Looters take over Haitian orphanage

KINGSLAND, Texas (KXAN) - A Kingsland couple is continuing its desperate plea to federal and state officials to speed up pending adoption cases in Haiti in the aftermath of this week’s earthquake. Lonnie and Kim Harmon have learned a security wall is no longer keeping looters out of Maison des Enfants de Dieu, an orphanage about two miles southwest of the Port-au-Prince airport.

“The security situation is deteriorating rapidly,” Lonnie said, “and they are running low on supplies.”

Since 2005, the couple adopted five Haitian orphans, and Kim became the president of the adoption outreach group “ For His Glory.”

In an email to group supporters Saturday, Kim said, “We received word…that the situation in the orphanage is becoming dire. We would like to ask everyone that receives this to use this information to get on your knees before our Lord and ask Him to provide.”

Kim said the orphanage, which houses about 130 children, has no drinking water and is quickly running out of supplies. The children are now sleeping in tents.

“We have one nanny that is deceased,” Kim continued, “and the orphanage needs her body to be removed.”

The organization said there is a strong need for the following:

• formula for babies
• medicines
• IV fluids (one child is currently on an IV)
• charcoal to cook
• diesel
• cash to buy supplies if they find them. They are running out of cash and there are no banks open to get cash, so it needs to be delivered by someone already on the ground or by helicopter.

“Others are beginning to rob them of what supplies they do have,” Kim added, “There are helicopters flying over the orphanage, and they have made a sign on the roof that says they are an orphanage and need help.”

The Harmons and the orphanage staff are also working to gather the paperwork for each child with an adoptive family waiting in the U.S. Kim said they plan to attach the files to each child, if there is a way to evacuate.

For His Glory posted the following on its Web site as a reply from the U.S. State Department on Friday:

"Thank you for your inquiry about U.S. citizen adoptions of Haitian children. Due to the recent earthquake, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is focusing its efforts on assisting U.S. citizens directly affected by the crisis in Haiti. We regret to inform you that all routine visa services at Embassy Port-au-Prince have been temporarily suspended, including immigrant visas for adopted children. However, the State Department continues to make adoptions a priority and will continue to work on adoption cases."

The Harmons had planned a trip next Friday to Haiti before the earthquake struck, which is still their aim if transportation is available. They also had plans to adopt a sixth child, a little boy named Johnsley.

Once they see Johnsley again, Kim said, "There will be some hugging and tears and crying.”

The couple is working through its church, Packsaddle Fellowship Church, in Kingsland to collect supplies and money for the orphanage. Donations may be given on the For His Glory Web site. Checks can also be sent to Wells Fargo 939 RR 1431 Kingsland, TX 78639.

The church is also collecting donations. Call 512-431-3815 or 325-379-1245.