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The following emails were received recently by Brother Regis:
Sister Dorothy Pelt in Puerto Cortex, Honduras continues to receive relief goods for and send pictures of the flooding following Hurricane Agatha in June.
From: Dorothy Pelt
Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2010 7:05 PM
To: Warehouse Mission
Subject: thanks
Dear Brother Regis,
Thank you in the name of our hungry for the container which we unloaded today. All went well, thanks be to God. Fortunately, on each pallet, there was a wrapper from a can. That gave all the information that the inspectors needed. It took 25 men five hours to unload the loose cans. They all went home tired but happy. They were people from the mountains who know what it means to be hungry. They will be enjoying the reward of their labor.
Next week we will be beginning to organize to get it to the people who need it.
Thanks again to you, your team, and volunteers, and also to the company who donated it all.
Gratefully,
Sister Dorothy
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 5:45 PM
To: Warehouse Mission
Subject: the latest
Dear Brother Regis,
I just want you to know that the container with the canned food arrived at a very opportune time. We got part of it out to the areas where the people lost their crops in the last flood. We haven't gotten to all of them yet because there was a problem with communication. Without that there is no way that we can get to the people because they have to come with their boats. We are getting organized to get out to them next week.
Meanwhile, right now there is a red alert because there is another tropical storm predicted beginning tonight. At this moment there is a meeting of the emergency committee to be prepared as much as is possible. Roque is a part of that committee. River Ullua is just about at a point that it is ready to overflow. There are hundreds of people affected. That is in the other direction from Puerto Cortes. We are also always called on for help in that area. There will be lots of people in shelters so there will be a great need for food. It is great to be prepared to do something. We still have a good supply of the canned food. Thanks to you and your generous donors.
Thanks again for being so thoughtful and ready to help.
Sincerely,
Sister Dorothy
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From: Ruth Gehres
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 9:51 AM
To: Warehouse Mission
Subject: Greetings from Chile!
Dear Bro. Regis,
Greetings from Chile! How are things in your part of the world? We wonder whether the oppressive heat in the Midwest includes Wisconsin. Our families and friends in Kentucky are just waiting for it to cool down. Here it's winter still. We are waiting for some warm air to arrive . . . maybe in September.
Thank you for publishing our letter in the last issue of your newsletter. Sister Mimi tells me you need another letter. That is not hard for us to do . . . we are SO grateful for all the help that comes from your ministry to help our people. The attached letter explains that in more detail.
We hope you are well and that everything is ok there. You are doing great work!
Again, blessings and gratitude from all of us at Casa Ursulina.
Sister Ruth Gehres, OSU
August 10, 2010
Dear Bro. Regis, donors and helpers of the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse,
Here in Chile we are thinking of all of you with gratitude as we share the gifts of your generosity with those whom we serve. It is winter here now, which means a lot of rain and cold. When it clears, the nights are even colder, often in the low 30s. Because there is no central heating here, people depend on various kinds of space heating . . . propane heaters, kerosene stoves, or "braseros," which are pans full of charcoal usually placed on the floor. People tend to spend as much time as they can around these sources of heat, and we all wrap up in several layers to keep warm. All the heating sources, the braseros most of all, are dangerous, especially when there are children. Homes . . . and sometimes lives . . . destroyed by winter fires are a constant reality here.
This winter is especially painful for the many people whose homes were destroyed or damaged by the February earthquake. At this point a lot of people are in emergency houses, which provide no more than minimum shelter from the wind and rain. The government is continuing to help, along with many charitable organizations. But there was so much damage and destruction . . . it will take a long time to get things back to normal. And "normal," for many, still means "barely surviving."
At Casa Ursulina we continue to serve a large group of women of low income who come together to learn skills (and share skills!) that boost their self-esteem and, in many cases, provide support for their families. The items that come to us from the Mission Warehouse are such a great help to these women.
We begin by mentioning the over-the-counter medicines we receive . . . Tylenol products, for example . . . are so important, since medications of this kind are very expensive here. Most of all we need adult medications, since the public health service provides a great deal for children . . . but not for adults.
Personal items like shampoo, toothpaste, and soap are quite expensive here, so the people here are very grateful for these items. Recently we received several boxes of rolls and pieces of material for sewing. The women of Casa Ursulina were delighted with this. Many of them are excellent seamstresses, and very creative. They are using the material to make clothing for themselves and their families. And the lovely clothing from Lands' End . . . that is a special treat!
Mothers come here hoping to receive help in taking care of their babies. We are always grateful for baby formula (like the Similac we received several years ago); baby blankets, and diapers . . . especially diapers! We also help seniors who are ill, some bedfast, and who need adult diapers. The last shipment we received included toilet paper . . . something we can always use.
