Rescued with Love
By Kathleen Smith, America World Adoptive Mom
Adoption was always part of our plan. Even before we were dating, both of us knew this was how we wanted to grow our family. I grew up with adopted cousins, and Jordan saw adoption as a beautiful reflection of the gospel.
We initially hoped to adopt from Ethiopia, but when that door closed, Haiti became our path. At the time, we were told the process would take about three years. With three little ones already at home, that seemed reasonable. Instead, it stretched into a seven-year journey — long, hard, and costly.
We don’t know the details of how we were matched, but in December 2023, after years of waiting, we received the call: we had been matched with a little girl named Love Esther. We immediately said “yes.”
During this time, Haiti was (and still is) facing extreme instability. Gang violence, kidnappings, and political unrest have paralyzed the country. Today, an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince is controlled by gangs, and more than half of Haiti’s 11 million people live below the poverty line. Over 5 million Haitians need humanitarian aid, and the child welfare system is in crisis, with thousands of children living in orphanages.
When we got the call about Esther, we had no idea if she was safe or what her daily life looked like. The news from Haiti was terrifying. After the U.S. government evacuated 70 children in early 2024, we hoped she would be next. That wasn’t the case. Instead, we spent the year calling, advocating, and raising awareness about the crisis in Haiti.
Eventually, GreyBull Rescue became involved. They had already brought a friend’s daughter home, and through them, we were connected. When Esther was rescued, she was with a pair of sisters being adopted by a family from North Dakota, and the helicopter they were on came under fire as it lifted off. It was frightening, but GreyBull went where others wouldn’t, and they got her home safely. For that, we will forever be grateful.
Today, Esther is thriving. She’s in first grade at the same school as two of her siblings, her English is incredible, she’s playing soccer, and she’s embracing life with joy.
The reality, however, is heartbreaking. Haiti is burning, and the world seems paralyzed. Behind every headline are families and children caught in the violence, with no way out. We believe helping, in whatever capacity we can, is simply the right thing to do.
America World is not currently accepting new applications for our Haiti adoption program. However, you can still make a lasting difference in the life of a child by supporting the children's home we operate in Port-au-Prince. Just $48 provides a child with nutritious meals, loving care, and a safe place to call home for an entire month.
Whether you choose to give once or become a monthly supporter, your generosity brings hope where it is needed most. While you may not be able to change all that Haiti faces, you can change everything for one child. Your gift can be the answer to a child's prayer today.
