Emmanuel Lamur's thoughts with Haiti during Hurricane Matthew

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- While Hurricane Matthew ravages the island of Hispaniola, Emmanuel Lamur is waiting and praying.

He's waiting for phone networks in Haiti to be strong enough so he can talk to his aunt and uncle, in hopes that the storm spared their house from major damage. And he's praying for the kids he's gotten to know during his offseason work at the orphanage his aunt helps manage, clinging to the belief they'll be OK.

The Minnesota Vikings linebacker is the son of Hatians who fled the country for Florida in 1984, five years before Emmanuel and his twin brother Sammuel were born. Emmanuel spends much of his offseason in Haiti, and his work there has formed bonds that are tugging…