heavy heart

I have to say I was on a 'high' most of the day. Even though there is absolutely nothing being decided and accomplished in getting the kids home...........I feel like it's coming.........and there is motivation to be cheery and get things done. In the last hour I've just felt very heavy for Haiti. I can't stop thinking that here.......within 1 week...........my feelings of despair and unability to do anything about a terrible situation ...........are clearing up and I am feeling HOPE. Yet, as I write, situations are continuing to get much worse. Haitians are feeling more despair. There are no feelings of hope for a lot of them. Reality is setting in......... loved ones are lost, everything is ruined..........health and safety are at risk.........and grief and anger and sadness are all they can feel. I just can't bear the thought of how hopeless they must feel. Unless you are personally tied, or know someone who is tied.........life is settling down and the 'earthquake of Haiti' is being old news and yesterdays talk. And the reality of it is.........things are not being 'done' to the situation. In fact life is Haiti has gotten worse and dangerous. I don't understand. As I'm sitting here just trying to wrestle with all the WHY's of this............I just recieved this email reguarding the state of adoption.......(a main obstacle is obtaining the US to set up a "safety compound" for kids as they wait by the US embassy)

"It is once again my job to be the barrier of bad news. 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 judgement.

It is our understanding that any children processed by USCIS in Port-A-Prince are leaving on U.S. cargo jets to locations that are not often know until a hour or so before the flight leaves. At times children have left Haiti without the knowledge of their adoptive parents.

This is currently the worst case scenario for the children's well-being and safety but at the moment there are no other options.

As we receive more information we will continue to share it with you. While the situation at the moment is terrible I can only hope that our collective efforts produce some positive news. Despite the roadblocks Joint Council has not given up on the save haven and we continue to advocate for its creation and a more transparent and safe process in uniting these children with their adoptive families. "

So please continue to pray. Pray for the unrest in the Haitians. Pray for protection for God's people. Pray that the unrest will find PEACE in HIM. AND PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN!!!! As the events unfold, this is going to be a difficult and traumatic event in their lives and just pray for them to be protected in their spirit and in the health.