What an amazing day! We started the day with a breakfast at Cafe Skandia in the hotel. The smell of the coffee here brings back so many memories of last year. We loaded up on the bus to travel to the Casa de Bernabe or The Barnabas house. This is the home where many of the children come to stay before and after surgery. Before surgery, the staff focuses on getting the children healthy and well enough for surgery. For many of these children who don't see daily well rounded meals, this provides the nourishment to strengthen their bodies in preparation for their upcoming open heart procedure. The parents may also stay with the child to bond and spend time with them before coming to the hospital. After surgery the children come to The Barnabas house to recover and rest. Many children do not have sanitary conditions to bathe or sleep in. The Barnabas house provides them with the living conditions that allow them to heal without the risk of a fatal infection. The families also learn new skills while staying at the Barnabas house such as farming to help provide them the knowledge of a trade to sustain their family.

While at the Barnabas house we were able to see many of the children that we had operated on last year. They had traveled long distances (most of them walking) to come and have a check up with our doctors. They are all doing great and look amazing. They have grown up so big, their bodies thriving after having their heart repaired. We got to see Eduardo and Dora, some of our sickest kids last year, they are wonderful! We also got to meet a few of the children that we will be operating on this week.

After leaving the Barnabas house we traveled to a nearby resort to have lunch. We feasted from a buffet that was really tasty. Sometimes the electricity can be a little spotty in Honduras, so the lights went out shortly after we got there. We didn't mind, the food was still hot and we were hungry. This resort sat by a beautiful lake which we were able to explore.

We then traveled to a nearby beautiful waterfall. We hiked down to the base and many of the team enjoyed the zip line over the falls.

I was talking with Dr. Nikidoh, one of our cardiothoracic surgeons. Many of you know him from his visit to FUMC Quitman last year. He was telling me that someone had asked him why he came here. There are so many children to save, why would you even try? He told me that what we are doing here is a ripple effect. The children that we help here have their innocence restored. They are allowed to run and jump and be just like every other child. It is possible that they to will seize the opportunity that they have been given and help others. The ripple effect carries on, and eventually a wave is created. We are not just helping children, we are helping entire families. Looking at the children today, I can see this. They are all so full of life, and their parents are so proud, relieved even. It is a huge burden taken off of them and their families. 

We look forward to an amazing week, the plan is to do 4 surgeries a day, plus the cardiac caths. Please pray for our team and the guidance of the surgeons hands.