Heart for Haiti: Joe's Story

My little swim buddy!

2010-11-27T08:26:00.001-08:00

The man in his fish shirt

2010-04-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Joe's

2010-02-12T17:26:00.000-08:00

Out to dinner with the GLA gang.
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Gus

2010-02-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

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Last

2010-02-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

But not least. Bin #K-9. Gus is heading back to Haiti!
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Gus made the trip to Colorado too!

2010-02-12T13:59:00.001-08:00

Almost

2010-02-12T13:17:00.000-08:00

The back of the second container! We're almost full.
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Loading

2010-02-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

Here is our first container. We're one third full after 2 hours. Much more to go!
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Loading... Meeting some great people!

2010-02-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

Peyton (Allison's friend!), Holli (Dixie's daughter-in-law), Naomi & Jeffry (Jill was sitting next to Naomi waiting in Miami & Jeffry was one of her babies in December!) And Peyton again!

Nice view!

2010-02-12T06:12:00.000-08:00

Pikes Peak in a wintery Colorado wonderland. The view from Rutherfords back deck.
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Snow in Colorado

2010-02-11T19:35:00.000-08:00

Staying at Adam and Kristie's in Peyton tonight. We ended up getting 3 inches of snow this evening! Should be an interesting day tomorrow.
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Foreman Steve

2010-02-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

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Joe and John the volunteer

2010-02-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

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GLA store house

2010-02-11T12:46:00.000-08:00

All of the supplies that arrived the last 2 days! We'll be loading at least 2 large shipping containers in the next 2 days.
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Ready and rollin' again

2010-02-11T05:03:00.001-08:00

Heading out again to help GLA in Colorado. John Bickel is leading a team to load shipping containers bound for GLA in Haiti. Jill dropped me at the airport at 4:30am and i will be holing down things on the home front. I feel honored to be asked to help out with this very important task. These are all of our donation dollars going directly where they are needed most. More to come...
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Snoozin'

2010-02-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

With his monster PJ's on.
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Bath Time

2010-02-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

He's lovin' time in the bath. This is his very favorite time of the day.
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Time together

2010-02-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

What a great kid!
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Pudding

2010-02-04T19:29:00.001-08:00

Yummmmmm!
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Photo Catch Up: Joe's Camera in Haiti

2010-01-31T13:46:00.001-08:00

At LAX

2010-01-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Coming home!
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Thank You Larry King

2010-01-25T21:55:00.000-08:00

We truly believe Larry King made a difference for the kids of God's Littlest Angels. Early on, he helped us get the message out about GLA and getting the kids home after the earthquake in Haiti. He cared enough to follow the story and we can't thank him enough...

Thanks also to Rosy who helped get us through the past 10 days... she is much more than a producer... She is a friend.

We need to continue to support God's Littlest Angels (www.glahaiti.org) as they have much more to come. They will soon be receiving new babies and need our prayer and support. There are so many children who need care... so many. We can't take this lightly... collectively we can make a difference. And pray for the GLA children with families in Canada and France - that the kids get to go home.

We want to say thank-you to Allison, who got Samuel taken care of tonight! We were down to only dirty clothes - and she SAVED THE DAY by dropping off outfits at the hotel for him. Thank you so very much Al... you are so very special to us.

Samuel is all we had hoped... he is an incredible kid and we have been blessed for sure.

Getting Ready

2010-01-25T17:59:00.001-08:00

To go on air with Larry King!
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Feeding Sam

2010-01-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

Fish time!
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Wow a link from KGW!

2010-01-23T12:26:00.001-08:00

I'm forever reading this website, now I'm on it!

For the whole story you should see this blog too.

www.wilkinsadoption.blogspot.com
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Thank-You - seems so inadequate

2010-01-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

We are working through our emotion, enjoying watching Samuel sleep… More to come for certain!

But we wanted to take just a moment to say THANK YOU to each of you for your support. People are showing AMAZING support, and we are truly humbled by what is happening around us.

Thanks to those who have played a role in this journey whether that be with prayer, love, donations, email and blog comments, emails or taking care of things for us back home. We feel your love and are feeling blessed. We are thanking God for everything he is doing around us…

Dixie spoke to the parents this morning – will try to get video and/or some words to share… That woman is amazing. These kids are special kids…

…and they are HOME.

Please pray though, as they are not yet US citizens… We will probably have to re-adopt them in the US and are praying this doesn’t mean starting completely over with the process/fees, etc… We are concerned as we aren't coming out of the country like most situations - many of us don't have a lot of the documents we would have in the "normal process." But hopefully it will be a non-issue for all of us.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/orphans_no_more_haitian_childr.html

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/

I have my angel now!

