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Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story: Making Our Daughter's Last Wish Come True
Britney Gengel was a vibrant nineteen-year-old Lynn University sophomore when she traveled to Haiti in January 2010 to work for an aide group. Deeply moved, she texted her mother that she dreamed of returning to open an orphanage of her own. But hours later, an earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince and the Hotel Montana where Britney s group was staying. For thirty-three days, her family lived a nightmare, with conflicting stories in the post-quake chaos of finding Britney, then losing her. After a gut-wrenching trip to the Haitian capital ten days after the quake, they learned the truth: Brit was not coming home alive.
Vowing that her death would not be in vain, Len and Cherylann Gengel along with sons Bernie and Richie kept alive their daughter's dream by building an orphanage in Grand Goave, Haiti. This amazing story chronicles their journey: from grieving for their daughter, to building in the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere. Their experience is proof that you can find meaning and purpose in tragedy, that faith and love are everlasting, and that one person's dream can change the destiny of thousands.
100% of the profits of this book will benefit The Be Like Brit Orphanage in Grand Goave, Haiti.
Vowing that her death would not be in vain, Len and Cherylann Gengel along with sons Bernie and Richie kept alive their daughter's dream by building an orphanage in Grand Goave, Haiti. This amazing story chronicles their journey: from grieving for their daughter, to building in the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere. Their experience is proof that you can find meaning and purpose in tragedy, that faith and love are everlasting, and that one person's dream can change the destiny of thousands.
100% of the profits of this book will benefit The Be Like Brit Orphanage in Grand Goave, Haiti.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
10 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 27, 2016
I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but it seems wrong to rate such a heartbreaking tale that score.
Be prepared to cry, but be ready to feel uplifted and inspired to change the world!
This family is extraordinary. If you are looking for an international charitable organization to contribute to, consider Be Like Brit!
Be prepared to cry, but be ready to feel uplifted and inspired to change the world!
This family is extraordinary. If you are looking for an international charitable organization to contribute to, consider Be Like Brit!
March 16, 2018
Be Like Brit
A very inspiring, real-life story, of a family’s tragic loss of their beautiful daughter/sister, in the Haiti earthquake of 2010, and how that tragedy inspired them to make their daughter’s last wish, into a reality.
The Gengel’s share their heart-wrenching experience of losing their daughter, trying to locate her body, and through their grief, rising above it all to honor their daughter’s spirit, in the best way possible. So many people came forward and offer their expertise and wisdom, to assist along the way. It was truly divine guidance! I hope the Gengel’s will write a follow-up book about the 66 children they are now raising!
A very inspiring, real-life story, of a family’s tragic loss of their beautiful daughter/sister, in the Haiti earthquake of 2010, and how that tragedy inspired them to make their daughter’s last wish, into a reality.
The Gengel’s share their heart-wrenching experience of losing their daughter, trying to locate her body, and through their grief, rising above it all to honor their daughter’s spirit, in the best way possible. So many people came forward and offer their expertise and wisdom, to assist along the way. It was truly divine guidance! I hope the Gengel’s will write a follow-up book about the 66 children they are now raising!
July 3, 2017
This book told the story of Britney Gengel very well! I am even more excited to leave for Haiti!
March 10, 2013
Article first published as Book Review: Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story by Len and Cherylann Gengel on Blogcritics.
Nature often wreaks havoc on the world. Many times we see the destruction through the view of a camera, while other times the action is on our doorstep. Never sure where disaster will strike, when the damage happens elsewhere, we watch in sadness. When nature’s fury hits close to home, despair overcomes those involved.
In Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story by Len and CheryLann Gengel , the authors share with us the pain and disbelief of such a powerful force. In 2010 their daughter Britney, a sophomore at Lynn University, traveled with a group of student to work for an aide group. This was their chance to give back to the world, and Britney in particular was touched. After a short time in Haiti, she determined that her life’s work would be to help open an orphanage in this country where hope was alive in its children. Yet only a few short hours later, an earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince and the Hotel she had been staying in.
Unable to reach her, the family lives in fear, alternately dreading and then excited by the news. But as with confusion and reporting, the news was often not just misleading but entirely wrong. Their Britney was never coming home again.
