Month: January 2010

Help Ronel Come Home

Note: For live updates check out Ernest Parker’s Twitter.

I am re-posting this from Aaron Ivey’s blog. The Ivey’s were in the process of adopting from Haiti when the earthquake hit. Their son Amos was one of the children with Humanitarian parole who came home last Saturday on a military flight. 27 children from the Real Hope for Haiti rescue center were supposed to be on that flight, all of them except Ronel were allowed to leave. Apparently, he was missing one piece of paper.

Soon after the earthquake humanitarian parole was issued to expedite the process for pending adoptions in Haiti. These are not new adoptions but ones that had already been in the works for months or even years. However, this week UNICEF stepped in and wants to slow the process down. Because of UNICEF’s new involvement, the process has once again been stalled for people in legit pending adoptions, such as Ronel.  The US is deciding to comply with a request from the Haitian government. That request is to approve all children who leave the country after they have been cleared by the United States. France and Canada have not complied and are getting their waiting children home.

Ronel and his family  Ernest & Debra Parker are now caught in this new red tape. (Read more of the story on Debra’s blog) Ernest is now in Haiti with Ronel and they having been sleeping on the floor of the U.S. Embassy.   They need our help NOW!

Here is how you can help:

  • Please pray for this situation to be resolved swiftly
  • Spend time contacting these officials listed below
  • Pass along to as many friends as possible to join the Parker’s side.

SOME TALKING POINTS: Be specific about the Parkers, the adoption is already finalized but red tape is delaying their release, sleeping on the floor in PAP at the US embassy, please do all you can to help, etc..  **contacting Congressman Poe by all means below is encouraged

U.S Congressman Ted Poe
Washington office – 202-225-6565
Kingwood,Tx office – 281-446-0242
Facebook: Ted Poe
Twitter: JudgeTedPoe

Raymond Joseph
Haitian Ambassador to US
embassy@haiti.org
p 202-332-4090
f 202-745-7215

Kenneth H Merten
US Ambassador to Haiti
Tabarre 41, Blvd 15 Octobre
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Haiti-earthquake@state.gov
P 509 22 29 8000
F 509 22 29 8028

Hilary Clinton/Dept of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Main Switchboard:
202-647-4000

Because of UNICEF’s new involvement, the process has once again been stalled for people in legit pending adoptions, such as Ronel.  Ernest got word that the US is deciding to comply with a request from the Haitian government. That request is to approve of all children who leave the country after they have been cleared by the United States. France and Canada have not complied and are getting their waiting children home.

Make a Difference: Real Hope for Haiti Rescue Center

Keeping with this year’s theme: Make a Difference I will be devoting more blog time to ways that impact the lives of others. The recent events have provided many ways to make a difference. Last week circumstances preventing me from blogging but I hope to be able to post more this week. So I guess I’m a little behind on this one.

Today the Real Hope For Haiti Rescue Center  posted a list of currents need on their blog. I am re-posting the list here if you can help head over to their blog. The following items are being collected in the U.S. to ship to the RHFH Rescue Center in Haiti.

Current needs list

  • infant formula
  • powdered milk
  • ensure milk
  • oil
  • other staples
  • canned meat
  • canned vegetables
  • canned beans
  • canned tomato products
  • juice mixes
  • triple antibiotic oint
  • vitamins
  • Tylenol
  • Ibuprofen
  • antibiotics
  • hydrocortizone cream
  • anti-fungal cream
  • oral hypoglycemics – metformin, glyburide
  • seizure meds  – pheno
  • gauze
  • gloves
  • kerlex, cling
  • IV fluids
  • angiocaths
  • casting materials
  • cast saw
  • surgical blades
  • sutures – all kinds
  • syringes
  • tents
  • tarps
  • mattresses
  • sheets
  • pillows
  • hygiene items
  • laundry soap
  • disinfectant
  • copy paper
  • bug spray
  • garden seeds – corn, beans (lima, black, etc), watermelon, tomato, eggplant
  • garden tools – hoe, machete, pick-ax, sickle (digo)
  • buckets
  • flashlights
  • rechargeable lanterns
  • batteries
  • dishes
  • cups
  • spoons
  • cooking pots
  • nails – 3″, 4″, tin
  • wire
  • paint
  • doors
  • boards – 2×4, 1×4
  • plywood
  • shovels
  • hammers
  • wheelbarrows
  • generator
  • inverter
  • electric wire
  • batteries
  • water pump – 4″
  • bulldozer
  • back-hoe
  • ambulance-like truck

If you can help please visit the Real Hope For Haiti Rescue Center Blog for more information.

