HelpHaitilive.com

Finally Home!

Flight out...

I was asked to write a snippet about our evacuation, and since I haven't blogged yet I found it only fair to put it here as well. I have many stories to tell, hopefully I'll be able to unpack them into words for your benefit and mine.




On January 22nd, 2010 I boarded a USAF C-17 Globemaster with my two adopted sons and 14 of their adopted friends. It was the end of a traumatic week, and the beginning of our lives together. Before the earthquake we had been in the arduous process of adopting Sammy and Gino, navigating within the requirements of the US and Haitian governments to give these children a home and family they could call their own. Two years of paperwork, homestudies, interviews, physicals, fingerprints, background checks, and the like. We expected the adoption process to take another 8 months at least. Then an earthquake, in Haiti, in Port au Prince where our children lived. Panic, worry, fear. Immediately we booked a flight that soon would be cancelled along with all other commercial flights. I had to be there, trained as a Paramedic and a Firefighter I knew I could help, and I needed to know that my boys and our friends were okay. I was able to get a flight to Ft. Lauderdale, thanks to the local ABC affiliate and a donated flight from Southwest airlines, hopeful to join a chartered flight into PAP scheduled for Saturday morning with 2 of our missionary friends who were stateside separated from their ministry and families. Hillary Clinton’s visit bumped our flight until Sunday, so we spent Saturday gathering medical supplies and doctors to come with us (we had to charter a larger plane which was paid for by a supporter of the “Heartline Ministries” where the boys are from). We were able to take off from FLL to PAP with 2 doctors, an anesthesiologist, a nurse, two paramedics, a midwife, and over 2,000 pounds of supplies. The next week is a blur between going to the embassy to expedite the adoptions and helping at the makeshift clinic as they treated horrific wounds and infections. Finally on Friday, around 6pm, I had humanitarian parole visas for my two boys and 14 of their friends who also had American families in the adoption process before the earthquake. I called the orphanage and told them the news and within an hour they had the kids in a truck traveling to meet me at the embassy. In the meantime I was in contact with Lt Col Randon Draper of the USAF who was in charge of arranging evacuation flights on the airplanes returning to the US after bringing much needed supplies to Haiti. From the embassy we were put on a escorted bus to the airport, onto the tarmac next to the waiting C-17 where our passports and the children’s visas were checked and confirmed. The children’s eyes were wide as they took in the sights of huge airplanes everywhere. “AVION, AVION!!” they shouted over and over again. Soon Lt Col Draper greeted us and led us up the stairs into the cavernous cargo plane. Jump seats lined the walls with an extra row of seats down the middle. News crews, rescue crews, red cross personnel, military, and other evacuees made for a motley crew on this windowless flight. The captain opened the rear hatch to back the plane towards the runway, we all took a good look at what we were leaving behind before the door closed and we began our flight toward our new lives.

ALL TOGETHER AT LAST!!

After 2 years of waiting, yesterday Sammy and Gino came home to be with us forever.I can't begin to explain how it feels to have them home!

I don't have time to write of all the funny and wonderful moments we have shared in the first 24 hours. BUT i did want to tell everyone who has stood by us,listened to my frustrations with the process, dried my tears of sadness, loved us, prayed for us, supported us, and now REJOICES with us!


THANK YOU!
WE LOVE YOU!!
WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITH YOU!!!
WE THANK GOD FOR YOU!!!

Jen

Another day of waiting...

Tim has spent the entire day yesterday and today at the Embassy. Things are looking good! So good that I need to go pack!!! They could be home today or tomorrow! Please continue to pray and we will let you know when he is on a plane!

oh and if you were wondering if Haiti still needs help, the answer is YES!!! if you doubt it just check out the photos on tim's FB page. Then go to www.haiti-relief.com and make a donation!

We need a Miracle!

Well, Tim finally made it into Haiti this morning! He set up a clinic and then went to see the boys! They were exceedingly happy to see him! Tim borrowed a phone and made a quick call to me. I was able to tell the boys I love them and they returned the love with a "Halo, I wuv ew" This totally made my day and has lifted my spirits a great deal!

The plan (which seems to change every hour) for now is to head to the US Embassy in Haiti in the morning and present our case and request and emergency visa. I have no idea what the "real requirements" are for this type of visa. It seems there many who have heard "this or that" but i suppose tomorrow we will find out!

As for Heartline, they were able to fly in medical specialist and 3000 lbs of supplies today! This was vital to the on the ground operations. They have set up a "hospital" and will see many who are in desperate need of surgery tomorrow. You support has made this possible. This is just one of the many aspects of their relief efforts. Please help them continue their good work at www.haiti-relief.com

I'm going to try and get some rest. Please pray for the visa to come through and lift up all those who are aiding in the relief efforts with Heartline!

Good night!

Heartline created Haiti-Relief.com

On January 12th a devestating 7.0 earthquake hit just outside Port Au Prince Haiti.
The housing in Haiti was not built to withstand such an event and hundreds of thousands of people are displaced, killed an injured.

Heartline Ministries, Inc. is a 501c3 organization who has spent over 20 years in Haiti doing humanitarian work, adoptions and education. Heartline has been greatly impacted by the devestating quake. We need your help to rebuild and to help those around us. Please donate any amount you can. 100% of all donations will be used directly in Haiti to rebuild and to deliver humanitarian aid.

We ask every individual give 5 dollars.

We ask that every church or civic group give 10 dollars.

So, today, instead of a drive-thru lunch please paypal five bucks to help people who truly have nothing.




Help Fight the Devastation

GO TO www.haiti-relief.com