RSB

Friends,
 
Last fall, RSB partnered with friends in Danville, VA on a benefit show for the great folks at Danita's Children in Haiti. At the time, God was doing amazing things with the orphanage, church and the ground breaking for a new Children's hospital. We were thrilled to show our support for them. Clearly, the catastrophe in early January has changed everything.

It's been a month since the earthquake in Haiti. Part of our long term response will be supporting Danita's Children in Ouanaminthe, Haiti as they more than double their capacity for orphans and expedite construction for new housing & a hospital. They need to be empowered to respond quickly and efficiently to the great need in the country.
 
Founded by Danita Estrella in January 1999, the Hope for Haiti Children's Center began with a small rented house and fourteen children in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. Since that time they've started and completed several projects, beginning with the church in 2003. The campus has grown to include a new orphan home for boys and a cafeteria, a school building and playground and soon, the Danita's Children's Hospital of Hope.

Prior to the earthquake they had 77 orphans in three orphan homes, nearly 500 children in their school, and served as many as 17,000 meals each month through the feeding program. A church and congregation of more than 500 Haitians provides a place of spiritual hope and healing.  Since the earthquake on January 12, they have added 53 more orphaned and impoverished children to their care, and are providing a place of refuge for an additional 20 adults and family members who were displaced by the disaster. They are also preparing for the strong possibility that they will be taking in more children in the near future.

After one conversation with Danita, I knew very quickly she will be in Haiti for the long haul because of the children. Children like Katiana. She is 13 and lost both parents in the quake. Her right arm was amputated shortly thereafter. She was rescued from the streets and is being cared for in Haiti by Danita & the ministry team.



If you choose to donate any amount ($1, $5, $100. . .whatever) to Danita's Children for the next 30 days, you will receive an email with a link to download a brand new song from RSB called "LAMENT (WE CANNOT WAIT)" from the upcoming album releasing March 23. Join us in giving, praying & serving as a long term response to the great needs in Haiti.

To make a donation now visit: Danit'a Children Donations

To visit the Danita's Children website: www.danitaschildren.org 

Thank you for joining with us in these efforts.

Blessings,
Robbie

Also, many have asked of immediate, specific needs in Haiti. Danita's Children has many that you can help with. Because of the earthquake crisis they are expediting raising the funds to build the hospital. They also need volunteers who are willing to come and serve for a month or more.  More specific needs are identified on the website: Danita's Children - Ways To Give

BTW, below is a message from Charity Navigator who rates non - profits and charities according to how they handle donations and funds. Danita's Children is at the top!

"We are proud to announce Hope for Haiti Children's Center has earned our fourth consecutive 4-star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. Only 8% of the charities we rate have received at least 4 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Hope for Haiti Children's Center consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Hope for Haiti Children's Center from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

Get a Sneak Preview of Robbie Seay Band’s New Album at Church Online

LifeChurch.tv and the Robbie Seay Band are teaming up to air three exclusive worship sets during upcoming Church Online experiences. Featuring songs from the band’s third studio album MIRACLE, these sets offer a rare glimpse inside their sessions at the Red Tree recording studios in Magnolia, Texas.

A global audience of more than 140 countries and territories will be worshiping with the new songs at Church Online’s 40+ weekly experiences. The sets will air consecutively during the following weeks: February 6–12, February 27–March 5, and March 20-26 to coordinate with the release of the new album Miracle, which is set to release March 23rd.

Church Online experiences feature worship music and a biblical teaching message along with live chat interaction and opportunities for one-on-one prayer through a private chat. To get a full schedule of service times and to watch on your computer or iPhone, visit http://live.lifechurch.tv/ today.

Friends,

I want to quickly update you on Ronel & the Parkers. (click the link at the bottom of the blog to read their story)

First off, thanks for your overwhelming response in contacting Congressman Poe and others. Both Ted Poe & Senator Cornyn have personally responded to me and the Parkers and were instrumental in getting the final paperwork approved.

As of a few minutes ago, we believed to the final step that remained was the approval of Ronel’s adoption by the Haitian Prime Minister, which is standard and usually simple. However, we have just learned there has been an issue with Ernest’s fingerprints. This information, needed to prove his identity, must come from the US. Ernest is now being told at least one more day of delay. Ernest is tired and sleep deprived and with the news of his fingerprints, very upset. Ronel is also scared that he might not be approved to ever leave Port-Au-Prince. The waiting area of the US embassy is overcrowded today, all serious and desperate cases.

At 3pm today, I’m asking you to stop wherever you are and to pray for Ronel, Ernest & Debra (who has been home with 3 kids for the last week, including a young baby).

