Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Eartquake.. 6.1
we are working like mad people right now...
pray..
Joe called, kids are FINE... they are outside. but we want to get them out.
if you have media contacts, please make them aware so they can help push this with the State Dept... we need the kids completely cleared.
Stay tuned.
pray..
Joe called, kids are FINE... they are outside. but we want to get them out.
if you have media contacts, please make them aware so they can help push this with the State Dept... we need the kids completely cleared.
Stay tuned.
1/20 Update: Please Read
We have adjoining rooms at a hotel. It has become like “command central.” We are just average people, but we are working to move mountains. I am currently sitting on the bathroom floor typing, so as not to wake my roommate. I needed to get this out before the craziness hits. There is just no time once we start moving. Things change EVERY 15-minutes. Last night, we helped some kids get reunited with the gracious help of Samuel Dalembert (Phil 76er) last night (will try to get some pics posted later.) Tanya was calm, cool and collected to think through what to do; we got all the legal stuff documented (pictures, signatures, etc…)
I also ran into one of the BRESMA sisters in the hotel, who was with the little girl who held up the plane (feel asleep.) I told her she was amazingly strong for holding her ground and getting those kids out. I hope the precedent has been set for GLA.
Tanya is my new hero today… Please pray that God gives us all clear thoughts as we move forward.
Dixie is working like hard today – to figure out what our next steps will be. She needs your prayers RIGHT NOW. She will most likely be traveling to PAP… making decisions of what makes the most sense to get the kids out. Pray for her, please…
I also ran into one of the BRESMA sisters in the hotel, who was with the little girl who held up the plane (feel asleep.) I told her she was amazingly strong for holding her ground and getting those kids out. I hope the precedent has been set for GLA.
Tanya is my new hero today… Please pray that God gives us all clear thoughts as we move forward.
Dixie is working like hard today – to figure out what our next steps will be. She needs your prayers RIGHT NOW. She will most likely be traveling to PAP… making decisions of what makes the most sense to get the kids out. Pray for her, please…
We had amazing help from Carlos, a friend of a friend, here in Miami, who went out and got a bunch of baby supplies to have on hand, as we were expected to get some children who needed our help on our charter flight back. The kids didn’t make the flight in time. However, we may need to do the same in the next 24-48 hours. I got to the hotel and the room was stocked with stuff for 3-5 babies! Carlos – THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You didn’t even think twice!
People are asking how to help… These are the best things you can do right now. Please continue to support GLA and donate funds… Spread any links or media coverage you can. PRAY. (God is bigger than this and he is with us every step of the way.) Pray for “command central” in the States today, but even more so.. pray for Dixie and the people making decisions about our kids. Parents… hang in there, remain strong. Don’t panic, just wait for direction… we are hoping we hear some good news soon.
After we received this email from the JCISC yesterday (see below) AND had found out the BRESMA kids got out, we knew we needed to work harder than ever. I was so disappointed that we had Skype issues AND that the political discussion trumped our Larry King Live segment. We needed help to get this message out. There is talk of more media coverage today (Larry King, CNN and potentially Campbell Brown’s segment.) Watch for these and please spread links if you see them. My Larry King Live producer is working hard with us to continue to get us help and I thank her for that, from the bottom of my heart.
People are asking how to help… These are the best things you can do right now. Please continue to support GLA and donate funds… Spread any links or media coverage you can. PRAY. (God is bigger than this and he is with us every step of the way.) Pray for “command central” in the States today, but even more so.. pray for Dixie and the people making decisions about our kids. Parents… hang in there, remain strong. Don’t panic, just wait for direction… we are hoping we hear some good news soon.
After we received this email from the JCISC yesterday (see below) AND had found out the BRESMA kids got out, we knew we needed to work harder than ever. I was so disappointed that we had Skype issues AND that the political discussion trumped our Larry King Live segment. We needed help to get this message out. There is talk of more media coverage today (Larry King, CNN and potentially Campbell Brown’s segment.) Watch for these and please spread links if you see them. My Larry King Live producer is working hard with us to continue to get us help and I thank her for that, from the bottom of my heart.
Please get this one out:
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/index.html A Couple's Desperate Journey (a MAIN box on the front page!)
Things are changing so often. You have to be ready to completely give up what you are doing and move on to the next. We need supplies today for whatever might come. We need to be ready to get kids out and are working with many contacts (stay tuned.) We will not give up until we have the kids out!
Please continue to use Blog comments, FB comments/email! I can only respond to urgent stuff right now, but I need the continued encouragement! Joe and I can’t talk other than “business” – when he can call, we have to be brief and stick to the facts. I miss our “chat time.” But hopefully soon, we will get to the other side of this madness.
Things are changing so often. You have to be ready to completely give up what you are doing and move on to the next. We need supplies today for whatever might come. We need to be ready to get kids out and are working with many contacts (stay tuned.) We will not give up until we have the kids out!
Please continue to use Blog comments, FB comments/email! I can only respond to urgent stuff right now, but I need the continued encouragement! Joe and I can’t talk other than “business” – when he can call, we have to be brief and stick to the facts. I miss our “chat time.” But hopefully soon, we will get to the other side of this madness.
JSCIS 1/19 Email
Another day come and gone and no change. Despite extensive Congressional support and all of your calls to your Members of Congress we have hit roadblock after roadblock. At this point we respectfully ask that you stop contacting your Members of Congress requesting their assistance with obtaining security, transportation, and water for the location. The Department of State has not and apparently will not provide the small assistance that we have requested.
Given the current circumstances, at this point we are recommending that someone from each orphanage escort the children who qualify for humanitarian parole or adoption visas to the U.S. Embassy in Port-A-Prince. We recommend that the orphanage staff arrive with the children and any adoption paperwork that has not been destroyed as early as possible in the morning in order to attempt to obtain visas or parole for the children. Please understand that this option may not be considered safe and that the U.S. Embassy did not allow some orphanages onto the premises today. Additionally, please note that it has been reported that there is no food, water or facilities for the children to use while at the Embassy. As noted during our conference call earlier today, these are our recommendations only and should not be used to replace your or your orphanage director's good judgment.
Given the current circumstances, at this point we are recommending that someone from each orphanage escort the children who qualify for humanitarian parole or adoption visas to the U.S. Embassy in Port-A-Prince. We recommend that the orphanage staff arrive with the children and any adoption paperwork that has not been destroyed as early as possible in the morning in order to attempt to obtain visas or parole for the children. Please understand that this option may not be considered safe and that the U.S. Embassy did not allow some orphanages onto the premises today. Additionally, please note that it has been reported that there is no food, water or facilities for the children to use while at the Embassy. As noted during our conference call earlier today, these are our recommendations only and should not be used to replace your or your orphanage director's good judgment.
There are so many more things to say… but I just can’t seem to capture it all.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Larry King Live
Tonight; second part of show, 9:30ish PM EST (6pm PST.Y. Dixie, Joe and I should all be on.
Joe has landed, is safe and is on his way to GLA.
I cannot get on the internet right now. :-(
Joe has landed, is safe and is on his way to GLA.
I cannot get on the internet right now. :-(
Update
The adoption agency just hosted a conference call with adoptive parents that gave us more information - and a need for more prayers and support. Watch for email about who to contact about a safe haven being set up for the kids. The US Government needs to act, and provide security. This IS possible and would make the process streamlined and help the kids get immediate medical care.