Recently you have also sent chocolate bars and other kinds of candy, mostly chocolates. These sweets are a real treat for our women and (of course!) the children. There's nothing like chocolate to warm the spirit on a cold winter day!
Bro. Regis, we want you . . . and all your donors and volunteers . . . to know that many needy people benefit from your generosity. In their name, we thank you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gratefully in Christ,
Sister Mimi Ballard, OSU and Sister Ruth Gehres, OSU
Casa Ursulina, Chillán, Chile
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 From: Raphael Peprah
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 4:29 PM
To: Warehouse Mission
Subject: Attn: Bro. Regis, Greetings
Dear Bro. Regis,
Greetings and Love from Ghana.
It was, as usual, very nice to talk to you. I still have vivid memories of your house and the Warehouse, as well as all the senior citizens helping in diverse ways to bring joy and smiles to the poor, especially children.
It may interest you to learn that I have had two delegations from two other villages near where I had gone to distribute corn meal asking me to go to "Macedonia" too to help. I will really appreciate it if you could get us a container of corn meal for these and other villages.
Regarding the 40 foot container, you may either send a 40 foot container with 1,600 corn meal for me and any of the Sisters. That is, if the container can take all.
Or, you may send a whole 40 foot container to me for my people.
In our conversation on the phone, you also talked about spray. I am hoping that you will get other items to make a full container.
Thanks a lot for all that you do for us.
Msgr. Raphael Owusu Peprah
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From: Mercedes Romero de Fillis
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:23 PM
To: Brother Regis
Subject: rain
Dear Brother Regis,
Welcome to the unseasonal rainy season in Panamá. We have been dumped upon. And we are lucky we have very few places to flood since we go from the mountains to the sea. Otherwise we would have been underwater for a good long time.
The cold weather has made the soup and number 10 cans of vegetables very welcome. The winter clothing is going out to areas where there is a lot of rain and no sunshine, making it seem very cold- (for us.)
The paper products, even in broken lots can be redone in black plastic bags and moved out. All sorts of things are coming into use because of the prolonged rains and cool weather.
In lieu of blankets the Indians are using damaged winter wear and believe me it works out quite well. The clothing or shirts in the large and super large sizes are being used for their cloth and people here in town are making some rather interesting things. The Soroptimist Club is giving quilting and sewing classes and producing beautiful things also.
The cereals are all gone and the creamers have also been snapped up and are being used to make healthful drinks. For now we can take anything you can give us, no matter what it is.
This is all for now.
God bless you and keep dry.
John Fillis
Centro San Benito
Volcan, Rep. of Panamá
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Sent: August 1,2010
Franciscan Mission
Guinea-Bissau, West Africa
Dear Br. Regis,
I will explain to you how the goods have been distirbuted. I don't know how to thank you all for your kindness, but I'm sure that our Lord will bless you in many ways. I recall these words from the Bible, "God loves who gives with joy."
Some merchandise has been given to the hospital in Quinhamel. A lot of very poor children are there. The rest was given to the group CARITAS of our church. They were able to help many families that had lost their homes during the rainy season.
Some boxes were given to the children in our villages. They came to our mission to pick them up, not only clothing supplies, but stuffed animals as well. Everything has been distributed amongst the poor.
We are very thankful for all the blessings received. Be assured that all of you will be remembered in our daily prayers.
I'm sending you few pictures with the promise that I will be on schedule nest time with news of the container that we receive.
Prayers and lots of love from everyone here. Please don't forget about us, about the most unfortunate.
Sincerely in Christ,
Sr. Luigina
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July 10, 2010
Dar-Tanzania
Salvatorian Sisters
Dear Bro. Regis,
Much greetings from Tanzania, as the two teachers go back I would like to send with them a word of thanks. I join you to thank the good Lord for many gifts granted to you, not many people have received such gift like you. Brother, thank you so much for your good work and great support in the mission, people ask how can you support many people and in different country. I tell them you love God and so you love people. It's love that makes him work hard for the people. Therefore, we thank you heartedly.
Although the containers took long, the document got lost but now we got it, and you know its good time for shoes from Lands End, have put them on many people and children who cannot afford to buy a pair of good shoes. They put them on and walk around, these are good for all and people love them. The products from Lands End are always special to the needs, thanks.
All the other things are very helpful, they bring great relief to our people. I wish that you and your donors could experience the joy and the smiles on the faces that through your generosity brings to our people. The yellow corn is very special, the children love it as think we have put so many eggs, and even other people love the yellow corn. I tell you when I was in Masasi many people said tell Brother he is our savior, he helped us so much. Many people could loose life but he saved us. Many send thanks and best wishes for your good health.
Sister Elice has taken many pictures as soon as she gets done, we will send to you.
With love and prayers,
Sr. Mecky (Sister Mechthildis Nambunga, SDS)
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