Cleft Palate Surgeries - Day 1

After our last entry yesterday afternoon, we had a chance to go to dinner with Sharon and Virginia from ASELSI and actually talk! Normally when we see each other, it's on a clinic day and we're running 100mph...

This morning at 6:30, we met all the families at the Hospital Hermano Pedro and began the process of getting the kids set up for surgeries. We'll spare you all the details of where and how long we waited for each of the dozen steps, but we'll say this: the team is awesome! They are all very energetic and helpful and friendly.

We had 9 kids here for surgery. Seven will get their surgeries this round. One (Fredy) was deemed to be too small by the anesthesiologist. We were a little afraid of that, but the fact that they're being selective makes us feel much better about the prognosis for the others. Fredy's parents were told not to worry, but if they can put two or three more pounds on him by May, he will probably get his surgery then. (He's gained 2 1/2 lbs since November, so this seems do-able.)

One little boy (who we had not written about before) had already received his lip and palate surgeries, but the parents were concerned that he still has a small hole in his palate. Since it's not really creating any problems for him, they were told to wait for a while and see what happens. If he develops problems, we'll get him another surgery. If not, all is well.

The rest of the kids will get their surgeries this week. Five will get theirs on Tuesday, so those families are staying here. For whatever reason, Regina's two kids get theirs on Wednesday and Friday. It's nearly a free surgery so we're very thankful but it's not the MOST convenient option. We had to send Regina, Carolina (her daughter), Otto (her son), and her sister-in-law back home. Luckily, a man was here who offered to give them a ride in his truck to Chinique, from which it's a short hop to their home. They will come back on Tuesday.

So those of you who donated money know what neat stuff is happening here, we have been able to donate a good amount of money to the hospital for each child, plus we are taking care of all of their traveling expenses, including diapers (none of these parents normally use diapers), water to drink, restaurant food (which they are all VERY excited about - not one molecule of food ever gets left on a plate), and since tomorrow is a "free day" for them, a per diem of about $13 per family, which should cover breakfast, lunch, and perhaps a little souvenier from their trip. They were all very excited to get that, since it's about three times what each dad usually makes in a day of working in the fields.

So that's that. We are taking lots of pictures, but we're at an internet cafe right now and it's not easy to post them. The sponsors will all get plenty of pictures and the rest of you will get to see a few when we get back home and can post "normally" again.

Please keep Regina and her family in your prayers. She has to get all the way home tonight, then come back with THREE of her kids on Tuesday (the two who need surgery and her 14 year old daughter who is going to help her out, since the two kids will be separated - her sister-in-law couldn't come back - she has kids of her own!) Regina has never really left the area around her home before and will have to make a several hour bus trip (with some transfers) while keeping track of three kids!!!! She will need lots of prayer coverage, but we know ya'll are up to the task.

More later....