he was thirteen he approached his father about a young lady named Monica. They began a conversation that would take them through a five years journey of honor, hard work and generational thinking. Along the way, this young man physically built his own home, which he owns debt free, he carefully followed his father’s guidance, and he won the girl of his dreams.

And there she is—-the happy bride at her wedding rehearsal.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 20, 2010 | Permalink

Faces of Haiti from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 20, 2010 | Permalink

See what the final Mystery Product is and save 80%!

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 20, 2010 | Permalink

As the eldest of a four-child sibling group orphaned by the January 12 earthquake, thirteen-year old Sloweny has a lot of responsibilities. She will need to to love and lead her brothers and sisters, even as they become part of a parentless society called an orphanage, and hope and dream that God will place them in a real family someday. There is something very special about Sloweny and her and her brothers and sister. And its not the fact that each of them are markedly beautiful—they must have had very special parents because the children are unusually sweet-spirited and unselfish, though all a bit shy.

Haitians can appear sometimes very stoic in the face of personal crisis and national disaster. They have endured much as a people. Often they keep their feelings to themselves. But on this day, they all wept and poured out their hearts to God. For Beall and me, it was all we could do to hold back the tears as well.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 19, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: A House for Future Mission Work from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 19, 2010 | Permalink

Hollywood Reporter has the story on Disney Legend Fess Parker:

Fess Parker, who starred as the racoon-skinned Davy Crockett in “Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier,” becoming a lifelong star to young Baby Boomers, has died of natural causes, according to reports. He was 85.

Parker also delighted young viewers with his performances in “Old Yeller” and “Daniel Boone.” In more recent years, he attained a second stardom as a winery owner of the sprawling Doubletree resort along beachfront Santa Barbara, Calif., and the Wine Country Inn & Spa in Los Olivos, Calif.

He was hugely popular among kids in the late 1950s, starring in such Disney films as “The Great Locomotive Chase,” “Westward Ho the Wagons!” and “The Light in the Forest.” He was named a Disney legend in 1991.

His appeal peaked with the nationwide Davy Crockett craze as little tykes bought the coon-skinned caps and belted out the popular refrains of “Davy Crockett.” He went on to star in other Disney creations centering on Crockett, including “Alias Jesse James” (1959), in which he appeared as Crockett. His casting by Walt Disney as Crockett was a bit of a fluke: Disney had requested to screen a sci-film film “Them!” which starred James Arness, whom Disney was considering for Crockett. Instead, Parker caught his eye in a bit role as a man frightened by an alien encounter. Arness, of course, went on to star as Matt Dillon in the popular TV series “Gunsmoke.”

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 19, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: The Gospel in the Bricks from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 18, 2010 | Permalink

Imagine if you live with just under one hundred and fifty people, sleeping on the floor in a very small facility with occasional running water. Now imagine if you never set foot outside the building—or perhaps not more than once in four months. This is life for a Haitian orphan. That is why we wanted to take them all to the beautiful mountains to pray, to sing, to honor their parents, and even to run on real grass in the mountain air.

When people think of Haiti they think of crowded cities and tent communities, but there is another side to Haiti. You see that, as we did, when you reach about 6,000 feet and experience the simple beauty of the mountain folk and their communities.

People still go galloping through the mountain passes, and travel by horse is more prevalent than car in some places.

My filmographer Philip LeClerc proves that he is not only that fastest working camera man in all of Haiti, but that he is no slouch at persuading the locals to help him get where he needs to go.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 18, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 18, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haitis’ Children: Mountain Top Memorial - Teaser/Trailer from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 18, 2010 | Permalink

One of the wonderful and yet terrible duties of our trip to Haiti is to help the children find closure and peace in Christ over the death of their parents so they can begin the process of rebuilding their lives. But this means getting the facts. And so, it was our duty to be the first people to compile a complete and accurate list of the names of dead parents and siblings. Several of the children helped us by serving as translators. It took some time, but in the end, the list was compiled.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 18, 2010 | Permalink

Support Rescue Haiti’s Children through Vision Forum Ministries.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 17, 2010 | Permalink

The story will be coming soon.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 17, 2010 | Permalink

Part of the vision of Rescue Haiti’s Children is that we provide specific helps to specific members of the Body of Christ suffering in Haiti, especially where the needs are in the context of fatherless children. With this in mind, our good friend Sabrina, a nurse-midwife, brought us to meet Jean Roselaurie—a dear Christian woman expecting a child and suffering from a post-polio syndrome which leaves her walking on all fours.

Jean lives with her three children and one on the way on a mattress and under a plastic tarp. Her smile is big and beautiful, and her gratitude to God downright stunning. All this despite the fact that her first husband died, and second abandoned her after the earthquake, leaving her alone, without help and expecting a child. Her living conditions are unimaginably bad by American standards—almost non-existent shelter, but she has learned to make do. Supplies were brought, and Jean was very thankful.

