I was sitting here in my bed – while Melissa was trying to find a vein for an IV. No success. Yesterday I was diagnosed with Dengue Fever. It took 5 times to stick me. Finally we got it. AND – As soon as we felt the rumble of the quake I jumped up so fast that the IV was ripped out. With a 104 temperature – and spending hours without hearing from Jose – I can’t even begin to tell you what that felt like.
I gave an interview on the Weather Channel tonight and reported what Jose saw. Someone saw that interview and called the mission. I answered the call. The lady told me – My name is Edgar and my best friend is trapped in her home in Petionville. She is an American. Her cellphone is about to die. She called to say good-bye to her friend. Edgar begged – “Please – save my friend”. We cried together on the phone. Can you imagine being buried alive? I yelled for Jacques and he came and talked to the lady on the phone. We know exactly of her location. In fact we have staff that lives nearby. We haven’t heard from our PAP staff and her house is where the big hospital collapsed. We are trying to call the Baptist Mission and our friends in the area – but there is simply no phone service. It rests in God’s hand but tonight we will do our best to call every 5 minutes in hopes that we can reach someone. Jacques called this lady’s cell phone (she has an american phone with ATT) and she cried on the phone to him – “please save me”. I think her phone must have died then because when we called back there was nothing.
Please pray because this is just one of many people who are trapped and will not make it out of the rubble.
Jose said the streets would remind you of 9/11. No trucks can pass by. Rubble is everywhere. The smoke from the concrete covers the air and you can barely breathe in some areas. With darkness comes fear and in a land dedicated to Satan – I’m sure few have the hope of the Lord. They don’t have anything tonight to cling onto – to help them get through this. Women were looking for their children and everyone had cuts and sores. Jose said one guy was hollering out in pain – laying on the street as he lost his leg when his home fell.
The thing is – this is just the beginning. As we find out more reports from PAP – and morning sets in – we will finally see the battlefield. The reaction to this no doubt will be devastating. While our area has just small cracks and the Catholic church has blocks that fell below – our village will suffer none the less. Next comes the lack of vehicles bringing food and diesel. Next comes the outrageous prices for what small food is still available. While we might have only felt the tremors – we will feel the aftershocks for sure. How in the world will these Haitians survive?
I have had different Haitians coming to me tonight wanting to watch the TV reports – weeping. While I was so incredibly blessed to hear from Jose – I know what that fear did to me for those few hours. They still carry that fear in their hearts. I pray for peace for them although none of us will sleep tonight I’m sure.
I have all the kids tucked into my room. Just want to be close to them tonight. This is a time when all families have to unite. We simply can’t impact Haiti without it.
My prayers are with you and the people of Haiti! May the ppl of the USA awake to the need at hand—may the world see your pain and reach out to help. I can only offer you this–He willbring you thru it. God Bless you!
My heart and prayers go out to you all and the people of Haiti. And praise goes to God for protecting Jose. My mom even called me to see if you all were okay especially Rosie. I’ll be glad to report to her in the morning the good news. Let us know if there’s things we can bring in with us that can help out.Love ya all,Laura
CASTILLO FAMILY,
HELLO. MY NAME IS NICOLE PENCE. I AM A REPORTER FOR WLEX IN LEXINGTON. THE COMMUNITY IS WORRIED FOR YOU ALL AND HOPE YOU ARE SAFE. WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SEEING.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF POSSIBLE:
859.259.1818
NPENCE@LEX18.COM
JODY, MY SPONSOR CHILD HERE IN THE STATES IS FROM BLACK MOUNTAIN AND HIS FATHER HAS A CHURCH THERE.
HE IS 12 YEARS OLD AND MOST LIKELY HIS PARENTS ARE IN THR RUBBLE. PRAY FOR THIS SWEET LITTLE BOY.
I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS IN PORT-AU-PRINCE AND JOSE’S INFORMATION IS ALL I HAVE.
THANKS FOR POSTING.
DRUCIE
Jody,
We are friends of Mary Beth Winkler and attend Woodford Community Christian Chruch. Glad you are all safe, and we appreciate the information from your blog. We’ll be praying for the NWHCM, the people of Haiti, and for Jose’s safe return.
Castillo family,
Praise that Jose is safe! Thank you for the updates. The people of Haiti have really blessed and touched my heart and they will be in my prayers constantly. I know that God has a reason for everything and will bring Haiti out of this.
I emailed the aol account last night and got a automatic reply this morning of changed email service. Just wanted you to know we are praying. I will notify our church for prayer support.
We are praying fot Haiti. May God bless all NWHCM workers as they minister during this tough time.
Thanking God that you, your family & everyone at the compound are safe.
Castillo Family:
My God be with you during this horrible event. I am so thankful to hear you all are alive. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Haiti.
Love
Bryce and Steph
Hello-
I attend Crossroads Christian Church in Largo Florida and have supported your mission for years. I am so glad to hear you are safe and continue to pray for NWHCM and all the people of Haiti. You are not alone and you are in our hearts. Thank you for the updates as we can pass along to our church family.
You’re constantly in our prayers-
Rhonda
Praise the Lord that you’re all ok!! I’ll be keeping the country and all its people in my prayers over the coming months. Be blessed with peace, courage, energy, and health!
My first thoughts were of all those in Haiti whom I have connected with and love. I am praying for you and send my love to TMan and family. May God’s POWER, PEACE and COMFORT be evident in the midst of this devastation.
Jody, As we all know God is way bigger than the power of a gigantic earthquake, and his presence can be felt there now. It is forceful and direct! The wellbeing of Haiti is promised and you know that there will be victory! I am so very sad about the loss and devastation, but very hopeful that God is “NOW” commanding a new Haiti that will soon bring forth great glory ! I too fell in love with the country and the people of Haiti, and I am so looking forward to arriving very soon to give the very best of what Jesus has revealed to me…Praise God for Jose’s safety, and always remember to keep your eyes on him! See you soon Jody…
You know, JB – I’ve been thinking…. (which is always dangerous) but here’s what I’ve been thinking about some “positives” that I can see in the midst of this horrific tragedy….
1. Ever since this tragedy, coverage of the Haitian earthquake has been on CNN literally 24/7 – cause I watched it all night… They have given stats that are unbelievable about the impoverished state of the country and portrayed it in a very accurate way. Smaller than Maryland, with 9 million people living there! 80% live below the poverty level. Most make $1-2 dollars a day. And on and on…. To me, this gives Haiti a worldwide spotlight, which makes it MUCH more likely that it will prick the hearts of people who have the means to support the country and hopefully they will send aid now and may continue to support Haiti in the future.
2. They have interviewed mostly missionaries who have mentioned God many times – and made it known that so many of the missionaries were spared and gee, why are they there? It will make people THINK hopefully – that the need for missionaries in this country is that most do not know the Lord. 3. Jose was in PAP, which was scary – and yet, God will USE HIM THERE!!! He was protected and he can bring back firsthand knowledge of the devastation and can talk, talk, talk… and get the word out about what is needed for the people of PAP.
4. You have been able to maintain communication with us via FB (which is SUCH a blessing – I can’t even TELL you how crazy we would ALL be if you weren’t talking to us)
5. I have NEVER EVER heard the word “PRAYER” mentioned on CNN so many times in my entire life as I have in the past 11 hours!!!!
6. You and yours are safe – most of “our” people have been accounted for. The epicenter wasn’t in the NW part of the country.
7. You are so incredibly organized and capable and you can do SO MUCH to help assist in the relief work.
8. GOD IS ON HIS THRONE!!!!
There are SO MANY other things I could think of if given time. But these were just the things that have been floating through my mind as I pray fervently for the people of this country that GOD WANTS BACK!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!! Martha
I just returned from Haiti a few days ago. My heart was already broken for the people of this country, and now it is so heavy for what these people are suffering through. My hope and prayer is that God will use this to stir people’s hearts to respond to the needs of this country.
Terri
Hi,
First of all I want to express my concern for the mission family and staff, and am concerned that you are all well and safe. I am worried about “my family” that I sponsor (Nadline, Islene, Luis, and baby Joseph). If possible could you let me know their condition. I have supported the mission for years, and my heart goes out to everyone at the mission and in Haiti. You are in my prayers.
Sharon
Dear Jody,
First of all, please know that my fervent prayers are with you. I have seen Dengue Fever and know you were already miserable before the quake hit. Obviously, God knows how strong you are! My prayers are also with Jose and all of the Haitians. Aside from money (which is coming), is there anything I can do to help? Do you need an anesthesiologist there?
In Christ,
Dr. Amy
Hey Jody…thinking about you, your family and your mission. God be with you through these days.
KY Public Health Nurse Kim
(now full time mom back in Michigan)
Please know that many many Floridians especially are praying for everyone in Haiti……let us help you all maintain the faith that our Savior tests us not beyond our abilities….my prayers tonight are for rescue, treatment and God’s certain comfort to all those around you in this impoverished land…