Without the safe haven, orphanages would bring the kids to the Embassy and hope to get heard. Outside the Embassy compound is not safe, and it's questionable if they would be allowed inside right away. Please pray… we need to get the kids out!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
"Red tape in an earthquake, it's a joke"
Joe in Miami
Jill in Portland
I don't even know how to express how I feel in words... as I try to type, the letters don't seem to capture my thoughts. I have so many emotions running through my head. I haven't gotten more than 3-4 hours of sleep the past 5 nights, so I am exhausted (might be part of the issue.)
When I allow myself to step back and look at what has transpired the past 5 days, I am overwhelmed. If you would have told me on Monday, what I was about to face - and the effort that would be required for such a journey, I would have told you: “I don’t think I can do it.” Our journey to have or own family has already been so long… I would have said that my heart can’t take much more.
It all started at 2:20pm PST on Tuesday, when my fellow adoptive friend, sent me an email stating: “i missed the exact details, but something like earthquake in port au prince and tsunami in haiti!!”
My world has been turned upside down since that time.
We sent our application to adopt from Haiti in July 2007 and it was submitted to Haiti in December of that same year. Here we are, January 2010 and we still don’t have our child home. But a couple of weeks ago, we thought we were SO CLOSE. We could see the light at the end of the tunnel… 5-8 months left in our estimates (which is “short” when it comes to Haiti adoption timelines.) We were pretty much closing in on the end of the Haitian side of things! I felt HOPE.
My world has been turned upside down since that time.
We sent our application to adopt from Haiti in July 2007 and it was submitted to Haiti in December of that same year. Here we are, January 2010 and we still don’t have our child home. But a couple of weeks ago, we thought we were SO CLOSE. We could see the light at the end of the tunnel… 5-8 months left in our estimates (which is “short” when it comes to Haiti adoption timelines.) We were pretty much closing in on the end of the Haitian side of things! I felt HOPE.
And then the earthquake hit…
I have a heavy burden on my heart to make a difference. There has been no such a time where I have felt a passion to have an impact like this… for both our orphanage and our son. I have no idea how everything transpired, but things just kept moving – and moving FAST. A day might be made up of talks with congress staff, a lobbyist, or someone who wants to donate supplies. It might be a newspaper or TV interview and then I shift to sorting through boxes of medical supplies. Or I might be faced with working my way through government paperwork in the hopes that our adoption won’t get left behind. I call friends to see if they have contacts in the military for helping with the safety of our charter flight and then quickly shift to thanking the donors who have just given money to help our GLA cause. The phone rings off the hook with updates, news, interviews and questions. And then I need to work on key messages for the parents or help to update the GLA websites to best portray our story. There is never a free moment and I feel guilty when I leave my computer for fear of missing something or not being able to help someone…
And sometimes…
You even get a surprise phone call – like from the Larry King Live show! My heart came alive when I talked with the producer. I had energy that I didn’t know was in me. More HOPE for getting our plea and message out to the public, congress, and others who might help. This is the opportunity I had been praying for. While I am not sure we would call it a complete success, we all think the message was heard. And the goal is to get the children out of Haiti and free up space… and when you get Larry King to say something like: “Red tape in an earthquake, it's a joke” on your behalf - I think you can call that a win, no matter if you didn’t get to say all you were hoping! (and when they post your URL on the main page along with the Red Cross, etc.!
I have been amazed over the past few days at how good people are… how much kindness, dedication and generosity exists in a crisis such as this:
• Donors who are supporting the GLA efforts to get supplies into Haiti – I cannot say THANK YOU enough.
• Friends and family who are supporting Joe’s trip into Haiti, to help the orphanage.
• Support from a local production company who has helped us through this tough time: http://www.lyonfilms.com/
• Willingness to “give” and help our cause by lawyers and a lobbyist named Greg!
• A cousin, Susan, who donated critical medical supplies for Joe to take to Haiti
• My work HR contact, Ian, who took time out of his day on a Sunday to get me a form I needed.
• Hugues who rallied contact when we needed water bottles delivered to MIA.
• My workplace – from the CEO to an IT worker in KS; everyone has been so supportive, to the point where I don’t even know “how” to say thank-you.
• My fellow adoptive friends who are feeding data and tidbits to me, so that we make sure we are doing all we can, in a unified effort.
• Dixie, GLA staff and board members, who are fighting for us to be able to bring our children home.
• The gift of a necklace…
• The volunteers/nannies who are there, right now, with our kids…
• The media (Rosy, Dick, Melissa, Wendy, Mike) who are truly helping get our message out there in big ways!
• A friend who got the worst of my “venting” today, when I lost it and thought I wasn’t going to pull Larry King off!
• Congressional offices who are helping us push our cause and finding options for us.
• The love and support of my family and friends…
• And of course, my husband… who left for Haiti this morning. I love you. Please be safe…
You are all making my burden lighter… Your amazing spirit is what is keeping me alive & going - and it gives me encouragement that we will get Samuel Chancelet home soon.
I have been amazed over the past few days at how good people are… how much kindness, dedication and generosity exists in a crisis such as this:
• Donors who are supporting the GLA efforts to get supplies into Haiti – I cannot say THANK YOU enough.
• Friends and family who are supporting Joe’s trip into Haiti, to help the orphanage.
• Support from a local production company who has helped us through this tough time: http://www.lyonfilms.com/
• Willingness to “give” and help our cause by lawyers and a lobbyist named Greg!
• A cousin, Susan, who donated critical medical supplies for Joe to take to Haiti
• My work HR contact, Ian, who took time out of his day on a Sunday to get me a form I needed.
• Hugues who rallied contact when we needed water bottles delivered to MIA.
• My workplace – from the CEO to an IT worker in KS; everyone has been so supportive, to the point where I don’t even know “how” to say thank-you.
• My fellow adoptive friends who are feeding data and tidbits to me, so that we make sure we are doing all we can, in a unified effort.
• Dixie, GLA staff and board members, who are fighting for us to be able to bring our children home.
• The gift of a necklace…
• The volunteers/nannies who are there, right now, with our kids…
• The media (Rosy, Dick, Melissa, Wendy, Mike) who are truly helping get our message out there in big ways!
• A friend who got the worst of my “venting” today, when I lost it and thought I wasn’t going to pull Larry King off!
• Congressional offices who are helping us push our cause and finding options for us.
• The love and support of my family and friends…
• And of course, my husband… who left for Haiti this morning. I love you. Please be safe…
You are all making my burden lighter… Your amazing spirit is what is keeping me alive & going - and it gives me encouragement that we will get Samuel Chancelet home soon.
Dixie's Latest Post: 1/17 PM
17 January 2010 10:45 PM
http://www.glahaiti.org/home
It has been another long day! We have been trying to make copies of all of the dossiers, scanning some to send to adoptive parents, and making lists for foreign governments! It has been rather overwhelming and Stephanie, our adoption coordinator, has been working continously trying to get it all done with other volunteers and staff helping her. It is difficult to prioritize what needs to be done because it is ALL urgent stuff!
This afternoon, we had the Dutch ambassador and consular general come to tell us that 100 children being adopted by Dutch families have been approved by the Dutch Ministry to enter The Netherlands. The Dutch Ambassador and Consular General have met with the Prime Minister of Haiti and were hopeful that the Prime Minister will sign for the children to leave Haiti tomorrow afteroon. A plane is coming to Haiti from The Netherlands to pick up the children from 3 different Haitian orphanges. PLEASE PRAY THAT THIS WILL WORK OUT AND THE CHILDREN CAN LEAVE TOMORROW! ALSO PRAY THAT THE PLANE WILL BE ABLE TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT AS SCHEDULED!
