A new week begins

My night shift ended at 8am with a flurry of acitivity.  At 4:30am, Anna and Carla headed to Hospital Cemisa.  Anna is scheduled for open heart today and Carla is to have an echo for evaluation.  The moms woke up all on their own.  Good thing...I was catching a few z´s at the time.  At 6am, the compound begins to stir.  Vitals signs are done on all the post-op children, incisions, heart and lungs are assessed and medicines are given.  It is no small feat to keep 13 children straight when there are no arm bands to check and no bed tags to read.
The Honduran staff arrives at 8am, and I proceeded to get a nap until 12n.  Melvin Flores, the Honduran FOBF director, came by for part of the day.  We had an awesome lunch of cheese empanadas (Honduran grilled cheese) with slaw and pickled onions.  Melvin also brought a cake to share with those of us volunteering for the week, as well as with the staff.  We all sat and shared coffee cake together, celebrating the wonderful things God is doing in the lives of these children.  We spent lots of time playing with cameras this afternoon.  So much fun and tons of laughter.  These kids know how a digital camera works, and know that the picture shows up on the back of the camera immediately.  Little Madeline would snap the picture and immediately turn it around to show you what she had done.  Usually before the flash went off!!  :)

Edwardo welcoming Fernando to the House

At 4:30pm, our newest post-op children arrived on the bus.  Daniel and Fernando had their surgeries on Thursday.  Carla also returned.  She is now to possibly have her surgery in the states, depending on what the next echo shows.  Time will tell.  It was amazing to watch the children as they welcomed and supported one another. 
I had two new experiences today.  I made my first tortillas, three in fact.  Was quite proud of myself.  I also took a trip out into the sugar cane field and had my first raw sugar cane to chew on.  Not a great thing for your teeth, but...oh well.  New word for the day...plastacina...playdoh...who knew.
The day is beginning to slow down now.  It has been a much cooler and cloudy day today.  Plan on drinking some tea made from the Jamaican rose (tastes like cherry juice) and head to bed early.
One child at a time, Patti

Consultation with Julie, Doctora Moncada and Madeline

Fun with the camera

Edwardo and his mom

The ever active Nerlin