Dear Friends,
This is the first post I have ever written on our blog about our wonderful girl Maya. Most of you who know me, know that for me to put something out in the blogosphere takes a lot. I feel compelled and obligated to share with you updates from my organization, Friends of the Orphans and the organization we support in Haiti, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos/Nos Petit Freres et Soeurs (NPH/NPFS, Spanish and French for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”). I have 2 requests for those of you that read this: continue your prayers for all those suffering in Haiti, including our friends we still wait to hear from and for those involved with the relief efforts. My other request is that you financially support and/or share information about organizations you know to be providing swift and effective aid to the country.
I know as I post this it will most likely be out of date, so please check our website for the most up to date information: http://www.friendsoftheorphans.org/s/769/start.aspx
Update from our operations (NPH/NPFS) on the ground
We have confirmed that we have lost at least 11 workers/family members/volunteers, including 2 US citizens, international volunteer Molly Hightower and Ryan Kloos, the brother of another international volunteer Erin Kloos. Both were killed when our administrative and volunteer office (Father Wasson Center) collapsed.
Friends of the Orphans and NPH are currently at the forefront of relief efforts. Our hospital, St. Damien had to be evacuated and the courtyard of the hospital has now become a triage center with an estimated 700 people, including 200 children needing medical attention and at least 25 in need of amputations. Fr. Rick Frechette, medical director of our hospital, has been coordinating efforts at the hospital while also providing pastoral care and hope for for the people. Please read his first communication to us after arriving in Haiti: http://www.friendsoftheorphans.org/s/769/inner.aspx?sid=769&gid=1&pgid=896
Fr. Rick and St. Damien's Hosptial has been featured on most major networks, 2 interviews can be found here: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=9570839
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34863508#34868097
NPH has sent at least $700,000 to Fr. Rick and much more will be needed to assist in these efforts.
Again, please go to http://www.friendsoftheorphans.org/s/769/start.aspx for the most up to date information.
We continue to be grateful for your concern and prayers for our family and for your awareness and advocacy on behalf of the people of Haiti.
Sean
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Earthquake
Thanks to all of you who have been contacting us with questions, concerns and prayers. We don't know much more than the news is telling us. But in answer to the most frequently asked question, Maya's birth mother does not live in or near Port-au-Prince and so we are assuming and praying that she is safe.
Updates from Sean's organization, which has an orphan home, a hospital and an administrative office in Haiti are:
•St. Damien hospital in Tabarre, 15 miles northeast of the epicenter, is not the hospital that has reportedly collapsed but the perimeter walls of the hospital, neighboring Kay Germaine complex and St. Francisville center, have all collapsed. Also all of the walls in the hospital are cracked resulting in major structural damage and minor injuries.
•The Fr. Wasson Center, the former hospital facility, in Petionville has collapsed.
•Our family at St. Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, which is located 11 miles east of the epicenter, is reportedly safe.
•Several people are on their way to assess the situation at the various locations. Among them is Fr. Rick Frechette, Regional Director of NPH Caribbean, who was in the U.S. at the time of the earthquake.
Port-au-Prince is where we spent our four weeks this summer and we so I can picture clearly what buildings such as the Presidential Palace used to look like. The road that we spent most of our time on is one that is reported to have more collapsed buildings than not. One of the hotels that we stopped at to decide if we should stay there has collapsed.
Other than Sean's Haiti co-workers, one who was at the orphan home a safe distance away at the time of the quake, and one who was in the US, we don't know the status of our other friends there. Our closest friend there we just heard had been bedridden with a back injury and unable to walk a few days before the earthquake and living right in that area. As I write this, I just got an update that another friend has made contact and is alright. It seems to be that some houses are fine and others right next door collapsed, killing everyone inside.
I fear that the worst is not over and that as these people who are already starving and desperate move through these next days and weeks without food, water and shelter and trying to deal with the chaos and devastation that surrounds them that things will turn desperate and ugly. Please send prayers.
Many of you have asked how you can help. If you feel so inclined, follow this link:
http://www.friendsoftheorphans.org/s/769/inner.aspx?sid=769&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=1903&ecid=1903&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=719#latest
Meanwhile we are grateful that our girl is safe and sound here with us and will squeeze her extra tight today.
Updates from Sean's organization, which has an orphan home, a hospital and an administrative office in Haiti are:
•St. Damien hospital in Tabarre, 15 miles northeast of the epicenter, is not the hospital that has reportedly collapsed but the perimeter walls of the hospital, neighboring Kay Germaine complex and St. Francisville center, have all collapsed. Also all of the walls in the hospital are cracked resulting in major structural damage and minor injuries.
•The Fr. Wasson Center, the former hospital facility, in Petionville has collapsed.
•Our family at St. Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, which is located 11 miles east of the epicenter, is reportedly safe.
•Several people are on their way to assess the situation at the various locations. Among them is Fr. Rick Frechette, Regional Director of NPH Caribbean, who was in the U.S. at the time of the earthquake.
Port-au-Prince is where we spent our four weeks this summer and we so I can picture clearly what buildings such as the Presidential Palace used to look like. The road that we spent most of our time on is one that is reported to have more collapsed buildings than not. One of the hotels that we stopped at to decide if we should stay there has collapsed.
