ROTH August

August Pic page

On a more specific note I am presently seeking New York State approval to “conduct adoption related activities”, and regardless of the Haitian issues presently at hand, I will not be accepting any applications from NYS residents until I have received formal OCFS approval, regardless of other agency or legal involvement retained on behalf of the prospective parents. I will, of course, keep you up to date on this issue as well as any progress and/or modifications that may be required for the Haitian end of the adoption process.

Again ALL new applications have been suspended. I apologize for the inconvenience but it has always been my goal to assist families in the most efficient, timely, and cost effective way possible and, at this time, this is simply an unattainable goal. I receive no money for the assistance that I provide with the Haitian end of the adoption process but I cannot in good conscience encourage the initiation of a new petitions until the Haitian government is fully functional in regards to the adoption process, I am familiar with any changes in the process itself, and am certain that it will move forward successfully. In light of the present situation in Haiti, I, again, feel it is best to wait and see what develops.

If you have any specific questions please feel free to email me at reachouttohaiti@yahoo.com and I will answer your questions as best that I can.

On a more positive note, we have been able to start with some of the many repairs that are needed after the earthquake and continued aftershocks. The front wall and gate have received a face lift and we have begun the task of tearing down those buildings that need to be completely re-built—it has been quite the project relocating the food and supply depots to other buildings which can be secured and trying to assess the damages and gather supplies that will be needed. Thanks to all of you, the village, orphanage, and medical clinic will be fine, but it is going to take a lot of work. We will try to keep you all posted on the new developments and get pictures up as the reconstruction progresses.

As always, Barbara is still at work trying to get the rest of the adoptions completed and arrange flights to meet up with waiting parents—even amid various difficulties the Haitian government is working to assist as quickly as possible and 5 more left today! Due to weather problems they are stuck overnight in the Bahamas with Joe Hurston, but they will be heading home soon! We can’t thank Joe enough as well as Doug, Pat, and Troy (our other pilots) who have been working tirelessly to arrange transportation for the children as soon as the paperwork allows. They are the best!

Barbara attended a weekend fundraising event in Melbourne, Florida “IndiaFest” was and OVERWHELMING success leaving Barbara in a VERY rare moment where she was completely speechless (YES—BARBARA—SPEECHLESS) simply managing to ask “what can I possibly say that can even come close to thanking everyone that has made this all possible?” It is our sincere hope that each and every one can truly understand all of the things that these donations HAVE , and WILL, make possible. It is much more than just help for today that Barbara offers—it is HOPE for tomorrow. She starts with the basics and the people work and build the rest for themselves—it is the best form of “charity” —the kind that keeps on growing long after the fact. It is more than simply feeding someone for a day—it is providing assistance for a home—a family—and education—personal dignity and growth—the chance to control their own lives and to contribute to the lives of others around them knowing that every person CAN make a difference—every person counts. THAT is Barbara’s mission and we can’t possibly express our thanks to everyone that has helped to make it a reality. The work has only begun but we will be here for you to follow along with us every step of the way as Barbara (with the help of so many) rebuilds and recovers to meet the new challenges that lie ahead.

Emma is finally home as well–after just one more overnight delay in Philadelphia, Missy was finally able to bring her home after being detained in a Miami facility for almost a week.

Cherie is keeping the supplies coming with 2 thousand pounds of cargo going in over the last few days—what would we do without her!!!

Special thanks to Mike Barber and family from the Rustic Cottage–they held a donation drive and personally delivered a truck load of much needed medical supplies, baby food,formula,cereal, diapers, wipes, and powder right to my door—Let the packing begin!!

Thanks also go out to Samaritans Purse for a large donation of food for the village/orphanage, and Harris Rosen of Orlando for his contribution of food and medical supplies—these , along with many other generous donations, help us to help others—the more we get in the more we can help.

As you may have noticed we FINALLY got some more photos up—the damage speaks for itself; we have a long road ahead.

2 more fly out on embassy flights from Haiti tomorrow as well; slowly but surely they are getting home.

It has been announced that they will be signing visas again so, after her brief “vacation” in Indiana,Barbara will be returning to work early Monday morning–she has some visas waiting for her and a whole lot of work to do to get more ready to put in.

Lastly, I hope to have some photos ready for the site tomorrow as well–and maybe a few from the “Haiti Reunion Weekend” in Indiana.