Here begins the life of rebuilding and how Len and Cherylann chose to take a vision and make it real. Shaking off their own grief, they take Britney’s dream and move it towards reality.
This is a heartfelt and hurt filled story, but filled with love and hope. To see how others transcend past the pain of losing a child and find a way to offer hope is a testament to that love. They chose to take that anguish and use the power of that pain to move forward and build the dream that keeps their daughter alive in a very different way.
While I had heard about the Earthquake, I was able to view it from afar where it didn’t touch me. Even hearing the stories and seeing the footage, the sadness and caring were there, but the destruction seemed remote and far away. With the Store of Britney and the Gengel’s efforts to make her wishes come true, you have no choice but to become a part of the devastation and pain. You feel the horror and the hope as they wait for news that will bring their daughter home. IF you have children this will tear at your soul. Reading the stories of the children and the people in Haiti, bring home the devastation in a way, that even pictures on the news were unable to capture.
This is a remarkable story, built with courage and love. The inspiration lends us an example of how goodness flows in even the worst of times. This would be a marvelous book for a reading group. The story pulls you in and the chills and despair felt by the Gengel’s becomes your own. Even the profits of the book are slated to benefit the Orphanage now built in Britney’s name for the honor of the children of Haiti. You cannot move away from this story unmoved. You will marvel at the tenacity of the will to make a dream succeed.
This book was received from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
Nature often wreaks havoc on the world. Many times we see the destruction through the view of a camera, while other times the action is on our doorstep. Never sure where disaster will strike, when the damage happens elsewhere, we watch in sadness. When nature’s fury hits close to home, despair overcomes those involved.
In Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story by Len and CheryLann Gengel , the authors share with us the pain and disbelief of such a powerful force. In 2010 their daughter Britney, a sophomore at Lynn University, traveled with a group of student to work for an aide group. This was their chance to give back to the world, and Britney in particular was touched. After a short time in Haiti, she determined that her life’s work would be to help open an orphanage in this country where hope was alive in its children. Yet only a few short hours later, an earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince and the Hotel she had been staying in.
Unable to reach her, the family lives in fear, alternately dreading and then excited by the news. But as with confusion and reporting, the news was often not just misleading but entirely wrong. Their Britney was never coming home again.
Here begins the life of rebuilding and how Len and Cherylann chose to take a vision and make it real. Shaking off their own grief, they take Britney’s dream and move it towards reality.
This is a heartfelt and hurt filled story, but filled with love and hope. To see how others transcend past the pain of losing a child and find a way to offer hope is a testament to that love. They chose to take that anguish and use the power of that pain to move forward and build the dream that keeps their daughter alive in a very different way.
While I had heard about the Earthquake, I was able to view it from afar where it didn’t touch me. Even hearing the stories and seeing the footage, the sadness and caring were there, but the destruction seemed remote and far away. With the Store of Britney and the Gengel’s efforts to make her wishes come true, you have no choice but to become a part of the devastation and pain. You feel the horror and the hope as they wait for news that will bring their daughter home. IF you have children this will tear at your soul. Reading the stories of the children and the people in Haiti, bring home the devastation in a way, that even pictures on the news were unable to capture.
This is a remarkable story, built with courage and love. The inspiration lends us an example of how goodness flows in even the worst of times. This would be a marvelous book for a reading group. The story pulls you in and the chills and despair felt by the Gengel’s becomes your own. Even the profits of the book are slated to benefit the Orphanage now built in Britney’s name for the honor of the children of Haiti. You cannot move away from this story unmoved. You will marvel at the tenacity of the will to make a dream succeed.
This book was received from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
April 19, 2013
HEARTACHE AND HOPE IN HAITI-THE BRITNEY GENGEL STORY. BY LEN AND CHERYLANNE GENGEL
Imagine going off to Haiti at the tender age of nineteen on a mission to help the poorest of the poor in Haiti. Haiti is a third world country in the Caribbean that shares and island with The Dominican Republic that by contrast is a lush tropical Paradise.
Imagine that a few days into the trip a horrible Earthquake rocks the country leaving thousands of islanders dead, injured and homeless.
Imagine that six of the workers sent from Lynn University in Florida are also killed in this terrible disaster. Imagine that one of these people is Britney Gengel.
