Jeremy and Rachel Smith

Updates

• Update 264

  Day 1013. Adopt from Liberia.

  January 6, 2025

  I went to church in Liberia! We also had a party at the Tropicana. It was an amazing day.

  We still need $8,884.00 to complete our son’s adoption. Thank you so much for all of the encouragement and support so far!

• Update 263

  Day 1012. Adopt from Liberia.

  January 5, 2025
  I took my 3 Liberian kiddos to the beach today. It was their first time seeing the ocean. Then, they swam in the pool and played in my hotel room. It was so fun! They had a blast. We ended the day with a birthday party for one of their friends at the orphanage. I cannot tell you how it feels to lift the heart of an orphan by giving them hope and happiness, even for just one day, all I know is that it is so fun to watch. It lifts my soul to see their eyes light up.... Read moreThese 33 kids are amazing. There are 18 unmatched kids in my children’s orphanage. Meaning they don’t have families who have chosen to adopt them. These kids need sponsorship. They need people to love them and support them while they wait for their family to choose them. Their ages range from 10 to 1.

• Update 262

  Day 1011. Adopt from Liberia.

  January 3, 2025

  Today was a beautiful day of connecting kids with their matched parents on the other side of the earth. Although we continue to endure the delays caused by the Liberian government, nothing could stop the hearts and minds of matched parents connecting to their kids today. #orphanismpanacea

• Update 261

  Day 1010, Adopt from Liberia. Landed today.

  January 2, 2025
  1.2.2025. Landing in Liberia. I remember the first time we landed in Liberia, I was so apprehensive. I had heard so many stories and opinions… so we took it slow. 3 kids in tow, Jeremy and I took it slow. And we met Harrison. Harrison works at the airport in the Fire and Security realm. He’s so nice and greeted us with a smile. “Welcome to Liberia,” he said. I shared it was our first time to visit and the intent of our travel. He walked us through each line. He shielded us in the chaos of baggage claim and walked... Read moreus through the security steps. Like not verbally explained it, but stayed with us. He showed me where to stand with my kids while he and Jeremy tackled the baggage claim chaos. It’s like being at a market in the street or maybe a concert crowd grass seating during the first opening act. It’s intimidating. I told Jeremy to get his number so we could let him know when we came back through. When I traveled back and forth from the U.S. alone back to Liberia while Jeremy waited with the kids in Liberia, Harrison met me again when I came back through. His smile the same and my name on a sign. He walked me through again and helped me get my luggage and keep my belongings safe. It was dark when I got there, and Harrison walked me and my stuff all the way to Emmanuel, our driver, who was waiting for me with vigilance and excitement that is so Emmanuel. I felt as protected as a child would be as they transition through caregiver handoffs. Then, off to our favorite hotel, the Tropicana, where again the staff met me, welcomed me, and ushered me to my room and my family. The spirit of hospitality lives in Liberia in the hearts of its people. Especially those in my age bracket. They remember the war, they cherish the peace, and they defend it with their spirit of hospitality. Today, as I make my final descent into Liberia, I know Harrison is waiting, because Jeremy already talked to him. I know Nelson, our dear friend and overseer of HOBI, an orphanage for children, waits for me by the sidewalk. I know my ride to the Tropicana will be fun, and filled with laughter and memories and plans for the week. I know when I go to visit my kids tomorrow at the Small World Children’s Home that I will be greeted with a stampede of hugs, I will be welcomed as if I never left. I know that Albert ( the Small World orphanage director) will be visiting government offices and working all connections possible to find a way to give me some solid news of progress while I’m there. I know my daughters will greet me with excitement and my son will likely still have some bewilderment that we are adding him to our family as well, no matter how long it takes. I know whatever I need and whatever my vision is for the next few days of intentional international parenting, there is a team of seen and unseen people, assembled by God and welcomed by me, to protect me in this next part. I know that God called me here and has anointed every moment of this trip for His glory. And for that, above all, I am grateful to be here. Grateful for Liberia, grateful for this process and grateful for the support of so many people, both Liberian and American, that have changed the trajectory of their day, their week and even their life, to help me be the mom to all 6 of my kids that I want to be. The texts, the prayers, the comments, the favors, the driving, the packing, the fundraising and the solidarity is miraculous to receive. Although it is so difficult to walk this plan out, I can’t wait for the smiles and the laughs and the hugs and the new moments of hope not yet lived. Grateful. Grateful for the front row seat of something so hard, so important and so miraculous. May the mountains blockading our children creating this invisible continental divide be thrown into the sea. But, even if they do not fall into the sea today, I will not change my course. This is exactly where I am supposed to be. As an American citizen and a mother, with friends in Liberia to help me, those evil blockades cannot stop my fun this week. So excited. Keep…. …going. For more on our story, click here: https://bit.ly/adoptfaster

• Update 260

  Day 1009. Adopt from Liberia. Gap Jumping.

