I have been practically glued to the TV watching the news from Haiti. The misery of the people is just heart-wrenching, and of course, I want to be there to help in some way. At this point, the most I can do is to email and post on social networks ways others can help.
I am so proud of the U.S. effort. The Air Force was able to get the airport functional after it had to close down. The earthquake was Tuesday evening; the airport was functional by Wednesday afternoon. Our military knows how to restore order out of chaos and disaster and it shows. I heard that the Brazilian commander of the UN Peacekeeping force was not in Haiti at the time of the earthquake and the U.S. military facilitated his quick return so that he could focus on the UN efforts. Of course, the UN building suffered extensive damage, so I'm sure that is affecting how quickly the UN was able to be helpful in rescue and relief. An aircraft carrier is in Haitian waters and I understand that a hospital ship is coming. This morning, I saw the many planes lined up at the airport carrying relief supplies. It is inspirational -- the number of nations responding quickly with supplies -- Belgium and Ireland are among the countries that have responded in addition to the ones I mentioned in my post yesterday. There are many more. As of this morning, there were also quite a few US military cargo planes (15 I think they said) that were coming in. Now, of course, the problem is in figuring out a way to get those supplies to the people because the roads are blocked with debris and abandoned cars. Now, the roads in Haiti aren't that wide and they aren't as nicely paved as our roads here. Some roads are very good, or were in the past when I was there last. The airport road, for example, was more like a parkway in this country. But, I know the military will get that figured out quickly.
Other than food, water, and shelter for the survivors, the most urgent need will be caring for the injured. I don't know where they will do that -- most of the buildings in Port-Au-Prince have extensive damage. Perhaps they will take the injured by helicopter to other parts of the country? Who knows...I can't imagine the daunting task of the coordinators of the relief efforts in Haiti trying to determine what to do and do that quickly!
If you would like to make monetary contributions, there are many ways to do so. A quick and easy way is to text the word Haiti to 90999. You will be given the opportunity to agree to donate $10 to the International Red Cross. World Vision has a sizable presence in Haiti. Go to http://www.worldvision.org/ to donate. Or http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ or http://www.csiminsitries.org/ . If you would like to donate locally, mail or take a check to West End Assembly of God. Make the check out to WEAG and write "Haiti" on the memo line. West End has already sent money and will be sending more. Cindy Johnson from WEAG is working with missionary Judy Heady to get a team of orthopedic surgeons and relief supplies to Haiti. WEAG's address is 401 Parham Rd., Richmond, VA 23229.
Most importantly, please pray fervently and unceasingly for Haiti and for the rescue effort. They will need our help and prayers for a very long time.
I know last night as I got in bed, I was so grateful that I had a bed, shelter and food. My house is not in the best shape but it is livable. I can't imagine what it would be like to be forced to sleep under the stars with no sleeping bag or blanket....and to not know when I would get a drink of water or some food. Or, to know what it's like to be trapped in rubble with all of the dust and debris and wonder if someone will even find me. Or, even worse, to not be able to find or care for my children. Pray, people, pray!!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Disaster in Haiti
I learned late last night of the earthquake in Haiti. I've been following it today, watching live news feeds from the Miami Herald website. I also checked the CSI Ministries website to get updates. My missionary friends and the local pastor and his family that I know well are all safe. Their homes are livable. The CSI guest house is still standing but has widespread damage. The Caribbean Market, which we called the "Haitian U-krop's" is gone. That market was well-stocked, had caffeine free diet coke which was a plus for me, and air conditioning. When we needed a break, we would walk over there in the evening and enjoy the cool air. There are many ravines in Haiti, deep valleys filled with homes and people from top to bottom (homes built on the sides of the mountains), and the one very close to the guest house is nearly destroyed. The missionaries have reported that only about 20% of the homes are still standing. I've walked that ravine, going round in circles from the top down. I don't know that I ever got to the bottom, but I remember the sights, sounds, and smells of humanity living on top of each other. I met quite a few of those precious people, too.
The children's hospital, the main hospital, and another smaller hospital in Port-Au-Prince are all gone. Many of the clinics, schools and churches that local groups here built have sustained serious damage. I have worked in many of them. I understand that the rescue groups from the U.S. and around the world will be setting up make-shift hospitals. China and Taiwan have already mobilized teams, and Israel, France and Great Britain are doing the same. The U.S. military may be sending a hospital ship -- I'm a bit fuzzy on those details. Local missionaries and missions groups are scrambling to get relief supplies together, as well as teams of folks who can help.
Please pray for the people of Haiti and for the people who will be providing disaster relief. The Port-Au-Prince area still hasn't totally recovered from the damage caused by hurricanes and flooding in the past few years. This on top of that will seem insurmountable to them. Right now, the focus is on rescuing people, as it should be. After that will be the clean-up. There is so much crumbled concrete that I can't imagine where it will be put when the people do try to clean up. It's such a horrific situation.
