American School visit

Today we spent much of our day at the American School giving our OpSmile/Final Mile presentations. Riley and Gustavo did an excellent job. We first spoke at the school assembly. It is cool - they do both the Hondurian pledge and the American pledge first thing. We then had a chance to speak to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade separately. I opened, Riley talked about the Final Mile and Gustavo and Riley talked about their experience in the OR with Carlos on Monday with pictures. Each time they both were more and more comfortable. We even had Wendy, the little girl we are trying to get to come to Shamrock, visit with 4th grade. Although some were shy to go over and say hello, many of them did and her little face lit right up! The American School kids are all over the Operation Smile Final Mile. They want to start now! I am thrilled they have this early kickoff for next year. The principal, Mrs. Martinez, is very enthusiastic and can't wait to implement the program. Maybe Riley and I will have to go back, especially if they get permission to run in the Olymico Stadium!

OK. So Riley is out with Gustavo, so here is an excerpt from his blog. He is so tired when he gets home at night that I have not been able to get him to "blog". This is his from surgery day. It is a great journal to read because he does not fail to mention the different food he has tried. Here is a funny comment from early on. "Today I tried fried banana and it was so gross tears were almost coming out of my eyes!"

Now his surgery day entry...

"I'm back after the first day of surgery week. I didn't eat anything strange today. Here, the buses don't have fronts and if you ride in a car you get shiny and sweat a little because it is so hot. This morning I went to see an operation. It's amazing how they fix the kids. The surgeons like take the lip apart and put it back together. It was a cleft lip. I sat down for about 50 seconds then was fine the rest of the surgery. When we showed the mom her child, Carlos, she was crying because she knew it would change her child's life forever. After surgery, I played with the kids who were about to go to surgery. If you give them a toy, you have trouble getting it back. Next, I went to post operation. Once the numbing wears off all of the kids are kicking, yelling and screaming but they will be OK by tomorrow. I'm going to dinner now. I'm back from dinner and I'm going to tell you more about surgery. You couldn't touch anything, there was alot of cutting and blood, the child had an oxygen tube through his throat and in his lungs to breath and at one point, my grandfather cut one of the nose flaps loose. It's crazy to watch and see how it comes together at the end. I have to go to bed now." Riley

yep, word for word and more where that came from! I will try to wrap my arms around this experience while traveling tomorrow. I have been blessed with this wonderful opportunity to spend time doing so much good with my son. It is a true gift to be able to share together. Thanks mom and dad for inspiring so many people! love you both. brigette