After the meeting I prayed with her that God would meet all of her needs, spiritual and practical, and that the child growing in her womb would be born healthy, and would have the favor of the Lord upon it. Finally, Rescue Haiti’s Children provided the resources for her to get some key medical treatment and has agreed to buy the land for Jean, on which her future home will be built by another Christian organization that agreed to do so if we would get the land.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 17, 2010 | Permalink

This Sunday I brought a message on the need to use every available moment to study the Word of God before orphan children, many of whom lost parents and brothers and sisters in the great earthquake of January 12. My text was found in 2 Timothy 2:14-15 and 2 Timothy 3:15. I first told the story of Saul on the road to Damascus, and then of his relationship to a young man named Timothy, who apparently lost his father at an early age and was raised by his mother and grandmother. Finally, I exposited the text.

A key point of my message to the orphans was this—as you pray for the future families that you hope God will someday give to you, redeem the time now! Immerse yourself in the Word of God, it will be a lamp unto your feet and a light to your path. History has proven, that the Lord often uses knowledge of the word of God to open doors for the fatherless. But even more importantly, Scripture itself teaches that knowledge of God’s Word not only brings wisdom, but it makes a man or woman “approved,” and ready for life. If all you know is the Word of God, and you know it well, then you will be a greatly educated man or woman. Don’t waste your time. Read the Bible. Study it’s truths. Memorize it. I also encouraged them to learn English, the language of the nation they hope to go to as part of a Christian family.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 17, 2010 | Permalink

Where God brings specific special needs of the Body of Christ on the ground in Haiti, Rescue Haiti’s Children seeks to respond by providing very practical assistance. We met a dear Christian lady with a huge goiter on her neck who was a former neighbor of our beloved Rood. Rescue Haiti’s Children’s staff physician, Dr. Jim Vernier, gave her a preliminary field examination. With a few phone calls we determined that the goiter could be removed along with her thyroid for under $2,000. This means a new life for this woman, who was smiling and grateful to God, before she learned of our willingness to help. In America, most families would find a way to get the money to have this kind of surgery. In Haiti, it might as well be ten million. Of course, “With God all things are possible.” And we are thankful that we may be able to be part of the solution that God uses in this case.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 17, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: Fighting for Food from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Warning: This video contains violence.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 17, 2010 | Permalink

Click here to view today’s new “Mystery Product” (a bestseller at 80% off!), and save 50%-70% on more than 300 family-building resources!

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 16, 2010 | Permalink

The little boy next to me is extraordinary. He is full of joy and happiness. His name is Stanley and he is a young-looking sixteen years old.. On January 12, Stanley’s entire family was killed. None were left alive but Stanley, who was in the street. He was hit by a motorcycle, but survived. Stanley has attached himself to me, and I am very happy for it. Here you can see him watching in the office of the orphanage as I prepare for today’s memorial service.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 13, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 13, 2010 | Permalink

It takes a lot of logistical coordination to pull off a successful overseas ministry effort in a disaster zone. Andrew is a key member of the team for Mission Gratitude. Today, he oversees our efforts to go to the mountains for a memorial service for family members who died in the earthquake.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 13, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 13, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 12, 2010 | Permalink

The picture above was taken as I was loading my Bible into my travel bag.

For the first time in my life, I carried two Bibles from which to preach—one in English and the other in Haitian. Yes, I was going to attempt it! Or to be precise, I was going to read the Wod of God in Haitian.

Today I got to take my first whack at it. Let’s just say that my Haitian friends were very patient and generous with me as I read the Ten Commandments in Creole.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 12, 2010 | Permalink

How can I explain? It was simply the greatest welcome I have probably ever received. The children heard that we were returning, and they met us with shouts of “Joshua, Joshua!” and “Pastor Doug!!” with songs and hugs. Amazing!

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 12, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 12, 2010 | Permalink

In front of a tent city on the streets of Port Au Prince, Beall teaches a little boy how to play thumb war.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 12, 2010 | Permalink

Rescue Haiti’s Children: A Huge Week of Ministry from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 12, 2010 | Permalink

Our dear friends, the Torres family, prepared many special gift boxes for Haitian orphans.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 12, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 11, 2010 | Permalink

Support Rescue Haiti’s Children through Vision Forum Ministries.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 10, 2010 | Permalink

Beall and I and a team of close to just under a dozen are bound for Haiti on a critically important mission to perform a memorial service for children who lost their parents, to provide specific relief to individuals and Christians in desperate need of help, and to deliver care boxes to orphans. We will be joining our co-laborers in the Lord’s work on the ground in Haiti, and I will be sending regular field reports. The world may be losing interest in the plight of Haiti’s children, but we are not. And we are deeply concerned about the reality of a many more deaths and chaos breaking out as the rainy season turns Haiti and the giant tent cities into a new catastrophe. If the Lord provides the financial resources to Rescue Haiti’s Children we will be in a position to help more than 100 orphans and victims of the earthquake to get critically-needed quality housing before the very dangerous rainy season starts in a few weeks. Thanks for your prayers and support. We need both right now.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 10, 2010 | Permalink

It’s wonderful to have a daddy. And it is especially wonderful to have a daddy after being an orphan.