A very big thank you to a Troy and Pat who have donated 100 flight hours each to rescue children–endured the long hours of clearances that accompany each flight with a smile–and, yes, have even donated not only their time but also their own money for supplies as well!! They are amazing. With their help Barbara Has managed to get 22 children out of Haiti to their happy parents. Today Charly was finally released to his parents after being “detained” in Miami for “paperwork verification”. We still have 2 others in state custody–pray that they are release SOON as well.

Another very special thanks to the varsity football team and coach Duffy of Archbishop Stepinac HS–In addition to the toy drive that sent over 200 toys to the village and orphanage children at Christmas, I just received a van full of childrens’ clothes and shoes from them as well. Rest assured they will all be put to good use.

Engineers are already in the village assessing the damages and deciding which buildings are stable and which will need to be repaired or torn down and replaced. Barbara has no intention of giving up–she is already receiving donations and supplies to rebuild and it will be business as usual despite the present mess–she is pressing on!

I can’t thank everyone enough for all the help–people are doing all they can to offer prayers, donations and financial support–children are getting involved with their schools and donating their own baby sitting money to help Barbara restore the village and orphanage, treat wounds, and pass out meals–The love and support is more amazing than I can possibly express!

Joe Hurston has finally taken a bit of time off, leaving Kyle (and Company) to look after the village while he tries to get some well deserved (and desperately needed) rest–this will be his first break since the afternoon of the 13th–he was in one day after the quake and has worked tirelessly since then, providing relief to anyone who needs it-and holding the village together at the same time–it is not possible to even list the various jobs that he has been doing, and even less possible to express our thanks for it.

Aftershocks continue but no reports of new damage so far.

Barbara will be taking a few days off to attend the annual “Haiti Reunion Weekend” in Indiana but will be right back to work as usual as soon as its over–lets hope she is able to get some rest while she is out–she really needs it at this point.

Cherie and I have been continuing the efforts of coordination donations and setting up pick up/drop off points for donated items that need to be carried in—lets hope the commercial flights start opening up soon.  Cherie is also coordinating flights and shipping arrangements for the larger donations including everything from food and medical items to re-building supplies and equipment including a new generator for the orphanage. she is working practically around the clock and we can’t thank her enough for all she does for Reach out to Haiti as well as Airmobile Ministries

On a brighter note Barbara will be flying back into Haiti @ 5am to bring out some more children and check to see how many NEW visas have gotten signed.  As of now we have 7 seats available on an outgoing flight and children ready to fill them–lets pray that they have an easier time getting through to their parents.

We also have a special thanks going out to Teen Missions who will be donating forklifts, laborers, and warehouse space to move and store donated lumber, rebar, and cement  which will be shipped in to begin village and orphange rebuilding projects.  We can’t thank you enough–these supplies will be at a premium, if you are LUCKY enough to even find them available at all.

Lastly, there was an announcement made on Fox news that donations made to Haiti relief charities before March 1st would be able to be taken off on 2009 taxes which most will be filing soon. I have not yet confirmed that after speaking to 3 different reputable tax preparers but they are looking into it and I will try to get confirmation on that as soon as possible. In any event, just in case, we will be sending out tax receipts for your donations as soon as possible and you can check with your tax preparer as well.

Please pray for Barbara as she continues in her work–she is doing everything humanly possible to get these children out as quickly as she can–she has the help and support of many dedicated and loving (not to mention slightly crazy and extremely overworked) people and all are working in any way they can to help make this happen. They all deserve our support and thanks (not to mention a decent night’s sleep) for all that they endure!  Hopefully tomorrow will be a brighter day for all concerned.God has carried us thus far so we can be confident that he will see us all through to the end.God Bless each and every person and there families that are reading this right now.

The new arrivals to our volunteers include 3 EMT/paramedics from Jacksonville, and Lacy Hewitt’s Dad who came to help out as well.  Yes Lacy is still there, some people just don’t know when to quit!(thankfully) Our 3 EMT’s went right to work and when they are not taking care of injuries they keep themselves “amused” by moving all of the items in the clothing depot out so that the food depot can be emptied into that building.  The food depot is still standing so far, but was the worst damaged and one more good aftershock will probably be all that it takes to reduce it to rubble.

We continue to receive donations toward the village and orphanage and we can’t thank you enough–it will be some time before things settle down and the process of rebuilding promises to be a long one.  Please keep all of Haiti in your prayers, the destruction of the earthquake is matched only by the pain and suffering that is left behind. Barbara is still determined (exhausted, but determined) and she has the help of many equally determined volunteers–keep them all in your prayers.