Families adopting Haitians watch, wait

ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - The worry that a devastating earthquake struck Haiti -- the place where their adopted daughter-to-be lives -- turned quickly into relief for Todd and Kelly Shomin of Ada.

A posting on the Web site of the God's Littlest Angels orphanage stated the children -- including the Shomins' 1-year-old Josie Erline -- were OK. Still, "the worst goes through your mind. If hospitals are collapsing, how's this orphanage doing?" Todd Shomin told 24 Hour News 8.

Another reassurance came Wednesday morning. The Shomins turned on the TV and heard the voice of the director of their orphanage.

"She posted some pictures of some of the kids on the street," Kelly Shomin said. "And I feel like I could pick out my little girl. But I don't know if that was her or not."

The pair has been trying to adopt for three years. Kelly and Todd were able to visit Josie Erline in May.

"They do a great job of sending us picture updates once a month, and so you get to watch her grow," Todd Shomin said. "That's also hard too, especially when you've been down there once and actually physically held her."

The Shomins said they understand the Haitian government and aid groups need to concentrate on rescue efforts and basic needs now, but they're afraid an already long process only will get longer.

And they are not alone. The couple and 15 other West Michigan families are in the process of adopting from Haiti through Bethany Christian Services. And there are other agencies working in Haiti.

Susan, who did not want to use her last name, is using a Florida agency. The woman, also of Ada, visited her daughter-to-be, Maria, for the first time in November 2008. She said she is near the end of the adoption process for the 4-year-old.

"Pretty soon, any month," Susan expects to bring Maria home. "We didn't know. But probably, by this time, all of our files are pretty much gone."

Gone, she worries, amid the devastation in the Haitian capital. She also heard word quickly Tuesday evening that her daughter was OK.

"We're fortunate. Our building is standing," Susan said. "But it's not safe."

She and the Shomins said they hope to bring their children home soon -- and not just for their own sakes.

"It'd be nice to get these kids out of the orphanages to their homes to make room for the new orphans that are going to come in," Todd Shomin said. "Because there's going to be a lot more."

Bethany Christian allows donors to earmark their gifts specifically for Haitian orphanages and their needs.