More from Jacci

Dear Family and Friends,

I have been wanting to get this off to you before now but it has been a busy week. I actually did try to compose something one evening but it was just too difficult. How does one express the experience of the country that is so painful and so long drawn out?!

I am not going to try to put these thoughts in any special order. They will be written as they come to mind.

This past week the question that one was greeted with was, "Where were you?" One did not have to ask "Where was I when what happened?" Everyone new what the other was asking. Those who were in buses were the lucky ones. The earth's movement is not felt if one is in a moving vehicle.

The schools were closed for several days and some are still closed because of structural damage even here in the Lima area. Of course in the area of the center, it will be a long time before schools are able to begin again.

The flags are at half mast and many events have been cancelled. Los Martincitos was going to have a "fun day" of games, dances, prizes, food, etc this Sunday but it was cancelled because we said that we could not celebrate when the country is in mourning.

People slept in the streets for many days out of fear. The many after shocks did not help the situation. Many are sleeping in tents in the streets now because their houses no longer exist. Some figures: the official count of the dead is 513, injured 1042, (over 700 of whom have been airlifted to Lima hospitals),4 out of 5 hospitals in Pisco were destroyed, in the center of Pisco (a city) not one building was left standing, not one church in the city was left standing. two Daughters of Charity died in the collapse of one of the churches.16,670 buildings were completely collapsed and 80 to 90,000 partially destroyed.

Some bright notes: two babies were born in the middle of the tragedy and their cries brought hope to the people. The tsunami that was threatened did not occur. The response of the international community has been overwhelming. We - the SSNDs have received donations and letters of support and encouragement from so many, many persons. A baby was saved by his Father protecting him with his own body (The baby was rescued from under the dead body of his father.). One of our parishioners lost two of her relatives but their 5 year old grandson who was in church with them obeyed their command to run quickly and so was saved.

In the days after the earthquake, we began to hear sad stories as the news filtered through. Not just one of our Martincitos lost their hoome (or part of it) but three did . Next week there will be a new group of volunteers coming and since there are several young people in the group they will be rebuilding these homes.

Some of you know Meche who worked for many years with our Sisters in Comas. She came last Sunday to tell me that her Father was in an area where no help had arrived - meaning the area was without water, blankets, food, tents, etc. This was four days after the earthquake. I have heard other similar stories.

Some of you know Irene Pullido (one of the Martincitos). She came in Monday telling a similar story rega rding her son and his family.

Today one of our Martincitos, Celinda, said that she has not heard yet from her sister and brother nor her daughter and her family. I doubt that she will hear if she has not heard yet. (The telephone company put free phone service in many of the areas within two days of the quake.)

The cities have already begun to rebuild. This past week a group of 1000 men and women dressed in red hard hats moved into many areas to begin the clean up. These men and women were some of the survivors themselves willing to rebuild their cities again.

I have been waiting to see how I can personally get involved and I received the answer today.

This morning we received a letter from Confer (The Conference of Relilgious) asking us to consider visiting the over 700 victims and their families who are presently in hospitals in the Lima area. I spoke with the chaplain of a big hospital in Lima today so tomorrow at 9am I will begin my visits. Please pray for me that I can bring some peace and hope to these suffering people.

I also heard this morning that I will be able to go with a group into the devastated area from Wednesday to Saturday of this coming week. The group is composed of representatives from Los Martincitos, Solydes (a NGO in the area) and CIFO (a school in a rich area of Lima). Their plan is to go to a small town in the outlying area (which has not received much aid yet) and begin to help there. Groups will be sent each week for as long as we can. One of the first jobs will be organizing the comedores there (common kitchens) and then working on a house for each family. These modulos will cost $800 each. Since we will be bringing food into the area each week, this will be another big expense.

Hopefully I will be able to share this experience with you all next week.

In the meantime, please pray for all the people who are reaching out in so many w ays.

The night of the earthquake, I said to all the people I met, "We are alive! Thank God!" NOw may we continue to bring this message to those who might not be certain that it is a blessing to be alive at this moment because of the suffering they are still undergoing.

Blessings!

Love,
Jacci