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.