For those of you following the story of Michael Blumhardt and Susan Smith, you’ll be relieved to learn that Michael made it to the U.S. with both of their adoptive children from Haiti last night. Here’s the story in today’s paper. And here’s more on their plight and Blumhardt’s daring mission to rescue them.

For the last week, I’ve been reporting on the story of Michael Blumhardt and Susan Smith, a Durango couple that is desperately seeking to bring home two Haitian ophans.

1-year-old Louvencia

Blumhardt and Smith were already well into the adoption process when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake flattened Port-au-Prince.

Blumhardt has been in Haiti since Thursday to try to get the children out of the country.

Smith is in Florida, awaiting their return and fielding hundreds of calls a day in an attempt to break through the bureaucratic barriers preventing their departure.

2-year-old Witson

The parents of two biological children have pushed themselves to the limits of their capacity to try and get these orphans home safely.

Keep them in your thoughts and stay turned for developments.

There is nothing to jar you out of your daily routine like the picture I just saw on the homepage of The New York Times: a Haitian man broken down in front of a pile of bodies. On top is that of his 10-month-old daughter. I find it difficult to contemplate the depth of human tragedy unfolding in that country. If you are able to give, please do. Here is information on groups assisting in the aid effort:

Monetary donations to earthquake relief in Haiti may be made online at www.coloradoredcross.org/haiti or mailed or delivered to the Southwest Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross office at 1911 Main Ave., Suite 282, Durango, CO  81301, with “Haiti” on the memo line.

Episcopal Relief & Development at www.er-d.org or dropped off or mailed to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 East Third Ave., Durango, CO 81301, with Haiti in the memo line.

Compassion International at www.compassion.com.

Hospital Albert Schweitzer at www.hashaiti.org.