My mom's in Haiti... [UPDATE: One year later, pg 18!]

[minniebeth]

A sad update... the woman with the serious internal injuries, her name is Jean, has passed away.

Please pray for Jean, her family, and for all of the team members who are having such pain dealing with the shock of this news.

I'm so sorry to hear this, everyone will be in my prayers...

 

[dburg30]

A sad update... the woman with the serious internal injuries, her name is Jean, has passed away.

Please pray for Jean, her family, and for all of the team members who are having such pain dealing with the shock of this news.

Damn, I was just reading on CNN and saw a person from Tx had passed away.. I come here and see that you posted this.. I'm so sad for the team members..

 

[KathyTX]

Here are first-hand accounts of the events in Haiti from three members of Mom's group.

The three spoke today, less than 12 hours since arriving home. I watched a live feed of these interviews with Mom, so much emotion and so much detail of their ordeals and fears and strength are here. Have the tissues handy.

The account by Alex is particulary powerful... if you only have time for one, listen to Alex and you'll hear, as I did, what my mother (Nancy) and her friends really experienced.

When you listen to Lila, realize that she and her husband have led this mission for over 30 years and have a very strong tie to the Haitian people. Also realize that they are in their 70s and 80s... she is an amazing, strong, gracious woman.

Katy Langley

Alex Paz

Lila Foree

There's so much in these interviews that I was hearing for the first time, it filled in a lot of blanks and helped me discuss the experience with her better. I'm really just beginning to truly realize the depth of the horror that she's survived and that this will forever change her.

The thing that strikes me the most is that there were an astounding number of coincidences and and unexplainable luck that led to the safe return of most of this group: The "backpack man" who asked if they needed help and happened to have generator and special excavating equipment in particular. I do not know how they were so lucky or so blessed, but I am very thankful that they were.

We continue to pray for and mourn Jean, for the people of Haiti, and for the emotional and physical healing of our friends and family who shared this experience.

 

[SamSam]

What remarkable people, the interviews not only showed the horror they lived through, but the inner strength they each have.

They definitely had angels watching over them....the backpack man, who just happened to be part of a mine rescue team.

Prayers to all involved and to all still in Haiti dealing with the terrible conditions, the loss of loved ones and the uncertainty of what the future brings.

 

[LilGMom]

I just can't imagine the rollercoaster of emotion that you and your mom have been on this week. I'm very happy to read that she is alive and will physically recover. My heart goes out to her and her team for their loss and for what they have just experienced.

 

[Shasta]

Wow! Those are amazing. I'd be willing to bet that the backpack man went on to save many lives and may still be doing so. I hope that he has support people around him as well. I feel that when this is all over, he will have seen more than his share of misery.

Is your mother past any physical hurdles and into the healing phase yet?

 

[KathyTX]

My mom is hurt, but the injuries seem to be tissue damage to muscle. Lots of bruising from the crush, cuts and scrapes. The mental part is just starting to bubble up.

This morning, she's telling me about how her interpreter Joseph sat and held her hand right after the collapse, telling her we would not leave her but that he had to find her help. She is heartbroken about these people, she loves the Haitians she's worked with and goes on and on about how sweet and loving and caring they are.

She wants to be there helping them now, and is in turmoil that she cannot be helping them at this point.

The death of their teammate is a crushing blow to all of them. Mom's talking this morning about Jean and how much she was enjoying this trip and already talking about coming back. Just before the quake, Mom said that she was talking with Jean and Karen, and remembers saying "Have you ever had a day at work when you could help and make this many people happy?" They were loving this work and the people they were dealing with.


Sharing this here has been a great support to me, and I am hoping that it will help me keep the timeline and emotions documented in a way that I can share with her as we piece this back together.

 

[kbelle8995]

The more I see on the news the more horrifying it becomes. I truly feel for the Haitians as well as the Americans who are there and their families.

It's awful to watch something and feel that there is nothing you can do. I hope they are least trying to get the survivors the food and water and the basic things we take for granted.

Kathy I am so glad to here that your Mother is alive.

 

[DebºoºS]

Kathy, so glad to hear your mom is alive. What a lovely strong woman she is.To go through something like this at her age is heart wrenching to hear.

Sending a big [[cyberhug]] your way for Mom and her group. All are in my thoughts and prayers. So sad.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Just saw the videos. My thoughts & prayers continue to be with your mom, and everyone affected, Kathy.

 

[mainegal]

Here are first-hand accounts of the events in Haiti from three members of Mom's group.



Katy Langley

Alex Paz

Lila Foree

Thanks so much for posting these interviews. They are so heartfelt and informative.