Haiti Hit by 7.2 Earthquake

Tuesday January 12th, a 7.2 earthquake rocked Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince.  Hundred and possibly thousands are either injured, missing or presumed dead. Much of downtown has been demolished including the Parliament and many more buildings are seriously damaged. Haiti was already struggling to recover after several hurricanes destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure in  2008.

How you can help:

Make A Difference: Sudan

Sudan has been in a state of turmoil since is independence from British rule in 1956. The Islamic government from the North has sought to dominate the non-Muslim southern region.  From 1972 to 1983 the country experienced its longest period of peace since gaining independence.   Civil war broke out again in 1983.  The North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005. In 2003, a separate conflict broke out in the Darfur region.  Due to internal struggles the country has devoted little recourses to economic and educational development.  According to the CIA Factbook 40% of the population lives below the poverty level and the literacy rate is around 60%.   For the 6th time since 1998 Sudan has made Doctors Without Borders top ten list of humanitarian crises.

One way to bring peace to Sudan is through education.  Manute Bol has partnered Sudan Sunrise to build a school in his home village of Turalei.  Sudan Sunrise  is a movement of Americans, Sudanese and others to facilitate reconciliation and solidarity between Southern Sudanese Christians, Darfurian Muslims and all Sudanese.

Make a Difference

Back to the Five by Ruth

Ruth is a Washington based alternative rock band that has toured with Switchfoot and Relient K. They have released two CDs on Tooth and Nail as well as an indy EP. Ruth is:

  • Dustin Ruth — lead singer, guitar, harmonica
  • Nicholas Wiinikka — lead guitar
  • Jesse Counts — bass
  • Daniel Passera — drums

So Long and Good Luck, Timmy

Last Friday’s Sugar bowl marked the end of an era for Gator Nation.  It was the last game for one of most accomplished classes in Gator Football history.  Tim Tebow had an amazing run as the quarterback for the University of Florida. He won the Heisman as a sophomore. I really wasn’t in favor of Tebow winning the Heisman as a sophomore because I believe the award should be reserved for seniors. Yes, I think players shouldn’t be allowed to go to the NFL until at least after their junior year.  Tebow also graduated in December 2009. Graduating in 3 1/2 years is accomplishment for any student especially an athlete.

Quarterbacks are supposed to be the field general and a team leader. Tebow embraced that role both on and off the field. Under Tebow’s leadership the Gators went 35-6. After the Gator’s only loss in 2008, Tebow took responsibility for the loss and promised to do better. Tebow was not the only player on the field but as the quarterback he accepted responsibility.  Tebow is very humble after a win sharing the glory with teammate. Off the field the Gators have volunteered more since Timmy became the starting quarterback. Even Urban Meyer and his family participated in a mission trip.

I have heard a lot of talk in the media about how Tebow isn’t cut out to be a quarterback on a pro team. The Big Guy has tried to explain it to me. Tebow has proven that if given a chance he will work hard and I believe excel. Personally, I would like to see more good guys like Tebow in professional sports rather than spoiled brats who cause problems.

Make a Difference

I’m really not one for resolutions. It seems that resolutions are doomed for failure. However, I am a goal setter.  Each year I make goals. Last year I even posted my goals for the year. Well, let’s just say it wasn’t a good year for goal setting either.  My friend Cathy has a theme for the year. I really like that idea. Have decided to try having a theme and from that I will form goals. Guess my goals are more short term this year.

My theme for the year is a make a difference. I have identified several ways to make a difference in my life and world. It ranges from simple things like changing some daily habits to promote healthy eating to seeking to make a difference in the lives of others.

As a part of my theme I will be doing more with my blog to make a difference. Each month I am going to feature one cause or way to help others.  For the month of January I will be featuring Josiah and Friends. Josiah is a six-year old who is seeking to make a difference in his world by raising awareness and money to build schools in Sudan.

Josiah and Friends.com

Find out how you can make a difference.