2010-01-22T09:58:00.000-08:00

Right now Samuel is taking a nap next to Jill in our hotel. I owe this moment to everyone who prayed so hard for this to happen.

Thank you also to Kimberly and Bruce who traveled along and documentented my journey.
http://www.oregonlive.com/
Time to take a nap myself.

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Amazing!

2010-01-22T08:53:00.001-08:00

We Got Him!

2010-01-22T08:53:00.000-08:00

By the Way... (Jill here)

2010-01-22T06:47:00.001-08:00

I still have not seen Joe! I am dying here... (he is with the kids.)

They are calling 4 at a time...

2010-01-22T06:42:00.000-08:00

The suspense is killing me!
This is so cool to be with all the parents... We are cheering for each other as names are called.

Dixie Just Came In To Talk!

2010-01-22T06:30:00.001-08:00

We are about to see them!!! :-)

IMG00108.jpg

2010-01-22T05:52:00.000-08:00

On the bus!
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6am Update

2010-01-22T02:59:00.000-08:00

Quote from Joe:

"More like 6:30 or 7am. Man, I'm wiped out."

A very long wait

2010-01-22T02:13:00.000-08:00

Most of the kids are done, about 28 more. Ugh!
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And still waiting

2010-01-22T01:50:00.000-08:00

At least Samuel is catching a few z's
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IMG00100.jpg

2010-01-21T23:09:00.000-08:00

Waiting in a small room checking paperwork with all 83 new Americans!

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We made it!!!!

2010-01-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

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Finally

2010-01-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

On the plane. About ready to close the door.
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2010-01-21T16:14:00.001-08:00

Dark here now. Three planes on final approach. One of them should be ours!
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Sam with a Miami Beach FD vounteer

2010-01-21T15:28:00.000-08:00

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What an awesome day!

2010-01-21T14:22:00.000-08:00

Sam is loved on by sgnt Jenny from St Louis.
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B and Sam being held by GI Janes at the airport.

2010-01-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

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80 kids waiting at the airport!

2010-01-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

Mama I'm comin' home.
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Sam right this minute

2010-01-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

Samuel sitting on Ruth, lap.
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A preschool

2010-01-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

Several missing. Heartbreaking.
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A preschool

2010-01-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

Several missing. Heartbreaking.
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Devistation

2010-01-21T12:47:00.001-08:00

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Convoy

2010-01-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

6 vehicles now heading to the airport. 83 new americans coming home. Samuel too!
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Packed tight

2010-01-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

We stopped at the toddler house and picked up several more kids.
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On the move!

2010-01-21T11:33:00.000-08:00

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Just a good shot.

2010-01-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

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Still waiting for the bus

2010-01-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

Can't keep Samuel out of Sonese's arms.
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IMG00049.jpg

2010-01-21T10:37:00.001-08:00

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Ready for the jail break

2010-01-21T10:35:00.001-08:00

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Erick and Samuel

2010-01-21T10:34:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to load up... Just waiting for the buses.
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Supplies just for todays trip

2010-01-21T10:12:00.001-08:00

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The nurses here are incredible

2010-01-21T08:35:00.001-08:00

Nicole Hollingsworth and Nicole Douglas help a precious little girl in the orphanage's NICU. One reason we want all of the kids to the states is to increase room here to help the most sick kids.
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Beautiful devistated country

2010-01-21T08:16:00.001-08:00

Samuel and I getting ready to go. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the finacial help and prayers.
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Sunny day here

2010-01-21T08:03:00.000-08:00

Nurse Nicole is on the balcony with "M" soaking in some tropical rays. He will be 1 of 83 hopefully leaving GLA.

Don't forget the shoes!

2010-01-21T07:59:00.000-08:00

Many pair ready to. Be worn.
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Preparing the clothes

2010-01-21T07:58:00.001-08:00

Mathing several outfits to the kid for the long journey home.
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What a day!

2010-01-20T13:26:00.001-08:00

It started with a rumble and a shake, then a mass evacuation to the Gods Littlest Angels courtyard. God knew I needed to get up. I set my alarm for a 6am wake up, I turned it off and slept on. At 6:03 bam! I was in the courtyard in seconds flat. After getting all of the kids out of the house we proceeded to stretch a tarp over the area as it looked like it might rain. Dixie took a few of the GLA staff to the US Embassy with every single kid's file. She is looking to get ALL of them out on humanitarian parole visas ASAP. She is still gone however I know that she has been talking with GLA staff today about progress. More to come.

Communication has been intermittent at best, I still can't call out, but texting sometimes works. I have gotten emails and I was able to get these pictures up from my blackberry.

