Update from Stacey

This update is long overdue. After the earthquake we had a lot of trouble with our internet and then our computer started acting up. After a brief trip back to the States with our computer in tow, we were able to get things going again. (Exciting bit of news…we just had to wrangle a mama chicken out the door that got into the house!) So this was written in late January.


As I sit here with a towel wrapped around my head at 9:00 after a chilly, yet satisfying shower, I wonder, Where do I begin? From reports we are getting via CNN, albeit three or four days ago, there are now over 112,000 confirmed deaths from the January 12 earthquake. So with that in mind, I conclude there must be thousands upon thousands needing medical assistance. True, we have seen an increase in the number of patients at the hospital, last time we checked our inpatient load was doubled, but there must be more in need of care.

You are all probably wondering what it is that we have been so busy doing. We are working to establish some kind of central supply area for the hospital so the donations and purchased supplies coming in can be better managed. This has proven to be quite a task, especially for those of us with degrees in Political Science.

As you may know we had planned to start a feeding program at the hospital for inpatients. We expected to feed around 40 people 5 times a week and are now feeding 200 people Monday thru Saturday. That number includes all patients plus two (the two being family or friends of the patient), the cooks, volunteers and the hospital guards. So far we are getting pretty good reviews and will be continually tweaking our menu to provide the best nutrition for the patients. What we are lacking, however, is multi-vitamins.

Along with our feeding program we are providing clean drinking water for the patients and families as well. Every day we get six 5-gallon jugs filled at a small plant down the road that purifies water with reverse osmosis. A 5-gallon jug costs us about $0.87 and we use three jugs twice a day to fill water bottles for the patients. It might not seem like much, but the last thing you want when trying to recover from a surgery or infection is an illness from contaminated water.

Feeding program at the hospital, current kitchen...we're working on getting a better one built (for obvious reasons! If you would sneeze too hard, it might fall over!)

We have also been working with a few local pastors to provide much needed food, clothing and some minor medications such as Tylenol, ibuprofen and over the counter sleep aids. The pastors are getting these supplies to families outside of Pignon that were desperate before the earthquake and even more so now. We are also trying to help those families within Pignon that are taking relatives from Port-au-Prince into their homes. I keep telling people things weren’t good before the earthquake, now it’s even worse. Those families that were struggling before are struggling even more.

Food bags we filled for people of Bouqueronne (rice, beans, oil, tomato paste, margarine)

Finished food bags for a local pastor

Oddly enough things in Pignon seem to be fairly normal. We do have more people in town, more patients in the hospital, and we have food, gasoline, diesel and propane. The prices have jumped a little, but not much, and quite frankly the market on Saturday was one of the biggest and busiest I’ve seen in the 7 ½ months living here. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect it’s only a matter of time before we feel the real effects of the disaster in Port.

One thing that has surprised us is that Pignon is not immune to rioting for food. Last Friday there was an upheaval at our local airport over certain organizations being able to get relief supplies flown directly into Pignon without having to deal with customs. There are laws here in Haiti, and these organizations have legally secured licenses which have allowed them to receive disaster relief supplies without going through the standard red tape. We are not one of them because we are simply too small an organization to make it worth the cost of the licensing. Fortunately, these other organizations are gracious enough to help us and others obtain supplies that we need and have been a blessing to work with these past few weeks.

Unfortunately, there are those who choose not to work within the system and have stirred up the local people suggesting the relief supplies are not going to the right places. As a result, those people living around the airport stormed the incoming planes carrying food and supplies, taking what was meant for those who are most in need. They also cut down placed concrete blocks and cactus in the road to the airport, then burned tires to block vehicles from getting to the airport. Needless to say it scared a few of the doctors trying to get out of Pignon.

We were not personally involved in that particular event, but as some of you know Jared has a way of finding such “events.” We had been asked by a friend of ours to pick up a young woman at the airport to have her evaluated by the orthopedic surgeons we had at the hospital. She had been in a bus accident over a year ago and had severe damage to her right arm. Being that we had the doctors at the hospital and they were more or less through the earthquake patients, they agreed to see her.