The children's hospital, the main hospital, and another smaller hospital in Port-Au-Prince are all gone. Many of the clinics, schools and churches that local groups here built have sustained serious damage. I have worked in many of them. I understand that the rescue groups from the U.S. and around the world will be setting up make-shift hospitals. China and Taiwan have already mobilized teams, and Israel, France and Great Britain are doing the same. The U.S. military may be sending a hospital ship -- I'm a bit fuzzy on those details. Local missionaries and missions groups are scrambling to get relief supplies together, as well as teams of folks who can help.
Please pray for the people of Haiti and for the people who will be providing disaster relief. The Port-Au-Prince area still hasn't totally recovered from the damage caused by hurricanes and flooding in the past few years. This on top of that will seem insurmountable to them. Right now, the focus is on rescuing people, as it should be. After that will be the clean-up. There is so much crumbled concrete that I can't imagine where it will be put when the people do try to clean up. It's such a horrific situation.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Ready or Not, Here it Comes!
2010 already! I remember the anxiety about y2k and here we are a decade later. I was not a parent December 31, 1999 and 10 years later, I have 4 kids aged 5 to 9. Wow. It's hard to believe so much can happen in 10 years!
My last post of the old year and decade...just think in 1999, I didn't have a blog or a facebook page. I think I had a cell phone, I can't remember. Yes, that's what age will do to you! I had no idea about twitter, and though, I've signed up, I've only checked it once or twice. I didn't belong to any yahoo groups, and now I belong to several, though, haven't checked them in months. Just keeping up with technology is a full time job!
My new year's resolution is to try to get more pictures posted on this blog! I hope that is one I can keep! I also need to work with my kids some more on how to handle bullying and ways of staying safe when they are separated from me. Last night at CiCi's near our house, they and one of their friends (6 years old) were bullied by 2 middle school kids. Charlie and Kyle were punched -- not hard -- but enough to surprise them. The kids were blocked from leaving the play area to get to me. The 2 police officers that responded were so helpful and were great with the kids. When we got home, I asked the kids what they are supposed to do if a bully is bothering them, and reminded them of the assembly at their school on that subject (I attended that one). They remembered exactly what they were supposed to do. I am at a loss as to how to explain why they didn't do that last night, except that they were surprised to find themselves in that kind of situation, and it was over before they remembered to yell. So, I am going to have to work a bit harder at teaching them survival skills and their phone number (they get the first 3 digits of my cell number, 919, mixed up with 911). I am also not going to allow them in that back area without me or another adult, and that will bother them (they love the relative independence). I will have to explain that I have to keep them safe.
Other than that little blip, we are having so far, a happy end of 2009 and are looking forward to a blessed 2010. Happy New Year to you all and God bless each and every one of you in more ways than you can imagine!
My last post of the old year and decade...just think in 1999, I didn't have a blog or a facebook page. I think I had a cell phone, I can't remember. Yes, that's what age will do to you! I had no idea about twitter, and though, I've signed up, I've only checked it once or twice. I didn't belong to any yahoo groups, and now I belong to several, though, haven't checked them in months. Just keeping up with technology is a full time job!
My new year's resolution is to try to get more pictures posted on this blog! I hope that is one I can keep! I also need to work with my kids some more on how to handle bullying and ways of staying safe when they are separated from me. Last night at CiCi's near our house, they and one of their friends (6 years old) were bullied by 2 middle school kids. Charlie and Kyle were punched -- not hard -- but enough to surprise them. The kids were blocked from leaving the play area to get to me. The 2 police officers that responded were so helpful and were great with the kids. When we got home, I asked the kids what they are supposed to do if a bully is bothering them, and reminded them of the assembly at their school on that subject (I attended that one). They remembered exactly what they were supposed to do. I am at a loss as to how to explain why they didn't do that last night, except that they were surprised to find themselves in that kind of situation, and it was over before they remembered to yell. So, I am going to have to work a bit harder at teaching them survival skills and their phone number (they get the first 3 digits of my cell number, 919, mixed up with 911). I am also not going to allow them in that back area without me or another adult, and that will bother them (they love the relative independence). I will have to explain that I have to keep them safe.
Other than that little blip, we are having so far, a happy end of 2009 and are looking forward to a blessed 2010. Happy New Year to you all and God bless each and every one of you in more ways than you can imagine!
