Sunday, January 24, 2010
Note from Jan
Please pray! We have USCIS clearance for 7 more children. Agape is sending a small jet to Cap-Haitien this morning. We want and need Haitian immigration to not only agree to their departure but to feel good that they are helping their children. And safety for ALL.
Prayer Requests January 23, 2010
· Joy in the midst of sorry and tragedy!! Children of the Promise has had 9 children approved to go home to their adoptive families!! We have also had 3 babies leave on medical visas. This has all happened in the past couple of days. 5 of the children are already in the States and 7 will hopefully be leaving Haiti in the next few days.
· Pray for approvals to be granted for the rest of the children at COTP that have adoptive families.
· We have many people working hard for those approvals to be granted. Pray for all the people involved. Daryl is in Miami tonight and will hopefully be flying to Port-au-Prince tomorrow morning to go to the US Embassy to work on obtaining more approvals for children to be united with their adoptive families. He is flying on a chartered plane that is supposed to leave tomorrow (Sunday). However, they are still working on getting a plane. Please pray that a plane will be found and that they will be flying to PAP tomorrow so that Daryl can go to the US Embassy right away on Monday morning. Pray for safety in his travels and for success at the US Embassy. There are also people working hard in the States for these approvals – pray that they will continue working hard and be persistent in their efforts.
· Please be praying specifically for the nannies working at Children of the Promise. Many of them have lost family due to the earthquake. They are going through a very rough time right now. It is also very hard for them to see all “their” kids at the orphanage leaving. They are so happy for the kids but you can see on their faces that it is tough on them.
· Caleb Charles was one of the babies that left on a medical visa yesterday. He is in Ohio now but is very sick. Please pray for his health. Caleb has an encephalocele that needs to be repaired.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23
Saturday, January 23, 2010
7:45pm Central Update (1-22-10):
Today probably covered every emotion known; joy, frustration, anger, sadness and relief.
This morning two of our volunteers, Brenda and Dave, were leaving for the states on Lynx Air. We received permission from Homeland Security this morning for Gavin to accompany them to the U.S. He needs reconstructive surgery or he will not survive long. The people from the Dept. of Homeland Security were working very hard to get clearance for two more babies who have to get to the U.S. for major surgeries.
Brenda, Dave, and Gavin all left for the airport with our Rebecca Miner, RN. About 45 minutes before the plane was supposed to leave Haiti we received word that Rodchield and Caleb Charles could leave. Rodchield is 2 weeks old, has club feet and other issues, Caleb Charles has an encephalocele that needs to be repaired. Jamie Groen quickly left to take them to the airport hoping to get these two babies on the same flight with Brenda and Dave. In the meantime, we were told that Agape flights would be able to take out any of our adopted babies that had paperwork clearance. We tried frantically to get approval for a lot of children. We only were able to get one child cleared, but there were no vehicles to take him to the airport. The father took a motorcycle to get himself and new son to the airport to leave with the Agape pilots.
While this was happening, the Haitian immigration authorities at the airport were refusing to allow our medically fragile babies leave on Lynx since they didn't have Haitian approval (passport). Rebecca and the pilot convinced the Haitian immigration person that they legally could leave based on President Preval's permission (he must have missed the memo).
The 2nd Agape plane stayed the night in Cap-Haitian and the pilots are staying at our place. Government offices are trying very hard to get permission for more of our adopted children to leave. The pilots will wait around with the hope that they can fly some of our children out to FL tomorrow.
So many people are working very hard to help us. Remember them as well as our children and the Haitians in your prayers.
Jan
Today probably covered every emotion known; joy, frustration, anger, sadness and relief.
This morning two of our volunteers, Brenda and Dave, were leaving for the states on Lynx Air. We received permission from Homeland Security this morning for Gavin to accompany them to the U.S. He needs reconstructive surgery or he will not survive long. The people from the Dept. of Homeland Security were working very hard to get clearance for two more babies who have to get to the U.S. for major surgeries.
Brenda, Dave, and Gavin all left for the airport with our Rebecca Miner, RN. About 45 minutes before the plane was supposed to leave Haiti we received word that Rodchield and Caleb Charles could leave. Rodchield is 2 weeks old, has club feet and other issues, Caleb Charles has an encephalocele that needs to be repaired. Jamie Groen quickly left to take them to the airport hoping to get these two babies on the same flight with Brenda and Dave. In the meantime, we were told that Agape flights would be able to take out any of our adopted babies that had paperwork clearance. We tried frantically to get approval for a lot of children. We only were able to get one child cleared, but there were no vehicles to take him to the airport. The father took a motorcycle to get himself and new son to the airport to leave with the Agape pilots.