Jared just happened to be at the bank across from the airport when a plane landed. He soon found out it was the plane carrying our patient, Martine. As he pulled into the airport a mob began to form so he got her in the truck and was ready to take off when he realized the plane not only brought Martine, but food for this friend of ours. People were grabbing anything they could get their hands on and the pilot stood by in shock. Jared and Gevy got a few guys to help them get the food into the back of the truck all the while people were waving machetes and yelling at them. We have been told these things are just for show and never get violent, but Jared said one guy in the back of the truck got whacked in the head with a club. I guess you just can’t tell what a mob will do.

Somehow they managed to get the truck and about half the food out of the airport and to the office where it needed to go. I was not impressed. During all of this chaos I was at the hospital trying to get some help to Jared at the airport. By the grace of God everything turned out well, and Jared, Gevy and Martine were not hurt. And neither was Rhino, our beloved Toyota. This would not be our last run-in with a mob for the week.

Early Friday morning Jared received a call from a guy in Port-au-Prince saying they were sending some supplies for the hospital and community by helicopter. He said it would be at the “landing zone” between 9:00 and 9:30. So we went to the airport, as it is the only “landing zone” we know. Right before we pulled in a huge military chopper flew over us and headed toward town, opposite the airport. Jared made a phone call and we determined it was indeed the helicopter we were waiting for, it just landed at the soccer field in town instead of the airport.

As we made our way back into town I noticed a mushroom cloud of dust coming from what could only be the soccer field. There were hundreds of people heading to see what was causing all the commotion. Both Jared and I were surprised at the enormity of the helicopter that had landed in little Pignon. It seemed to take up the majority of the field, the rest of which was crowded by onlookers. We estimate there were at least a couple thousand people there. The blades on the chopper were still in full spin, and it took some time to figure out that they had already unloaded the cargo and were ready to take off.

Jared was greeted by a marine who literally had to cup Jared’s ear to scream into it, “Your stuff is over there!” as he pointed to a group of people tearing at the boxes. I was taking pictures of the helicopter, knowing how cool this moment was and that Will would be very disappointed at missing it. Suddenly there was a winding of the engine and I knew it was getting ready to lift. I looked over my left shoulder and saw a wall of dust coming at me and felt as though I was in the Sahara during a sandstorm instead of on a soccer field in Haiti. I turned my back to the chopper and clutched my camera, planting myself as hard as I could on the ground. The amount of wind and dust kicked up by this beast was incredible!

Enormous helicopter at soccer field

I could only see about three feet in front of me and what I saw was people rushing by me screaming and holding their heads. It felt like someone was sandblasting my legs and neck. (Of course this was the day I decided to wear a skirt, duh!) It was scary and exciting all at the same time. I wondered of course where Jared was and tried to make my way toward him. Then it was over. The dust settled and for a split second all the people tearing into the boxes were stunned and we seized the opportunity to get the stuff loaded into the hospital’s truck.

We kept telling people the boxes had hospital supplies and medicine, but they didn’t care. Anything dropped by air was game. All told we ended up with 21 boxes, not really knowing what or how much was taken. Soon after getting the boxes loaded we made our way back to our own truck and found it covered with dirt. I soon realized that we too were covered in dirt. I could feel chunks in my hair and I knew my neck was dusty, but it didn’t take long before I discovered there was dirt in both my ears, up my nose and in my underwear. When I got home to take a shower, I knew better than to take my hair tie out before getting in. The shower floor went from clean to mud in a few seconds. And this was all before 10:00 in the morning…it was going to be a long day.

To say we’ve had a few tiring weeks is an understatement. We have had so much trouble with communication. Not only problems with our phones, but the internet as well. I would like to tell you that is the reason for such a long delay in posting a blog, but the truth is I am feeling a little frustrated that we aren’t able to do more to help those in need in Port-au-Prince. It is so strange to us that we feel a world apart from a city that is less than 100 miles away.

