Mother and Daughter, Helene y Lise – I Can Do This! in Costa Rica – 2012
Heart-warming news arrives as through angel couriers, and today two messages arrived from Helene, a dear friend from France. She wears big shoes at CNES (France’s equal to NASA) and shared some info that touched me greatly.
I asked for permission to share her message, which was:
“Just to inform you that earth observation satellites are being used at present time for helping rescue teams in Ecuador.
People from my team work on it and I thought you would be interested.
See the international charter disasters Web site with latest activations panama and Ecuador …..”
https://www.disasterscharter.org
Helene also said, ” Do not hesitate to show that all spatial agencies around the world (including of course NASA, CNES (French), DLR (German), ESA (European) and 12 other space agencies…) are working together (in best effort way, with no exchange of money !) in order to help rescue teams.”
Dear, dear Helene! Thank you so much, and I am sure that many others will enjoy knowing there are many other space agencies working in our behalf. Thank you so much!
.
2013 – John and Mary and I worked on a painting while taking a mini holiday in Canoa.
Good news from Esthela Déleg, who relayed a message from John and Mary McDonald via her family. She said, “John said “Thank you, Lisa, for worrying about us. We’re fine, but we have no way to communicate”.
She says that Nancy Levin is OK as well.
…………..
(Jama) -Barbara told me that she saw a fallen post in a recent earthquake photo…
Jama – April 2015
Every Sunday, Sara at Zero Latitude Living publishes an amazing summary of recently-published articles about Ecuador. She has also worked on earthquake relief teams, so I am not surprised that she published a special earthquake edition. Start Here:
http://zerolatliving.com
There’s a wealth of information there – Thanks, Sara!
Jody, Bobby and I dined with Cynthia when she lived at Playa El Matal.
Jody, a dear friend who is not presently in Jama/El Matal, has helped keep others informed about what’s happening in Jama. Her husband Bobby and others have traveled on brutal roads to reach Pedernales, which is in bad shape, and hopefully he’s reached Jama by now. Here are a few links that Jody shared:
http://www.andes.info.ec/es/noticias/jama-destino-turistico-ecuador-incomunicado-devastado-terremoto-78-grados-magnitud.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+andes+%28Agencia+Pública+de+Noticias+del+Ecuador+y+Suramérica%29
http://www.andes.info.ec/es/noticias/jama-destino-turistico-ecuador-incomunicado-devastado-terremoto-78-grados-magnitud.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+andes+%28Agencia+Pública+de+Noticias+del+Ecuador+y+Suramérica%29
http://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/terremoto-jama-matal-agua-comida.html
Thank you, dear Jody.
Jody in foreground, in Jama’s ‘Wear White for Peace” – Sept 2013
I will close with a short tribute to a friend who died in the Jama earthquake. Chana’s tienda was almost always my first stop when I went to town, and I circled around to say, “Goodbye” on my way back out of town. My heart goes out to her husband Arturo and the family.
Chana in her little store/ Dec 2012
It is doubtful I can be of any help to those on the coast, so I plan to focus on tasks at my friends’ property at Rio Cinto/Mindo. Most likely I’ll be offline until Monday. Stay well and safe, everyone, and thank you for your amazing support, not only for me but for the entire country of Ecuador.
Remember there are angels watching over us, even when we don’t know it! Thanks again, Helene.
Helene y Lise in Costa Rica 2012
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
So sorry about the loss of your friend. So sorry about all the destruction and pain. But I was amazed to see countries coming together via their space agencies to assist in the recovery effort. I had no idea that could be done!
Bless you.
I recognize that photo of Chana. Isn’t that the little Ano Viejo the two of you made? I’m so sorry to hear she was lost. I always enjoyed her presence in your stories — she seems to have been a caring, delightful person.
Photos from Jama are beginning to show up on the web now. Most will have been linked by others, but I did find this one of a young man in Jama tending his roosters. For some reason, I found it especially touching.
I’m glad to hear ot the space agencies’ cooperation. Angels come in a multitude of forms, for sure.