We want to reinforce this special blessing by welcoming some of the young Haitian ladies who have recently been united with their families to a weekend dedicated to one of the most important relationships they will have on this earth. This year we are hoping to see friends of Vision Forum Ministries sponsor at least a dozen Haitian girls and their fathers to attend the 2010 Father and Daughter Retreat at Callaway Gardens in Georgia. It will be a wonderful time for them to draw close, to enjoy a weekend dedicated to the father and daughter relationship in a beautiful setting. If you are interested in being a sponsor, just make your donation to the general fund for Vision Forum MInistries and tag it for Father and Daughter Sponsorships.

Here is Virginia Hope Phillips’ perspective on the event.

Virginia Shares Her Thoughts on the Up-And Coming 2010 Father and Daughter Retreat in Calloway Gardens from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 9, 2010 | Permalink

By Beall Phillips

I hardly even know how to describe today, Sunday, March 7.

After such painful waiting all day yesterday, culminating with such joy seeing the children last night, we fell into bed a little before 4 this morning. This morning, the anticipation of the day got us up and going. We drove with the Birdys to His House and were welcomed by their very sincere sweet staff. They had been up all night as well, helping the children and getting the paperwork ready for the parents this morning. They gave us name tags with our names and the children’s names we were associated with, and then asked us to wait. :) The parents filled out more paperwork and then waited. The camaraderie developed in the airport the night before extended into today. Sweet smiles and quiet conversations kept everyone patient while the staff worked through the process, family by family.

Then the children started to trickle in. Joshua had a tender moment when Pierre Richard and his two brothers came to meet their mother. Joshua had spent a good deal of time with Pierre Richard when he, Doug, and Justice were in Haiti in February. They forged a special friendship, and you could see how happy they both were when they saw each other this morning. Joshua and Justice sat with the three boys and horsed around for a good hour while all the parents were busy. Their mother graciously agreed for Joshua to keep in contact with the boys. The eldest, Mackensie, made us all laugh when he sang happy birthday to Justice (who turned 15 today) in Creole! Pierre Richard even chimed in at the end! It was so sad to see them go.

Early this afternoon, all the papers were processed, and the big final moment came. The Birdys were taken to a separate building, so that San Antonio Express press could interview them, and then the girls were brought in!! Oh it was a precious moment.

Two of the most beautiful little girls in the world walked in the door and grabbed and hugged their mommy and daddy Birdy and squeezed! It was emotional for a minute and then, just as fast, they backed off. They looked around shyly for a minute or two and then relaxed again and headed for the toy boxes. Lonise, with her skinny little legs sticking out of poofy little shorts puttered around in her brand new white sandals. She grabbed a tiny backpack, filled it with toys, and strapped it on her back. Then she hopped on the tiniest trike I have ever seen and raced around the living room, giggling like the tiny little thing she is. Daddy David couldn’t resist and joined in, helping her navigate around the furniture. Meanwhile, big sister Christelle found some roller blades and tried them out. What a joyous time!

A sweet moment of reality set in. Lonise ran toward the door, waving off her Daddy who called after her to come back. Then she crashed and fell. There was the pause when she was figuring out how to respond. Then Daddy was there, picking her up, comforting her the way only a Daddy can, and she melted into his arms.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 8, 2010 | Permalink

The Very First Hug: Leah Trotter Meets Her Haitian Adoptive Daughter from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 8, 2010 | Permalink

Report on Parents Getting Their Adoptive Haitian Children from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 8, 2010 | Permalink

Joshua Welcomes His Friend and Former Haitian Orphan Pierre Richard to the United States from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 8, 2010 | Permalink

Part II, By Beall Phillips

After almost ten hours of waiting in the airport, the moment happened so fast that we were all taken by surprise. We had been told so many different things by so many people: The children would come out one by one over 5 hours; The parents would be taken to the back to see the children; the children would be taken to a bus in the back and the parents would see them the next morning; the children would come out in front for a moment.

Understandably, this was very hard for the parents. Every emotion had been felt and displayed.

At about 1:30 am, most of the families had left. Some left with eight “Category 1” children who had been released. Others left without their children hoping to try again Sunday morning.