While this was happening, the Haitian immigration authorities at the airport were refusing to allow our medically fragile babies leave on Lynx since they didn't have Haitian approval (passport). Rebecca and the pilot convinced the Haitian immigration person that they legally could leave based on President Preval's permission (he must have missed the memo).
The 2nd Agape plane stayed the night in Cap-Haitian and the pilots are staying at our place. Government offices are trying very hard to get permission for more of our adopted children to leave. The pilots will wait around with the hope that they can fly some of our children out to FL tomorrow.
So many people are working very hard to help us. Remember them as well as our children and the Haitians in your prayers.
Jan
Letter from Jamie Groen (field director in Haiti)
Hey,
I just wanted to give you all a bit of an update on how things are going here. First off, we are all still fine here, even after another earthquake. Most of us here did not even feel this one. From what I have heard here, this one did not cause a large amount of extra damage. Most people in Cap did not even know it happened.
We seem to be doing a hundred things a minute here right now. I don't think that Jenny or I have taken much of a break since quake happened. However, we sleep well at night and definitely feel that God is moving us beyond what we think we can do into what He knows He has enabled us to do.
I've made the comment a few times that everyone else in the world probably knows more about what is going on in Port than those here do. Jenny and I have had little time to look at the pictures or read the stories. Those living around us do not have access to computer, tv, or any picture media; so they know very little as well. We only know what people coming up from Port are telling us. We rejoice when family members have made their way out of the destruction in Port, but shudder at the stories that they have to tell. Few of those who made it here are without injury. But living family members are still showing up, so we praise God for that.
Currently, we are working on several key things. Our main work is with our kids. You have probably heard reports of kids getting out of the country. So far, none of our kids have gotten out, but we are working on it. It is our hope to get all of our kids with families to the States with their families, if we can clear it with the American Government. Our greatest fear is that tougher days are ahead here in Haiti, and that the adoption process may take a long time to get up and running again.
We have not yet received any new babies. We've seen a flood of people coming into Cap from Port, but have seen few children. We are hearing that orphanages in Port are taking kids in by the 100s. We believe the issue right now is safe transport. It is not safe to travel from Port to Cap, so moving babies is not a good option right now. We are still preparing for more, but do not know when this will happen. In a nation that has likely just tripled or quadrupled its already huge orphan population, we will no doubt feel this affect of the quake.
Fuel and supplies seem to be moving into Cap at the moment, which is a really good thing, but we are still trying to stock up just in case. We are also mobilizing to help those in our area who have been affected. Our community has committed to supporting 10 people from Port who have made their way up here, more are likely soon to come. They will be staying in a nearby school. The community donated some basic needs (clothes, toiletries, etc), and we are providing some supplies and all the food. It's amazing to see some of the outpouring of people here. The community around us is in absolute poverty, and yet they are giving to those in great need right now. Some of these people will not be able to eat in 2 weeks because they have taken in family from Port, but in their minds there is no other option. Family trumps hunger, so you just spread what you have a bit further.
I've been amassing some food that we can give to some of these families when they start to run out. We are getting to know who has received family and who are in the biggest needs. The community is organizing much of this and letting us know who is in the biggest need. We have been blessed with many generous donations in the states, and we are trying to reach those in the greatest need here. We will continue to use these donations into places that God is leading. We thank you for all your support and generosity!
Jamie Groen
Hey,
I just wanted to give you all a bit of an update on how things are going here. First off, we are all still fine here, even after another earthquake. Most of us here did not even feel this one. From what I have heard here, this one did not cause a large amount of extra damage. Most people in Cap did not even know it happened.
We seem to be doing a hundred things a minute here right now. I don't think that Jenny or I have taken much of a break since quake happened. However, we sleep well at night and definitely feel that God is moving us beyond what we think we can do into what He knows He has enabled us to do.
I've made the comment a few times that everyone else in the world probably knows more about what is going on in Port than those here do. Jenny and I have had little time to look at the pictures or read the stories. Those living around us do not have access to computer, tv, or any picture media; so they know very little as well. We only know what people coming up from Port are telling us. We rejoice when family members have made their way out of the destruction in Port, but shudder at the stories that they have to tell. Few of those who made it here are without injury. But living family members are still showing up, so we praise God for that.