Christmas Joys
The kids were just beside themselves the few days they were off from school before Christmas. They had trouble behaving at daycare and they really had a hard time containing themselves at home. Fortunately, Santa believes in forgiveness and second chances, and the gifts were all laid out very early Christmas morning. Santa turned in around 4:15 (and had a hard time falling asleep, then woke up every half hour to hour for the next 2 hours), and the kids were awake at 8AM. Well, Charlie woke up at 4 but didn't peek and Marcie woke up at 6, and also didn't peek! The kids did as they were told and waited in a bedroom while I got the video camera set up and the tree lights on. They came into the living room around 8:15, and were delighted with their gifts. Then, the Christmas miracle happened -- they played very well together, looking at each other's toys and then playing Nintendo DS happily and quietly. After awhile, I did hear, "but I didn't get..." and I basically shushed them saying that Santa was quite generous and I had already told them they wouldn't get everything on their lists because the lists were too long and Santa had plenty of other kids to leave gifts for. They went back to playing, and then we packed up and went to my parents around 2. All in all, it was a great day and the kids went to bed so happy that evening. So, did Santa, very relieved that (s)he had survived another year. :)
The next day, as Marcie was looking again at her Baby Alive doll and the accessories, she kept saying, "I must've been really good because Santa left me all this..." and then she pointed to various things. It was so neat to see her the happiness on her little face while saying this. She was thrilled with her "Imagine Babyz" DS game and her other gifts. She quickly went through the Pixos, and had a little difficulty trying to finish one thing before starting the next.
Charlie was quieter about his gifts -- I think he was a little overwhelmed. He loves his Imaginext Dinosaur set, his gumball machine and his new DS game. He also got transformer walkie talkies and it has been funny to watch him try to figure them out.
Kyle was thrilled with his DS and his Handy Manny set. He also got some Bakugan toys that he enjoyed.
Joanna was shocked, I think, to get a DS. She was certain she wouldn't. She also loved her purple jacket and her footie pajamas, which were the only things she could remember that she had put on her list.
They also got some games from Santa and from family, and we are slowly checking those out. Marcie and Joanna got Liv dolls and Maxie girl, and they are studying them. It really is funny to watch them figure out what they are supposed to do with them.
We also talked about the real meaning of Christmas, and the kids are looking forward to their Christmas program at church (postponed from the snowy/icy Sunday until Jan. 3rd). That will extend the Christmas season for them. I'm looking forward to it, too. "Happy Birthday, Jesus" always makes me teary. :)
The next day, as Marcie was looking again at her Baby Alive doll and the accessories, she kept saying, "I must've been really good because Santa left me all this..." and then she pointed to various things. It was so neat to see her the happiness on her little face while saying this. She was thrilled with her "Imagine Babyz" DS game and her other gifts. She quickly went through the Pixos, and had a little difficulty trying to finish one thing before starting the next.
Charlie was quieter about his gifts -- I think he was a little overwhelmed. He loves his Imaginext Dinosaur set, his gumball machine and his new DS game. He also got transformer walkie talkies and it has been funny to watch him try to figure them out.
Kyle was thrilled with his DS and his Handy Manny set. He also got some Bakugan toys that he enjoyed.
Joanna was shocked, I think, to get a DS. She was certain she wouldn't. She also loved her purple jacket and her footie pajamas, which were the only things she could remember that she had put on her list.
They also got some games from Santa and from family, and we are slowly checking those out. Marcie and Joanna got Liv dolls and Maxie girl, and they are studying them. It really is funny to watch them figure out what they are supposed to do with them.
We also talked about the real meaning of Christmas, and the kids are looking forward to their Christmas program at church (postponed from the snowy/icy Sunday until Jan. 3rd). That will extend the Christmas season for them. I'm looking forward to it, too. "Happy Birthday, Jesus" always makes me teary. :)
Monday, December 21, 2009
December Snow!
We had a beautiful snowfall last friday night and saturday. The kids were thrilled -- I was thankful to get home and parked in my driveway friday night -- the roads were already slippery by the time I got home around 7:15PM. We stayed home the entire weekend. The kids played for a short while on Saturday and I made a very small snowman (the snow was just too icy to do anything with). The kids didn't have the patience for making snowmen but they were okay with standing next to it so that I could get a picture. They enjoyed making snow angels. On Sunday, we were out a bit longer (maybe 30 minutes on Sat., but an hour or so on Sunday) and we went sledding down the hill at the end of our cul-de-sac. Or, rather, attempting to sled. We had snow plus a layer of ice plus more snow and with the sled we had, we had a difficult time making enough of a track to get really good, fast sledding. But, that's okay, the kids loved what we did. Then, we had to walk home -- up the hill, dragging the sled -- yes, I had to do that. Today, I'm nursing my back and the kids are at daycare. They did enjoy hot chocolate when we got in and they also enjoyed driving me crazy. They were wild at times and very messy -- they cleaned up a little bit but it is amazing how much they don't "see" when I tell them to clean up!
