Saturday

things today were pretty much the same as yesterday. Marco seems to be getting a little better. After breakfast which I scrambled eggs, beans, and plaintains, I try to entertain Marco until nap time. Lunch is usually a tuna sandwich for me and a tortilla with beans or whatever is left over for Marco. They enjoy eating the same thing every day..rice, beans, meat and tortillas. 

 For dinner the boys ate out at a local restaurant take out style..I had cornflakes and Marco had leftover chicken and beans with rice.  

Friday

First day solo! Things went well. It was warm enough out so I took Marco out into his new little pool yesterday. He loved it. We went for a walk, played bubbles, played ball, did laundry, gave medicine, gave breathing treatments, paid the workers and made dinner. It was an exagusting day for me and I was sure Marco would be tired but he he was not! Finally around 8:30he fell asleep. I am grateful he slept all night! When he woke up I made him oatmeal I brought with me and he loved it! 

  My main focus here is taking care of this sick baby, who praise the Lord, seems to be getting better. I am not writing much about the other children as they are pretty self sufficient. I do need to know where they are and what they are doing and make sure they do their chores but they are good kids and there isn’t much to say about teenagers. They played cards together yesterday afternoon and Morro likes to play soccer every afternoon from 3-6. Melvin plays the pan flute and although I have not seen him play it I hear it from his bedroom.  

Marco playing with a toy I brought with me in the new outfit I also brought for him.

Thursday 

Marco was up several times last night and between Lisa leaving at 4 am,me setting my alarm for the wrong time..twice due to the time change, I didn’t sleep hardly at all. I need to get up at 5:15 to wake Melvin in time to go to school. Lisa usually drives him but since I don’t drive here, he will ride his bike. He is in 4 th grade but 21 years old. He acts and looks likes he is 14.

 I have somehow developed thrush in my mouth last night and with no car or anyone here, a little online home remedy tells me tea tree oil may help. I brought some with me so will try it. Cider vinegar, baking soda, and a few other remedies were also suggested but I do not have any of them. As I give my day over to the Lord.Won’t you remember to pray for me also. He has taken me out of my comfort zone but I am being blessed every minute of every day by being obedient to His will. 

A tired and sick Marco doing his breathing treatment.

Marco playing with the few toys he has. 

Wednesday 

Lisa delayed her trip by 2 days to get everything done. I’ve been watching Marco full time so she could concentrate on doing all she needs to. Marco is a full time job but any of you that have toddlers know this. It takes some getting use to when you are older and no longer in baby mode and on the go every second. 

I have been up since 4:30 this morning when Marco woke up. I was able to get him back to sleep for a short time however, I couldn’t go to sleep so it was the perfect time to do my devotions.  

Lisa will leave very early tomorrow morning and I will be on my own, confident that God will provide all I need for strength, energy,wise decisions, sleep, and anything else. Please remember to pray extra for me these next two weeks.

Tuesday..  

   Marco slept well last night but I didn’t. When he awoke, I gave him breakfast and then his medicines along with a breathing treatment. He quietly played with the few toys he has. Soon it was time for lunch which was chicken and rice then another breathing treatment and a nap. He seemed very congested and tired today. I woke him up from his 3 hour nap, afraid he wouldn’t sleep tonight. We go outside for a swing in the hammock which he enjoyed. Then we come in and count the geckos running on the ceiling! He likes to watch them run. Soon it was time for dinner. He ate then another breathing treatment. I hope he sleeps well tonight.  

Tuesday..  

   Marco slept well last night but I didn’t. When he awoke, I gave him breakfast and then his medicines along with a breathing treatment. He quietly played with the few toys he has. Soon it was time for lunch which was chicken and rice then another breathing treatment and a nap. He seemed very congested and tired today. I woke him up from his 3 hour nap, afraid he wouldn’t sleep tonight. We go outside for a swing in the hammock which he enjoyed. Then we come in and count the geckos running on the ceiling! He likes to watch them run. Soon it was time for dinner. He ate then another breathing treatment. I hope he sleeps well tonight.  

I am EXCITED to announce I will be going back to Honduras on April 5, 2018. I am a bit out of my comfort zone, since this will be the first time in 15 years, that I’m going without Karl. The Lord has put it on my heart to go and help Lisa Bradley at the Bethesda Boys Home in Honduras. Lisa has been a longtime friend who is currently overwhelmed and over worked. I am happy to answer the call for help. Please pray for me, that I will bond with the boys, be a big help to Lisa so she can get a break she so much deserves and needs, for language skills for me as well as finances to support my trip. I am trusting in God for all of this as well as for safety while I travel and live in the jungle at the boys home. If God lays it on your heart to donate, you may do so at pokropmissions.com 

  I arrived fine.  When I got here there was one 18 month old names Dani who I was to be helping with. He had been sick with cough, malnourished, diareaha, and very weak when Lisa got him. He seemed to be doing somewhat better when I arrived although still not healthy.  Two days later, Lisa got a call saying little Marco was very sick could we come get him? It was late at night and the tough decision was made because it is a dangerous neighborhood and at night, to wait until morning. Since the house is not baby proof and Lisa is leaving to go to the states, the decision to take Dani back to him mom ,(as he was somewhat better, and I couldn’t physically care for two sick toddlers) and pick up Marco. This is the third day I was here and the third time we needed to go into the city an hour and a half one way for various reasons like groceries, medication, etc.. another long day. 

  Upon seeing Marco, we knew we had to bring him with us. So we take him home. I sit in the backseat with him, as we have no car seat for him. Half way home he begins to vomit 🤮! Upon getting home around 8 pm we clean him up ( and me) and give him some medication to calm his stomach but then the diarrhea starts along with the wheezing. He falls asleep around 9:30 pm but wakes up around 3 am. I cuddle with him, change his diaper and about 4:40 he falls back asleep. He awakens around 5:30. I give him a drink and Lisa gives him some medicine. The diarrhea seems to be under control so I give him some banana and wait an hour..no vomiting..I made him an egg and ate it. He starts to play and began wheezing badly so I give him a bath and a breathing treatment. He falls asleep in the chair. 

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Giving Marco his breathing treatment 

Thursday  

Today Karl will pack up all our household items that we don't leave out while we are not here and our suitcases. I will go out into the clinic and also hand out clothing, beach balls, and tootsie rolls. Our internet will be shut off today.

Tomorrow we have decided to take a fun side trip to the island of Utila. We will take the ferry over and shop in the little local shops for 3 hours and return home. We have not taken any vacation time away from our work here in 5 years so figured we would spend our last day doing this . Please pray for safety and calm waters as we cross the Caribbean ocean as well as a safe flight home on Saturday. 

Wednesday  

Good bye is always hard to say. Had to say good bye to all our hospital friends. Karl finished up is projects today.