Alarming Email Speaks Volumes

I received the following email from Betsy Casola, a volunteer who traveled with mission groups for one summer several years ago. I loved working with Betsy because she loved practicing her English with me! In this picture, she's the one on the far right (along with Sali, Dina, Bani and Yolanda). Anyway, she and her family live in the state of Tabasco, and she sent out the following email message tonight....

HELLO EVERYBODY, I ASSUME THAT YOU ALREADY KNOWABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING HERE IN TABASCO. I just want to tell you that me and my family are Ok, but the situation here is terrible, I don't really know if we will survive becuause the water of the rivers are still going up. People are desperate and cry for the lack of food and for the people that have no been rescued. health problems finally appeared. I am writing to you from home, there is no water here in my town, but we cannot comunicate by cellphones and tv sometimes does not work. I do not know if I will be able to be in touch with you. we are helping people from around, now my town is an island and there is no food at the supermarkets, we have some and we hope we can be comunicated again. if the water reach us, this will be the end, because my town is one if the highest. I just wanted to tell you that I remember you with love and if we do not meet here on earth, we will meet in heaven. Betsy.

Wow. It speaks volumes about the degree of fear people have for their very survival. I hope to be able to drive to Tabasco soon to start delivering supplies, but at this point, helicopters are needed to really get supplies into the areas in need. I promise that I won't do anything foolish, but it feels awful to sit at home, so close to such tragedy, and do nothing. Please pray, share the story in your prayer circles and churches, and send funds through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance if you're able. Details about how to send money are below in the post about the email from PCUSA.

I emailed Betsy to say that help would be there soon and that I have faith that God will keep them safe until then. Pray that's right.