Dear Friends and Family,
I will write more later, but just want to let you all know that Patrick, Solomon and I are safe. We had just gotten home when the earthquake hit, our apartment building went from 3 stories to 2 in once sickening crunch, but our space stayed miraculously in tact and the people on the first floor got out in the nick of time.
We had a group working with CONASPEH here with us from Tennessee. All members of the group were safe. Had they been on time for dinner, this note would have a different tone. Not all people in the guest house got out alive. We took the group to the embassy yesterday and they should be able to leave the country via the Dominican Republic in the next few days.
CONASPEH has been flattened. All my nursing students were inside. Yesterday we helped pull bodies out of the wreckage and heard some voices within the rubble. Efforts continued frantically all day to reach them.
Patrick and Francois Villier are safe. Their house seems to have held. They lost one of their foster care children in CONASPEH.
Communications are horrible. The phone network is either jammed or down completely. The manager of the guest house and our DEAR FRIEND has taken us under his wing and brought us up the mountain. He has a family with a 3 year old girl and a new born to consider as well. We are trying to figure out our next move at this point.
I will write more soon.
Please pray for haiti. In a minute's time, buildings crumbled and life was lost. So much life. And even with that said, I think the hardest times are still coming as people try to figure out how to put their lives together again.
Much love. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Kim, Patrick and Solomon
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You're in our prayers. Allen Goetcheus called me last night asking about ways that Christ House can be of assistance and to let you know that the community there is praying for you. I suspect you'll be mentioned at Table Fellowship tonight! You're also being prayed for at St Lucas UCC (where I'm a minister) in St Louis and undoubtedly many other DOC/UCC congregations.
ReplyDeleteI realize you might not see this for quite a while - I'm thrilled that you're safe and that no one in your immediate family nor the mission group that was working with you were injured. I'm sure you have ample folks offering assistance - but let me know (facebook or at 314-843-2100) if there's anything either the folks at St Lucas or at Christ House can do for you. Peace be with you.
Thanks for the update -- your friends at Union Ave Christian in St. Louis are praying for you guys and expediting support your way.
ReplyDeleteOur prayers are with you. Our Church in LaGrange, Kentucky...LaGrange Christian Church will be sending support.......
ReplyDeleteThank God you and your family survived this horrific event. Your CHB family is thinking of you and praying for you. May God's strength and guidance lead your way.
ReplyDelete-Staci (Moxham) McKernan
Thank you for the update. I think about you, Patrick, and your precious Solomon all of the time. I am helping to organize a fundraiser at my hospital, so we can do our part to help those that are hurt, hungry, and thirsty. I told my daughter about you and your efforts to help those in need. I hope she grows up to be just like you. Love you much! Tara Foster Gee
ReplyDeletePrecious cousin ... we're just giddy here that you all are safe. Struggling, yet safe. Every single prayer is for you all, for your work, for your safety, for the ability to take it all in, and for the peace that passes all understanding.
ReplyDeleteGod is good! He holds you now as never before!
we love you! Emily & Rodger & families
thank be to God, you are safe. I've been watching to see if you were alive!
ReplyDeletethank you so much for posting, have sent all emails to friends of conaspeh,around longmeadow, and holyoke, northampton. We are saying lots of prayers.
I keep you in my thoughts as myself being a nurse, it's so hard to meet everyone's needs with so many needing help at the same time.!
Thanks for this post. Members David Entin and Pauline Bassett of First Churches, Northampton,MA, were quoted in the local newspaper today about their concerns for all of you in Haiti, esp.ly the folks like you that they know through CONASPEH and UCC. They're already working on more support to send. David and Pauline were already scheduled to talk this Sunday abt their recent trip to Haiti, including w/ David preaching Sunday's sermon. I'm sure the focus will now be on immediate help re: the earthquake's aftermath. You've made a profound impression on First Churches members through stories folks have brought back from Haiti. Keeping you and all the people of Haiti in our hearts, prayers and whatever help we can offer.
ReplyDeleteI know you might not have access to email, but if you do or if someone else knows, can you confirm that it was Wall's Guesthouse? I think i know that it is from your post, but I need someone to confirm if Walls collapsed. It's not confirmed anywhere yet. Betsy Wall and daughter Alexis Barkman are still unaccounted for and would have been at the guesthouse most likly at that time. Any informaiton would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThanks- JC
It was Walls Guest house. Betsy and her daughter are safe, unharmed.and in the Canadian embassy right now. They will be moved up to the hotel we are staying tonight and plan to stay in country until all bodies are removed from the guest house rubble.
ReplyDeleteKim and Patrick-
ReplyDeleteJust want to add one more time that everyone at Christ House is praying for you all and our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Please continue to keep us posted, as you are able, and let us know how we can help.