Currently, we are working on several key things. Our main work is with our kids. You have probably heard reports of kids getting out of the country. So far, none of our kids have gotten out, but we are working on it. It is our hope to get all of our kids with families to the States with their families, if we can clear it with the American Government. Our greatest fear is that tougher days are ahead here in Haiti, and that the adoption process may take a long time to get up and running again.
We have not yet received any new babies. We've seen a flood of people coming into Cap from Port, but have seen few children. We are hearing that orphanages in Port are taking kids in by the 100s. We believe the issue right now is safe transport. It is not safe to travel from Port to Cap, so moving babies is not a good option right now. We are still preparing for more, but do not know when this will happen. In a nation that has likely just tripled or quadrupled its already huge orphan population, we will no doubt feel this affect of the quake.
Fuel and supplies seem to be moving into Cap at the moment, which is a really good thing, but we are still trying to stock up just in case. We are also mobilizing to help those in our area who have been affected. Our community has committed to supporting 10 people from Port who have made their way up here, more are likely soon to come. They will be staying in a nearby school. The community donated some basic needs (clothes, toiletries, etc), and we are providing some supplies and all the food. It's amazing to see some of the outpouring of people here. The community around us is in absolute poverty, and yet they are giving to those in great need right now. Some of these people will not be able to eat in 2 weeks because they have taken in family from Port, but in their minds there is no other option. Family trumps hunger, so you just spread what you have a bit further.
I've been amassing some food that we can give to some of these families when they start to run out. We are getting to know who has received family and who are in the biggest needs. The community is organizing much of this and letting us know who is in the biggest need. We have been blessed with many generous donations in the states, and we are trying to reach those in the greatest need here. We will continue to use these donations into places that God is leading. We thank you for all your support and generosity!
Jamie Groen
9:45pm Central Update (1-19-10):
I have no idea how to describe this week. What has happened in Haiti seems apocalyptic. I wonder how similiar it is to Japan in 1945.
It seems with desperation setting in and level of uncertainty rising, that the earthquake may have been the easier part to survive.
Reports came to us that diesel could rise to $60/gallon. Price of food seems to be blood, and relief is in slow motion.
In spite of all the "scary" news I have to say how impressed I have been with many of the people. Man on the street saying"our buildings are all down but God is raising us up, Praise be to God". The spontanious reaction at the time of the earthquake has been to worship and acknowledge God. More footage of people helping each other, than looting. A lot of personal sacrifices for strangers.
Children of the Promise has no damage to the property. we are about 90 miles from the epicenter and the people there did feel the quake and days of aftershocks. Missionaries would describe the aftershocks as lasting for minutes and many people getting motion sickness from rocking for hours after the initial shock. Everyone knows someone that will not be back and stories of God's protection on those spared.
On the day of the earthquake our own Antonio spent most of the day in the airport trying to get to an adoption meeting in PAP. The weather kept him grounded in Cap Haitien so he was unable to make the trip. The people he would have been with had their building destroyed and was seen many times on CNN. The staff he would have been with did not make it. Antonio would have been there with one of our babies.
Pierre usually spends Tues. afternoons in a class with other Campus Crusade employees. He was out of the country on other training on Jan. 12. Eleven of his friends had attended class that day.
The migration north is in full swing. We have been asked to sponsor 10 families in our village of Lagossette. We are trying to get a good food supply on hand but very little is available.
We are trying to send basics back to PAP. They (not officials) want to charge us $1000 U.S. to have a truck with security to go to the American Embassy. It makes me upset, but if the tables were turned, I would hope others would spend the money to get food and water to us. I guess the question is, do you trust God to provide, or trust the money to help you out. Lets go with the God option.
Jan was supposed to fly to Cap Haitian on a chartered plane on Thursday. They were going to help us as we try to evacuate some of the babies in the adoption process. We had preliminary permission to do this, but events are constantly changing and by this afternoon, the flight was cancelled. I do not say that for us to worry. These kids need out of the country now, more than ever. Please pray that we can get our babies safely to their adoptive families very soon.
We are planning on filling a container in Willmar. It will be baby supplies, food, more beds, and medical suplies. Please check back for more information on this event.
Thank you for your support of Children of the Promise and the people of Haiti.
Bud
I have no idea how to describe this week. What has happened in Haiti seems apocalyptic. I wonder how similiar it is to Japan in 1945.
It seems with desperation setting in and level of uncertainty rising, that the earthquake may have been the easier part to survive.
Reports came to us that diesel could rise to $60/gallon. Price of food seems to be blood, and relief is in slow motion.