As we talk with other missionaries around the area, we are all sensing that it is only a matter of time before those in Port realize they have no other option and must leave. We are all working together as one body of believers to help those displaced and affected by this disaster. As for our family, we will continue to support those God puts before us whether it be 5 or 5000. We hope and pray that He is glorified in all that we do and every decision that we make. And we are always humbled and amazed by the support we receive from our church, community, family and friends. May God bless you as you have blessed us and the people of Haiti.

Update & Lego Contest

My apologies for not getting anything posted for the past few weeks. Thank you so much to all of you who donated to the supply drive!

In the past few weeks, not much has changed in Pignon, but Jared, Stacey, Will & Natalie have been on a quite an adventure as they have all been to the States and back! Jared & Stacey feel that things are stable in Pignon, so they returned on the 10th to get the kids and have a few very helpful meetings. Their stay felt much too short, and the whole family left for Florida last Wednesday, returning to Pignon on Thursday, February 18. As you can imagine, it was a mix of emotions for them! It was difficult to leave again, yet they felt eager to get back to Pignon to see how the feeding program was going and check in on things. Stacey said Will was even excited to get started with school again this week, so that's a good sign! Please pray for their transition and continued direction from the Lord.

Stacey hopes to get a blog update to me as soon as possible, but they are having some computer issues so please pray that they can get that worked out quickly as well. They need to retrieve all their files from their external hard drive, and so far because of some glitches they can't figure out how. I won't go into details, but please pray for a quick solution as all the files from their laptop are held on this device.

And on a completely different note, I have been lax in helping get the word out about the Lego Building Contest coming up at Marion County Bank this coming Saturday, February 27. Titus Hopkins and his mom have organized this contest as a way for kids to get involved in helping the people of Haiti. Proceeds go to Many Hands for Haiti. We are so grateful to them for organizing this event and for the community support of several businesses! The intial entry date is past, but for an additional late fee you can still enter your Lego creation. Entry forms and information can be found at Marion County Bank. The contest is for K-12. Creations can be brought to Marion County Bank from 9-11am on Saturday, and the public is invited to vote the following week, March 1-5. Great prizes for top creations! For more information or an entry form stop at Marion County Bank or call them at 628-2191. I hope you'll come out to see the creativity and support MH4H!

Thanks for your continued support! Hopefully we'll have a word from Stacey later this week!

How You Can Help: Supply Drive

I know since the earthquake many of you have felt like I have: helpless! Well, I'm excited to let you know of a practical way you can now help. A supply drive has been organized in the Pella area to get supplies to Pignon to Many Hands for Haiti and Promise for Haiti (the hospital). Thank you to the churches and groups who have taken special offerings to help in this time of chaos and crisis. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated. Donations given to Many Hands for Haiti and Promise for Haiti are being allocated for food, water, medical care, hospital operating costs, and fuel for generators(which has skyrocketed in price) and basic needs as they arise. The supply list and drop-off instructions are at the end of this post. Deadline for donations is Saturday, February 6, so we can get supplies there quickly.

But first a brief update on the past week in Pignon...

This past week over 1,000 patients were seen at Hospital Bienfaisance, and they expect the number to increase with time as more leave Port and discover that Pignon has resources to help. A doctor sent an email with some pretty graphic photos of injuries, and it was very difficult to see how terribly some are injured. I'm sure these weren't even the worst cases. The good news is that there are doctors in Pignon to offer excellent medical care. Jared & Stacey also got a feeding program started this week for patients and up to two family members per patient. They started feeding over 200 meals a day and providing clean water. Stacey noted that the cooks they've hired and the men they've hired to distribute the food and water are doing an excellent job. It's a win-win-win because they are giving business to store owners since they need all the food supplies, they are empowering Haitians to operate the program, and they are filling a great need--hunger.

A vision team from Meredith Drive in Des Moines will be heading down next Thursday, and surgical teams from the States will continue to assist the Haitian doctors for the next 4-6 weeks. Please continue to pray for the recovery efforts, for Jared and Stacey as they serve and are away from their kids, for the medical team at the hospital and for healing to begin in Haiti. Pray that God is doing a mighty revival in the hearts of his people. Many are turning to Him as their only hope.