  January 1, 2025
  Jumping into the Gap Day 1009. Adopt from Liberia. There is this gap between 33 Liberian orphans and their families. 1/2 of my kids stand on one side of that gap and 1/2 of my kids stand on the other. To say that this is difficult is true. To share that I am now sobbing on an airplane next to strangers is true. To say that my name was misspelled this morning is also true. (More on that later) To say that I am doing something unnecessarily extraordinary today is true. To say that I think it is important for all 33 Liberian orphans to have their names known... Read moreis true. This trip is not about completing an adoption. It's about the nod to all 33 kids that means "I see you." I see you and I hear you and I am not satisfied with what is happening in your life today. Of all the things I cannot change, the one thing I can do is speak for you. To speak for you, I have to know you. I have to know you so that I can speak with truth and with authority and with certainty of what you need and what you want. The past 4 years have been so great and so terrible. The trauma of parenting children in an emergency state both in the US and in Liberia has taken its toll on me. It's taken its toll on my faith in God. It's taken its toll on my optimism regarding humanity. It's taken its toll on my physical health. It's taken its toll on my marriage. It's taken its toll on my children. It's taken its toll on my friendships. It's taken its toll on my career. It's taken its toll on my ability to get back up. As I tally the tolls and look at the state of my existence today, there is a view of disappointing wreckage. But, I walked into the rallying phase recently, and things are better. I should say I dragged myself back to the feet of Jesus with so little left, I did not even have the energy to be sad. Defeated and destroyed, hopeless and lost, I crawled back to the feet of Jesus and whispered, "What would you have me do next." Not a question, as much of a statement of surrender and availability. Because Jesus knows me, and can speak over me with authority. There was no actual audio from Jesus, but the calm assurance of the truth that I know. He sees me. He hears me. He can speak for me. This battle is real and He's in it with me. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." These orphans are unseen by most. But they were created for eternity, as we all were. I see them. Christianity does not have “easy" on the label. So I took stock and by the grace of God, I got back up. My faith is stronger. My optimism is being restored in humanity. My body will heal. My marriage is the foundation of everything good I have ever experienced in my adult life. My children now have wisdom beyond their years, and that wisdom is a supernatural strength for them in this fallen world they live in. My friendships are so strong and their support sustains me moment by moment as I place myself into the gap between safety and emergency for these 33 kids. My career supplies me with people that are the strongest and the brightest and the most resilient and the most optimistic who continue to throw hands in on whatever battles arise for me in this process. My ability to get back up is restored. So what if governments can't cooperate to allow these children to unite with their families. I can't change that. But that does not mean I am powerless. And it does not mean I am done, or even done for now. I am going to find ways to intentionally parent my children anyway. That includes seeing to the rescue of their friends from the emergency that is orphanism with my actions, my words, my influence and my resolve. That includes a lot of flights back and forth to Liberia. If the governments want to delay, that is their prerogative. Maybe that gives me time to find more places in more family's hearts for the unmatched kids. It's the best avenue I have to fight back. Fight back the evil and flood the dark with the lights of possibility. I hope my actions on this point inspire others to do the same. Because we can. Not because we have to, and not because it is required of us, but because we can. Because Jesus could. Not because He had to, but because He wanted to, He did. I hope the governments are listening to me when I say, I see you, and now I am just inspired to adopt another one. Even if they do not listen and do not cooperate , I will still travel to Liberia twice a year in perpetuity or until my family resides on one continent. And I might keep going after that, until all 33 have a U.S. zip code, and a standing plan to meet me at Disney in Orlando once a year. As I leap into the gap, to build the bridge for the 33 little faces I love so much, thank you for joining me here. Let’s learn their names (the right spelling) and let’s find out their dreams. I would like to extend my gratitude to the government entities not willing to process our adoption today. Especially those willing to violate international laws and policies to fight me on our adoption. Welcome to Round 3. I see you. I hope to see more from you. You have become the waves that knock me down and try to drown me, but I have learned to live above your waves. Thank you for affording me this opportunity to see just how faithful God can be, and how resilient I, in fact, am. It’s good information to know as we continue on this journey. Since announcing we are adding a 3rd Liberian child, and sharing we need $12,900 to pay his fees, we have received $3416.00. May that fact motivate families on the fence to adopt just one more. To Our supporters, your enthusiasm remains contagious. We also have a full garage of textiles waiting to be picked up for our Phill the Box fundraiser. For more info on our story, click here: https://bit.ly/adoptfaster Keep... ...going.
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