I am feeling a little down today. Sometimes it’s good for me to just to write. Some days I feel like it’s all I can do to keep my head above water. Emotions are all over the place these days. We laugh, we get angry, and we cry. Sometimes we do all 3 at the same time. We hear stories of loved ones reuniting, we hear stories of horror and sadness, and sometimes we just close our ears – because we really can’t take hearing anymore of anything.
We sent our medical workers to the hospital in Port-de-Paix yesterday and they were greeted with a very busy and overwhelmed staff there. There are patients missing limbs, some with broken legs or arms, and some with severe cuts on their bodies/heads. Yet as overwhelmed as this hospital is – it’s like this even on a good day.
Please pray for our staff here – Haitian and American. As much as we try – it’s hard not to think about what’s happening here. Especially when you have an aftershock every day. Many people find it hard to sleep or concentrate. Jose often wakes up at night thinking that the house is shaking. Others who have come here from Port-au-Prince go through the same thing and find it hard to function.
Our kids talk about the quake just like your kids talk about what they ate for lunch. Malaya prayed last night that the people who died would all go to Heaven. Mikela prays for people to understand there is only ONE God and that He will take care of them. Rosie prays for people who are still under concrete. All three of them ask me why this happened and will it happen again. Malaya ran out of her room last night at 3am telling me the house was going to fall on her. Those are daily conversations.
As I type tears just stream down my cheeks. As a mother I find it so overwhelming sometimes that I cannot comfort my children or keep their minds from thinking about what is happening in our country. How do the Haitian mothers tell their children in Port-au-Prince that everything is going to be okay? How do they bring them comfort? What burdens must they carry. The ground still shakes there – but their faith remains firm. I pray that I might have just an ounce of their faith.
Yesterday I booked 22 surgical people to come to Haiti. We hope to start surgeries this weekend. I know many people want to volunteer. There is a fine balance though between having too many people and not enough resources. We are not ready/nor do we have the resources yet to open the mission up to lots of volunteers. Please pray that we are able to touch many lives with what we have readily available and that with everything we do – we honor God above all us.
When I read your words, I am amazed by your strength and your faith!! Truly I see God’s might in the image that you create with your words!! My prays and thoughts are with you daily. Hold fast!!!
If our church were to send OTC meds to you at the KY address would they get to you in Haiti?
I go to sleep each night in prayer for you and wake up in prayer. My heart aches for Haiti.
Lea
We have just prayed and will continue to pray for your well-being. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Gardenside Christian Church will be sending you a special offering and a collection of food items. I saw Janeil Monday night. I would like your Mom and Dad’s email address if possible. I was in their home many times in Calhoun and know them and your older brother and sister well. We hope today is a brighter day for you and that you will be encouraged. We love you!
Joe Bob & Wilma
Jody,
I just want to thank you for sharing your heart so open. Idirect people to your blog daily when they ask what is happening in Haiti, how’s Courtney and how is nwhcm doing. You help us to see the pain but you also help us to see your deep love and trust in a BIG GOD. It gives me great comfort to know that “my baby” is at a mission that has the heart of God.
I hope to get to meet you sometime this year.
momma Courtney
Jody, As I read your words, I can hear your voice speaking them. You and your family are so strong. We love you guys so much and are looking forward to when we can come and help. Until then we will just Pray. Bob and Margaret Reyna
crying with you…praying for you…
JUST REMEMBER GOD IS IN CONTROL AND HE WILL MAKE THINGS WORK OUT FOR HIS GLORY. I AM STILL PRAYING FOR ALL YOU EVERY DAY. HANG IN THERE AND TRY TO COMFORT AND LET THE KIDS BE KIDS TO DEAL WITH THE TRADGEDY AS THEY NEED TO. LOVE YA
Jody,
I admire you following your calling. You write with such passion, which shows me you are doing the absolute right thing. My dad is Dr. Joe Sheppard and he is coming to help next week. You have no idea how much this means to him. He is driven by his servant’s heart and is so looking forward to helping…thank you for accepting his application.
I wish I had some skill that could contribute…please know when you need volunteers to do physical work, I will come at the drop of a hat. For now, though, it seems you need truly skilled surgeons and medical staff. But please know my life will allow me to help if need be…in any way, please let me know. Even from here, as I sit in my Arizona home, I will do what you need.
Thank you for your hard work…
Kathryn
I continue to pray for you,your family, the mission and the people of Haiti. I truly appreciate you sharing your feelings and greatly admire your dedication to caring for God’s children in Haiti. I want to let you know, that I will not let Rosie’s sponsorship be in jeopardy. I am doing what I can to be sure that it continues. I consider her my granddaughter in Haiti and often share the pictures you send with my family and friends. We are so pleased to hear of the prayers of your children and thank you for instilling the love in God in their hearts. Be strong in the Lord. In His Love, Susan Schultz