Supplies for Haiti for Earthquake Relief
(Drop-off deadline is Saturday, February 6, at 4:00 pm)

Tylenol
Advil
Ibuprofen
Cots
Light-weight blankets
Twin sheets
Candles (stand on own) & Matches

Bandages/Gauze/Ace wraps
Tape
Triple antibiotic ointment
Exam gloves

Flashlights & Batteries
Hand Sanitizer
Epsom salt
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Soap
Shampoo
Towels/washcloths
Breakfast Bars

Cash donations are also welcome to cover the shipping costs ($1.50/lb.) of these items by Missionary Flight International (MFI) from Ft. Pierce, FL, to Pignon, Haiti. Make checks payable to Many Hands for Haiti, indicating "earthquake relief" in the memo line. Mail to MH4H, PO Box 204, Pella, IA 50219.

Drop-off Location: 913 W 8th St, Pella (Pella Rental Building)

Directions: Go W. on Washington St to the stop light by Walmart. Turn left. It's the 2nd steel building (white) on the right.

There will be signage at the site. Please leave items inside the building. The entrance door will be left unlocked during Pella Rental's business hours, continuing until 4pm on Saturday February 6. Call John Grandia at 780-2801 or 628-2429 with questions or if you are unable to drop off items within business hours.

Thanks so much for your support!

Relief Efforts in Pignon

I'm happy to report that Will & Natalie made it safely to Iowa last Thursday night and are doing great. They got to my parents' about 9:30pm Thursday night and immediately played in the snow for awhile. They'd already been to McDonald's twice since their arrival in the States the previous day, and they were lovin' it! :) Now they've had a chance to play with their cousins, find all the toys at Grandma's they'd forgotten about and reunite with friends at church. This week Grandma plans to find some routine in all this and hopes to crack the school books. We are thankful that so far the kids are happy to be in Iowa and adjusting well. Please pray for my parents as they do to find routine and discover the balance between being grandparents and "parents" for a time. We also hope to find a recent grad, retired teacher or someone willing with a teaching background to homeschool Will & Natalie while they're here. If you are aware of any possible candidates for this, contact Bev Brand at bbrand@trcpella.com. Thanks to those of you who have welcomed Will & Natalie back, shared clothes with them, and been in prayer for their transition.

Below is a summary of relief efforts in Pignon that I received from Bev Brand yesterday. I wanted to pass it on. Please also keep watching the blog because I think we will have some specific ways you can donate time, money and materials very soon. Thanks for your continued prayers and support. Here's the summary:

The following is an update on the disaster relief efforts from Pignon, Haiti. The hospital is now treating many patients with broken bones and head trauma. Jared reported they were amputating many limbs – one little girl just lost both feet. The hospital is running surgery 24/7 and has secured enough fuel to last a month (2,000 gallons of diesel). The costs are skyrocketing because of shortages of fuel and food. The churches are going to have to step up to help as the hospital is not currently receiving any aid from Red Cross, other big humanitarian agencies or the government of Haiti. Pray we can reach the right people and they will help with the effort. Many industries and businesses will not to give to groups that have religious or Christian ties so we are missing out on huge matching funds from many places as well. Tons of money is pouring in to Haiti……pray that God will provide the needed funds for this hospital as they continue to serve the poorest of the poor as a Charity Hospital in Haiti. Keep praying --- Jared and Stacey have really felt your prayers!
Bev Brand (Please feel free to pass along to others who are interested)


Haiti Earthquake Update Jan. 23/10: Summary of what is being done through Hospital Bienfaicanse (Promise for Haiti) in Pignon as of 1/23/10:

• Dr. Guy, Dr. Batsch and Jared Nikkel are heading up the response team for the hospital in Pignon. All efforts are being coordinated and filtered through this team.
• Many emergency medical response teams with surgeons, orthopedic specialists and trauma teams are arriving daily at the hospital. These teams are being coordinated through Dr. Guy, Dr. Batsch, and Jared Nikkel on the ground for Promise For Haiti with PFH partner organizations. (Project Haiti, Community Coalition for Haiti- CCH, Many Hands for Haiti – MH4H)
• Work project mission trips have been suspended for the short term to allow space for medical emergency teams. Work trips will resume as the crisis stabilizes. Iowa groups are working on getting non-medical supplies to Pignon.
• Jared and Stacey Nikkel have sent their children back to Iowa so they can concentrate on the relief effort in Pignon.
• At last count there were 60+ admitted patients with fractures and head trauma with an unknown number of outpatients that have been treated and released with stable injuries. The numbers may more than double in the next few days.
• There are plans in place to house patients in various buildings around the hospital and at satellite locations in the area when the hospital cannot house them.
• The hospital received some medical supplies from Rotary International yesterday. All are now inventoried, stored and ready for use. Another 4.6 tons of medical supplies is being shipped out of Clearwater, Fl. for arrival later today.
• The focus now is supplies and patients. Missionary Aviation Fellowship is working with the hospital to fly in supplies and patients from Port au Prince. Missionary Flights International is flying in cargo and medical teams from Ft. Pierce, Fl. CCH and Project Haiti are also working with the Coast Guard and other means to get in supplies.
• Jared Nikkel is working on contacts in Port au Prince to coordinate getting patients from Port for treatment to Pignon via ground and air.
• The hospital is working with families of patients to help provide basic provisions, food, water and shelter.
• A much needed reliable communications system is being sent and installed.
• Senator Bill Frist, Tennessee, has been contacted to help obtain funding from the large humanitarian organization he supports. He is on the ground in Haiti at the moment and may make a visit to the hospital in Pignon. (Promise for Haiti is based out of Nashville, TN.)
• The PFH Board is working on contacts to ask/apply for some funds from the Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse and other humanitarian organizations.
• Promise for Haiti has been committed to providing long term solutions to the problems in Haiti for the past 27 years through health care, education, water and agriculture programs. These programs will all continue but the focus is to step up to the plate to help in this massive disaster relief effort in the short term.
• Dr. Guy and Dr. Batsch will be speaking at the Global Health Conference and participating in grand rounds at Vanderbilt University on Feb. 12 to raise awareness of health care and other related issues in Haiti.

Please continue to cover these human efforts with prayers for supernatural power, wisdom and strength. Dr. Guy and team have reiterated that this is the “Lord’s Hospital” and all are ready and willing to serve in this relief effort. Dr. Batsch uses this quote: “To Serve, you only need a Heart full of Grace, and a Soul generated by Love” (Martin L. King Jr). And from Dr. Guy: “Many groups have contributed to the making of our Hospital. Pignon is the Lord’s place and belongs to all mission groups working with us. The Lord is our Master.”

An Update from Stacey

Yesterday…01/20/2010

I know everyone has been anxious to hear from us, but this will be brief. We did have another aftershock/earthquake…nobody seems to know what to call it at this point, this morning around 5:00. We did not feel it, but several people around here did. As you can well imagine, emotions are running high and people are getting nervous.

We are getting my mom and dad, Tony and Shirley Phillips, out of Haiti this afternoon along with Will and Natalie. We feel this is the best decision for all concerned as Jared and I are needed here to assist in coordinating a relief effort with the hospital and those coming in to help. We are also trying to work with other missionaries in the area to make sure the people of Haiti are getting the care and material things they need.

At this time we don’t have a better list of supplies, and we are not even sure how they would get here at this time. Our regular mission flights in from Ft. Pierce have been suspended, rightly so, so they can concentrate on efforts in Port-au-Prince. We stand behind them 100% and know we will get our own supplies when they can get them here.

We do have medical teams from Virginia, CCH, and Minnesota, Project Haiti, coming soon to provide care for the growing number of patients coming in from Port and other hospitals around Haiti. The hospital has already declared that all patients of the earthquake would receive care free of cost, which to us seems like a no-brainer, but the hospital still has to operate and most of this funding will come primarily from donations. If you feel led to donate to help with these costs, please visit the Promise for Haiti website at www.promiseforhaiti.org. I have asked Beth to post the contact information for them, and you can find it on the right side of the blog.

We were able to secure 1000 gallons of diesel to operate the generators at the hospital and got authorization to cover that with funds from Many Hands. This was just yesterday and already the price of fuel is up again. We are also hearing that prices for everyday things are on the rise, but we haven’t confirmed this information. As you know, after a disaster panic erupts and Haiti is no exception.

