Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The earth moved

Just a quick post about the earthquake. We're okay here in Desarmes. In this area there were a few minor collapses (a mud wall here, a few cinder blocks there), but other than reports of a fatal heart attack during the quake we've heard nothing of local casualties. All cell phone services have been down since the quake hit and haven't yet returned, so a lot of people are worried about family that lives in Port-au-Prince or other towns (our coordinator, Jean-Remy, actually drove to Port this morning to check on his daughter and other folks). It looks like Port-au-Prince got hit harder than us because of the number of buildings and people and the number of poorly-constructed buildings with multiple stories. For now we don't know how the rest of the MCC team is in Port-au-Prince but we're hoping they are okay. We welcome your thoughts and prayers for Haiti, and we'll post more as we know more.

UPDATE: We just heard through MCC Canada that all program staff, including all international staff, in Port-au-Prince are safe and accounted for (although it sounds like Joel and Rachel had a narrow escape!). We're still waiting to find out about support staff members and are praying and hoping they are safe as well.

10 comments:

caleb said...

If you guys hear anything about Ben and Lexi please let us know. this is his brother caleb cadepp@gmail.com

Unknown said...

We are relieved to know you are both safe. Pls. take great care of each other.

Chito, Joy, Camila & Sonia

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear things are well up north.

The mission I work with has one church in Desarmes, so that's promising.

Unknown said...

http://mcc.org/stories/news/mcc-respond-haiti-earthquake-donations-welcome

Kathy said...

We heard the news this morning and we have been praying all day. So glad that the MCC staff are alright. We will continue to pray for those in Haiti that have lost loved ones and need to rebuild their homes.

Jamie said...

Sharon and Bryan, I'm so glad you're okay! My thoughts are with you and Haiti through this tough time.

Lindsay said...

Hey guys - It's Lindsay from a couple years back. Any word on Carla, Ron, Ari, & Nicole? lrwllms@hotmail.com

Donna Hildebrand said...

Hi. We heard from Kurt this morning at 3 AM. Kurt told us the story of Joel and Rachel, which is truly frightening. He said, "I saw two ghosts," implying how a miracle happened when they were able to survive the quake. We haven't heard from him since then, but are watching CNN. Thanks for this post! We were with him at Christmas, and can't believe the devastation we're seeing. Blessings on you.

Dave said...

We were at MCC orientation with Joel and Rachel in July, and are so glad to hear of their survival, which is amazing, to say the least. We were so scared for them. We are now serving as English teachers 45 minutes from the Wenchuan earthquake epicenter in China. Our hearts go out to you all, and the people of Haiti. We will try to organize people here to donate funds. You're in our thoughts and prayers! Jane Zawadowski and David Wells

Unknown said...

Your Frazer Church family is so releived and grateful to hear that both of you are safe and sound. Thanks for getting that reassuring word out to us so quickly, because we all wondered about your welfare as soon as we heard the devastating news. Know we continue to carry you and the Haitian people in our prayers in this confusing and chaotic time.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Brenda Martin Hurst