There were about 6 families left, including David & Laura Birdy and Clayton & Leah Trotter. We were chatting tiredly, debating as to whether we should wait or go.

But we just couldn’t go. As long as there was one staff member left and as long as there was an indication that the children were still back “there,” we just couldn’t leave.

Then someone called out with surprise. Everyone turned around and faced the glass barrier. Fedeline Birdy broke into the biggest smile I have seen on her beautiful face, and raced around to hug the children...the children! They were really here!

They walked slowly out, in a strung-out line, exhausted and sleepy, some were carried, several were wrapped in oversized white blankets, a few walked. It was almost surreal.

These parents had been waiting so long. And then, just like that, they were here! Those little precious children were squeezed so hard and long. The children and the families were ushered through the airport outside to the infamous bus we had heard so much about—the bus that would take them away from us for just one more night to His House, a local facility where the children would sleep, have breakfast, and then wait a while more for the final paperwork to be finished.

It seemed like torture to hold and hug these babies for half an hour and then let them go for the night, but the parents were grateful the process was moving along and reassured the children that they would be at His House first thing in the morning. And of course, many of the parents had left already. So we hugged and kissed as many as we could. Thankfully, I think the children were too tired to even register everything that was going on.

Joshua, Justice, Chris, and I stood transfixed until the bus drove away. The children smiled and waved enthusiastically, sleepy, but happy and hopeful.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 7, 2010 | Permalink

By Beall Phillips

Things can move painfully slow, and then surprisingly fast when it comes to the plight of the Haitian orphan. With just hours’ notice, Doug sent me, my two eldest, and our good friend and camera man Christopher Gill to Miami on behalf of Rescue Haiti’s Children to welcome and document the arrival of 44 Haitian orphans. Doug and the boys had shared the momentous days following the earthquake with 11 of these precious ones while at Haiti Christian Rescue Mission—and he was determined that we be there for their first glimpse of life in the United States of America.

An unexpected bonus of this trip is that an important part of my life has come full circle for me. Having been adopted as a baby into a loving Christian family, I have now been witness, on a very intimate level, to the other side of adoption—a loving Christian family waiting, agonizing, and finally, welcoming into their aching arms the precious children by adoption that the Lord ordained for them before the dawn of time.

I can hardly describe how fulfilling this is for me, having been the recipient of this love 42 years ago.

THE CHILDREN ARRIVE IN MIAMI

We arrived in Miami Saturday afternoon. Our flight left San Antonio at 8 in the morning and should have arrived shortly after 1 pm, but mechanical difficulties on the second leg delayed us so that we didn’t land at Miami International until after 4 pm. The plane with the children was supposed to have left Port au Prince at 1:30 to land in Miami around 3 pm, but they were delayed too.

We scouted around to find the right place closest to the children, and were soon joined by about fifteen other sets of parents or parts of families, waiting for the same group of children.

The afternoon and evening alternated between delight and agony. The agony was the interminable waiting. Waiting with very few answers for all the questions the parents had about when they could have their children.

The delight was in the multitude of conversations with the families who were waiting for children. Some had started the adoption process only months before and were starry-eyed babies to the whole thing. Others had been waiting a year or two and found a bittersweet relief in the earthquake which broke down some obstacles, paving the way for their children to be released to them.

And then there were the few families whose story seemed almost incomprehensible. Waiting years and years and years, persevering against all odds and unbelievable circumstances, making it to this point, and then waiting another 8 hours, wondering if it would all really come about or if it would fall apart again.

NINE YEARS OF WAITING

One couple had started adopting their boy when he was three. They had a three year old biological boy and looked forward to these two boys growing up together. That was nine years ago. Nine years ago! Three times they filled out all the papers. Three times it all fell apart. They were told he had been kidnapped, lost, sold into slavery, you name it. They never gave up. For two years he was lost; no one knew what had happened to him. Then the earthquake hit. They never gave up. They overturned every piece of rubble, it seemed, determined that they would find him. They had not come this far to lose him. And they didn’t. Someone found him. Someone contacted them. Hope was renewed. The process began again. And here we were. They would not sit down. They could not sit down. They hovered as close as they could to the walkway that just might possibly at last bring their 12-year-old son to them.

I was composed all evening. Until their son walked out. Then we all wept.

Nine years. Nine years, and they now had him in their arms.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 7, 2010 | Permalink

It has been a long journey for this beautiful five-year-old Haitian girl named Lonise. She was found in the mountains of Haiti less than a year ago, sick, and with a bloated belly from malnutrition. Like many other Haitian children with similar conditions, it was not clear that Lonise would live.

But the hand of the Lord was on Lonise’s life. From the beginning, this orphan girl stood out. When offered a candy bar by Dan Grady (a member of my congregation here in San Antonio who was on a special mission in Haiti), Lonise immediately broke the bar into pieces and shared with other children. In a world where well-fed, secure American children often fail to share from their abundance, it made an impression that this destitute and starving girl would freely give from what little she had.