In spite of all the "scary" news I have to say how impressed I have been with many of the people. Man on the street saying"our buildings are all down but God is raising us up, Praise be to God". The spontanious reaction at the time of the earthquake has been to worship and acknowledge God. More footage of people helping each other, than looting. A lot of personal sacrifices for strangers.
Children of the Promise has no damage to the property. we are about 90 miles from the epicenter and the people there did feel the quake and days of aftershocks. Missionaries would describe the aftershocks as lasting for minutes and many people getting motion sickness from rocking for hours after the initial shock. Everyone knows someone that will not be back and stories of God's protection on those spared.
On the day of the earthquake our own Antonio spent most of the day in the airport trying to get to an adoption meeting in PAP. The weather kept him grounded in Cap Haitien so he was unable to make the trip. The people he would have been with had their building destroyed and was seen many times on CNN. The staff he would have been with did not make it. Antonio would have been there with one of our babies.
Pierre usually spends Tues. afternoons in a class with other Campus Crusade employees. He was out of the country on other training on Jan. 12. Eleven of his friends had attended class that day.
The migration north is in full swing. We have been asked to sponsor 10 families in our village of Lagossette. We are trying to get a good food supply on hand but very little is available.
We are trying to send basics back to PAP. They (not officials) want to charge us $1000 U.S. to have a truck with security to go to the American Embassy. It makes me upset, but if the tables were turned, I would hope others would spend the money to get food and water to us. I guess the question is, do you trust God to provide, or trust the money to help you out. Lets go with the God option.
Jan was supposed to fly to Cap Haitian on a chartered plane on Thursday. They were going to help us as we try to evacuate some of the babies in the adoption process. We had preliminary permission to do this, but events are constantly changing and by this afternoon, the flight was cancelled. I do not say that for us to worry. These kids need out of the country now, more than ever. Please pray that we can get our babies safely to their adoptive families very soon.
We are planning on filling a container in Willmar. It will be baby supplies, food, more beds, and medical suplies. Please check back for more information on this event.
Thank you for your support of Children of the Promise and the people of Haiti.
Bud
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tom and I were glad to be able to see where Brice and Sara are living and to bring Ellie back to them although we will miss her! We had good flights and are thankful to all who prayed for our safe travel. It was good to see the work going on at Children of the Promise and to see the relationships being made by the volunteers with the local people. We were impressed by all that goes on there and of course with the cute kids at the orphanage. There is good progress being made on the new bu
ilding as well. We now have a better understanding of the day to day routine and their needs. Please continue to pray for all the volunteers as they work so far from their families. God bless you. Denise Bakker
ilding as well. We now have a better understanding of the day to day routine and their needs. Please continue to pray for all the volunteers as they work so far from their families. God bless you. Denise BakkerTuesday, February 10, 2009
Prayer Requests February 10, 2009
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This weeks prayer list is shorter than usual because I want everyone to focus specifically on the adoption prayer requests and devote this next week to praying fervently and continuously for these precious babies that so desperately need to get home to their adoptive families.
Praises!!
- Caleb had his visa appointment last week and his visa was printed!! Praise the Lord! Visas being printed immediately after the child’s visa appointment are becoming few and far between. His adoptive parents are in Haiti right now picking him up. They will head home with him on Thursday. Pray for him to adjust well to his new family and his new home.
- Odelene went home to her biological family. She is happy and healthy and her parents are thrilled to have her back home with them. Pray for continued health for her.
- Reese is crawling
- Fabiene is walking
- Eli is close to walking!! Praise God for these developmental milestones that these babies are reaching!
Staff and Volunteers
- Lindsay and Rebekah have finished up their Creole lessons in Milot and now are back at COTP full-time. Pray for continued adjustment for them as they being their roles at COTP and for unity for all of our long-term staff.
- It is Kimbra’s last week at COTP. She is at COTP volunteering for a month. She has been a huge blessing and has used her nursing knowledge and her skills to help care for the smaller and more fragile babies.
- Travis, Arlyn’s brother, is back in Canada and looking for truck parts necessary for our red truck. Pray that these parts will be found.
Babies
- Jenny and Jeniflore are back at COTP. Their parents had them home for a short time before realizing that they were unable to adequately care for them.
- Djouvensly was admitted on Friday evening after being abandoned at Milot Hospital. He is 22 months old and 20lbs. Pray for him to adjust well to COTP and to begin meeting his developmental milestones. Pray that Antonio and Paulaine will be able to find his mother.
