Br JOHNNY JALLOUF, ofm Custody of the Holy Land "We heard with pain the news of the earthquake in Turkey and in our own country, that is, Syria, which has already been hit by 12 years of war, and then the earthquake came to add pain where the wound is still open." The twins George and Johnny are both Franciscans from the Custody of the Holy Land and together with another brother left Feb. 15 to reach Aleppo. This is the first of several "teams" of Franciscans from the Custody who will take turns over the next few weeks to bring aid, both to the population and to their confreres, who tirelessly assist the displaced. Br GEORGE JALLOUF, ofm Custody of the Holy Land "We go to help our friars and to be close to the people, helping in what we will be asked to do." Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land "There will be some of our young brothers who will take shifts to serve there. I myself as soon as it is possible will try to go and visit the brothers, to encourage the brothers on the one hand and also to encourage the people." The baggage is light: a few personal belongings, some help for those who have lost everything. But above all, hope: Br JOHNNY JALLOUF, ofm Custody of the Holy Land "Hope in this God who taught us that after the crucifixion there is a resurrection. Our hope is this, which we will bring, and we will try with our presence to transmit it to people." To those who follow from further away, the friars ask them to accompany them with prayer and donations through the channels made available by the Custody and Pro Terra Sancta, to cover the needs at this continuing stage of emergency. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land "I was struck by the generosity with which they made themselves available for the people. They never put their own good and personal safety before the good and help towards other people."