Life is full of surprises. Earlier last week, nine families were unaware that they’d be holding their long awaited children in their arms a few days later. These kids had survived an earthquake and several years in an orphanage; it was time for them to go to their forever homes. Getting them home took at team: Bethany Christian Services, God’s Littlest Angels In Haiti, two anonymous donors who offered up their planes and staff to coordinate transportation (so thankful for them and their continued selfless giving), and one other amazing person who shall also remain nameless (so proud I could burst).
I learned only a few hours prior that I would be documenting their homecomings. Ryan Prins jumped on board even though I wouldn’t tell him what we were photographing until we were on our way there! He contributed a lot of the amazing images below. We shared the space with four other news networks and a newspaper or two, but we were there to document those moments for the families and for the donors. Easily one of the highlights of my career. It just makes our trip down there (with World Vision) in a couple months that much more real… For those of you who have asked, I will be posting specific needs for that as soon as I can verify how many suitcases we can check!
Nine families made whole with the addition of eleven children:
Plane #1
Please pray for this baby... she went straight to the hospital from the airport... 
This little guy was also adopted from Haiti 5 1/2 years ago... he was part of the cheering squad and a guest reporter. 
He's old enough to remember when it was his plane arriving home...
So much anticipation waiting for the second plane to arrive...
We also did quick portraits for all the families. Special thanks to Color Inc for generously donating 11×14s to all the families!!
Andrea, {Gwyneth Paige Couture Letterpress} wrote: And here come the Monday morning tears. This is so, so touching. I am so proud of the anonymous helpers as well. They are more caring and more deserving of all things wonderful than I can even express. I feel like my heart is going to explode from my chest. Congratulations to all the family who are completed with their new additions! <3 (01/25/10, 7:43 am)
Jenny Duffy wrote: Oh my! Tears for me too! What an incredible opportunity to be able to photograph such moments! (01/25/10, 8:25 am)
kari wrote: Wow! What an amazing story of Grace. I am sitting here with the tears flowing! Thank you for sharing this special moment with us. (01/25/10, 8:41 am)
tammi wrote: I'm supposed to leave for a shoot in 5 min and now I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out. What a breath of fresh hope & encouragement amid such images of heartbreak & sadness that we've been seeing for the last 2 weeks. Much love & happiness to these families. What a beautiful thing to be a part of. Jen - if there's any room left on that trip you're going on, I'd love to hear more about it. Message me? (01/25/10, 8:49 am)
Nicole wrote: I am in tears looking through these amazing pictures! Such a beautiful reunion. (01/25/10, 11:00 am)
Natasha wrote: Makes me think of Jeff's message about the thread of God endlessly running through lives. The story of God in our lives can outlive ours. Just think the people who founded Bethany are still having an impact on the lives of people today, people they never had the chance to meet. So cool!!! (01/25/10, 12:27 pm)
Jeremy wrote: Praise the Lord! And such beautiful photos capturing these moments. (01/25/10, 2:19 pm)
kelly wrote: chills....what scared moments you captured! (01/26/10, 10:07 pm)
Tom Vanderwell wrote: Jen, I can hardly see to type this through the tears. Thank you for doing such an awesome job of capturing what was truly a wonderful event. Seeing such excitement, promise and blessing come out of such destruction, devastation and heartbreak is truly an act of God. How do I go about ordering a copy of my son, Isaac, waving to the plane? What that picture says about his story since he came home is truly remarkable. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Tom (01/30/10, 10:41 pm)
Regina White wrote: Jen your such an amazing photographer and person. These photos just put tears in my eyes. Of course full of happiness for these families. Thanks for sharing your amazing talents. Bless all of those families and children. (02/01/10, 2:34 pm)
Jesse Hertstein wrote: What a perfect capture of these moments. Beautiful images of beautiful people with beautiful stories. Thank you for sharing. (02/09/10, 9:23 am)