I'm going to Haiti.

Ok so I know this is last minute, and believe me, it's not the turn of events I was expecting.  But God works in mysterious ways.

After experiencing such an emotional week of highs and lows, trying to be human in my concern and yet professional in my tasks at work, using all my talents to do what I do so well with both adoptive families waiting for word about their children and information from the creche (orphanage) that things have spiraled downhill quickly as robbers have taken what they have and supplies are very low, all the while remembering the sweet faces I met and loved in October . . . I surrendered.  I came to the harsh realization that I cannot control very much at all, despite my best efforts and intentions.  So I prayed to God and offered myself up . . . "Use me," I said.  "Clearly, You've got something working here that I cannot see, and which I certainly don't want to work against.  So Lord, use me how you see fit."

Now, less than 24 hours later (and with only 5 hours notice) I'm preparing for a flight into Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  We've somehow managed to secure a private jet and have miraculously been granted permission to land at a designated time at the PAP airport.  We will be bringing a plane-full of food, water, medicines, and cooking/power supplies to the creche, to be delivered by our contacts in Haiti who again, by some miracle, we were able to touch base with on very short notice.

I shouldn't be gone more than 24 hours (as we are not granted permission to stay), but will still be doing what we can to give the children at the creche the supplies they so very much need.  Please pray for our safe travel to and from Port-au-Prince, and also, for the safe travel of the individuals meeting us at the airport to receive our goods and take them to the children.  Pray for their protection as they make their way back through the city to the creche, as there is on-site looting and highjackings going on where it is obvious that food and water are making their way through town.  (We are bringing tarps to "hide" the contents in the back of the truck.)  Also pray that the children remain safe once the supplies are delivered, and the would-be robbers stay clear away.

Today Fox News (Geraldo and Craig) were stationed at the creche for some time, sharing news about the plight of the kids.  Here is a link to the story in case you'd like to see it:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3970697/orphans-left-without-sustenance-in-haiti

 

They also just gave another "live" update from the creche earlier this evening, showing the children sleeping on blankets and mattresses lying in the dirt.  That may be available online too, soon.  The name of the creche is "Maison des Enfants de Dieu," which means "House of Children of God".  Children of God they are, and I take comfort in knowing that He is taking care of them despite the chaos that is seemingly everywhere.

I love you all and thank you for your continued prayers and support,
~Kimberly
P.S. You can donate directly to the creche if you'd like by visiting www.haitiadoption.org

 and clicking the flashing link on the left side of the screen.  Every penny goes to the creche directly, as we cover operating expenses for our adoption program with services fees covered by adopting parents; charity donations remain strictly as such.

Haiti--URGENT Update

Dear all,

Since my original update earlier this morning (based on information we received late last night), the situation at the crèche (orphanage) has changed and things have gotten much more serious.  Apparantly, much can happen in the darkness of night and I have been crying all morning after learning the latest, which I've summarized here in a brief report . . .

We received word from the orphanage director this morning that the situation in the orphanage is becoming quite dire:

One nanny is now deceased and the orphanage needs her body to be removed.  (At this point in time we don't know the cause of her death or if it's related to the earthquake or something that happend during the night.)

The orphanage has no drinkable water.

In addition they need:

• formula for babies
• medicines
• IV fluids (one child is currently on an IV)
• charcoal to cook
• diesel
• cash to buy supplies if they find them. They are running out of cash and there are no banks open to get cash, so it needs to be delivered by someone already on the ground or by helicopter.

Others are beginning to rob them of what supplies they do have and last night was not a good night.

There are helicopters flying over the orphanage and they have made a sign on the roof that says they are an orphanage and need help.

The staff is also working to get together all the paperwork for each child that has an adoptive family in a way that it can be attached to their body if there is an opportunity to evacuate.

So . . . please pray.  At this point in time, that's the most anyone can do.  We are working every angle we can from a professional standpoint, however our hands for the most part are tied until those in higher offices (US State Dept. and Haitian Government, mainly) make the decisions needed to get these kids out of there.

Also, if you feel so inclined, please contact your local congressperson and Senator's office to let them know you support doing whatever it takes to get these kids out of their current situation.  Especially because we know they are so vulnerable, and need basic supplies badly . . . putting pressure on the US Government to allow the evacuation of the children by whatever means is necessary might be our best hope to bring immediate change to the situation . . .