We also had a camera crew fromThe Netherlands come who wanted to film the children leaving on the Dutch flight. They will come up to the orphanage tomorrow and travel with us to the airport and follow the children onto the airplane.
At the same time, we had a mission who had heard about our need come with some diesel and water. It was not a huge amount but every gallon we are so thankful for! Since people have heard about our situation, we have heard from people who want to help. I feel like we will receive enough water to survive. God has always been very good to us!
Tonight, Jill and Joe Wilkins, their son Chancelet, and I appeared on Larry King Live on CNN. I wish I had had 2 more minutes to explain more about what was going on! The time goes so fast! CNN called again this afternoon and asked if I would consider being on another segment at 9:00 AM Monday. They were not certain if the segment would be approved, but if it is then I will try to tell more about the situation in Haiti with getting the adopted children out. Join me with praying that the people who need to hear about the situation were watching and God will touch their hearts to help the children and their adoptive parents!
It is late and I need to get to bed. Tomorrow will be a very long day! OH, I wanted to tell you that this morning I was in the bathroom when a large aftershock hit. NOW, I know how the water gets splashed out of the toilet bowl! Quite an experience!!!
http://www.glahaiti.org/home
It has been another long day! We have been trying to make copies of all of the dossiers, scanning some to send to adoptive parents, and making lists for foreign governments! It has been rather overwhelming and Stephanie, our adoption coordinator, has been working continously trying to get it all done with other volunteers and staff helping her. It is difficult to prioritize what needs to be done because it is ALL urgent stuff!
This afternoon, we had the Dutch ambassador and consular general come to tell us that 100 children being adopted by Dutch families have been approved by the Dutch Ministry to enter The Netherlands. The Dutch Ambassador and Consular General have met with the Prime Minister of Haiti and were hopeful that the Prime Minister will sign for the children to leave Haiti tomorrow afteroon. A plane is coming to Haiti from The Netherlands to pick up the children from 3 different Haitian orphanges. PLEASE PRAY THAT THIS WILL WORK OUT AND THE CHILDREN CAN LEAVE TOMORROW! ALSO PRAY THAT THE PLANE WILL BE ABLE TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT AS SCHEDULED!
We also had a camera crew fromThe Netherlands come who wanted to film the children leaving on the Dutch flight. They will come up to the orphanage tomorrow and travel with us to the airport and follow the children onto the airplane.
At the same time, we had a mission who had heard about our need come with some diesel and water. It was not a huge amount but every gallon we are so thankful for! Since people have heard about our situation, we have heard from people who want to help. I feel like we will receive enough water to survive. God has always been very good to us!
Tonight, Jill and Joe Wilkins, their son Chancelet, and I appeared on Larry King Live on CNN. I wish I had had 2 more minutes to explain more about what was going on! The time goes so fast! CNN called again this afternoon and asked if I would consider being on another segment at 9:00 AM Monday. They were not certain if the segment would be approved, but if it is then I will try to tell more about the situation in Haiti with getting the adopted children out. Join me with praying that the people who need to hear about the situation were watching and God will touch their hearts to help the children and their adoptive parents!
It is late and I need to get to bed. Tomorrow will be a very long day! OH, I wanted to tell you that this morning I was in the bathroom when a large aftershock hit. NOW, I know how the water gets splashed out of the toilet bowl! Quite an experience!!!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
BRESMA/CNN: Incorrect Data
Not sure if anyone saw the CNN story on BRESMA, where it stated the following:
"After this story aired, Jamie and Aly McMurtie received permission to fly the 150 children at the BRESMA orphanage to Pittsburgh, PA"
Dixie confirmed the following:
"I just spoke to Magarette St. Fleur this afternoon and she said it was not approved yet."
Med Supplies... Wow!
We just had 4 large boxes of various medical supplies dropped off by Joe's cousin (nurse.) She stopped by the hospital she worked and raided the missions box, and got so many needed items. We are working to get them on the charted flight for GLA.
THANK YOU SUSAN
All – please continue to support GLA if you can… You can use the CHIP IN icon on the right nav. This chartered flight is costly, but will be so key in getting medical supplies, food and other needed items to GLA and the surrounding communities.
THANK YOU SUSAN
All – please continue to support GLA if you can… You can use the CHIP IN icon on the right nav. This chartered flight is costly, but will be so key in getting medical supplies, food and other needed items to GLA and the surrounding communities.
Medical Supplies Needed
Cloxacillin
Biaxin suspension
Amocillin
Cephalexin
Flagyl
pediatric Dramamine
Surgical Gloves
Suture Materials
Cleaning Materials for Surgical Equipments
Praying Our Paperwork Made It To This Stage...
If you are reading this... please say a prayer for our file.
Children with Finalized Adoption Decrees
Through continuing meetings with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, Members of Congress and other child advocates, Joint Council can ensure all, that every effort is being made by the U.S. government and child advocates to find a method by which children with finalized adoption decrees can enter the U.S. and be united with their adoptive family. While the U.S. government has yet to announce a decision and procedure for uniting adoptive families and children, we remain very confident that a positive resolution and decision will be made very soon. Joint Council, other advocates and our colleagues in the U.S. government recognize that time is critical and that an expeditious positive solution is necessary. Rest assured that the necessary organizations and entities are taking every possible step and moving as quickly as feasible given the nature of the crisis.
I have requests in to see if we have this document or not…
Urgent Need - EVERYONE
A board member just got done talking to Dixie and there is an urgent need for specific medical supplies. If you are anywhere near the following cities:
· Colorado Springs, CO
· Grand Rapids MI
· Portland, OR
And would potentially have access to medical (specifically surgical) supplies that you could deliver to one of our first team that’s going down by tonight (Saturday evening), please either e-mail me or call me at (616) 292-7559.
If you are anywhere near Miami Florida and could get those type of supplies by Monday morning, please call me or e-mail me as well.
Thanks for being our assistance in this ongoing struggle.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Dixie's Latest Post 1/15 PM
Before I say anything about my day, there are some things I forgot to post that I want you to know!
1. Did you know that during an earthquake all of the water in the toilet bowls splash out on the floor? I do not think I ever thought about this! But I do think it is one of those interesting facts!
2. Those of you who might be wondering if I am still on that stupid diet…the answer is NO! Tuesday, started out as a stressful day and at noon my whole office staff ate cheeseburgers and French fries! At 4:53 PM, we had the earthquake! I am glad that I had that cheeseburger, because if I had died and the last thing I had tasted was a fake chocolate soy based milk shake. It would have been awful! Needless to say, with all of the stress that we are under, I am NOT doing this diet again until things settle down!
I thought today would be quieter. Reporters are on the ground in Port-au-Prince. TV coverage of rescues and such are going on. I thought I could stay off the telephone and actually do some work! But it did not happen. We still have some reporters and lots of people wanting to send in humanitarian aid. One of our American board members has arranged for a 737 jet to carry in to Haiti for GLA 12,000 pounds worth of donations. Some of these will be for our orphanage and others will be given to agencies working down in Port-au-Prince to distribute. Some of the items arriving will be blankets, tents, hygiene packets, first aid items, food and water. They will also bring diapers and baby items. This will help for a while. We are very thankful for the help.
I am continuing to plan to petition the Haitian government to allow the children to leave Haiti. It is difficult to find anyone to talk to. Their minds are on rescue work and “humanitarian” efforts. But helping these children is a humanitarian effort too! We do not know that tomorrow is going to bring here. Where do we buy food, water, fuel, cooking fuel, and supplies? Will we see the children going without food before the end of the month? Will the relief effort be enough? I do not know. I guess the future holds all the answers.