Eventually, Lonise was taken to the Haiti Children’s Rescue Mission where she was loved, fed, given medical attention, and brought back to health.

David Birdy met Lonise in the mountains about ten months ago. Today, he is her father.

But for the last month David has been on the ground in Haiti laboring on behalf of Lonise, his other adoptive daughter, thirteen year-old Mikerlange Robert, known as Christelle, and other orphan children in desperate need of family unification with Christian parents in the United States.

David’s efforts were not limited to assisting orphans. Along with the help of his wife Laura, the Birdys have been personally responsible for large numbers of medical relief workers coming to Haiti. The far reaching impact of their help—an effort shared with a network of capable and hard-working San Antonians—has changed the landscape in Haiti for thousands, and is still generating a powerful impact.

The long journey of Haitian adoption—shorter for David, than for many parents—is coming to an end today. David helped to lead his own children and 42 others out of Haiti last night and into freedom on American soil. The picture above was taken in the airport shortly after reaching American soil and moments before the children were taken away for the night from their parents—for more processing. But the ever-moving wheels of the bureaucracy continue, and this morning more paperwork is being filed.

Soon it will be done. Perhaps by the time you read this story David and Laura will be finally united with their children.

May God make it so.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 7, 2010 | Permalink

Laura Birdy and Daughter Fedeline Wait To Be United With Dad David and Two Adoptive Members of Their Family from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

A Very Excited Leah Trotter Explains Her Feelings Just Moments Before Being United With Her Hatian Children from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

American Christian Couple Waiting for Their Child from Haiti from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

A Mother Waiting for Her Adoptive Hatian Child in Miami from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 6, 2010 | Permalink

2:15: God willing this plane will be taking 44 orphans to the United States and their new families in fifteen minutes. The image was shot from the iphone of David Birdy, who is leaving with two daughters from Haiti.

The orphans were taken from the United States Embassy to the airport in this bus and with an armed escort.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 6, 2010 | Permalink

I am writing this report at 11:00 a.m. as Beall and a team from Rescue Haiti’s Children zip down to Florida. We are awaiting final approval of the release of 44 orphans from Haiti to be united with their adoptive families in the United States of America. The children are at the airport, some accompanied by their adoptive parents and others escorted by appropriate guardians.

Stop for just a moment and imagine the joy, fear, uncertainty, and possibilities in the minds of these children as they await the dream of a new life, new family, and a future filled with hope.

There have been many false starts before, so we are calling on Christians in America to devote some time now for the successful departure of these precious and needy orphans. Assuming the Lord clears the path, and shuts down any potential objections to their departure, this will be one of the largest groups of orphans to be allowed to leave Haiti since the January 12 earthquake.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 6, 2010 | Permalink

In less than a week, Rescue Haiti’s Children hopes to be on the ground in Haiti again on a very significant mission delivering specific helps and encouragement to Haitian orphans. In the meanwhile, our friends and co-laborers on the ground (featured in my field reports) have been working around the clock to see that the precious children the Lord has set before all of us to rescue, can be united with adoptive families in the United States. The work of men like David Birdy and Dr. John Leininger, both on the ground presently in Haiti, has been downright heroic. Back here in San Antonio, a host of Christian warriors, including Paul Pennington of Hope for Orphans, have been working on the legislative battle and helping to prepare the way so that more orphans can be united with Christian families, should the doors open. It has been an intense month of behind the scenes work, often marked by bureaucratic red tape, false starts, but undaunted perseverance on behalf of these precious children.

Today was a big day. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. John Leininger and others, we expected to see the release of just under a dozen children. Then we received this report from San Antonio hero, David Birdy, who is on the ground with Dr. Leininger, and himself an adoptive father of three Haitian children.

I just wanted to let you know about emergent problem in Haiti this morning.

Our girls Lonise and Christelle just received their Humanitarian Parole approval yesterday and had their documentation signed by the Haitian Prime Minister and are free to leave the country tomorrow.

I have been in Haiti now for a month and as I was packing this morning, the 7 children from our orphanage Haitian Children’s Rescue Mission (HCRM) who were flying out today (also with all the proper signed approval from the Prime Minister) were not allowed to leave on the commercial airline that had reservations for.

Haitian officials did not allow them to board the plane saying that the rules had just changed stating, “there is no more urgency in Haiti” and “you must now have a passport for each child”. This despite the Prime Ministers approval with US Embassy documentation to fly. There are no passports currently being issued. Meanwhile, Families from across America are arriving in Miami waiting to meet their kids and very confused children on on their way back to the orphanage.