So good to hear from you, Lisa, but I am sorry to hear you lost a friend who brought warmth to your heart. It’s going to be tough going back to Jama. I hope your home is OK.
That s’ fascinating about the different agencies working together all over the world. It takes a village…and a globe.
Be well!
Thanks Lisa for sharing about Zero Latitude Living! Love all your efforts!
Oh Lisa, I am so sorry to hear of Chana’s death. My heartfelt condolences to you and all of your wonderful friends you write about who have become like an extended family to those who faithfully read your blog…like me. There was a report of missing expats on a Facebook post and I looked through it to see if I recognized any names. Your name was on the list ( I think it was composed by Nicholas Crowder?) Anyway, I sent him an email and said that you were in Mindo and you were fine.
My thoughts are always with you. Thank you for the list of updates and the amazing reports from Helene. It is also reassuring to know that John, Mary, and Nancy are OK.
I am so very sorry, Lisa! Hug you with all my heart 💖
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/20/world/americas/in-remote-ecuador-towns-hit-by-quake-contact-was-cut-off-for-days.html?_r=0 Not good. 😦
Bless you. I am glad for the help that is pouring into Ecuador
Lisa, thanks for sharing. You need as many angels as possible. Sorry for the loss of Chana. She seems to have had a joie de vivre about life with making sure everyone was welcomed. That is a gift. Take care amiga, Keith
I’m so glad there is international cooperation in the world; when this sort of tragedy unfolds, it is vital that we put aside such arbitrary and unimportant things as national borders, to work together on behalf of those less fortunate than ourselves.
Living in the UK and seeing the bureaucratic point-scoring that goes on in relation to the humanitarian and refugee crisis, with all the focus on how the situation can be used for personal and political gain, it’s good to see the very human reaction of an organisation that usually concentrates on so much larger, technological issues.
As ever, the rest of us send our love and support and wish everyone the best in rebuilding their lives and their homes.
I was thinking of you Z when I heard about the big quake. I’m glad to see your ok. Our prayers are with all the good folk in equator.
I am so sorry to hear about Chana- I remember her sweet face.
All my love and prayers to those affected in this tragedy, my dear friend, and to you. My heart aches for the pain of loss being experienced right now by so many. ♡
Good to hear there is so much help coming Ecuador’s way. You (and all concerned) are in my prayers. Be safe, dear Lisa. Out of site but not out of mind. ❤️
Dear Lisa, do you know you are an Angel too, for sure ? For Lise and myself, you are!
My heart is full of sadness and joy at the same time. Because of such terrible earthquake, you shared the information about the International Charter Space and Major Disasters… It would have been better that your friends never hear about it…. But it occurred. And you lost your friend Chana… With lots of thoughts and love.
Very sorry to read of Chana – a beautiful woman with a most kind smile. Stay well my friend.
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We too have been the recipients of many heaven sent blessings here in San Clemente. Our Ecuadorian friends and neighbors have truly demonstrated love unfeigned as they work together to find silver linings to these dark days.
One quick example: I asked a neighbor whom I had not seen until yesterday if all was well at his house and with his family. He told me he and his family were, “Todo bien!” I asked him about his home and he said it was pretty good, only his roof had fallen in. He then thanked God that the earthquake occurred at 7:30 PM before he and his family were in bed asleep or they all would have been killed.
You’ve got to love these Ecuadorians!
It is heartening to know that science can sometimes be used for the good of humanity, without borders, restrictions, accusations, or the stock exchange.
Oh dear Lisa, just read this , John read and responded first. I’ve only be able to take small doses at a time of the news around us. I am so sorry to hear about Chana, Our prayers for her family and you. It’s all so heartbreaking. love and hugs, Mary
Dear Liza, I’m so sorry to read of Chana – and glad to hear ot the space agencies’ cooperation. I have been to Morocco and did not hear of this. Stay safe and I know you are helping as much as you can.
you are so sweet to take time to comment— it’s often hard to fit all into a day after returning from grand trips like you just did
I think about you quite often, Liza. It might not show, but…I do. Life is busy.