Does it never end? We just received a call from the Fermathe Hospital asking us to take a premature baby from a mother who is having seizures and was a earthquake survivor. We also received word that one of my staff members is trying to reach the orphanage with her children, niece, and sister-in-law who were all hurt in the earthquake and they cannot find food, water, or medical assistance. And the aftershocks, rolling of the ground, and trembling, continues!
If fear it is just a small taste of what we can expect in the next few weeks.
I can hear my staff outside my office window singing and praising God. What a sweet sound to my ear and how comforting this is to me.
And life in Haiti goes on…
Anyone Reading... PLEASE SIGN: Petition to Bring the Children Home
Petition to Bring the Children Home
From: Janelle Benedict
To: Jean Bell (GLA)
Sent: 1/15/2010 12:12:46 P.M. Mountain Standard Time
Subject: petition to bring already-adopted children out of haiti now
Please circulate this petition immediately for "US Should Issue Visas to Bring Already-Adopted Children out of Haiti Now!" to as many people as possible. We are approaching 1000 signatures – the more we gather, the stronger the statement. The signatures are for use with the State Department and US Congresspersons, as a tool to push for action. A pdf of the list of signatures will be made available to any credible organization who requests it for this purpose. Should you need a copy of this petition and signatures, please email me for the latest copy.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/visasforadoptedhaitianchildren/
Sincerely, Janelle Benedict
Dixie's Update
It’s really 12:40 AM but I didn’t want everyone to think I did not blog on the 14th! I know that I wrote something earlier but it is NOT here! The web site monsters must have eaten it, because it has disappeared!
Today, I just want to cry! I just want to crawl into a corner and curl up for awhile. I may just have a good cry later…I think I deserve it! My hands have shook all day from stress. All of my staff said the same thing today. I think the shock is wearing off and the stress of surviving and keeping the children safe is taking its toil on all of us. The stories and photos we are seeing is so sad. Our staff has lost lots of family members. Our cook said he had 11 families members who died! Some of staff has not come to work. We are fearful for them. They live on the side of a hill in Port au Prince. Another staff member said that most of the houses in this area are collapsed. Please pray for these people. Especially for Madeleine and her family.
I finally got sleep last night and even slept through a big aftershock at 7 AM this morning. I was tired! My day started early and I have not stopped all day long. Phone calls, skype conferences, and just running the orphanage has been more than enough work today.
I think the news people will now go on to stories of things down in the city. We were their only contact in Haiti for 48 hours almost. Now they have crews of journalist arrive and they are going down in the midst of things to get first hand reports. Maybe we can stop talking on the phone now and return to our work!
Members of our US and Canadian board are coordinating relief efforts and donations are being collected to bring supplies into Haiti for the orphanage and surround area. A chartered plane is coming in on Monday with some volunteers and some supplies. We are struggling to take care of all of the babies since many of the workers have not come to work.
The international efforts will of course be centered down in the worst areas but there are people who lost their homes and family members around us. We will focus our relief efforts up here in the mountains for now and bring food, water, and also help rebuild homes here. We will also be preparing to take in more orphans as needed.
Our families from Canada, Holland, and Luxembourg are all being airlifted out of Haiti. We took the Canadian family to the airport tonight to catch a French flight. They missed that flight but the airport personell said for them to stay and they would get them on a flight out of Haiti. The rest of the families will leave tomorrow.
We continue to have aftershocks. Will it never stop shaking??? When I told my staff that they might last up to a month, they all moaned and said "NO!". They do not like them either! As I am writing this , my desk is shaking! I HATE THESE AFTERSHOCKS! I said after the hurricane that I thought that was the WORST thing and I never wanted to live through that again, but I think an earthquake has now become my number 1 least liked thing!!!!
Well, it is 1:10 AM and I need to go to bed! If you want to see some earthquake photos that Laurie took downtown, keep checking www.godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org . I just do not have time to add them to our web site PLUS we have had so many visitors to the web site that it keeps going down! So Tom Vanderwell will put them on the blog for me. You can thank Tom for finally getting these to you. I have had good intentions since Wednesday to get them posted!
I want to thank everyone who has posted on my facebook and written me emails. Even if I do not answer, know that I am reading everyone and it means a lot to know that you want to help and are praying for us. It truly does mean a lot to me! I also am very thankful for all of the donations that have come through Paypal and through the Blog site for the Haiti Relief Fund. It is a little overwhelming to think of the outpouring of funds to help the children and those effected by this disaster! Thank you!
God is good. He has protected us and we all praise him. Our nannies sing about their love of Jesus. They sing of His goodness and faithfulness. I feel so blessed to be here at this time and having the nannies minister to me through song and their total reliance on God! Makes me feel humble. I do not know if I would do as well in their shoes…
Update...
This morning brought some renewed hope…
We are sharing in this journey with another Oregon couple (Salem) and our paperwork has been tracking together (we were both a part of the “7 Dossiers" list.) We both have ties to La Grande, which was odd when we found out we were both adopting from GLA.
So.. we both found out this morning that our paperwork was signed by the judge (who is now dead), AND they were returned back to GLA on Tuesday. Yes, the day of the earthquake. One more day and it was likely all of our paperwork would have been lost in a pile of rubble. Samuel belong to us legally, and that gives us more right to advocate for them. And we can prove it. THIS IS HUGE!!
Pray that is will make a difference somehow…
Also, Merkley’s office emailed us awhile ago and said that The State Dept. is holding a meeting in DC late this afternoon, to discuss the Haitian children that are in process with American families. Jeff Merkley's office has a staff member going to that meeting. We may also be attending a town hall this weekend, to get a face to face with Merkley.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I am so tired...
And I can’t imagine how Dixie feels. She has to be completely exhausted.
These past 2 days have been surreal… many adoptive parents I have talked to are feeling the same way.
We are all doing what we can to “matter,” to make some sense out of this. I am trying to channel my frustrations into something I can impact, in the areas where I have expertise and knowledge. But it never feels like I am able to do enough…
I have spent my efforts:
- On the fundraising efforts for GLA (this is of huge importance to me)…
- Helping to create key messages for other adoptive parents to use for media, government, etc… and just trying to keep them in the loop on what they can do.
- Trying to touch the media and working with others to tell their story and help raise funds for GLA.
- I have done newspaper interviewes, TV interviews and am SO GLAD that so many other adoptive parents have been able to do the same! (Check out the links on the RIGHT NAV of this page.) We all have local stories to tell and to help connect people with real situations. Just got word that a good friend will be interviewed on the TODAY show, tomorrow morning!
- We need this attention for our fundraising efforts AND to help get attention to our plea for special Visa’s.
- And I have been on the phone with senator offices and government officials… We need help from US government official to gain approvals for emergency/humanitarian passports/visas that can be used to unite orphans with their adoptive parents in the US.
- And I have been communicating with other parents who are in my shoes… trying to make sure we are doing all we can.
Sometimes, when it quiets down… I allow myself to think about what is really happening and I go into a dark place. My son is in Haiti. The judge who signs the paperwork in Haiti has died. We are very concerned for his safety as riots are starting and given the orphanage has food/water, they may be in danger very soon.
I didn’t think I had enough “fight” left in me BEFORE the earthquake hit… how will I ever get through this?
Will I ever have a family? Do these efforts matter? I am so overwhelmed… This could add YEARS to our process…
God is bigger than an earthquake… right?
Update From Dixie
Our lawyer was able to get through to us today. She says all of the government buildings downtown were damaged or destroyed! She reported that Judge Rock CADET was killed in a building collapse.