As I write this, the U.S. Embassy officials and Haitian Immigration officials are in a meeting to resolve this. My request is very simple, please pray for the Haitian officials to show favor and soften their hearts to let orphans who have families in the United States leave this country!

I am supposed to show up with my girls and our luggage at the U.S. Embassy in the morning to get my exit paperwork and fly out on a private charter at 2:45. Thank you so much for your support and for your prayers.

Obviously, we were grieved by this ews. Then, within an hour of David’s prayer request, Dr. John Leininger sent out the following update:

A little bit ago, Rachelle, our 17 year old that is has been so excited to go to her adoptive home tomorrow, came to my room smiling and happy. We were all pretty grim dealing with the latest blow from the Haitian government. I asked her why she was so happy and she said “I’m going home tomorrow!” I reminded her that the Haitian government had stopped the adoptions and she, in broken English, said “I’m going home tomorrow”. I reminded David that the orphans have a more direct vertical line than he or I do and perhaps she knew something that we didn’t.

Fifteen minutes later we received word that the US gov’t will have 50 passports made before 10 am tomorrow and that all 50 will fly out tomorrow on the 10 am flight. Thank you for your prayers and the prayers of the orphans.

This is a stunning answer to prayer. But more prayer is needed. We have all come to realize that anything can happen when you show up at the airport with Haitian orphans. As was witnessed today—even when people painstakingly follow the rules and receive all the necessary approvals, it is not uncommon to see officials prevent children from being united with their adoptive parents. Please pray that God thwarts all attempts to prevent these children from being united with their American families.

Also, God willing, Beall and our film team will be waiting for the orphans at customs in Florida tomorrow to capture the amazing story of the first steps these orphans take in the Land of the Free, their unification with their new adoptive families, and the amazing story of God’s providential direction on their adoptions. Please remember my team in prayer as we seek to share the stories of God’s providence and protection with many thousands.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 5, 2010 | Permalink

“Male and Female Created He Them”

One way to understand perversion is that it is a war against God’s created order. Feminism is perverse because it seeks to twist God’s design for man and woman. Feminism takes many forms—gender neutrality, lesbianism, and practical matriarchy, just to name a few. But whether it is overt or subtle, social or political, economic or sexual, feminism leads to a perversion of the created order. This is why feminism must be understood as a religious worldview—one whose advocates prioritize their rights, over God’s revelation, and thus who worship the creature more than the creator.

The Bible teaches distinctions between men and women—lots of them, from distinctions in roles, to responsibilities, to dress, just to name a few. There are also many areas of overlap between men and women, but those areas of overlap have less context without a proper understanding of the blessed, encouraging, and God-ordained distinctions between the sexes which were instituted by God for His glory and the good of men and women, revealed in His Word and part of the created order itself.

The quest for an androgynous society is yet another manifestation of feminist perversion. And the latest folly highlights the priorities of the feminist fundamentalists. In the March 4, New York Times op-ed piece by feminist “research scholar” Kim Elsesser at the Center for Study of Women at the University of California, Los Angeles, she called on the board of the Oscars to create a new ballot that would destroy any difference between the “sexes” because:

...separate is not equal. While it is certainly acceptable for sports competitions like the Olympics to have separate events for male and female athletes, the biological differences do not affect acting performances. The divided Oscar categories merely insult women, because they suggest that women would not be victorious if the categories were combined. In addition, this segregation helps perpetuate the stereotype that the differences between men and women are so great that the two sexes cannot be evaluated as equals in their professions.”

She concluded her piece by stating:

For next year’s Oscars, the academy should modify its ballots so that men and women are finally treated as full equals, able to compete together in every category, for every nomination. And if the academy insists on continuing to segregate awards, then it should at least remain consistent and create an Oscar for best directress.

Click here to read the entire piece.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 5, 2010 | Permalink

Thanks to everyone who voted to pick their favorite “Turkey in the Straw.” The winner was “Virginia and Honor Sing Turkey in the Straw,” with Turkey in the Straw II coming in as a close second. We will be sending each of you who voted for the winner a $10 gift certificate.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 5, 2010 | Permalink

NASHVILLE, TN — March 1, 2010 — As more than half a billion people gather worldwide to celebrate Earth Day this year, The Mysterious Islands — a new adventure documentary that dispels evolutionary and environmental myths birthed on the wonder-filled Galapagos Islands — will be screened in churches and communities around the globe as part of the “Worship the Creator, not the Creature” campaign. Doug Phillips, Executive Producer of The Mysterious Islands, will show a clip from the film and briefly discuss this project on March 1 at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention during the “Comedy Tonight” show with Michael Jr., which begins at 8:30pm. The annual NRB Convention is being held at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort, and The Mysterious Islands is one of the official sponsors of the event.

