Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story: Making Our Daughters Last Wish Come True

by Len Gengel and Cherylann Gengel

Paperback 293 pages. Jul 25 2013 

When the devastating January 12, 2010, earthquake shook Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Lynn University college student Britney Gengel was among the five lives from the university lost in the rubble of the Hotel Montana. Britney was in Haiti with an organization affiliated with the university, Journey of Hope, volunteering at an orphanage. Just hours before the earthquake hit, Britney sent this text message to her mother: ”They love us so much and everyone is so happy. They love what they have and they work so hard to get nowhere, yet they are all so appreciative. I want to move here and start an orphanage myself.” The story begins on the day Britney was killed and brings readers full circle as her parents, Len and Cherylann Gengel, navigate their way through bureaucratic red tape on their often frustrating and always painful journey to recover their daughter s body and fulfill her last wish. The Gengels' unimaginable loss transcends into a powerful story of love and resilience, allowing readers a rare window into the inner circle of the heartache and pain of parents who have lost their child and in turn choose to fulfill their lives with meaning and purpose. 100% of the profits of this book will benefit The Be Like Brit Orphanage in Grand Goâve, Haiti.

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