I have asked our lawyer to petition IBESR and the government of Haiti to allow all children in the adoption process to be allowed to join their adoptive families. We are all going to need beds for orphans who have lost their family in this disaster!
I need all of my families to contact their adoption agencies and government officials to allow these children to leave Haiti without a Haitian passport on Humanitarian or Refuge visas! I KNOW the USA government can issue emergency passports for situations like this because they did it for me during a crisis in Haiti from a poison in a children’s fever medicine and children were dying. We sent 11 children out of Haiti during that time and most did not have a Haitian issued passport. Please find out if your government has such a system in place!
(All DUTCH Families: Please work through NAS to get these children home. They are trying to get ALL children in process and not just those finished in Parquet. So join forces with NAS and not to confuse the issue with the Dutch Government.
Some of your dossiers are thankfully with us in our office. Others are with other government sections and we do not know if they are intact or not. I do know that the National Palace, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, DJI building which is part of the legalization department, National Cathedral is gone. I do not know about Immigration or IBESR!
PRAY, HELP...
This link has details: http://godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org/
We have a new request and angle to our story… If we can get the current orphans home, this opens up room for new babies to enter. There will be many…
We need help to get this idea out there and give the story some life… Can you help? Adoptive parents are all contacting government officials now.
We have a new request and angle to our story… If we can get the current orphans home, this opens up room for new babies to enter. There will be many…
We need help to get this idea out there and give the story some life… Can you help? Adoptive parents are all contacting government officials now.
- Dixie (the director of our orphanage) is asking us to lobby people who can phone (and phone and phone) our government asking them to accept children from Haiti on Humanitarian Visas. She is petitioning social services in Haiti to allow children in the process of being adopted to be RELEASED. http://godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org/
- Rhyan, the volunteer at GLA right now has just posted on her blog that they are trying to push to get all the children in process of being adopted OUT OF HAITI ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS. http://www.becausehecalled.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Okay, ask yourself a question.....
If God’s Littlest Angels is already this crowded, how are we going to handle all of the additional orphans that come to the gates in the next weeks? I’ll tell you how:
· Through the Grace of God
· The support of many of you. Go to the “chip in” widget on the right side and give what you can to help.
Posted by Tom: http://godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org/
YES, Samuel was in this group…
Afternoon Updates: 1/13
I haven’t left my bed today (I am pretty sick) but somehow I have still managed to stay completely busy with phone calls, emails, interviews, comms outputs, etc…
We have a lot of people out there helping to promote the 1000 x 1000 campaign, which makes my heart so happy! I can’t talk at all… lungs are horrible. But I feel like with an internet connection and email, I am doing my part to make a dent (or trying my hardest…)
We have a lot of people out there helping to promote the 1000 x 1000 campaign, which makes my heart so happy! I can’t talk at all… lungs are horrible. But I feel like with an internet connection and email, I am doing my part to make a dent (or trying my hardest…)
Oregonian (newspaper)
Interview with Wendy, we should be seeing the internet and print version of that soon.
CNN
Signed over rights to some of our home videos…
Received an update from a parent-friend who is at GLA in Haiti now
Jill: Thank you for your prayers. I know, as terrifying and emotional as this has been, I am SO thankful that we could be here with Mikey when it happened, I think it is easier to be here and know that they are ok. Chancelet is in the group of kids that are outside with their nannies today. So we have seen him all morning, toddling around with big smiles :) I am doing ok, trying to hold it together and NOT lay on the floor and cry. I was already dreading leaving Mikey but now so much more so. Our flight was scheduled for tomorrow but who knows what will happen with that. It is hard being away from Ritchy, if only there was a way to have both my boys in my arms right now.
Thanks for your prayers, and your fundraising efforts. We will definitely be PayPaling a donation once we're home. Melanie
Whitney called from Senator Merkley’s office
She let me know that we would most likely not see an improvement with our file… that this would probably add time to the process, but she would let me know if anything changes. I am just trying to get some attention to this issue and see if we can make a difference with special visa’s, etc… They need room in the orphanages for babies who need medical attention.
Contributions
People are amazing! They are really coming through and helping GLA out by donating to this fund. This is incredible.. one person forwards the message to another 20-50 people and SPARK. The funds are so needed… please continue to help if you can. And if you have made a donation, please let me know!
I am also encouraging other adoptive parents to reach out to their local media. We have worked up some key messages to help with this effort.
Volunteer Thoughts
She is there right now… she is strong. Here are some of her latest thoughts: http://www.becausehecalled.blogspot.com/
Waiting
My knees went weak when I heard the scream, the wailing of one of our nannies who had finally had contact from her family. Her agonized cries found our ears, "toutmoun, toutmoun" is what she said, "everyone, everyone" I was frozen on the spot. And then I heard, "Mesi Jezi!" over and over again. "Thank you Jesus" She had been told that her entire neighborhood has collapsed. Her house where her children had been was gone, but somehow, a miracle from God, everyone in her house is alive. Most of her friends and neighbors are not. It makes no sense, but today we cry with her, tears of joy for a family saved, tears of grief for the ones lost and we sit in wait for those who still don't know.
Friends and Family: Haiti needs your help.
Friends & Family –
Haiti needs your help. You have a real connection with Samuel Chancelet & GLA. You can make a difference.
Dixie (GLA Director) has been updating us and she said they will be assessing everything this morning to see where they stand. She was also interviewed yesterday and is on the Today show this morning. Also, by total surprise Joe and I were on our local TV news last night, regarding Haiti earthquake/GLA/adoption, which got picked up by CNN. Not sure what will come of it, but if there is a way to help make a connection with people, then we will feel good about doing it.
While God’s Littlest Angels has been spared the worst of it, many other people in Haiti are not so fortunate (some being GLA family members.) GLA is still in need of water, fuel, food and materials to repair the building; the staff is also very concerned about the logistics and continued ability to support their operating requirements. They also anticipate a great need to reach out to the community and help those around them by giving them food, supplies, building materials - and even being ready to take in babies who are in need of medical attention.
GLA is in the unique position to help. Right now. And they don’t have to wait to arrive in Haiti – they are there, now. Given they are a credible organization and have registered nurses, medical supplies, a generator and links to the outside world, they can have an immediate impact in Haiti (and aid those in need.) However, there is great responsibility with these actions and also the need for funds to support them.
GLA is launching what they are calling the 1000 x 1000 campaign (1000 people who get 10 friends to donate $100… we can all make a big difference together.) I am one of those 1000 people who is being asked to help raise $1000 for GLA/Haiti. I want to do this. I have a direct relationship with GLA. I have a child in Haiti. This is a way I can make a difference. Would you help?
If you are willing to give $100+, it will go a long way in helping GLA meet its goal.
Your money:
· Will allow them to care for the babies (my baby)
· Will help treat those in need in the community
· Will help GLA take in children who need urgent care.
· Is also TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Please DONATE $100 TODAY: Earthquake PayPal Fund (click on this link)
1. This is not a time to be shy or remain anonymous. If you donate, let me know.
2. Share with others and help get the word out!
3. And if you would prefer to send a check, please let me know and I will give you those details. Email me with any questions you have…
If there are opportunities to support GLA out of this horrible tragedy, let's figure it out. Every dollar will directly impact the aid in Haiti.