The Mysterious Islands explores the true origin and purpose of the earth in the context of the Galapagos Islands — the famed archipelago that Charles Darwin visited in 1835 during the voyage of the Beagle.

“Darwin got it wrong on the Galapagos, and his conclusions have lead these islands to not only become the Mecca for evolutionists, but also the launching ground for the modern environmental movement,” noted Doug Phillips. “Many Christians are genuinely confused on how best to respond to these ideas, and The Mysterious Islands helps to fill this critical gap through a cinematically beautiful film that offers an alternative for families to enjoy this Earth Day.”

April 22, 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, an event that is characterized by a host of wrong worldview perspectives on the cosmos, including the idea that man is an unwelcome interloper, rather than the pinnacle of God’s creation, and that the creation itself should be worshipped and elevated above the Creator.

“In the four decades since its inception, Earth Day has turned into a global guiltfest that portrays man as the culprit and conveys a fatalistic sense of doom about the future of the cosmos,” Phillips observed. “The worldview of evolutionism has done much to fuel this confusion.”

The Mysterious Islands helps set these false ideologies to rest. The film portrays the Galapagos Islands as a showcase for God’s creation, not a laboratory for evolution, and places the role of man and the animal and plant kingdoms in their proper perspective.

“Darwin argued that man is not a unique creature supernaturally created by God in His image with a responsibility to exercise dominion over creation, but he is simply another animal,” explained Phillips. “Radical environmentalists embrace this as their starting point and thus view man of no greater significance than a fish, a frog, or a whale. This has led to the devaluing of human life on the one hand, and the exaltation of the animal and plant kingdoms on the other.

“We must worship the Creator, not the creature, even as we praise God for the marvelous animal and plant life we observe in the world He has made,” Phillips concluded. “The Mysterious Islands encourages this focus in a way that is both challenging and uplifting, and we hope that many more churches and communities will rally around the opportunity to communicate this hopeful message by screening the film this Earth Day.”

The Mysterious Islands takes viewers deep beneath the ocean waves among hundreds of whitetip sharks, over lava fields covered with salt-spitting marine iguanas, and to the unusual habitat of blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants. The film brings a fresh perspective on Charles Darwin and his Theory and presents sweeping cinematography of one of the most remote, desolate, and fascinating island chains in the world.

If you are interested in screening The Mysterious Islands in your community this April on or around Earth Day, as part of the ‘Worship the Creature, Not the Creation’ Campaign, click here for more details.

Follow this effort on Facebook here.

To interview Doug Phillips regarding The Mysterious Islands, contact Gregg Wooding of I AM PR Services by email at gregg@iampronline.com or by phone at (972) 567-7660.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 4, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 4, 2010 | Permalink

There is much to report on my time this week at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, TN. But one of the great delights at the NRB was visiting with Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis. Ken has a nice reference to The Mysterious Islands DVD today in his blog which I encourage you to check out. Also, I especially want to encourage you to participate in the I am Not Ashamed Campaign which AIG is promoting around America. The concept of the I am Not Ashamed Campaign is to let the Bible speak for itself and call on Christians in America to be more bold in standing up for God’s Word. AIG has taken out full-page ads in the USA Today newspaper, as well as media outlets such as Fox News and MSNBC. Click here to learn more about it and get involved.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 4, 2010 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 4, 2010 | Permalink

Well, it is another interesting week of singing in the Phillips family. Virginia was the first to surprise me with her new musical discovery. Then I found out that all the “littles” had learned it. So I decided to film various combinations of their version of “Turkey In The Straw.” The result is before you.

Here is where you come in: I want to know which one is your favorite. Send your pick to bdisharoon@visionforum.com. My assistant Brantley will be combining the data and we will announce the top choice tomorrow night. If you are among those selecting the top vote-winner, we will send you a $10 gift certificate for any Vision Forum product to be used in the month of March. Polling closes at 5:00 tomorrow. One vote per family please.

Virginia Sings Turkey in the Straw II from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Virginia Sings Turkey in the Straw V from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Virginia and Pro Turkey in the Straw IV from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Turkey in the Straw III from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Virginia and Honor Sing Turkey in the Straw from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 3, 2010 | Permalink

You have been waiting...

Click here to read the winning essay!

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 3, 2010 | Permalink

Virginia Shares Her Thoughts on the Up-And Coming 2010 Father and Daughter Retreat in Calloway Gardens from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

I am in Tennessee today working on our “Worship the Creator, Not the Creature” campaign with The Mysterious Islands and our work with Rescue Haiti’s Children at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. Beall just sent me this wonderful little iPhone video taken of Virginia this morning and I thought I would share it with you.

