The Internet Has Returned

We finally have internet service after 2 days without it. It feels good to be "connected" again.

Our Superbowl party was fun, and just about everyone was pleased with the outcome of the game. For anyone who's been to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, it was easy to see how important the victory was to the city. I still remember those awful years when the Saints fans who showed up for games wore paper bags over their heads!!

The work has been amazing at Holy Cross this week. The construction crews have just about finished the decking around the back of the building. They have also shoveled a lot of sand.

The medical screenings are going very well too. We are focusing on vision screenings but have also checked out the Standard V and VI kids from tip to toe. There are quite a few "walk ins" with an assortment of ailments. I am learning a lot since I will have to do the follow-up after our doctors and nurses go home. Yikes!

Yesterday the Holy Cross football (soccer) team had its first victory, defeating St. Peters 5-0. The boys were so excited and proud. My buddy scored the first goal. The next game is not until next Friday, and I intend to be there.

Monday was the busiest day I have had yet. We had 2 volunteer groups in for their first day as well as dentists in the clinic. I gave 6 tours of the school before lunch! We also received many generous donations. Everyone is always so impressed with the school that it is fun to show it off.

Yesterday was by far the hottest day since I arrived. It was at least 90 degrees (reports vary) and muggy. We were all really tired and drained by the end of the day. It rained in the night and is cloudy today so we have some relief.

I am seeing more and more children every day. Yesterday afternoon on the way home, my friend, "Baltimore" was riding his bike home. When he came alongside me, he hopped off his bike so he could show me how well he can walk now. He is so proud to stand up straight and tall and walk without any limp. He was born with 2 club feet and spina bifida. Through Holy Cross and Shriners Hospital, he had a series of surgeries in the US 2 years ago. I met him the first year I came to Holy Cross - he was in the special ed. class because of his physical challenges. He is very smart and now has jumped ahead to Standard III. He is definitely one of the miracles of Holy Cross.

As the doctors screen the children, I have seen several children who are clearly the victims of abuse and/or serious neglect. There are children with scars from beatings, healing broken ribs, or other bones. There are others who return from every vacation having lost weight because they have not eaten the entire time. This is the hard part.

We will celebrate Clara's birthday at dinner tonight. There was a cake for her at school today. It is also Mr. Freddy's birthday. Lots of cake!!

I will try to add some pictures later. Now that I think the internet issues at my apartment have been resolved, I should be able to do more. It would take all afternoon to post pictures from this computer at the school.