Hey guys--
Here's a link to some pics from this morning:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ng.mangine/MoreStormPics
A few things:
The driving rain has stopped for now. The sky is starting to look a little brighter. It's still raining, but not at all like before. The water on our road isn't as bad now either. Maybe the end is in sight with the rain?
Many people have asked how they can help... that's a good question. The way I see it now, the greatest need will be within the next few days and weeks to come... As the water recedes and damage is assessed there are sure to be additional problems with widespread disease, homelessness and hunger. Another thing Danny is anticipating is a great increase in people asking us to take in children in the weeks to come. Folks, this is the most heartbreaking thing to us because we are full. We are AT CAPACITY, period. We are actually OVER capacity. We have to turn down children all the time, but we expect that to be on the rise with widespread homelessness and deaths from the storm. Please pray for wisdom in how to help as we get these requests.
In the mean time, we've set up a link on the front page of our website: www.haitianchildrenshome.org where you can donate online towards this cause. This money will not be going to us or our kids, but for relief efforts in the community. I know that people try to defraud people all the time with tragedies like this-- I guess I have nothing I can say to you except give you my word that this money will be used appropriately to help with the most dire of needs-- food, water, shelter...
My sister Gretchen posted a comment asking if she could call American Airlines or the Embassy... thanks for the offer, but not right now. I know that the Embassy could try to evacuate us, but we really don't think that that is the wisest course of action at this time. First of all, we are safe here, so why take a risk like that if we are safe here? And the American Airlines thing-- it's really not a big deal right now. I will be following up with it in the States, but I feel like until we know when we can even get out it's not worth trying to change it again. Kwim?
Yes, this is a bad situation, but we are all safe here at HCH, so we just need to be patient and wait it out I think...
THanks,
Gwenn
