Flooding Update from Sister Laurinda

Dear Friends,

This has to be short, because I just got word that the lights will be turned off in 15 minutes. Not sure if this is a National or Local shut down. So I will give you a few datails I just got from the news on TV, from Urraco and other sources.

CAHON is the name of the large Dam near Lake Yajoa, about one hour South of El Progreso--our source of Electricity. Since the Dam cannot hold any more water now, one gate was opened today that automatically affects Ulua River that borders Urraco and this entire area. At Midnight tonight, three more gates will have to be opened. Tomorrow much more flooding will be seen in all areas near the Ulua River and it's tributaries.

The Large, one way Bridge before entering Urraco is covered with water now. The village right before the Bridge is called ESTERO INDIO. The Leaders and people in ESTERO INDIO want to break the levee of the river on the URRACO side that will flood URRACO greatly, and aleviate the continual flooding in ESTERO INDIO.

At this moment, Benigno is having a meeting with all the leaders to try to change the minds of the people in ESTERO INDIO to not break the levee on the Urraco side. The four new gates, recently repaired in this area, that Marilyn and Bud Price, Scott Pieper and Ron Chitwood donated the money for this emergency project in 2007-2008. These Gates have held the water back from flooding Urraco completely these days. What a great donation and help.

SAN JOSE CAYO, MEALER and CAYMITOS have all been evacuated. Shirley and Dave Nedley know these villages so well since we are the areas of some of our Scholarship Students. Most people from MEALER AND SAN JOSE CAYO moved to CIUDAD OF GUAYMAS to live in the school and the Community Center there. This is another village Shirley and Dave know so well, since this village too has a number of students in the Scholarship Program.

POSITIVE HAPPENINGS ALL OVER HONDURAS-- THE INCREDIBLE MOVEMENT OF THE SPIRIT OF GOODNESS, SOLIDARITY, AND GOD has moved the hearts of many people all over the country--churches, individuals, some Grocery Stores, Organizations to help all the flood victims everywhere. Everyone has joined forces to make sure all the people living in plastic tents in the streets, in the hundreds of shelters--schools, churches, community centers or in emply trucks, train cars, or wherever the flood victims are-- have enough food and water, clothes and medicine.

This afternoon I could not help but shed a tear to see all the people living in plastic tents in the center of the main highway from El Progreso to San Pedro Sula. I took a few photos, but it is hard to do.

With your help the flood victims in the Urraco areas are receiving food, water, medicines and matresses if need be. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. THANKS SO MUCH--and the people in the Urraco sector will need more help as the floods are getting worse.

THANKS FOR GETTING THE WORD OUT to your friends, family, churches, Companies, etc. that we need more help now. I will do the same.

Blessings. Signing off before the lights go off. They said 9:00pm and it is 9:15pm. You are in our thoughts, prayers, ALWAYS.

- PRO-PAPA HONDURAS, entire staff

October Update from Honduras

Due to the heavy rains that have not stopped in over a week, many families in all parts of Honduras and in our Urraco Sector are forced to seek shelters in schools, churches, community centers or in other aldeas or cities. Over the last years there has been much re-enforcement work in building dikes, raising roads, adding levees, building new canals, cleaning canals, building new rivers in the dangerous areas in every part of Honduras.

According to the report today, the water has risen to extremes in many areas, again--worse than MITCH (10 years ago) and FELIX (last year).

Yesterday and today, again with our PPH Boat, the PPH CREW is moving women and children to our PRO-PAPA warehouse in Urraco. This is always a terrible decision for our people who have to leave their animals and their little possessions behind.

Relief Donations are needed if possible for sacks, food, drinking water, matresses for the flood victims in our Warehouse and other shelters in Urraco. The Government will be helping, too, as much as they can with so many people in need.

Please send RELIEF DONATIONS, made out to PROPAPA, TO:

PHYLLIS CASEY
PPMA OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
603 JOHN S. MOSBY DRIVE
WILMINGTON, NC 28412

Updates from Honduras - October 8, 2008

Please see the St. Louis Archiocese Mission Web Site (www.stlmissions.org and click on Mission News) highlighting two Parishes in St. Louis who have partnered with PRO-PAPA MISSIONS AMERICA. The introduction is written by Monsignor Blood, St. Louis Mission Director and Marilyn Price, PPMA Medical Team Captain for the last five years.

JORLENE
Also want to take this opportinity to tell you that Jorlene, PPMA Scolicis Patient, is doing very well in her new home on Long Island while she waits for her Scoliosis Operation tentatively scheduled for November 13, 2008. As you may or may not know, Jorlene arrived at her Host family with me, and Carlos and Melissa Handal, without any Honduran family member with her on September 25.

The Host Family is absolutely more than anyone could ask--bi-lingual, lived in Venezuela for 10 years, very conscious of the Latin culture, prepares Latin food and the Mother is a nurse, and take Jorlene to their Church where she has won the hearts of all. I talked to Jorlene two nights ago and she sounds so good. She is eating very well, studying every day, watching cartoons and some movies in Spanish, experiencing the colder weather for the first time in her life.

We are encouraging anyone who would like to write a letter or send a card to Jorlene, please do--(either in English or Spanish). Send to:

JORLENE REYES
% LILA BENITEZ
20 BIRCH
HUNTINGTON, NY 11743

Again, thanks for all.
Now we are preparing for the Orthopedic Pediatric Surgical Teams' arrival on November 8-15, 2008, thanks to Dr. Joe Farrell, Phyllis Casey and the Surgeons--Team of 25 including Translators.

Thanks for keeping all in your prayers.
Peace, Happiness, Love and Greetings from all here in Honduras,
Sr. Laurinda