December 24, 2010 Friday – 7:25am (Eastern U.S. Time) – Cocoa, FL – Report submitted by Air Mobile Joe

I well remember the night in March 2008 when Cindy and I picked up little Ariana at the Orlando International airport.  Barb had done all she could to keep the little one alive.  Ariana was frail and afraid.  We brought her home with us to care for her in preparation for her series of operations that would  change her life forever.  

I remember her speaking in Creole as Cindy gave her a bath.  Her comment….”dlo-a pa fret” in wonder.  It meant…”the water, it is not cold”.  It was little Ariana’s very first “warm bath”.  We cried.  She has come so far since that evening.  Her English is perfect.  At 5, she is reading and beginning to write.  Her sense of humor is hilarious.  She is charming and somehow, knows deep down inside “from whence she came”.  She has incredible compassion and love.  

Yesterday, at 11:10am, in a Judge’s chambers in Jacksonville, FL,  Ariana officially became a member of the Hurston family.  Though, there was no doubt in her mind or ours, that prior to the proclamation, she was our daughter!

After the Proclamation, we took Ariana out for a Celebration lunch.  We stopped in St. Augustine at a Ruby Tuesday’s.  I could not, not tell the head waiter what had just happened.  All throughout our delicious meal, waiters and even customers came up to offer congratulations.  I cried several times.

Ariana did go through a series of very serious surgeries.  An anonymous donor(s) came up with many, many thousands of dollars to make these surgeries possible.  Cindy and Ariana became so close during this long and difficult ordeal.  We are so pleased to tell you that the operations were a complete success.  The love between Cindy and Ariana is amazing.  

You know, in the big scope of things, it is “just one little life”.  So easily overlooked, or could just “fall in the cracks”.  But to the Lord, Ariana is precious beyond comprehension.  To Cindy and I, she is precious beyond words.  So, today, Christmas eve in Cocoa, FL, as I write this little blog today, I am just thankful and even more aware of how our Lord Jesus reached down and touched me, so lovingly so many years ago.  May we ever remember and be aware of just how much He loves us.  So much so, that He came down to the earth as a newborn baby to ultimately give His life for us.

Meanwhile, back in Haiti, things have taken an ugly turn.  There has been a rash of “Lynchings”.  The anger and fear is being directed at Voodoo priests.  They are being accused of deliberately spreading the cholera.  The death toll is at least 45 and growing.  Cholera spreads through poor sanitary conditions and infected water and food.  Many Haitians are desperately seeking answers as to why so many are sick and dying.  Often, the local voodoo priests control the water sources in rural areas.  This is likely the reason many are suspect of spreading the disease.  Again, it is situations like this that we  often implore you to pray for Haiti.  PLEASE remember do so, even as you read this little report.

All is well and quiet in the “Village” in Haiti.  Barbara is slowly getting her voice back.  Today, we will continue to move Air Mobile / CSA into our new facility.  We will be doing so next week also and still could use some help.  We thank God for the volunteers who have stepped forward.  So many times, I thank you for your prayer, love and support.  It’s a fact….we could not do what we do without so many kind folks helping us.  THANK YOU and may this be the most Blessed Christmas you have ever had!

Air Mobile Joe