Len and Cherylanne Gengel have written a wonderful tribute to their lost child who wanted to do so much to help the Haitians. It was Britneys dream to return to Haiti and build an orphanage when she was older.
The dream did not perish with Britney.
The book takes us through a lot of Britney stories to get the point across about who their daughter was. We see the anguish at finding out she was missing right after the earthquake hit. We read about the bad intel they experienced about the status of Britney. They family gets their girl back and buries her but not celebrating her life with friends and family.
It is decided that Britneys wish to build an orphanage will be honored through the BeLikeBrit Foundation that the family sets up. Len Gengel with his building contracting experience along with people who wanted to make this dream come true is successful in the undertaking of the project and by late 2012 two and a half years after losing Brit the project is completed.
I was touched by the accounting of this story. Anyone with a heart would be. You experience the anguish of not knowing whether she made it and grieve with them as they bury their only daughter.
The story was told with heart by both Len and Cherylanne and takes into account the struggles of their two sons Richie and Bernie before during and after the earthquake. I felt the presence of Brits spirit as I read about the triumphs and the obstacles faced in fulfilling her dream. We were introduced to the Haitians and discovered the gratitude and the fighting spirit of people with so little.
Yes the book made me cry, as I felt how I would deal with having lost a child that way. Brit was the same age as my daughter. It made me chuckle as I kind relate to the teenaged mischief and angst Britney was involved in before the trip. Mostly it made me proud that such a child wanted to make the world a better place. The Gengels are proud and should be so that they honored her wish. Well-played!
I give this book five golden Bs for poignancy and bravery in the face of tragedy.
Imagine going off to Haiti at the tender age of nineteen on a mission to help the poorest of the poor in Haiti. Haiti is a third world country in the Caribbean that shares and island with The Dominican Republic that by contrast is a lush tropical Paradise.
Imagine that a few days into the trip a horrible Earthquake rocks the country leaving thousands of islanders dead, injured and homeless.
Imagine that six of the workers sent from Lynn University in Florida are also killed in this terrible disaster. Imagine that one of these people is Britney Gengel.
Len and Cherylanne Gengel have written a wonderful tribute to their lost child who wanted to do so much to help the Haitians. It was Britneys dream to return to Haiti and build an orphanage when she was older.
The dream did not perish with Britney.
The book takes us through a lot of Britney stories to get the point across about who their daughter was. We see the anguish at finding out she was missing right after the earthquake hit. We read about the bad intel they experienced about the status of Britney. They family gets their girl back and buries her but not celebrating her life with friends and family.
It is decided that Britneys wish to build an orphanage will be honored through the BeLikeBrit Foundation that the family sets up. Len Gengel with his building contracting experience along with people who wanted to make this dream come true is successful in the undertaking of the project and by late 2012 two and a half years after losing Brit the project is completed.
I was touched by the accounting of this story. Anyone with a heart would be. You experience the anguish of not knowing whether she made it and grieve with them as they bury their only daughter.
The story was told with heart by both Len and Cherylanne and takes into account the struggles of their two sons Richie and Bernie before during and after the earthquake. I felt the presence of Brits spirit as I read about the triumphs and the obstacles faced in fulfilling her dream. We were introduced to the Haitians and discovered the gratitude and the fighting spirit of people with so little.
Yes the book made me cry, as I felt how I would deal with having lost a child that way. Brit was the same age as my daughter. It made me chuckle as I kind relate to the teenaged mischief and angst Britney was involved in before the trip. Mostly it made me proud that such a child wanted to make the world a better place. The Gengels are proud and should be so that they honored her wish. Well-played!
I give this book five golden Bs for poignancy and bravery in the face of tragedy.
November 28, 2012
Haiti has been described to me as a country that once you go there your life is changed forever and that certainly is the case with the Gengel's. When the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake shook Port-au-Prince, Haiti, their daughter, Lynn University college student Britney Gengel was among the six 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.”
While the Gengels could have understandably sought private refuge to recover from their grief, they instead chose to dedicate themselves in a selfless act of service. They chose to honor their daughter and build an orphanage in Haiti. According to Len Gengel, “We had an obligation as parents to honor our daughter’s last wish.”