And as I think about those sweet faces down there just WAITING for things to change for them, how scared they must feel . . . I just think about how many folks here are thinking of and praying for them, and/or taking other action to bring them home . . . and I feel a little better knowing that despite the chaos and trauma, the Lord is watching over them and knows each of them by name . . .

Thanks for your support,

Kim

Haiti--More Than a News Story

Haiti.

It has a place in my heart . . . really.  As much as I hated being there in October (for many reasons I'll explain in person, should you want to hear them), the children and the people hold a very special place in my heart.  I've been to other developing countries (China, Brazil, India . . .), yet none of them spoke to my heart in the same way Haiti did.  In three incredibly long yet short days I felt as much love for the souls I encountered as I did for the amount of anger I held for those that choose to pretend they are not there, or who knowingly make choices that continually reinforce the culture of poverty that permeates nearly every aspect of their lives.  I know I may not be making perfect sense to many of you; there's just so much going on in my mind right now, my heart is feeling the strain.  Thank you for bearing with me.

No matter how things were before the earthquake, though, we see how they are now . . .

I'm VERY thankful to report that we've made contact with the creche (orphanage) a couple of times now and today, was able to make contact with a family in Haiti who stopped by and then sent me a detailed report (and photos!) of the status of the creche.  (Praise the Lord!)  I'm paraphrasing, however this is basically what he said:

"I was able to stop by the creche today and visit with the staff and of course, the children.  Here is a rundown of what I saw and was told: first of all, everyone is safe and healthy. All of the children are living/sleeping outside under the tarps. The staff seemed to be doing amazing work with the children considering the tight space and the intensity of everything going on in Haiti right now. The kids seemed good as well and all in all I thought everyone was really positive. The director expressed concern that they may run out of food in a couple of weeks.  Keep in mind that they are also housing several of the creche workers and their families that have lost their homes, so they are feeding more than just the children. On a positive note, I walked around inside the building and it really looks good. There are a few cracks on the walls that I'm told were not there before the earthquake, but it really held up well. I would like to think that they could move the children back into the building relatively quickly, but I know that is a complicated issue.  The walls around the creche are mostly destroyed. Therefore, there is very little keeping people from the outside from entering.  Hopefully this will not be an issue.

Finally, I attached a handful of pictures.  Let me explain some of them. One is of the baby room. They are currently in the back of a delivery truck on mattresses. Far from ideal, but quite ingenious on the part of the staff. The stuff on the children's' faces is toothpaste. Everyone in the city is putting toothpaste under their noses to help with the smells.  Also, the picture of the cracked road is of the bridge right below the creche. This is a good thing because the roads are blocked off in both directions because of it so there is very little vehicle traffic going by the creche."

So . . . here you go.  I'm SO relieved to have this update; my stomach has been in knots since Tuesday evening and after this update, finally feel that I'm not constantly feeling the urge to throw up.  I've also finally been able to cry some, and release the energy I've been holding inside as I've waited with baited breath and many anxious families to hear any good news from a country that right now, doesn't have much to share.  Perhaps tonight I can enjoy a restful sleep as well, since that also has been in short supply lately.

Thank you all for YOUR support (prayers and love--I've felt them all!) over the past few days; they really are appreciated and I'm sure, are very helpful!  Keep them coming!  There is much work to be done in Haiti, despite the good news above.

And speaking of the work to be done, many of you have asked what you can to do help.  Besides prayers and warm wishes, should you want to make a monetary donation that will go directly to the creche and children we are serving through our adoption program, please feel free to visit either www.haitiadoption.org

or www.chinesechildren.org

and click Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund flashing icon on the left side of the screen.  Other than that, stay informed and be sure to remember Haiti.  Not just today when the photos of tragedy are flashing across your television screen, but also tomorrow and next week and next month, when the news cameras have gone home yet folks are still pulling the bodies of loved ones from rubble and rebuilding what's left of their lives in a poor country.  They'll need your love and prayers then too.

Thanks . . .
~Kimberly
P.S. The biggest thing now (besides immediate aid for those injured or in need of food, shelter, or water) is getting the children who are being adopted out of Haiti ASAP, whether or not the adoption is finalized.  (Since the process is at least a two-year process, in 99% of the cases, the adoption is NOT finalized.)  As I do what I can from a professional standpoint to advocate for those families still in process (and still a world away from their children whom they already love as their own), please pray that the appropriate channels open up and the right decisions are made to help everything fall into place.  It's more than difficult considering the circumstances, but we've already seen that nothing is impossible with Christ . . .