We arrived safe and sound in California. We have been received like royalty. The whole Gates family are taking wonderful care of us. Things have been sped up because of Lonia's condition getting worse. This is just a quick update to get out to people to let them know how to pray. God's timing is amazing and perfect and we are here just in time because she couldn't wait a second later. Praise God all of this didn't start happening Haiti. It is such a comfort to be staying in the doctor's own home. They are all so concerned about Lonia. The morning started about 5 a.m. and by 8 we were at the hospital.

Praise God We are here in God's good timing. Yesterday was a day of rest. Lonia was to go into the hospital Monday for tests and The surgery on Wednesday. However she slept well through the night but after drinking water and formula she began projectile vomiting. Dr. Gates and I took her at 8 this morning and got her admitted. She was severely dehydrated. Dr. Gates tried starting the IV but to no avail. They hot packed her little arms and legs and the next lady came to try starting it. After about 30 minutes she gave up and they called in a nurse from neo-natal. She searched and searched before trying and on the first try succeeded, to my relief and Lonia's. She is in good hands. We don't know what time tomorrow but Dr. Gates will do the colostomy and get her cleaned out to begin with which will give her great relief. The Lord has preserved her life to this point which is absolutely a miracle to everyone. We thought her problem was one in every 10,000 live births. It seems her condition is more severe. It is one in every 50,000 live births. Usually this surgery is done within one to five days after birth. The fact that she is alive is an absolute miracle and testimony of its own that will be told and retold for years to come. She is a fighter. Please keep praying as there is still a long road ahead. Thanks for lifting it up to Him!!!
I promise some pictures soon but today was pretty hectic as you can imagine.

Dee

Well I have no pictures today because I am not on my own computer. We are FINALLY in Sacramento!!!! Kelsey, Lonia and I flew from Haiti at 9:00a.m. and arrived in Sacramento at9:30p.m. Both traveled fairly well but Kelsey's stomach was upset and she threw up on the plane. Fortunately I had remebered to stick in a change of clothes for her. The Lord is good as we made it the rest of the way without incident.

We are staying with Dr. Robert Gates and his wife and daughter in their home in Sacramento. Dr. Gates will be performing Lonia's surgery on Wed. Monday and Tuesday they will be exploring to see what is going on inside her little tummy and what course of action will be necessary. Please keep lifting us up in prayer and the Dr.'s and all those who will be trying to correct the problem.

We are just thankful to finally be here. I will try to keep things posted on the blogspot as to what is happening since we are in the wonderful land of twenty-four hour a day electricity and easy access to the internet.

Thank you for praying us all the way here. We know you will continue to pray us all the way back to Haiti.

School has officially ended and we are already preparing for next year. We have a great problem. Not enough space. We are still planning and praying about how and where to change that. Pray for us as we study the possibilities and make decisions about it.

More later.
Dee