Adopted Haitian children can travel to Brookings

Clint and Emma McMillan with their Haitian children outside the orphanage that has been destroyed by the quake.

Clint and Emma McMillan have received the official notification that both of their Haitian children, 5-year-old son Maicourley Justice, and daughter Lovely Destiny, who is 7, have passports and can travel to their new home in the United States.

Jim and Sylvia Kemp, and their daughter and son-in-law Amy and Gene Brownell do not yet have final approval for bringing home the Brownells’ three sons, Lucas, Luther and Thomas. “But we expect to hear soon, from Humanitarian Parole,” Sylvia said yesterday, Jan. 19.

Sylvia said that Gene has a swaddling harness packed for the trip to Haiti. She quoted him as saying, “I’m gonna wear my son home.”

In the meantime, they have received the sad news that Dr. Bernard who runs Hope for the Children of Haiti, where the Brownell found the boys, recently discovered two employees dead in his office, making them even more anxious to bring the boys home.

Clint is preparing to fly to Haiti Sunday to bring the McMillans’ Haitian children home. “It’s an answer to prayer,” Emma said, joyfully, adding “God is so good and they’re coming home.”

With hearts heavy for other children suffering hunger and danger in Haiti, the McMillans want Clint to carry 100 pounds of food and supplies with him for Ruuska Village where their children are living. Emma explained that 100 pounds is the absolute limit of food and supplies he will be allowed to take with him.

She announced that donations of supplies may be made at the Chetco Community Public Library, 405 Alder. However, no money donations can be accepted at the library.

Grocery Outlet in the South Coast shopping center on Highway 101 in Harbor, is doing a Supply Fundraiser and also has donation cans available at the registers for cash donations.

Emma said, “I’m extremely grateful for our community’s support. Brookings is such a wonderful and compassionate place to live.”

Supplies requested include medical supplies such as bandages, anti-diarrhea meds, gauze, antibiotic creams, slings, plastic gloves, and anything a doctor’s office can supply.

Food items requested are nuts, granola bars, tuna/canned meat, energy bars, beef jerky, dry beans, single pack oats, instant food packaged in plastic or boxes, and other non-perishable food items.

Baby items needed include cereal, infant diarrhea medicine, and Pedialyte powder packs because babies are dying with diarrhea.

A last minute e-mail from Emma notes, “In response to my midwife Alice Taylor’s’ invitation, Veronica (Spalding), who manages Curry General Hospital clinics, has gathered boxes of medical supplies, plus some medical equipment, including syringes, and, I believe, blood pressure monitoring systems; Veronica said she really enjoyed putting together the care packages for Haiti.”

Shelter items include AA and D batteries, plastic tarps, small flashlights, and flat sheets.

All supplies will be given to Ruuska Village. Emma explained that the orphanage provides food and help to others not resident in the orphanage, as does Ruuska Village.

There will no doubt be celebrations in the McMillan and Kemp/Brownell households when the Haitian children arrive to fill their hearts and homes.