Soon after the tragedy, the Gengel's established the Be Like Brit Foundation,(BeLikeBrit.org) whose goal was to build a sustainable, earthquake proof orphanage in Grand Goâve, Haiti. The orphanage is nearing completion and the Gengels have chosen to share their inspirational and amazing story in Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story.
The book that begins with unimaginable loss that transcends into a powerful story of love and resilience. The publishing date coincides with the third anniversary of the earthquake and allows 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.
This book is a book everyone should read because it will renew your faith in the strength of the human spirit!
“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.”
While the Gengels could have understandably sought private refuge to recover from their grief, they instead chose to dedicate themselves in a selfless act of service. They chose to honor their daughter and build an orphanage in Haiti. According to Len Gengel, “We had an obligation as parents to honor our daughter’s last wish.”
Soon after the tragedy, the Gengel's established the Be Like Brit Foundation,(BeLikeBrit.org) whose goal was to build a sustainable, earthquake proof orphanage in Grand Goâve, Haiti. The orphanage is nearing completion and the Gengels have chosen to share their inspirational and amazing story in Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story.
The book that begins with unimaginable loss that transcends into a powerful story of love and resilience. The publishing date coincides with the third anniversary of the earthquake and allows 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.
This book is a book everyone should read because it will renew your faith in the strength of the human spirit!
March 4, 2013
This book was gut wrenching at times and uplifting near the end. The Gengel's are truly an inspiration and completely down to earth. The one thing that was difficult to adjust to was the way the book was structured with both Len and Cherylnn telling the events from their own perspectives... But you get use to it. The kindle version didn't help when it labeled each subsection as Len. What I admire most about these parents is the realistic way they relived their journey and shared their personal stories about Brittany and her larger than life personality without making her more than who she truly was as a typical teenager. This book really hit the core when you realize your life can change forever in just one single moment.
January 11, 2013
I never met Britney Gengel, but after reading this inspirational story about tragedy that was turned into hope, then into action, I wish I had. Through the unthinkable sorrow from the loss of their daughter in the January 2010 Haiti earthquake we hear Len and Cherylann's first-hand account of how they drew strength from Britney's passion for helping those less fortunate and turned all their energy into realizing her dream of building an orphanage for the children of Haiti who had moved her so deeply. A remarkable young woman, and a very remarkable family.
April 3, 2013
While the book is "fabulous!", it doesn't do the orphanage justice. I read the book on spring break in Haiti while staying at the orphanage with Len, CA, and Bernie. It is absolutely amazing, but at the same time as Len puts it, it is a paradox. These people live in hell, yet God is everywhere. I strongly encourage you to read the book, and to even take a trip, it's worth it and helps a good cause!
January 18, 2014
This true story is told as a personal narrative by the parents of Britney Gengel. They write exactly as they speak - two simple parents from working class backgrounds who turned the most horrific tragedy into a miracle for the poorest of the poor. A good read for individuals/NGO's attempting to start non-profits in the developing world.
January 15, 2013
While the phrasing isn't always particularly sophisticated, this book faithfully tells the story of a family struck by an unbelievable tragedy who managed to make something wonderful from it. An incredible story about an incredible family; this is definitely worth reading!
June 9, 2015
It would be a lot easier to read, if I didn't have to put the book down so often to wipe away the tears. Emotionally raw and honest. You walk through Hell and back with this family as they tell their story of losing their daughter and building the orphanage in Haiti. Very well written.
September 5, 2015
Well-written and inspiring, Heartache and Hope in Haiti is an amazing story of courage and grace. Anyone who seeks inspiration on how to transform suffering into something life-giving, must read this book.. and then visit the orphanage in Haiti!
August 7, 2014
Sad and inspirational. Great family.
June 17, 2018
I picked this up so I had the background story on the organization I was traveling to Haiti with. It is a heartbreaking story of the death of an19 year old, Brittany. It is the story of the parents, family and everyone effected by the Earthquake. The story was very well written. I enjoyed the two perspectives. It was nice to show that everyone grieves differently and how they coped with this tradgedy. You will cry, laugh and just feel the love in the book. I recommend it highly.
I am excited for our trip and cannot wait to honor Brittany and her mission.
I am excited for our trip and cannot wait to honor Brittany and her mission.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews