It is the recommendation of the mission that if you want to bring in a group of medical people or provide relief efforts – that you contact larger organizations that have the manpower to house, feed, and set up a facility in PAP. We are working at the Mission of Hope. A truck of supplies went down today. We have only raised 7,000.00 – folks – it’s NOT enough. It’s no where near enough.
We are going on the battle-lines and can easily move the small group we have – but we simply don’t have the resources there. Samaritans Purse is a good friend of the mission as is The Red Cross if you are looking to volunteer in PAP.
As some cell phones are beginning to work now – news about personal accounts are filtering their way up here. You will hear someone PRAISE THE LORD – when they hear their family is okay – – while another one collapses to the ground when they realize they lost everyone.
We still have no word from ANY of our PAP staff – their cell phones don’t work or perhaps……I don’t want to go there. NOT TRUE NOW – – JOCELYN AND FAITDU (two orphan boys) just walked through our gates! Talk about God’s timing and just when you think you have no hope.
Haven’t heard from Jose in 24 hours.
Over 100’s of thousands expected in casualties. How do you process that? How in the world do you explain that to new Christians and small children? I don’t understand it myself. My home was fluent today with countless Haitians wanting to catch a glimpse of the news, weeping while I hold their hand or hug them tight – and it never stopped. I feel so numb and yet I cry nearly every 10 minutes. Always another story – always another problem. They come to me looking to “save” them to make it go away and i am left helpless – crying with Melonnie because there isn’t anything we can do.
Our church is open tonight for those who are grieving. Doing all that I can but still feel like it’s not enough. Pray for the Haitian medical team, Melissa, and Maureen as they travel to PAP tomorrow. I asked them to please try to find Jose – just so I know for sure nothing has happened in the past 24 hours. Andy Olsen left this morning to document what’s going on.
I am on facebook and update it all the time with simple one-liners that might not be blog worthy but certainly give you a glimpse of what’s happening. Jody Castillo is the name.
It’s funny….all day long I watched my front door. I’m not joking – I knew Jose would walk through it today. It was going to be this great surprise – covered in dirt where he had ridden a moto for 12 hours straight trying to get to us. If he could talk to me he wouldn’t consider even leaving. BUT I know how he is – I imagine that he’s probably right in the thick of it….sorting through the rubble. And honestly – how selfish to think otherwise. I’m sure he is right where he should be.
I sent out an appeal email to my contacts. I have had two positive replys so far. Just keep doing the work. God will provide. Tom
I can only imagine….lifting all of this up in prayer into the hands of THE ONE who is the author of life.
Praying for your strength and for word from Jose.
I linked your post on my Facebook and sent links to your blog and Theresa’s out to all of my prayer warrior contacts. You are bathed in prayer. Everyone I can think of to tell is getting updates on prayer and financial needs. We love you.
EVeryone is in my prayers. I’ve been worried sick since I heard about it. I have many donations of clothes and other things to send – should we not send any to KY? – are they going to be sending any supplies out via plane or anything?? Let me know where I can help or should send it to!!!
DEAR JODY,
TONIGHT IN CHURCH SOME ASKED ABOUT JOSE AND I TOLD THEM HE WAS PROBABLY DRAGGING BODIES OUT OF THE COLLAPSED BUILDINGS.
BLESSINGS,
DRUCIE
Jody,
Just found your website while looking for info on Haiti. Very moved by your story. Praying for you and your children. Praying for the safe return of your husband.
In Christian Love,
Sheena
Jody, I cannot even begin to process what everybody there is going through. And trying to stay strong for all those people looking to you for answers. My heart goes out to you too, and everybody there.
Jody – Your blogs of sharing are helpful to those of us here in the states who wish we could be there – – lending a shoulder, prayer, whatever! My heart and prayers are with you all!
Jody, Our church supports the International Disaster Emergency Service or IDES. They have a Disaster Assistance Response Team that sends folks into disaster areas just like Haiti. They are a Christian church/church of christ organization who are very reliable and respected in our community. If anyone would like to contact them they can go to ides.org. These folks have missionaries in PAP and I am sure will be sending teams in in just a few short days.
Sandy – Emmanuel Christian Church
I’ll see you in February
Jody,
I came to NWHCM March 08. We have been praying for all and especially for those we personally met and know. It is so helpful to read your blog to pray specifically and your D fever will not go uncovered and for your strength overall. I can’t imagine how hard it is to bear with so many in such inconceivable pain.
Nancy Parsley