Please pray that God would clear the way for them to return today.
Pray that the bond between father & son will be strengthened through this trial.
Pray for quick response from the US.
Pray for a quick response from the Haitian Prime Minister and a quick and simple travel plan to get them home.
Pray for peace at home and strength for Debra.

I will keep you updated today and tomorrow. We hope to have a few hundred folks at the airport to celebrate with them – so I’ll pass that info along when the time comes.

Thanks & Blessings,
Robbie

*The Parker’s story is featured on the front page of Today’s Houston Chronicle. click here to read the article

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6844904.html

Friends,
I wanted to quickly share/update the story of Ernest & Debra Parker. They are close friends of RSB who have adopted a young Haitian boy named Ronel but because of red tape and new restrictions, have yet to bring him home from Port-Au-Prince. Ernest is starting day 4 of sleeping on the floor of the US embassy in PAP with his son at his side. The US ambassador, his local congressman & the state dept. have been very little help at this point.

We are asking that each of you read the story of Ronel below and take 20 minutes today to call/tweet/FB and email the govt contacts at the end of this email. We are hoping for 2k people to join us today in making these officials aware of the Parker's struggle and urge them to take action today. After calling, please RT, facebook message, email your address book & alert any media outlets you can of the Parker's.

This message is from another family who recently brought their Haitian son home to the US:

Ronel was abandoned at the Rescue Center  of Real Hope for Haiti , which is an amazing medical mission that takes in malnourished children and nurses them back to health. I am constantly amazed by the life-saving work these sisters do. When he was brought in, he weight 28 pounds . They were unsure of his age, but guessed him to be about 7 or 8 years old. Over a few months at the Rescue Center, his weight nearly doubled. Because his parents had died and no other family came to claim him, they searched for an adoptive family.


 The Parker family answered that call. I've never met Debra in person, but I feel like we're friends through this crazy blogging world. Debra saw the picture and knew. THIS WAS HER SON. She and her husband Ernest started the process to adopt Ronel. This was well over a year ago. Like many of us, they were in the wait to get him home when the earthquake happened. Like many of us, they moved into action to try to get their son home.

Ronel was supposed to come home 10 days ago. He was one of the kids who did not get approval, and got left behind. My heart was so heavy for Debra that night, as she rejoiced for those of us getting our kids home. But even worse was reading this visiting missionary's account of what that night was like for Ronel:

Tara told me today that the boys were flying to the US. One was going to his adoptive family in Houston Texas, the other to a family in Dallas. When I got back from my days work, the boys were all dressed in their very best to meet their new families. They were so excited. I was so excited for them. It was hard to watch them go. Later in the evening after dinner, the truck returned from the airport where 27 children were flying to meet their new parents. In the front seat of the truck was Ronel, the 6-7 year old that was staying in my room. I asked why he was still here and Tara told me it was because they needed one more paper for him. The other children got to go. She said she hoped they could get the needed paperwork tomorrow. I would never wish for you to see the disappointment on Ronel's face because it would crush your heart... it did mine. It was dark and the power was off. He went into our room, laid down on the bed, pulled the sheets up and sobbed. It was so sad. Tara came in and talked to him in Kreole... I'm not sure what she said but I know she was trying to comfort him. After a time she got up and left as I sat across the room. I could not leave him by himself. I went over and motioned for him to move over and I laid down next to him. The tears were pouring out of him. He was still in his new clothes as he fell asleep.

The embassy wanted one more paper to send Ronel home. He was supposed to go home the next day. That was a week ago.

Three days ago, Debra's husband flew down to try to get him out. From Debra: I did not know I would literally have to fight for him.

He [Ernest] just 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. Our US Ambassador has not cleared children and will not see the parents waiting/pleading. They were just told that the Ambassador has left for the day.

There are sick children and pregnant women sleeping on the floor in hopes to bring children home all the while nothing is being signed out. All documents are ready to go except for that approval.

...
Ernest has said that every time they call him to the window Ronel runs up to his side and says a phrase in kreyol with an expectant look on his face CAN WE GO? As in can we go home. As in can we go to THIS home. His home.

I will not lie and say that I am not fighting fear. I am. I am fearful of Ronel being hurt again. Being left again. It would break Ernest. I cannot imagine what it would do to Ronel. Would he understand that we would still fight for him? To think of it makes my stomach sick

Please pray, spend time contacting these officials and pass along to as many friends as possible to join the Parker's side.

Blessings,

Robbie


HERE ARE THE OFFICIALS TO CONTACT, IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE TO THE PARKER'S CASE.

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