Dear friends,

I just wanted to let you know I am safe. Due to power outages and no phone service I’ve been unable to contact any of you before now. Please be reassured even though right now I have to be brief...

It's been an incredibly scary experience and it won't really be over until I am on the plane tomorrow morning. The fear runs deep and aftershocks continue. The feeling is of extreme vulnerability and total insecurity.

But all our Shanti kids are safe and that is a huge blessing. Let's all pray they stay that way in the days to come. I've considered staying but feel I can do more at home to raise funds to help. Now is the time to give generously to Shanti! Our help is going to be so greatly needed as people try to recover from this horrendous event. It's likely there will be many orphans needing our help. And many of the kid’s families are going to be in extreme circumstance. It's a godsend that Tejendra has now joined our Shanti team..he will be invaluable as our "man on the ground" in the days to come.

I had planned a few days stopover in Istanbul prior to the earthquake. I'll try to change my ticket at the airport to come straight back but I have doubts that I can get a seat. Everyone is trying to leave and I hear that the airport is complete chaos right now. I'm naturally very anxious to be home in my own bed.

 I love you all!

Pam