Cheri Kay in Haiti....where my life became meaningful.

We made it back to Port au Prince from Les Cayes last night. Jaryse's surgery was last Monday morning and he did really well! I am so proud of him!!! The above picture is Jaryse with the Doctor who did the surgery who was amazing! Of course, who would expect anything less, he is a Spartan you know!!!!! Jaryse got to look at the operating room and where the surgical cap before getting his anesthesia! These kitties were downstairs in the hospital outside the operating room and Jaryse said to the doctor "well, look at these kitties in this hospital!!!!!" It was almost like he knew that kitties didn't really belong in hospitals!!!! LOL!!!! Well, in Haiti, anything goes, and the kitties are welcomed to eat the rats and mice! Jaryse was given the anestesia, and taken into surgery. He was in surgery for over 2 hours!!!!! I think the hardest part for him was not eating breakfast, the hardest part for me was hearing him cry when given the shot and when he was waking...

We returned this morning from Jacmel after attending the funeral and the burial of 3 year old Jabez. I have to say, this was the most heartbreaking thing I have every been a part of. My heart breaks over and over and over for his parents, my friends Danny and Leanne. I just cannot imagine what they feel. I am just broken all over for this family. We leave in the morning to travel to Aux Cayes so that Jaryse can have his hernia's repaired. I have never been to Aux Cayes and I have no idea what sorts of accomodations are awaiting me there! I will post an update if there is internet service, but otherwise, I will post one when we return to Port au Prince on Saturday. Please keep Danny and Leanne and their family in your prayers as this difficult time continues for them. Please also pray for Jaryse's safety throughout his surgery on Monday. Thank you so much for your support and love and prayers.

Well, this is the beautiful view of the Caribbean Ocean from our hotel room in Jacmel this weekend. As I looked out the window I felt the need to video it, and I just felt like it is such a dichotomy. Here is one of the most beautiful views that I have ever seen, but behind me in the little straw or cement hut, is a family with nothing. A family that is starving or someone is sick or hurting with no where to turn. Yet, this country is full of potential that is hindered by so many cultural beliefs and so many corrupt officials. I pray for this country. Now today, as I look at this video, I want to cry. I returned home from my trip to Jacmel Sunday night, on Tuesday afternoon, I got a call from my friends in Jacmel, and they informed me that the little boy that I had just done therapy on had passed away. Jabez was 3 years old with Cerebral Palsy. He was a joy and I am going to miss his little smile so much. Jabez, I know you are running around in Heaven with Jesus, doing all the things t...

I realized the other day as I was scrolling through my blog, that i haven't updated my blog on the kids that I do therapy with! Sorry about that!!! I have posted some pictures of Ashley, in fact, these pictures were taken at her home. She and her family have been struggling with illnesses and coming to my place has been difficult for her. I took a step of faith and went to her home. She lives in an abandoned and partially finished cement structure. It's not really a house, it's a couple of rooms with a floor that is not fully finished. Right in front of the "entrance" is a HUGE hole that is a cistern with no cover. It's a bit dangerous!!!! Anyway, we had a wonderful session at her house and she was very happy to see me there! She is making slow improvements with increased control over her hands and arms. Unfortunately, our consistency in seeing each other has not been very good the past couple of months, I am hoping now that school is out for me, I ...

We finished our last day of school Wed. and Wow, I had no idea how busy the last 2 weeks of school could be! Welcome to school age kids I guess!!!!!! I feel so blessed that Ecrissa was able to attend Quisqueya Christian School this year and I feel even more blessed that she had the teacher she did. Mrs. De Blaeij really worked hard at learning sign language and making sure that Ecrissa learned all that she could this school year. I am amazed at how much was accomplished this school year!!! Thank you Mrs. De Blaeij and QCS !!!! The pictures in this post are of the play "The Little Red Hen" that the Pre -K and Kindergarten classes did together last week. They were so cute!!!! Although Ecrissa was a little lost during the practices and such because she can't hear what is going on , as soon as the chapel filled with parents and spectators for the performance, she knew right away that she was performing. Some of the songs have some hand motions and such, and as ...