Help us go see Papa Kirk in Okinawa

This is a hard thing to talk about since every time I think about it, it brings me to tears.
First,  I will start by saying that I started this "gofundme" for an opportunity for my children to see their Papa before time runs out. 

I met my step-dad, Kirk Schmitz when I was 15 yrs old. My parents were divorced and I was on the defense. I was never disrespectful, just not open arms welcoming. I was young and heartbroken. (Not his fault by any means.)

They moved to Washington and I moved to California.  I saw how he loved and cared for my mom and my little sister who he has helped raise since she was 10 yrs old and I was nothing but thankful for him and  respected him. He married my mom when I was 19 and I would visit as much as I could. Then, I got the call that they would be moving thousands of miles away. =(
They are moving to Okinawa!! I would never see them!!
=( 

Fast forward, after I had my daughter we went to Okinawa and stayed for 6 months.  Papa fell in love with her. He shared her 1st step, her baptismal and her 1st birthday. We finally had to leave shortly after her first birthday and my mom said he was heartbroken. His little troublemaker was leaving. 

I then had my son, and Papa and Nana came stateside to visit. By then Jada was 3  and boy was she happy to see her Nana and Papa.
They have been overseas for almost 16 years. The two kids are 12 and 9 now and they have missed out so much on being able to really spend time with their Papa Kirk and Oki-Nana.  

Their Nana always tells me how proud their Papa is of them because they excel in school. Always bringing home straight A's and awards. 
Here we go...about 6 months ago or so Kirk wanted to talk to my sister and I. We just happened to be together, well....that's when he broke the news to us.  He has cancer. (insert my tears here)
He tried to tell us it'll be ok and not to worry. Impossible after news like that. 
He was scheduled to have surgery and we continued to pray. 
After surgery, my mom calls us to heartbreaking news again. The doctors somehow missed that the cancer had spread to his stomach. ...It's not good. 

All he wants is to get better to see the kids. My mom said he just wants to see his kids and the grandkids. 

I finally decided that the kids deserve to know what's going on since the doctor didn't give us much time left. 
The kids were broken up, crying asking .."why?" And "Will we be able to see Papa?".
Papa Kirk made them promise to go to college and continue doing great in school and to NEVER smoke. The kids promised. 

To be honest, they gave him 6 months to a year at the most and typing this brings me to tears.

So I created this account in hopes that we could raise enough money for myself and my two kids to see their Papa  before it's too late. I know it's the something he's been telling my mom.  They were supposed to come stateside last year, and we were so excited that we would be closer after being so far for so long. We'd finally be able to spend the holidays together.
Then the news of cancer came and changed everything. I know lots of people are going through different heartaches. I just want him to be able to see the kids and hopefully bring some joy to him and the kids cause we don't know if we're gonna have to say goodbye.  
I'm working on getting them their passports but flying overseas is costly for 3. I just don't want it to be too late. 

This isn't something that I would normally do. ....asking for help . But given the circumstance and limited time.....
We thank you and I appreciate your time and generosity. 

We love you Papa Kirk!!