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Dinner came to a close and everyone went back to their rooms. I left the door open on the balcony so I could hear the music playing at the pool. I also checked some real estate info on the internet, then was in bed by 9:00 PM (which is really 11:00 PM back home.)
My bed was comfortable, as was my room. I awoke several times during the night, only to realize I still had a few hours to sleep. I decided at 5:00 a.m. it was time to get up. We were meeting for breakfast at 6:15 in the cafeteria and I wanted to shower and get ready for my long day.
I was scheduled to help Benigno haul all of the surgical supplies to the Hospital. After we got everything there, it was just told to kinda "do as I could." I felt that I wasn't too helpful... not knowing any Spanish is such a setback.
I found out that the people were at the hospital since 6:00 a.m. and even that one spent the night there, sleeping on a bench. All the children that were supposed to be there came except for one or two, I think. But the crowd grew as word began spreading that the surgical team was in town.
The surgical team was brought a young girl in. She had several problems including a 'club foot'. Her eyes were crossed severely and she was slightly retarded. The surgery was to try to correct the club foot.
Then they discovered later that she also had seizures. I believe it was decided that this made it too risky to do the operation. They had to tell the girl's mother that she wasn't going to be a candidate for the surgery after all. I felt very bad, as did Ellen. I wasn't sure if the mother had been told yet or not, but they stayed outside.
I found myself sitting with a young boy who was having a difficult time waiting. I sat with him, and although he wouldn't look at me, he quit fussing while I rubbed his arm and his back.
Soon, the young retarded girl made her way back into the lobby. I brought her over and eventually she sat on my lap. I was able to calm her and rubbed her hair until she fell asleep in my arms. It was sad knowing that she probably would not be getting the surgery but it was a wonderful feeling knowing that I could give her at least a few minutes of encouragement. I was told later that she had been molested by her father and that he was spending time in jail for this crime. It was a wonder that she trusted me at all!
Jesina, Kathryn and I called a cab to take us back to the hotel. We were scheduled to meet the bus and then pickup the translator on our way to Urraco. I packed my bags and brought everything to the lobby, where I met our bus driver. His name was Madrid... or at least he said if I'd remember the capitol of Spain, I wouldn't forget his name. At the last minute, Benigno thought it might be best for Delmy and the kids to ride back to Urraco with us.
We stopped in El Progreso to meet David, our translator, at Burger King. We had lunch there and then went on to Urraco. We were running late so we couldn't go directly to where we were staying, so we stopped at the grade school in Urraco. I saw a few students that I recognized, and asked one where Jessica was sitting. I then saw her in the very front row…and as I went up to her, I gave her a big hug although she was kind of shy toward me.
I was so happy to see her. I sat down in one of the chairs that had been moved to the front for us. We were greeted by the teacher and the kids put on a short program. It was held outside and although the skies appeared clear, it began raining. The program continued with some people using umbrellas but most of us scurried under trees or the overhang of the building. At the end of the program, a beautiful cloth was presented to Kathryn, to be given to Shirley.
We were then invited to have coca-cola. I was able to meet three of the children that I sponsored on behalf of my clients. I had a picture taken with each child. It was now 2:45 or so and we notified that the high school students had been waiting for us since 11:00. They received the wrong information that we'd be there earlier. |