GLA Employee Update
Update from James: (He Lives at GLA)
I was just getting home from school I was in the house about 5 mintues before it happened, wow I swear I thought the ground was going to open and swallowed all of us cause the house litteraly tipped over and swang back and forth, in the area where my school is alot of building collapsed, some schools collapeds, I don't know about my school if it collapsed or not its about 10 minutes from the palace. And my mother's collapsed while she was inside but THANK GOD she escaped with no problem just my little sister that got hurt. wow it is very crazy down here, and most of my class mates are from the area down town that got hit the most I really don't know what to do man, everything my mother had is all gone from that house, and i can't get through to my class mates to see if they are ok or not. I hope they are I will keep you update ok. pray for us!!
I was just getting home from school I was in the house about 5 mintues before it happened, wow I swear I thought the ground was going to open and swallowed all of us cause the house litteraly tipped over and swang back and forth, in the area where my school is alot of building collapsed, some schools collapeds, I don't know about my school if it collapsed or not its about 10 minutes from the palace. And my mother's collapsed while she was inside but THANK GOD she escaped with no problem just my little sister that got hurt. wow it is very crazy down here, and most of my class mates are from the area down town that got hit the most I really don't know what to do man, everything my mother had is all gone from that house, and i can't get through to my class mates to see if they are ok or not. I hope they are I will keep you update ok. pray for us!!
Dixie's Post: 1/12/2010 (Earthquake Details)
3 January 2010 1:20 AM
At a few minutes before 5 PM on 12 January 2010, a large earthquake hit Haiti. The center was a few miles south of Port-au-Prince. On the map, it looks like we were not far from the center here at the orphanage if you draw a straight line between the center of the earthquake and the orphanage. We have heard that the gravel pit across the valley from us partially collapsed which we have worried about for a long time!
As things started to shake, I knew it was an earthquake and I jumped up trying to get out of my office. Items were falling off my bookcases and even the monitor of my computer fell off my desk! Many of my good glassware fell out of the hutch in the dining room and food that was being cooked for the children flew off the stove and landed on the kitchen floor! Statues fell off the shelves, items in the pantry fell too! But not 1 egg was broken out of 6 dozen sitting on the pantry floor! Kids fell, staff fell to the floor because the house swayed so much!
Dr. Claude was out in the driveway playing basketball and he said that the orphanage swayed about 2 feet back and forth for 30 to 40 seconds! he was afraid that the building would fall! Thankfully, the building stayed standing and John cannot find any cracks in the walls which is pretty amazing!
All I could do was pray that the house would stay standing! John was yelling at us all to get in a doorway, but we could not walk! Finally we got into the doorway and stayed until the major shaking stopped. Everyone went outside after the earthquake. We had multiple tremors after the big one. They came about 10 minutes apart and last a long time! the staff refused to return to the house and eventually, we brought all of the children outside and put blankets on the ground.
The internet phone has not stopped ringing. BBC, NBC, the Today Show all have called multiple times! It is 1:45 AM now and they are still calling! I am so exhausted but we do not want to go to bed. The nannies came in at 10 PM but we had two strong after shocks about midnight and the nannies and babies are sleeping outside on the ground on blankets! It is cold tonight. The temperature is about 60 degrees if not colder! I pray that the cold is not too cold for them!
My son, Mark, was at school in Port-au-Prince when the quake happened. His school is on Delmas which is one of the worst hit areas. A missionary family finally was able to bring him home about 10 PM. They said that there were multiple houses down that you could see from the street. Caribbean Market was destroyed along with so many other buldings! Walls were collapsed and there are dead people lying under them! Please pray for Haiti and for all of who are here! We had 8 visitors come today. What a welcome, huh?
We continue to have aftershocks. We have had 3 in the last 5 minutes! I have never heard of aftershocks like we are having! They are almost continuous and lasting for a minute or more each time! I do not like this!
We will know more hopefully in the morning. I do not know if I will sleep tonight or not! I will post photos later on Wedneday. I am just too tired right now to post photos!
At a few minutes before 5 PM on 12 January 2010, a large earthquake hit Haiti. The center was a few miles south of Port-au-Prince. On the map, it looks like we were not far from the center here at the orphanage if you draw a straight line between the center of the earthquake and the orphanage. We have heard that the gravel pit across the valley from us partially collapsed which we have worried about for a long time!
As things started to shake, I knew it was an earthquake and I jumped up trying to get out of my office. Items were falling off my bookcases and even the monitor of my computer fell off my desk! Many of my good glassware fell out of the hutch in the dining room and food that was being cooked for the children flew off the stove and landed on the kitchen floor! Statues fell off the shelves, items in the pantry fell too! But not 1 egg was broken out of 6 dozen sitting on the pantry floor! Kids fell, staff fell to the floor because the house swayed so much!
Dr. Claude was out in the driveway playing basketball and he said that the orphanage swayed about 2 feet back and forth for 30 to 40 seconds! he was afraid that the building would fall! Thankfully, the building stayed standing and John cannot find any cracks in the walls which is pretty amazing!
All I could do was pray that the house would stay standing! John was yelling at us all to get in a doorway, but we could not walk! Finally we got into the doorway and stayed until the major shaking stopped. Everyone went outside after the earthquake. We had multiple tremors after the big one. They came about 10 minutes apart and last a long time! the staff refused to return to the house and eventually, we brought all of the children outside and put blankets on the ground.
The internet phone has not stopped ringing. BBC, NBC, the Today Show all have called multiple times! It is 1:45 AM now and they are still calling! I am so exhausted but we do not want to go to bed. The nannies came in at 10 PM but we had two strong after shocks about midnight and the nannies and babies are sleeping outside on the ground on blankets! It is cold tonight. The temperature is about 60 degrees if not colder! I pray that the cold is not too cold for them!
My son, Mark, was at school in Port-au-Prince when the quake happened. His school is on Delmas which is one of the worst hit areas. A missionary family finally was able to bring him home about 10 PM. They said that there were multiple houses down that you could see from the street. Caribbean Market was destroyed along with so many other buldings! Walls were collapsed and there are dead people lying under them! Please pray for Haiti and for all of who are here! We had 8 visitors come today. What a welcome, huh?
We continue to have aftershocks. We have had 3 in the last 5 minutes! I have never heard of aftershocks like we are having! They are almost continuous and lasting for a minute or more each time! I do not like this!
We will know more hopefully in the morning. I do not know if I will sleep tonight or not! I will post photos later on Wedneday. I am just too tired right now to post photos!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
More News
Holli Marie Bickel: GLA, CO Springs
No one at GLA is injured, PRAISE GOD! A huge mess, aftershocks hitting every 10 minutes or so. They have moved all the children outside from under the building. Please pray the aftershocks cease quickly and we can begin to start clean up. Also please pray for the families of our staff as we are getting some very negative reports about the state of their homes.
Haiti Earthquake
Thanks to those of you who have written/called regarding the earthquake in Haiti… Obviously we are pretty upset by this news; our hearts are truly with the people in Haiti, GLA and we feel devastated for what has occurred (not to mention the concern we have for our son.)
We have received word from the orphanage as follows: http://www.glahaiti.org/
NOTICE: WE ARE FINE AFTER THE 7.3 EARTHQUAKE. THE HOUSE SWAYED AND SHOOK. KNOCKED DOWN PEOPLE, KIDS, THE FOOD OFF THE STOVE FOR SUPPER, ALL OF MY GLASS WARE OUT OF THE CABINET, BUT WE ARE ALL OK! SHOOK UP A LITTLE, BUT OK! WILL POST MORE LATER! STILL HAVING AFTERSHOCKS AN HOUR AFTER THE MAIN EARTHQUAKE! PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND FOR HAITI!
GLA does have their own generators but they will soon need fuel…
However, it is sounding like Port-au-Prince has been hit very hard. We are very worried about what this will mean for the country, the ability for the orphanage to get supplies and of course, what this might mean for our paperwork (we assume things will be held up, given the government infrastructure will be impacted for some time; once again adoption will be a non-critical item.)