Other than Sean's Haiti co-workers, one who was at the orphan home a safe distance away at the time of the quake, and one who was in the US, we don't know the status of our other friends there. Our closest friend there we just heard had been bedridden with a back injury and unable to walk a few days before the earthquake and living right in that area. As I write this, I just got an update that another friend has made contact and is alright. It seems to be that some houses are fine and others right next door collapsed, killing everyone inside.
I fear that the worst is not over and that as these people who are already starving and desperate move through these next days and weeks without food, water and shelter and trying to deal with the chaos and devastation that surrounds them that things will turn desperate and ugly. Please send prayers.
Many of you have asked how you can help. If you feel so inclined, follow this link:
http://www.friendsoftheorphans.org/s/769/inner.aspx?sid=769&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=1903&ecid=1903&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=719#latest
Meanwhile we are grateful that our girl is safe and sound here with us and will squeeze her extra tight today.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Our other blog...
If you're looking for a winter (or any other season!) getaway check out our other blog, which features details and pictures of our rentable cottage on Lake Superior as well as a new video of Maya enjoying a weekend there.
Lakesuperiorgetaway.blogspot.com
Lakesuperiorgetaway.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A big day for Maya
Yesterday Maya received in the mail her new birth certificate, this one stating that we are the parents and that her name is now officially Maya Bedeline Breininger. Holding this piece of paper felt very surreal and wonderful. Partly because to us we've been her parents and she's been "Maya" for almost seven months now. And partly because it made me realize that technically she's been Bedeline this whole time. In the same way, we fluctuate between feeling like she's been here forever and feeling disbelief that she's actually here.
The other big event in Maya's life yesterday was that when I picked her up from child care, the provider told me that she finally let her bossy friend "have it". Assuming this meant Maya verbally sticking up for herself against this older child who likes to teach her bad habits, my first reaction was, "yes!"...until I heard that there was blood involved. After a long fight over a ball Maya swung and knocked her friend in the nose, causing it to bleed. At this I was mortified. Apparently it didn't even bruise, but still! When we approached Maya about it later, she felt terrible and after telling the story turned and said, "I don't want you guys to look at me right now." A conversation about using our words followed.
I can't wait to see what happens on the day when her Social Security card arrives!
The other big event in Maya's life yesterday was that when I picked her up from child care, the provider told me that she finally let her bossy friend "have it". Assuming this meant Maya verbally sticking up for herself against this older child who likes to teach her bad habits, my first reaction was, "yes!"...until I heard that there was blood involved. After a long fight over a ball Maya swung and knocked her friend in the nose, causing it to bleed. At this I was mortified. Apparently it didn't even bruise, but still! When we approached Maya about it later, she felt terrible and after telling the story turned and said, "I don't want you guys to look at me right now." A conversation about using our words followed.
I can't wait to see what happens on the day when her Social Security card arrives!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
I hope the new year is treating you well. Maya brought in the New Year by....sleeping! She woke up at 11:45 and I spent 13 of the last 15 minutes of 2009 rocking her back to sleep, thinking it would be only fitting for me to close out the year doing what I've spent so much of the last six months doing. Fortunately she was asleep by midnight and I made it back downstairs in time to see the ball drop - a good sign for the new year, perhaps?
We spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas in Indiana with our families. She loved the airplanes and spent the flights reading SkyMall magazine and discovering her new favorite beverage: Ginger Ale. In Indiana she had a blast with all of the relatives we spend so much time missing. It was especially fun to watch her interact with her cousin Owen who is just five months younger than she is. She was, of course, showered with gifts, but our favorite moment from present opening was when she saw the bubble wrap surrounding one of her gifts and couldn't believe her luck!
She continues to amaze and amuse us each day. Her English impeccable and she recently learned how to rhyme, spending most of her day saying things like, "body/potty-those rhyme!"
Recent favorite quotes include:
Pediatrician: How are you feeling today Maya?
Maya: I don't think I need a shot. Nope. Don't think so.
In response to reading about dogs in "Go Dog, Go!" riding a rollercoaster:
"I'd like to try that someday...when I'm a dog."
We are excited about beginning our first full year with our sweet girl and wish you all the best for 2010.
We spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas in Indiana with our families. She loved the airplanes and spent the flights reading SkyMall magazine and discovering her new favorite beverage: Ginger Ale. In Indiana she had a blast with all of the relatives we spend so much time missing. It was especially fun to watch her interact with her cousin Owen who is just five months younger than she is. She was, of course, showered with gifts, but our favorite moment from present opening was when she saw the bubble wrap surrounding one of her gifts and couldn't believe her luck!
She continues to amaze and amuse us each day. Her English impeccable and she recently learned how to rhyme, spending most of her day saying things like, "body/potty-those rhyme!"
Recent favorite quotes include:
Pediatrician: How are you feeling today Maya?
Maya: I don't think I need a shot. Nope. Don't think so.
In response to reading about dogs in "Go Dog, Go!" riding a rollercoaster:
"I'd like to try that someday...when I'm a dog."
We are excited about beginning our first full year with our sweet girl and wish you all the best for 2010.
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