With love,
Lizzie Bebber
Thank you so much for the update on Walls, it's really appreciated!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are safe!!
ReplyDeleteThinking about you and your family now more than ever!!
Amanda (Hayward) Yarolim
Member of Maquoketa, IA UCC
uugh, I've been praying for you guys. I'm so glad to know that you are safe.
ReplyDeleteSherri V,
How wonderful to read your post and know that you are okay. Our hearts are breaking for the people in Haiti, especially the children. Please be assured we, along with our prayer warriers, are praying.
ReplyDeleteSending much love and God's grace upon you.
Julie, Wade & Forbes
Kim - I am just heartsick about this tragedy but was so extremely relieved to read that you, Patrick and baby Solomon are safe.
ReplyDeletePrayers and blessings and BIG HUGS to you all - stay strong, my friend. And please let me know if there is a specific way that I can be of assistance: jlpruitt76@hotmail.com
Patrick and Kim,
ReplyDeletePlease know that this friend from long ago and far away has you in her thoughts. Your work and words are inspiring. Thanks for all that you do for people, for God's world, for your own family.
I pray for your continued strength, support when you feel weak, and always more length at the end of your ropes.
Lakewood Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, FL will be keeping you in prayer as well and we will do what we can in the continued relief efforts.
Katie
Prayers from our Disciples congregation in Missouri. We only know you through Rev. Karen Yount, and through communications with our regional minister Danny Stewart, but know dear ones that you and all your beloved in Haiti are in our prayers and through gifts to our Week of Compassion.
ReplyDeleteRev. Shanna & Rev. Ryan Steitz
First Christian Church
Macon, Missouri
We are working on getting info for the Visa. We have spoken to some lawyers. Please, when you go to the Embassy, please talk to them about “Humanitarian Parole”. There is an app fee of $305. We will pay that. Please check in as we are working on the visa issue and will need to get personal info from you.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Travis Luther
President
Law Father
2313 Yosemite Street
Denver, CO 80238
Cell: (303) 618-8621
info@lawfather.net
http://www.lawfather.net
Patrick & Kim, Prayers to you and all in Haiti from Elmhurst College. I work here in the Chaplain's office with Scott on behalf of National Church Associates of the UCC. I wanted you to know that we are having a special meeting and holding prayer on campus tomorrow. Efforts going on here to mobilize support from students, and the entire College community to bring assistance and support to Haiti. Please know that you and all are being held close in prayer here at your alma mater! Peace ~ Kim
ReplyDeletePatrick and Kim, I know words can not come close to describing what you are experiencing at this time. However I am glad to hear that you and Soloman are okay and will continue to pray for you as you work within your community. You have been and continue to be a godsend to the people of Haiti. Your work has touched so many lives, even in the states.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are in the thoughts and prayers of the Methodists in Owasso, OK.
Please let me know what we can do to help.
Kenneth Yount
Owasso, OK
kenyount@yahoo.com
Patrick, Kim and Solomon,
ReplyDeleteThe Snells thank God that you are OK, and we continue to pray for everyone in Haiti. May God be with you as you face the challenges of the next days. Hugs to all of you.
Helen and Ron Snell
Kim, it was wonderful to read your e-mail to Global Ministries this morning and then, as I was posting it on my blog, to realize that you had updated your blog as well. It is such a relief to know you are safe and yet so heartbreaking to hear of the losses at CONASPEH. A Sunday School class at Compton Heights Christian Church had been considering Sunday where to send its quarterly outreach offering--Yesterday we sent it online to Week of Compassion, and we will be raising much more this Sunday. Our thoughts and prayers will continue for the people of Haiti, whom we have come to know and understand better through your marvelous stories on this blog. You have truly shown us how God resides in each one. Bless you and stay safe...Judi Linville, St. Louis
ReplyDeleteYou both, your son, your friends and all the people of Haiti are in our daily thoughts. With love, Jen and Jeff McLean
ReplyDeletePatrick and Kim;
ReplyDeleteWe made it back to Nashville late last night, 1/14. Our time in Santo Domingo was very pleasant but brief. They had touilet kits and clothes a bank of phones for us to use. They were well organized to help us all out. It was very different from the embassy in Port au Prince. You three remain in my prayers. All at the CONASPEH are in my prayers. I am very sorry about my nurse friend and all the nursing students. I think you heard the your 3 names were called to take the first plane to Santo Domingo. Very unusual.
We are well. We prayed for you last night as we closed our trip and we will continue to pray for you as well.
Thanks for all you did to lead me and our team last week. Thanks for watching out for us as you did. I look forward to speaking to you again soon.
Glen