I think Virginia’s feelings are representative of hundreds of little girls (and big girls too) who love to go away with their fathers for a special weekend dedicated to the Lord and their relationship as father and daughter. Ihope that Virginia and I can see you at the Father and Daughter Retreat! We have room for about forty more father and daughter teams to join us.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 2, 2010 | Permalink

One of the Phillips’ family’s dearest friends is Victoria Botkin, wife to Geoff Botkin, and mother to Isaac, David, Anna Sofia, Elizabeth, Ben, Luke, and Noah. For four years, the Botkins were our neighbors in San Antonio, and Victoria blessed all of us greatly through her warm hospitality, godly and practical counsel, and delightful company. She became a close friend and encourager to my wife personally and a source of community-wide blessing to all who visited her home or who were privileged to interact with her as she poured out love and biblical wisdom to those who crossed her path.

A true Proverbs 31 woman, Victoria models what it means for a faithful wife and mother to tend well to the ways of her household, and I would encourage ladies and their daughters, under their husband’s guidance, to consider being a part of her nine-evening online mentoring course.

Evenings with Victoria Botkin

Victoria is my beloved friend, a wise counselor and model wife and mother! Every young woman and mother would be wise to set aside the time to hear godly instruction from this precious woman of God. I treasure every conversation with her . . . and so should you. — Beall Phillips, wife to Doug Phillips

How does a wife help her husband be the man Christ wants him to be? How can she inspire him to love her? How can she discover the forgotten joys of being the helper God designed her to be? Beginning March 1, Victoria, beloved wife to Geoffrey Botkin, will host weekly online mentoring sessions for women as a homemaker’s resource to the worldwide Christian community. Victoria draws insight from 30 years of applying Scripture to life through her many adventures as the wife of Geoffrey Botkin and the mother to their five boys and two girls.

A vision of loveliness and strength, strong character combined with compassion, unmitigated courage built on a rock-solid testimony of reliance on God, an underlying sense of humor and broad intelligence, true love that grows only stronger despite difficulties . . . Victoria Botkin is all those things and so much more. She offers us as women not only a humble testimony to her faith in God, but the example of a life committed to serving Him through her joyful, studied service as wife and mother to exceptional people. I and my daughters are very excited about sitting at her feet and drinking in her wisdom through “Evenings with Victoria Botkin.” I can hardly wait! Please, come sit beside me . . . bring your embroidery or mending . . . It will be wonderful. — Becky Morecraft, wife to Dr. Joe Morecraft

Join Victoria as she discusses subjects such as woman’s great power, sinful tendencies, obedience vs. submission, independence vs. submission, freedom vs. submission, beauty, dress, makeup, respect, women’s rights, hospitality, speaking words of life, managing with grace, pitfalls of perfectionism in homemaking, Hollywood expectations, trials, trust, and cultivating personality. Victoria will begin each session by responding to pressing, appropriate questions from participants. Topic headings include:

• All about Eve
• All about Sarah
• The Proverbs 31 wife
• About love
• How to help your husband love you
• How to become a wise woman

My sweet sister in Christ, Victoria Botkin, is a loving and kind woman who exudes what the Word describes in Proverbs 31. What an incredible blessing it is to know her, for to know her tender persona is to truly love her. I so admire her obedience to the Lord. Victoria is most ardently a Titus 2 woman. She can always be caught affectionately and tenderly guiding some younger woman, and on occasion an older woman, right back to the unfailing Word of God. I admire this woman of bountiful wisdom and pray God’s richest blessings on her and her beautiful family. These sessions will encourage and benefit any woman who partakes of them. You don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to hear the timeless wisdom of my dear sister. — Bridget Baucham, wife to Dr. Voddie Baucham

Sessions will take place Monday evenings from 8 to 9 p.m., Central Time, March 1 through April 26, 2010. The cost for these nine sessions is $49 per woman, and daughters may listen in with their mothers. The sessions will also be recorded and MP3s made freely available to participants shortly after each session, so that any who cannot join all nine sessions live may still hear what was discussed. To signup, click here.

Victoria is not just wise and kind — she is fun! Her gentle sense of humor always comes in at just the right moment to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously even as we focus on the important work at hand. I know that listening to Victoria teach online is going to be a marvelous experience. You won’t get to enjoy her delicious bread, but the savory goodness of her words and the kindness of her voice will surely bring a smile to your face and encourage your heart. I look forward to these sessions as a way to renew my own vision and learn new ways to bless my family. What a delight! — Jennie Chancey, wife to Matt Chancey

Victoria is real, practical, biblical, and refreshingly frank. It was easier for me to have my daughter Kelly so far away from me during her first year of marriage because Victoria was there and she understood her role in Kelly’s life as an older woman. The same kind of life-giving counsel Kelly received at that time, you will receive during these sessions. — Deborah Brown, wife to Scott Brown

To learn more about this course or to signup, click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 1, 2010 | Permalink