On a lighter note, there have been some amazing stories coming out of the city, and we are thrilled and rejoice with our friends from Pella who have been able to get their adopted children home! Praise the Lord.

We will continue to update the blog as we can. Thank you all for your constant prayers and support. We know we are covered.


Thursday, January 21, 2010

It is almost 6:00 am Haiti time, and I have apparently gotten in the habit of getting up at 5:30 for our prayer meetings. Although we have officially concluded, there has been fruit from our commitment. Several lay people from Pignon became regulars attending prayer at the hospital and have chosen to continue to pray for the hospital, staff and patients. Some are doing so with their churches, and they have all agreed to start a Sunday afternoon worship service at the hospital for families of patients! It will be “come as you are,” and we pray for a good response. They are also visiting patients and praying with them; some patients are new from Port and others were already there.

A young pastor and his father from the group asked to come to our house to pray for us and our family on Tuesday afternoon. Jared and I were running around, but Mom and Dad, Will and Natalie were still here. The father prayed against the enemy’s attacks and easily recognizes there is a battle much larger going on here. We have already been hearing more Voodoo drumming and chanting, and we drove by a ceremony that was being held along the road in broad daylight. As a matter of fact, I can hear it now.

People here are scared. After the quaking yesterday, there have been rumors flying around about an 8.1 earthquake predicted to hit Cap-Haitien. We keep telling our friends to stay calm and look to God for strength and protection. Many people even here in Pignon are sleeping outside in their yards, if sleeping at all. Jared and I are trying our best to not get caught up in it all and trying to remain calm for those around us. We know that God is in control of it all, and my wise sister-in-law said it best: “God is gracious in keeping the future from us and giving us just one day at a time to cope with.”

Please keep our kids in your prayers. They got in to Ft. Pierce, Florida, late last night on an MFI flight from Pignon. We had a car and hotel arrangements made prior to their departure here, and the first thing they did was drive by the hotel and went to McDonalds. I am sure the kids were thrilled with that! They are excited to be going back to Iowa and will need lots of love, attention and patient grace. Their world is turned upside down now, and it was the most difficult decision we have ever made to send them out.

The only response I have to, “What can we pray for?” is MERCY.

Goodbyes & Homecomings

Everyone is safe in Pignon this morning after the 6.1 magnitude aftershock that Haiti experienced around 6:00 am. From news reports I've heard it sounds like thankfully this aftershock did not create much more physical damage though it did heap more emotional trauma and fear upon an already traumatized people of Haiti.

Stacey emailed this morning to confirm that Tony, Shirley, Will & Natalie will be leaving Pignon this afternoon aboard an MFI plane that will take them to Ft. Pierce, FL. They will stay there tonight and fly back to Iowa tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for their difficult goodbyes today as well as for safe travel. As family, we are thrilled to see Will & Natalie yet these were certainly not the circumstances we hoped for. Pray for Will & Natalie in their transition along with all of us as we want to help them feel normal, happy and secure in all the ways we can.

Stacey indicated that plans continue to be made in Pignon, and everyone is cooperating well. Many medical teams are beginning to move in, so pray that the coordination of all their efforts will be smooth and maximized to help as many people as they can.

I'm sure many of you have heard the great news that the Poulter family returned to Pella last night with their little girl and those adopted by the Fuller & Vanderhoff families. God certainly performed a miracle to get those children to their families. How amazing! There is some great coverage of the story locally if you'd like to see pictures or learn more of the story. It made the front page of the DM Register. You can find the story, video and pictures at http://www.desmoinesregister.com/. There is also local news coverage on KNIA/KRLS at http://www.kniakrls.com/. WHO-TV13 was also there last night, so check http://www.whotv.com/ for their story.

Please continue your prayers for Haiti. We are thankful for the miracles God is bringing out of a dire situation, but the situation remains dire for millions so let's continue to pray for miracles, healing, coordination of relief efforts, orphans, hope and God's perfect peace.

Thanks for your continued support!

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!