Please pray for the people of Haiti…
• Haiti is an already very vulnerable country
• Housing is not build to last (most are true shacks by our standards) and are a catastrophe waiting to happen.
• The government has no ability to “police” when things like this occur
• Medical issues quickly overwhelm the system
• The roads are in terrible condition
I will use the blog to update things if I get more info.
We have received word from the orphanage as follows: http://www.glahaiti.org/
NOTICE: WE ARE FINE AFTER THE 7.3 EARTHQUAKE. THE HOUSE SWAYED AND SHOOK. KNOCKED DOWN PEOPLE, KIDS, THE FOOD OFF THE STOVE FOR SUPPER, ALL OF MY GLASS WARE OUT OF THE CABINET, BUT WE ARE ALL OK! SHOOK UP A LITTLE, BUT OK! WILL POST MORE LATER! STILL HAVING AFTERSHOCKS AN HOUR AFTER THE MAIN EARTHQUAKE! PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND FOR HAITI!
GLA does have their own generators but they will soon need fuel…
However, it is sounding like Port-au-Prince has been hit very hard. We are very worried about what this will mean for the country, the ability for the orphanage to get supplies and of course, what this might mean for our paperwork (we assume things will be held up, given the government infrastructure will be impacted for some time; once again adoption will be a non-critical item.)
Please pray for the people of Haiti…
• Haiti is an already very vulnerable country
• Housing is not build to last (most are true shacks by our standards) and are a catastrophe waiting to happen.
• The government has no ability to “police” when things like this occur
• Medical issues quickly overwhelm the system
• The roads are in terrible condition
I will use the blog to update things if I get more info.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday Update
First off... it has been a miserable weekend. I have bronchitis and a 101 degree fever. So the need to stay in bed has trumped all that I had on my to-do list this weekend. I missed a friend's 40th b-day party, and I didn't get to any of my house cleaning items. SIGH. I seem to get this crud every year, but this time it seemed to come from out of nowhere.
So WRT adoption... Dixie has been doing a great job updating the GLA site with adoption updates and blog info... I am still not clear on all of the steps though (just when I think I understand it, something happens to make me second-guess my understanding of it.) So... her latest adoption status states the following:
9 January 2010
And... guess what just happened? There was a knock on the door (and of course I freaked out as I look terrible - given I am sick, haven't showered and feel awful...) But Joe answered it and I heard him talking with our neighbor and his 4-year-old daughter (adopted from China.) He walked over to his house, so I figured he just needed to chat about the fence or trees that need to come down.
But about 10 minutes later, Joe came back holding an "almost brand new" Eddie Bauer edition carseat! We were thrilled... That will save us some bucks for sure. How nice of them... It's gestures like that - they make you feel like you aren't in this alone...
So WRT adoption... Dixie has been doing a great job updating the GLA site with adoption updates and blog info... I am still not clear on all of the steps though (just when I think I understand it, something happens to make me second-guess my understanding of it.) So... her latest adoption status states the following:
9 January 2010
We were told that on Friday, we would receive 7 more dossiers out of the courts. Now, when the court clerk says that dossiers will come out of the courts, he means that they will have been signed by the judge and sent back to Parquet for legalization, signed and sent back to us. Our adoption agent, Terriot, did not receive the dossiers. Terriot's motorcycle broke down yesterday afternoon on his way back to the orphanage. The clutch went out. So finally at six o'clock, he called to tell us that he would not be back and that the dossiers were not done yet! Hopefully, Monday, the dossiers will be in our hands.
I am praying that we are one of these 7 files. I know that there is also a group of 7 ahead of us, who have now moved from "ATTEST" to "LEGAL." This movement seemed to have happened in the same amount of time we took to move to the first round of legalization... We were initially tracking all together, but obviously this isn't the case anymore.
I just hope that we will soon show ATTEST as our status. And it's actually a really good sign that the other 7 files are continuing to move as well. There is hope that we might follow in their footsteps! I will keep you posted if I hear anything this week... Keep those prayers coming!
I am praying that we are one of these 7 files. I know that there is also a group of 7 ahead of us, who have now moved from "ATTEST" to "LEGAL." This movement seemed to have happened in the same amount of time we took to move to the first round of legalization... We were initially tracking all together, but obviously this isn't the case anymore.
I just hope that we will soon show ATTEST as our status. And it's actually a really good sign that the other 7 files are continuing to move as well. There is hope that we might follow in their footsteps! I will keep you posted if I hear anything this week... Keep those prayers coming!
And... guess what just happened? There was a knock on the door (and of course I freaked out as I look terrible - given I am sick, haven't showered and feel awful...) But Joe answered it and I heard him talking with our neighbor and his 4-year-old daughter (adopted from China.) He walked over to his house, so I figured he just needed to chat about the fence or trees that need to come down.
But about 10 minutes later, Joe came back holding an "almost brand new" Eddie Bauer edition carseat! We were thrilled... That will save us some bucks for sure. How nice of them... It's gestures like that - they make you feel like you aren't in this alone...
The "new to us" car seat
Friday, January 8, 2010
We Are All Learning... As We Go...
Allison has been a dear friend in this adoption process. Her son is now home from Haiti and I am learning a lot from her story and what they are going through as a "new family." Attachment & bonding is tough stuff; what it does to family and friends. But she is honest about sharing what they have done right/wrong... and what she would "do-over" if she could.
You have to read about the entire blog history to get the right context of this post, though I think it can also stand on its own. Joe and I have concerns too, about being strong enough to "get this right." We know SC needs to bond and attach to us alone, or his life is going to be tough down the road. Every moment counts - and we can't do this alone.
Please read: http://haitibaby.blogspot.com/
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BLOG POST: Thoughts from Auntie K
I asked my Mom and my sister to write about their feelings and thoughts regarding having to keep some distance from Luc over the holidays. Neither of them responded well at first and I thought it would be helpful for adoptive parents and others to read what was going through their minds. Hopefully if we can communicate honestly and without judgement we can all learn how to help each other through this.
My Mom is dealing with a family event which I will explain later, but my sister was able to make some time to write (thank you, Auntie K!):
“You asked for a statement or something for your blog regarding the Luc policies at Christmas. Here are some of my thoughts, meant to inform, not criticize.
At first I was angry because I tried very hard not to pick up Luc and not to kiss him. You told me when I arrived in Athens the second time (after my own issue at home) that I couldn't play with him that was different. It sounded like you wanted to isolate him and that I drove to Athens (twice) to look at him in a fishbowl. I can get that from pictures. I figured I'd be better off at home where I could resist the temptation and the problems that my infractions were causing you. It was really, really hard to swallow the “don't touch”, “don't initiate contact”, “don't be fun with him rules.
Then you explained the reasons. Maybe you get tired of going through all the reasons and explanation and don't think you should have to explain, but you definitely need to go through all of that with people. Including the people at your church. If I was one of them, I would feel used by you. You ask for their prayers to get him home, he's home and they can't see him or understand why. They have no idea of the pain it causes you to keep him away. You say it's hard to stay away, but it's also hard to get up in the morning and get dressed up for church with a 2 year-old. They can't feel you on the reason why you are keeping him away.
No one wants to jeopardize his development in any way. No one wants you to risk it either. If the people at church are 10x worse than the family as far as wanting to hug and kiss him, send them a statement the week before you plan to take him explaining that you miss them, exactly why you've held back, exactly what behavior you expect from them, and that you'll have to leave immediately if it appears to be too much for him. Personally, I was mad and cried because I felt like I was in the dark and I was just supposed to accept that I was causing damage to his development by wanting to be an awesome auntie.