I am digging out my checkbook so I can make a donation to UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) when I go to church tomorrow. I know that my money can combine with other donations to really make a difference to the people in Haiti.

 

[mainegal]

I am so sorry about the death of Jean, your mom's team mate.


I read of another Methodist death. He was from a different group?

United Methodist Relief Executive Dies Before Rescue from Hotel Ruins in Haiti

New York, NY, Jan. 16, 2010 - The Rev. Dr. Sam Dixon, head of the humanitarian relief agency of The United Methodist Church, died before he could be rescued from the rubble of a hotel destroyed by the earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12.

The executive officer of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) was part of a group of mission and relief specialists trapped by the collapse of the Hotel Montana. Other persons in the group of five, including two more from the General Board of Global Ministries, were rescued and were back in the US by the morning of January 16. The group was pinned down for more than 55 hours.

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/releases/archives2010/unitedmethodistreliefexecutivedies/

 

[maroo]

Wow.

The Backpack Man.

I am so sorry to hear about Jean. And so thankful the rest of the team is ok.

Praying for all of you guys.

 

[zendisney]

We have been praying for you and your mother. It is such a wonderful miracle that she seems like she will be ok.
God Bless.
Carla and Gilchrist

 

[chaoscent]

My good wishes and prayers go to the members of your mom's group and to the back pack man and the people who worked with him to help the missionaries. I am sorry to hear about Jean. My thoughts will be with the other members over the next days and months and years as they recover, both physically and mentally. Penny

 

[KathyTX]

We got news last night that Dr. Fish and Jean have arrived home.

Having them back in Dallas is a relief, although a very bittersweet one. Mom remains very upset about Jean's death, and we cry a lot about that. Mom wants desperately to see the team and to be able to say goodbye to Jean and to talk with Jean's husband David and their family about their trip and the discussions they were having on Tuesday just before the quake. Her services will be later this week... I don't really have words to express the thoughts, fears, and need around thinking of that day and how to support the Haiti team as well as Jean's family through that.

There is good news about Dr. Fish. This wonderful man refused to be separated from Jean through this entire event, despite his own injuries. He stayed with her from the time they rescued her from the rubble (he had also been trapped, but must have been one of the first dug out), through transport throughout Haiti, to evacuation to Guadaloupe and surgery, and escorted her body back home. The good news is that he is home and his injuries are limited to a cracked sternum. Painful and a somewhat major injury in a world of normal circumstances, but seems like nothing given current the current events.

Mom has been able to talk with many of the team, the tears come and go, the bruises are starting to heal, she's walking without needing to lean heavily on anyone. She continues to recuperate at my house, she slept well last night, and her sister is here visiting.

 

[safetymom]

I am sure your Mom and the rest of the team are going through a lot of emotions right now. I am sure you are too.

Dr. Fish sounds like a great person.

I am glad to hear your Mom is healing. I will keep you all in my prayers. It really is a miracle that they survived. It is so sad about Jean. She did a wonderful thing by volunteering.

 

[SamSam]

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you, your mom, and the rest of her team as they heal both physically and emotionally. Also, to everyone affected by the quake.

I can only imagine the emotional toll this is, thankfully your mom is with you and surrounded by love and support as she heals.

 

[mainegal]

Thanks for sharing your Mom's story. It makes the tragedy in Haiti more real and personal to us.

I lifted your Mom's team, and especially Jean and her family, in prayer at church today.

 

[Madi100]

We got news last night that Dr. Fish and Jean have arrived home.

Having them back in Dallas is a relief, although a very bittersweet one. Mom remains very upset about Jean's death, and we cry a lot about that. Mom wants desperately to see the team and to be able to say goodbye to Jean and to talk with Jean's husband David and their family about their trip and the discussions they were having on Tuesday just before the quake. Her services will be later this week... I don't really have words to express the thoughts, fears, and need around thinking of that day and how to support the Haiti team as well as Jean's family through that.

There is good news about Dr. Fish. This wonderful man refused to be separated from Jean through this entire event, despite his own injuries. He stayed with her from the time they rescued her from the rubble (he had also been trapped, but must have been one of the first dug out), through transport throughout Haiti, to evacuation to Guadaloupe and surgery, and escorted her body back home. The good news is that he is home and his injuries are limited to a cracked sternum. Painful and a somewhat major injury in a world of normal circumstances, but seems like nothing given current the current events.

Mom has been able to talk with many of the team, the tears come and go, the bruises are starting to heal, she's walking without needing to lean heavily on anyone. She continues to recuperate at my house, she slept well last night, and her sister is here visiting.

Kathy, thank you for sharing your mom's story with us. I am so sorry for your mom's loss of a friend. I am glad that your mom is home safe with you, and that you can help her begin the healing process.