Ostin’s day began with the continental breakfast buffet. He was quite fascinated by the containers of cereal, pressing the button for juice, and spreading packets of butter everywhere! I don’t think he ate much but he found the experience quite entertaining. After things got a bit out of control, his mom took him back to the room where it was easier to manage him in a confined environment. We waited until the stores opened, checked out of the hotel and were on our way in search of sneakers for Ostin. It was a quick decision for him…the Cars far outweighed the Ninja Turtle ones.

We were then on our way to Lenox Hospital to meet the doctors. Thankfully, I have experience driving in Boston but NYC is more challenging with many roads under construction, snow piles, and using blinkers rarely happens.Tom joined Karla and Ostin’s first meeting with the doctors while I spent time finding a place to park. By the time I entered the hospital, the introduction and examination were finished and the doctors were back in the O.R.

Next stop, the Ronald McDonald House where Karla and Ostin were spending the night. The staff was incredibly kind but it was overwhelming for Karla as we toured the many floors beginning with their private room and bath. She was handed a “key” on a lanyard and showed that you just needed to wave it in front of the key pad and the door would unlock…magic! We then saw the dining room and kitchen facilities where each family is given their own cabinet for food, and bin in the fridge. A buffet dinner is served at 6:30, but I quickly thought how is Karla going to know the time since there’s no clock in her room and she couldn’t read my analog watch? They reassured me they would ask someone to stop by their room, and escort them. I wasn’t sure Karla would be comfortable leaving her room so I went to the grocery store while they spent time in the play room.

I quickly grabbed a container of watermelon, a bag of chips and salsa, a roasted chicken and a carton of milk…dinner was done. Back to the Ronald McDonald House to settle Karla and Ostin in their room. Everyone exhausted from “Day #1.”

For the past 14 years, Pilgrim Congregational Church, U.C.C. (Lexington, MA) has been involved with  our mission work in Honduras. Our minister, Rev. Loren Lorincz, and many members from our congregation have volunteered their efforts in our  “adopted” community of Flores. Countless members of Pilgrim have contributed their time by raising funds for projects, donating school supplies and clothing, offering their hospitality to visiting patients and so much more.

This past Sunday, we were presented with a hand made quilt created with welcoming messages from the church community. I can’t think of a more heart warming, comforting gift to offer Ostin upon his arrival, and something to snuggle with  during his many operations and recoveries.

Due to all the snowstorms, Ostin and his mom’s flights have been delayed two days. Cancelled flights are a real inconvenience for us, but it doesn’t compare to what it entails on the Honduran end. Ostin and his family live in the mountains and it is a challenge to reach their house because of the incredibly rough terrain. It’s a very time consuming endeavor for them to travel from their home to the airport in Tegucigalpa. This entails their family of four to travel on a single motorcycle, a bus and a taxi…any/all of which can break down at any given moment. Then they must face all the uncertainties and challenges of taking their first flight, which happens to be internationally. Not only is it juggling your tickets, passports/visas, going through security and finding your gate. It is making sure you have enough money to pay the taxes on the tickets, having the documentation for immigration, and paying the exit fees.

Karla is 20 years old, and tomorrow will say goodbye to her husband, older son and extended family. She leaves the familiarity and comforts of home to travel to the United States seeking more medical treatment for Ostin. We so admire her faith, resiliency, and deep sense of gratitude. We’re anxiously awaiting Ostin and Karla’s arrival and their reaction to seeing huge amounts of snow and the bright lights of NYC! Wednesday, we will meet with Ostin’s doctors and look forward to learning more about his operation on Thursday and what’s expected to follow…we’ve all been waiting for this day for a long time.

At times I find myself filled with childlike excitement when I think of this holiday season. Not only am I anxiously awaiting my sons and extended family to come home, and celebrating with friends, but it’s  knowing that Astrid and Noel will be arriving from Honduras in 10 days.

Nine years ago we met four year old Noel, who was in need of life saving heart surgery. Through the generosity of the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation and the skilled physicians at Tufts Medical Center, Noel’s surgery was a success. The next year, we were introduced to two year old Astrid, a toddler in need of spinal and foot surgery. These surgeries were successful, as well, and provided free of charge by Shriners Hospital.

Over the years, these two children have truly become part of our family and been embraced and loved by our friends. We’ve had the opportunity to share the ups and downs of life beside them, beginning with serious operations and recoveries, continuing with school and every day life, and sharing celebrations and summer vacations. They started as patients, but it has grown so much deeper and impacted our lives more than we could have ever imagined. Our lives are so much richer with them in it, and they certainly are two of our greatest “gifts”, which will last a lifetime.

This past Monday Paola Martinez tearfully said goodbye to her seven year old son, Johan, at the airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Lori Dunn, an airline ambassador for American Airlines was transporting Johan to Boston for continued medical treatment at Shriners Hospital. Six years ago Paola had accompanied Johan, who was born with a lymphatic malformation in his arm and chest and received two operations during their five month stay. Paola and her husband, Eduin, now have a one month old baby girl and would remain in Honduras.

I cannot begin to fathom what a mother goes through emotionally when she sends her child off with a stranger, to another country, to face intricate surgeries. Sadness, fear, emptiness to name a few emotions. But it is Paola’s endless love for Johan and her selflessness that enables her to let him go, and trust in others.

Despite being thousands of miles apart, Johan is never far from his mother’s thoughts. Paola has been faithfully calling her son to see how he is adjusting to living without her. I assure her that he is a happy, kind and polite little boy who has been having fun riding his scooter, going to the playground and trying new foods. I don’t share that the first few nights at our home were hard for Johan. In Honduras, he lives in a one room structure where the whole family sleeps in the same bed. Here he is given his own bed, in his own room, on his own floor of the house. It may be fun during the day, but it’s scary at night and the only time Johan expresses missing his mom. It’s heartbreaking watching this little boy trying to be strong as the big tears trickle down his face. I may be his fun playmate during the day, but nobody can replace Mommy at night.

Right now I am writing this in the waiting room while Johan is in the OR for approximately five hours. Just before he went in, his mom called to send her love, and comfort him. We’re three and a half hours in, and it’s a long wait…but not as long as it is for his mom. She is at home with her extended family, praying for the doctor and his team, and for a safe and successful surgery for Johan. I’m anxiously awaiting to hear Johan is in the recovery room and be able to call Paola with the news!

Esperanza-Hope for the Children, Inc. would like to offer a huge “shout out” to the folks at Samaritan’s Feet. Yesterday we received several boxes (containing 288 pairs of children’s “croc type” shoes and 91 pairs of adult flip flops). This generous donation of footwear will have a significant impact in the community of Flores, Honduras and beyond. The rubber made shoes are durable and will hold up well in the rainy, muddy weather.

We are avid proponents of prevention and these shoes will provide protection from many illnesses and injuries. Children are required to wear black shoes to school and we’re hoping these will fill the requirement. Unfortunately, many school age children do not attend classes because they cannot afford shoes or other pieces of their uniform. It is a common sight to see children running barefoot down littered dirt roads often resulting in bloodied open wounds…we know these gifts will be treasured.

We’re thankful of our new relationship with Samaritan’s Feet and the wonderful work they are doing throughout the world. Next month Rev. Lauren Lorincz from Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC in Lexington, MA will be joining us on our trip and we look forward to handing out shoes with her.