Adoptions
- Pray that our crèche license will be approved soon! We can’t begin any new adoptions until we have our own license.. This is crucial and necessary in order for us to continue our work.
- Some of our adoptive families have been stuck in IBESR or MOI for a long time. Pray for movement of these files.
- Pray specifically this week for these children, their adoptions, and their adoptive parents:
o Daniela – Daniela had her visa appointment last week but the Embassy is telling us that her file needs to be under further review. This means more waiting before her visa is approved. Daniela turns 2 on February 19 and we were all hoping she’d be home with her adoptive family by then. It is not looking like this will be the case. But we know that our prayers do not fall on deaf ears but that they are heard by a God that can move mountains!
o Peterly and Magalie – Peterly and Magalie have been waiting a very long time for their adoption to be finished. We received some news this morning that makes it sound like their visas will be printed soon. Please pray that this really is it and that they will receive their visas this week!
o Elijah – Elijah has had his visa appointment but the Embassy is requesting another paper before they will issue his visa. Pray that this paper will not be hard to get and that Elijah will be able to go home to his adoptive family soon!
o Chrislande – The Embassy is requesting DNA testing for Chrislande before they will issue her visa.. Pray that the results will be obtained quickly, the DNA will match, and Chrislande will be able to go home!
o Reggie – We have run into numerous problems with Reggie’s file. Pray that Antonio and NLL (the adoption agency that we work through) can get the necessary paperwork so that the adoption can be completed
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This weeks prayer list is shorter than usual because I want everyone to focus specifically on the adoption prayer requests and devote this next week to praying fervently and continuously for these precious babies that so desperately need to get home to their adoptive families.
Praises!!
- Caleb had his visa appointment last week and his visa was printed!! Praise the Lord! Visas being printed immediately after the child’s visa appointment are becoming few and far between. His adoptive parents are in Haiti right now picking him up. They will head home with him on Thursday. Pray for him to adjust well to his new family and his new home.
- Odelene went home to her biological family. She is happy and healthy and her parents are thrilled to have her back home with them. Pray for continued health for her.
- Reese is crawling
- Fabiene is walking
- Eli is close to walking!! Praise God for these developmental milestones that these babies are reaching!
Staff and Volunteers
- Lindsay and Rebekah have finished up their Creole lessons in Milot and now are back at COTP full-time. Pray for continued adjustment for them as they being their roles at COTP and for unity for all of our long-term staff.
- It is Kimbra’s last week at COTP. She is at COTP volunteering for a month. She has been a huge blessing and has used her nursing knowledge and her skills to help care for the smaller and more fragile babies.
- Travis, Arlyn’s brother, is back in Canada and looking for truck parts necessary for our red truck. Pray that these parts will be found.
Babies
- Jenny and Jeniflore are back at COTP. Their parents had them home for a short time before realizing that they were unable to adequately care for them.
- Djouvensly was admitted on Friday evening after being abandoned at Milot Hospital. He is 22 months old and 20lbs. Pray for him to adjust well to COTP and to begin meeting his developmental milestones. Pray that Antonio and Paulaine will be able to find his mother.
Adoptions
- Pray that our crèche license will be approved soon! We can’t begin any new adoptions until we have our own license.. This is crucial and necessary in order for us to continue our work.
- Some of our adoptive families have been stuck in IBESR or MOI for a long time. Pray for movement of these files.
- Pray specifically this week for these children, their adoptions, and their adoptive parents:
o Daniela – Daniela had her visa appointment last week but the Embassy is telling us that her file needs to be under further review. This means more waiting before her visa is approved. Daniela turns 2 on February 19 and we were all hoping she’d be home with her adoptive family by then. It is not looking like this will be the case. But we know that our prayers do not fall on deaf ears but that they are heard by a God that can move mountains!
o Peterly and Magalie – Peterly and Magalie have been waiting a very long time for their adoption to be finished. We received some news this morning that makes it sound like their visas will be printed soon. Please pray that this really is it and that they will receive their visas this week!
o Elijah – Elijah has had his visa appointment but the Embassy is requesting another paper before they will issue his visa. Pray that this paper will not be hard to get and that Elijah will be able to go home to his adoptive family soon!
o Chrislande – The Embassy is requesting DNA testing for Chrislande before they will issue her visa.. Pray that the results will be obtained quickly, the DNA will match, and Chrislande will be able to go home!
o Reggie – We have run into numerous problems with Reggie’s file. Pray that Antonio and NLL (the adoption agency that we work through) can get the necessary paperwork so that the adoption can be completed
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