Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a hugely celebrated time in Honduras. Most businesses are closed, transportation is limited and people spend days cooking special foods. Many people head to the water…the beach, the river or a local pool. Just after midnight on Holy Thursday, people gather on the streets of Comayagua with their brightly colored sawdust and cardboard stencils to create the beautiful alfombas (carpets) depicting religious scenes. Just nine hours later, there will be a holy march over the alfombras, marking the stations of the cross in remembrance of Good Friday. On Pascua (Easter), people will celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection.

This week we will celebrate many of these traditions at our own church. However, our thoughts will also be on the “miracle” of Ostin’s medical treatment and the team providing his care. Under the leadership of, Dr. Milton Waner, “ an internationally recognized pioneer in the development of successful treatments for hemangiomas and vascular anomalies”, he is joined by Dr. Aaron Fay, “a pioneer in the field of orbital surgery and vascular malformations” and Dr. O, “a head and neck surgeon specializing in the surgical treatment of hemangiomas and vascular malformations.” We couldn’t be more fortunate in having been introduced to such a specialized and experienced group which provides world-class care. Please visit http://www.vbiny.org to learn more about The Vascular Birthmark Institute.

Today marks the seventh week since Ostin and Karla arrived to the United States. It has been an amazing experience to watch the physical transformation of Ostin’s face. He arrived with the left side of his face distorted…his eye pushed out of its socket, his cheek and chin line far greater than the right side of his face. After two surgeries and one steroid injection, his eye has been re-positioned into the socket, and the swelling in the cheek has been substantially diminished. This week Ostin’s stitches will be removed and he will receive another steroid injection in the eye. In three weeks, the doctors will address the corner of his mouth and under his jaw which they hope to treat with sclerosing injections.

May you all discover and celebrate your own “miracle” this week.