Will & Natalie

Plans continue to be made in Pignon for how they will help with relief efforts. In the midst of all that is going on, Jared & Stacey have made the difficult decision to send the kids to Iowa with Stacey's parents. I think Jared's explanation describes the situation best:

While the situation in Pignon is safe and we have the things we need right now, we think it is best that they leave for a time. Of course we can't tell the future and are so anxious about sending them away, but we think that the future holds tougher times. Stacey and I think that if we can make sure they are safe we can dedicate ourselves fully to the work that needs to be done here without worrying about the security of our kids. We plan to constantly evaluate, and if we find that Stacey needs to leave, she will also head home for the kids. I want to make sure that everyone knows that we are safe; we just want to be cautious in deteriorating circumstances.

Right now they are hoping to be able to send Tony & Shirley (Stacey's parents) and Will and Natalie out of Pignon on Wednesday on a Missionary Flights International plane that is coming in. But as with everything else that is constantly changing, nothing is certain at this point. How long the kids will be in Iowa is also uncertain. In a situation like this, it really is "one day at a time."

Stacey expressed that even though this is the second hardest decision she's ever made (the first being deciding to move to Haiti), she really has peace about it. But you can imagine that it still won't come without difficulty and sadness. Please pray for Jared & Stacey and the kids with this separation. Pray for the kids' transition to Iowa as well. As you can imagine, they are excited to come back to Iowa but sad to come with their mom and dad. They will be staying with their Grandpa & Grandma Nikkel (me and Jared's parents).

Thanks for your continued prayer support. It can feel helpless to be here and see what's going on there, but do not discount your prayers on behalf of the people in Haiti. God is at work powerfully in this devastation. We must put our trust in Him to help where we cannot.

Also a brief update on the families working on adoptions in Haiti: Please pray fervently that these kids will be home this week! It's looking very hopeful as the Poulters are there now working on getting the 5 adopted children out of the country through the American Embassy. A major prayer concern now is that the other 4 children at the orphanage (there were just 9 children total at that orphanage) would be able to come to the US as well. They have not been adopted but are like siblings to the other children at the orphanage. Pray that God would bring these kids to a safe haven even without any paperwork. And pray that He acts swiftly on behalf of these children.

I cannot tell you what your support means to our family and these adoptive families. Stacey told me yesterday that they cannot believe the peace they've had and definitely feel the blanket of prayers that is over them. Keep it up!