Not but about an hour after Dixie left we got about 30 babies and toddlers ready to go. Funny they wrote their names in sharpie on their arms and duct taped their names on their clothing backs.

The Marines from the Netherlands showed up and escorted all of the kids that will be living in Europe (except France) to the airport to be airlifted to The Netherlands. Wow!

Maybe we're next... We'll see.

Keep you posted.

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Update from Dixie: January 20

2010-01-20T13:09:00.000-08:00

Update from Dixie: January 20

Sam's buddy JA.

2010-01-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

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If You Really Want To Help? We Have a BIG NEED

2010-01-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

http://wilkinsadoption.blogspot.com/2010/01/kids-are-coming-if-you-really-want-to.html

My boy

2010-01-20T07:18:00.000-08:00

Playing beautiful music together, Samuel and Sonise in the court yard.
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Another buddy

2010-01-20T07:11:00.000-08:00

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My Baby!

2010-01-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

Just in from Joe…

I want to get these kids OUT.

We are working EVERY angle…

Another picture

2010-01-20T04:13:00.000-08:00

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Aftershock

2010-01-20T04:08:00.000-08:00

We moved all the kids in the courtyard after we felt the 6.1 aftershock. More later.
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From Joe... Just Now

2010-01-20T03:56:00.001-08:00

We had an aftershock 45 minutes ago. It felt like someone was shaking the bed back and forth. All the kids are out. Interesting feeling. The epicenter was pretty far away, so it wasn't too bad here.More later

Dixie's workspace

2010-01-19T20:00:00.001-08:00

I really feel fortunate to have the relationship I do with this wonderful woman. She work tirelessly to see that these kids not only get through this lengthy and confusing process, but she has to ensure that this house is run smoothly and stocked with supplies and staffed with incredible people and volunteers. although her desk looks a little messy at times (she blames the current mess on the quake) everything has its most important place. God bless
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Arrived and loaded on the road

2010-01-19T15:24:00.000-08:00

We landed and filled two flatbed trucks with relief supplies. We are now we are making our way up to the ophanage. If all goes well I will skype in to Larry King tonight at about 9:15 eastern.
Spread the word.
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Okay... Get Ready (Jill Here)

2010-01-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

Joe just texted and they should be taking off at any moment...
Please pray for safety and that they can get the trucks to the orphanage with no complications.

Relief supplies

2010-01-19T06:15:00.000-08:00

We are now checking and loading relief supplies. Several tons of items are now being loaded to source the orphanage and surrounding town. It looks like a lot but it is really only about 10 days worth of supplies. Mission of Mercy doctors and nurses will be on our plane and have help greatly with the loading effort.
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More help

2010-01-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

Here are three more voluteers that will be riding with me to the GLA main house. We are waiting in the hotel lobby to talk about logistically loading and flying to PAP. Two of these ladies are nurses that have brought important medical supplies. These meds will not only benifit GLA but also the community surrounding the orphanage. We are doing good things there, stay tuned for the exciting part. I can't wait to see Samuel.

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The incredable meal

2010-01-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

We needed to stop for something to eat. We drove for sevral miles down Miami Beach Blvd until we came across a Boston Market at the corner of West Dixie Hwy. We explained the adventure on which we are about to go on and they gave me and the entire crew a 6 person feast for 20 percent off and free drinks! Thank you Boston Market, thank you very much.
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Tip of the spear

2010-01-18T08:51:00.001-08:00

Aaron has been on the phone with everyone. From Dixie to his senator in CO. He has help arrange the flight and organized the relief supplies that we are flying in tomorrow. We are so excited to hear that the orphans in process (including Samuel) will hopefully be releaserd to the US! Now pray for a safe and speedy trip for us tomorrow...

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Essientials only

2010-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

Aaron and Tanya at Wallmart getting things for the ladies.
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What A Day...

2010-01-17T20:28:00.000-08:00

I am exhausted... What a night. I spent all day traveling, only to find out when I landed in MIA that a car would be picking me up and taking me to the Larry King Live show... I guess Jill had been working things in the background and was praying I would be able to make it work.
We feel like we could have... should have said more on behalf of GLA and our fellow adoptive parents. Jill had worked all day to prepare for this with our friend Kevin Curry, of Lyon Films. (http://www.lyonfilms.com/) We had shared with Dixie the key points and really wanted to have each of us OWN specific messages. But it's hard to get it perfectly right when you are on live TV.
We are PRAYING this will made a difference.
Tomorrow will be crazy... loading and coordinating the supplies. I feel like all of this is so surreal... I am so exhausted, but I know I will be ready to give 110% come morning.
I cannot thank you enough for the comments after the show tonight; and I truly, truly appreciate your support. I am representing all of YOU who are wishing they could be on the ground. I promise I will make you proud.
More later...