I hope this helps.
You have to read about the entire blog history to get the right context of this post, though I think it can also stand on its own. Joe and I have concerns too, about being strong enough to "get this right." We know SC needs to bond and attach to us alone, or his life is going to be tough down the road. Every moment counts - and we can't do this alone.
Please read: http://haitibaby.blogspot.com/
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BLOG POST: Thoughts from Auntie K
I asked my Mom and my sister to write about their feelings and thoughts regarding having to keep some distance from Luc over the holidays. Neither of them responded well at first and I thought it would be helpful for adoptive parents and others to read what was going through their minds. Hopefully if we can communicate honestly and without judgement we can all learn how to help each other through this.
My Mom is dealing with a family event which I will explain later, but my sister was able to make some time to write (thank you, Auntie K!):
“You asked for a statement or something for your blog regarding the Luc policies at Christmas. Here are some of my thoughts, meant to inform, not criticize.
At first I was angry because I tried very hard not to pick up Luc and not to kiss him. You told me when I arrived in Athens the second time (after my own issue at home) that I couldn't play with him that was different. It sounded like you wanted to isolate him and that I drove to Athens (twice) to look at him in a fishbowl. I can get that from pictures. I figured I'd be better off at home where I could resist the temptation and the problems that my infractions were causing you. It was really, really hard to swallow the “don't touch”, “don't initiate contact”, “don't be fun with him rules.
Then you explained the reasons. Maybe you get tired of going through all the reasons and explanation and don't think you should have to explain, but you definitely need to go through all of that with people. Including the people at your church. If I was one of them, I would feel used by you. You ask for their prayers to get him home, he's home and they can't see him or understand why. They have no idea of the pain it causes you to keep him away. You say it's hard to stay away, but it's also hard to get up in the morning and get dressed up for church with a 2 year-old. They can't feel you on the reason why you are keeping him away.
No one wants to jeopardize his development in any way. No one wants you to risk it either. If the people at church are 10x worse than the family as far as wanting to hug and kiss him, send them a statement the week before you plan to take him explaining that you miss them, exactly why you've held back, exactly what behavior you expect from them, and that you'll have to leave immediately if it appears to be too much for him. Personally, I was mad and cried because I felt like I was in the dark and I was just supposed to accept that I was causing damage to his development by wanting to be an awesome auntie.
I hope this helps.
For Family & Friends Who Wonder Why This Process Is So Long...
7 January 2010: Update from Dixie
Some of my French families were confused by the last paragraph of the posting below. I changed it a little to make it more clear to them hopefully. For those dossiers that are now in Parquet, we have started contacting birth families to have them go to Parquet for their interviews. This has NOTHING to do with dossiers in courts who have already passed through Parquet adoption section once. Court papers must pass through Parquet again after signed by the judge in the civil courts, but they go to Parquet's legal section for legalization. They do not pass back through the adoption section.
I know that many of our families think that the paper trail for the adoption process is a simple one that once you get one signature, you are done in that section. I wish that was true, but it is not. In IBESR we need 4 signatures before the dossier is finished. In Parquet, we need signatures from different people BEFORE the dossier enters Parquet , a signature from the lawyer in charge of adoptions, and then a stamp after Parquet. In the civil courts, the head judge for adoptions must sign, the greffier must sign, the judge must sign again to legalize the signature of the greffier, and then the Parquet legalization department must sign. Now if the legalization department finds errors in wording, such as MANDATAIRE (Power of Attorney), on the document which was supposed to be removed, they send it back to the court clerk for correction. In Attestation, a clerk must type the form, another clerk must check the signature against the one on file, and then only the director of Archives can sign that the signature is a good one. For MOI, the dossiers must travel through 2 different offices and all of the documents are studied before it is signed. In Immigration, we turn the dossier into the receiving office, from their it goes to many different sections before it is returned to us as a passport! i believe there is 5 different offices that touch the dossier before it is given to us as a passport!
This does not take into consideration the Justice and Foreign Affaires offices that legalize all of the paperwork! We lose more paperwork in the Justice Legalization department than any where else in the system! We then have to ask the judge to remake paperwork that they have lost! When we turn paperwork into Legalization, it is no longer attached to the dossier but has to be taken out and individual papers given to Legalization.
Ordinarily, I find the system confusing so I do not share this with all of our families. But I have some families who cannot understand why different sections take so long and I want everyone to be aware of the complexity of the adoption process in Haiti.
Nothing in Haiti is easy...
Some of my French families were confused by the last paragraph of the posting below. I changed it a little to make it more clear to them hopefully. For those dossiers that are now in Parquet, we have started contacting birth families to have them go to Parquet for their interviews. This has NOTHING to do with dossiers in courts who have already passed through Parquet adoption section once. Court papers must pass through Parquet again after signed by the judge in the civil courts, but they go to Parquet's legal section for legalization. They do not pass back through the adoption section.
I know that many of our families think that the paper trail for the adoption process is a simple one that once you get one signature, you are done in that section. I wish that was true, but it is not. In IBESR we need 4 signatures before the dossier is finished. In Parquet, we need signatures from different people BEFORE the dossier enters Parquet , a signature from the lawyer in charge of adoptions, and then a stamp after Parquet. In the civil courts, the head judge for adoptions must sign, the greffier must sign, the judge must sign again to legalize the signature of the greffier, and then the Parquet legalization department must sign. Now if the legalization department finds errors in wording, such as MANDATAIRE (Power of Attorney), on the document which was supposed to be removed, they send it back to the court clerk for correction. In Attestation, a clerk must type the form, another clerk must check the signature against the one on file, and then only the director of Archives can sign that the signature is a good one. For MOI, the dossiers must travel through 2 different offices and all of the documents are studied before it is signed. In Immigration, we turn the dossier into the receiving office, from their it goes to many different sections before it is returned to us as a passport! i believe there is 5 different offices that touch the dossier before it is given to us as a passport!
This does not take into consideration the Justice and Foreign Affaires offices that legalize all of the paperwork! We lose more paperwork in the Justice Legalization department than any where else in the system! We then have to ask the judge to remake paperwork that they have lost! When we turn paperwork into Legalization, it is no longer attached to the dossier but has to be taken out and individual papers given to Legalization.
Ordinarily, I find the system confusing so I do not share this with all of our families. But I have some families who cannot understand why different sections take so long and I want everyone to be aware of the complexity of the adoption process in Haiti.
Nothing in Haiti is easy...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
3rd Time HAS to be a Charm (right?)
** We are with you Jaime!**
It’s that time again… USCIS fingerprinting re-do. This will be the 3rd time we have had to renew them. And we are praying this will be the last time we will need to do this before Samuel Chancelet comes home. They are good for 15 months, so it should be a realistic thought… right...? (as I type sheepishly.)
We go in on January 12th – to the old, cold white room filled with mostly immigrants. You definitely feel out of place; like you are in a foreign country and/or did something wrong (getting fingerprinted just makes you feel that way!)
And… I still don’t understand why we need to “re-do” the fingerprints anyway. They haven’t changed. I haven’t been sandpapering down my skin or anything… And I have said it before: if I were to break the law, I guarantee you the ones they already have on file would help them track me down in no time.
Whatever… I guess everyone needs to get revenue somehow.
Whatever… I guess everyone needs to get revenue somehow.
LATE ADDITION: Yep, Cathleen... we had to fork over another $160. :-(
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