The build up to Christmas is nice but they are getting just too wild. I hope they are much calmer next week when they have their new stuff and are home from daycare all week. If they are not, you guys might need to come and visit me in the insane asylum, though, with my luck, they'd admit the kids there with me!!!!
The build up to Christmas is nice but they are getting just too wild. I hope they are much calmer next week when they have their new stuff and are home from daycare all week. If they are not, you guys might need to come and visit me in the insane asylum, though, with my luck, they'd admit the kids there with me!!!!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Shows are over!
Our church's Christmas production this year was entitled, "No Man's Land," and Charlie had a small part in it. He was in the children's choir flashback sequence of a church service in England. The kids wore white choir robes with red skirts, red T-shirts and red dickies underneath. They really looked like an angelic children's choir! They walked down the isle carrying battery operated candles and sang a beautiful arrangement of carols. The church does 18 shows over 2 weeks and Charlie did all but 1.
Yes, all but 1. He had a coughing episode after the lunch on the 2nd Saturday and refused to do the 1:30 show. He did take a little nap, and after much coaxing and a phone call to me (he refused to talk to me), he did the 4:30 and 7:30 shows. He was happy as a clam when I picked him up Saturday evening and he slept well then was very excited about the last 2 shows on Sunday. The other kids and I were able to sit in on the last one and during the chapel scene, Charlie's candle went out. After the song was over, I saw Charlie look down at the candle, shake it a little, and then walk off swinging both arms. It was so cute -- I guess he figured since the candle didn't work, he didn't have to carry it in both hands chest level like the other kids were doing.
It's a grueling schedule but Charlie really did enjoy it. He's been singing around the house (opera style -- much of the show sounded like an operetta) and says he is looking forward to the next show. Last night, he tried out some other "voices" -- really cute -- guess maybe he's a performer at heart after all!
Yes, all but 1. He had a coughing episode after the lunch on the 2nd Saturday and refused to do the 1:30 show. He did take a little nap, and after much coaxing and a phone call to me (he refused to talk to me), he did the 4:30 and 7:30 shows. He was happy as a clam when I picked him up Saturday evening and he slept well then was very excited about the last 2 shows on Sunday. The other kids and I were able to sit in on the last one and during the chapel scene, Charlie's candle went out. After the song was over, I saw Charlie look down at the candle, shake it a little, and then walk off swinging both arms. It was so cute -- I guess he figured since the candle didn't work, he didn't have to carry it in both hands chest level like the other kids were doing.
It's a grueling schedule but Charlie really did enjoy it. He's been singing around the house (opera style -- much of the show sounded like an operetta) and says he is looking forward to the next show. Last night, he tried out some other "voices" -- really cute -- guess maybe he's a performer at heart after all!
Terrific Kids
The day before Thanksgiving, when I picked up the kids from daycare, the sitter pointed out that Joanna had a sticker on her. Joanna showed me her "terrific kid" sticker and the sitter said she had a certificate in her bookbag. Sure enough, Joanna was selected a "terrific kid" by her teacher for "working hard in school." Of course, I made a big deal about it and congratulated her. When the excitement died down, I told all of the kids that I expected them to work hard in school and they wouldn't always get a reward like that for it, but sometimes they might. On the way home, though, Marcie said she had also gotten a terrific kids award. I asked her where her sticker was and she said it had fallen off but the principal had put the sticker on her and given her a certificate, too. I didn't see the certificate in her bookbag, so I told her that I remembered that she had gotten the award last year, but probably was just a bit jealous of Joanna this year. Marcie kept insisting that she was telling the truth and cried and cried about it.
On Sunday evening after the kids had gone to bed, I was getting the bookbags ready for school the next morning, and guess what I found pushed down in the bottom of Marcie's bookbag? You guessed it ... her terrific kids award. I felt terrible! She won it for being a good helper. I apologized to her the next morning and told her how proud of her I was.
The award is sponsored by the Kiwanis club and evidently teachers nominate some of their kids. It is given out monthly. A Kiwanis member and the principal signs each certificate and the principal presents it to the kids in class. Wonder if my boys will get terrific kids awards this month since last month was the girls' month? I don't know but they are terrific kids in my book (well, most days, anyway)!
On Sunday evening after the kids had gone to bed, I was getting the bookbags ready for school the next morning, and guess what I found pushed down in the bottom of Marcie's bookbag? You guessed it ... her terrific kids award. I felt terrible! She won it for being a good helper. I apologized to her the next morning and told her how proud of her I was.
The award is sponsored by the Kiwanis club and evidently teachers nominate some of their kids. It is given out monthly. A Kiwanis member and the principal signs each certificate and the principal presents it to the kids in class. Wonder if my boys will get terrific kids awards this month since last month was the girls' month? I don't know but they are terrific kids in my book (well, most days, anyway)!
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