Larry King

2010-01-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for time on air. Big camera, little room.
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Jill Here...

2010-01-17T05:22:00.001-08:00

I am a mess, but trying to be strong.
Joe is boarding the plane shortly, he just left security.

Ready... Set...

2010-01-17T04:45:00.000-08:00

United would have charged 120 dollars, but I pulled out Samuel's picture, told them the bags had medical supplies in them - and all fees were waived! THANK YOU United Airlines!

3 shots of caffeine and I am ready to get this day started. Sad to be leaving Jill behind... Very hard. We pray it is the last time we are "only" a couple, but instead a family of 3.

Will keep you posted.

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Packed and Ready

2010-01-16T23:28:00.001-08:00

6am flight in the morning. I am tired - it was a long day of prep. But I am ready for this journey. Hopefully I will be at GLA on Tuesday. Please say prayers. THANK YOU!

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Med Supplies... So Thankful!

2010-01-16T15:05:00.000-08:00

We just had 4 large boxes of various medical supplies dropped off by my cousin who is a nurse. She stopped by the hospital she worked and raided the missions box, and got so many needed items. Jill and I are going to work hard to get them on the flight with me in the morning.

THANK YOU SUSAN

We also stopped by a medical supply store and they have us a bunch of items for a good discount. We are amazed by the love we are being shown in all of this.

We do have confirmation of the chartered flight for Tuesday morning! So right now we are a go...

All – please continue to support GLA if you can… You can use the CHIP IN icon on the right nav. This chartered flight is costly, but will be so key in getting medical supplies, food and other needed items to GLA and the surrounding communities.

Joe Update

2010-01-16T09:13:00.001-08:00

We went shopping for some supplies last night. But we got a call from the GLA board member who said they need medical supplies, so we will go out again today. If you are in the PDX area and can help with suture materials, rubber gloves and medical equipment cleaner, please email: jillswilkins@hotmail.com

We found out that the Baptist Mission had to do a double amputation on an 8-year old girl yesterday… with NO anesthesia. Oh this is just heart-breaking. I fear for what I am about to see with my own eyes.

Jill is working like crazy to follow/participate in the US government decision for adoptions trying to figure out where our paperwork stands. We know it is considered “legal” though we don’t know IF we have that paperwork: the “final adoption decree.”

Children with Finalized Adoption Decrees
Through continuing meetings with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, Members of Congress and other child advocates, Joint Council can ensure all, that every effort is being made by the U.S. government and child advocates to find a method by which children with finalized adoption decrees can enter the U.S. and be united with their adoptive family. While the U.S. government has yet to announce a decision and procedure for uniting adoptive families and children, we remain very confident that a positive resolution and decision will be made very soon. Joint Council, other advocates and our colleagues in the U.S. government recognize that time is critical and that an expeditious positive solution is necessary. Rest assured that the necessary organizations and entities are taking every possible step and moving as quickly as feasible given the nature of the crisis.

Please pray…

Much to do and get

2010-01-15T18:32:00.001-08:00

Feeling pretty fortunate to bump my trip a day (to Sunday), however hurting that it will take until Tuesday to get to Samuel. I am so looking forward to making a difference for GLA. I never thought I'd be a nanny to my son and fellow orphans, I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed to be invited to help.
Time to shop, to get donations and personal items for the trip. Thanks so much for donating cash for this effort.
God Bless,
Joe

Update On My Trip Plans

2010-01-15T16:54:00.001-08:00

Things are changing, but they are happening!

GLA had to change the plans on the charter setup, so I will now leave on Sunday for Miami. From there, I will meet up with a GLA board member and his wife (we were with them in Haiti in December; they too are adopting.) I will be sent on a private jet to PAP, with full military protection on the trip to GLA. There will be UN security guards on the plane with us and they are working to get Airforce clearance for landing. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE EFFORT by the GLA Board.

GLA says: “we do not have full clearance yet” so there is a chance it could be delayed a day but it is looking good.

We will spend the day Monday loading a 737 with donated food and items. We will also go shopping in Miami for some things we need.

So this is actually working out better. This gives us a day to prep for my trip.

Flights...

2010-01-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

I have my flight for tomorrow morning, at 6am, but we are still working to confirm the charter details.

I may just fly into MIA and have to wait for the others and the charter flight, as I just received this info from the board member who is planning things:

I have no updates on flights yet. I’m sorry but am running into some complications. Stay tuned.

I have no doubt we will eventually get there… it’s just a timing thing. But you might pray specifically for that charter flight to be worked out for GLA.

Thanks, Joe