Thursday, December 11, 2008

Our work in action...

We held a clinic at a village in the mountains on our October trip. While there, we met a mother of 3 children, ages 3 mos, 2 yrs, and 3 yrs. The 2 youngest children were severely malnourished. Since the baby was still nursing, we didn't want to take her from the mother. After seeing this little girl, her hair falling out, terribly under weight, sores all over her body, we shared with the mother the severity of her daughters condition. The mother is 21 years old, and not very educated. She told us she would talk to the father and let us know. After discussing with not only the father, but also the grandparents, all parties decided it would be best for the little girl to come to the nutrition center. Our center wasn't quite up and running, so we took her to the nutrition center in Teculutan. She was there for 3 weeks, went home for 2 weeks and has been at our center all week. Look at the difference....

Our first encounter at the village at the end of October.

Aura this week at our center! First week of December.

She is the funniest little thing and absolutely loves to cuddle, which is my favorite.

She eats like a little piggy and feeds herself.

We are told that in many villages, due to the shear poverty, mothers will make beans and only give the youngest the broth, rather than any beans. They feed the older children and themselves the whole beans. This upon giving their babies coca cola in bottles, and watered down milk, then adding several scoops of sugar, will never make for a healthy child. The lack of educated individuals is almost uncomprehendible.

Feeding Program

On November 5, 2008 we started a feeding program for the local children that live near our nutrition center. We have a list of 50 of the poorest kids in the area and they come for lunch every Wednesday. They were all weighed at the beginning and will be weighed through time. It is a great day for our staff as well as for the kids!

Dan checking the names off prior to entering the feeding.

Lynda making sure all kids wash their hands.

Our gracious and hilarious cook, Yoli

Preparing lunch...
Me, Karen, Bert, Yoli and Lynda

Berto sneaking a quick snack... caught in the act!

Waiting for lunch to be served

These girls are so precious. Little twins!

This was probably taken just after we said prayer before the meal.

The little guy loading his tortilla.

Lunch time!

Each child cleans their own plates when they are finished.
Between Lynda and I, (both teachers) these kids have no choice but to have manners.

More cleaning

After lunch the children are allowed to play in "The Patterson Playroom"
This name is not just a coincidence...
My parents donated the money to build this section of the center.
Coloring

A little dramatic play in the house.

The kids love to stick their head through this hole and have their photos taken.

The boys putting a puzzle together.

This little girl... adorable.... precious... all of these things!
She is notorious for bringing a little black plastic bag to every lunch, eating half her plate, then putting everything in her bag. She was dragging it with her on her bike, you just aren't able to see it in this shot.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Need Your Support!

I just wanted to share of a friend I made tonight! I had heard of this guy that was going to hike the Appilanchian Trail in hopes of raising money for water. I had never met him and truly just met heard about him within the last 2 weeks. Tonight was my lucky night to chat with my new inspiration named John. He is an incredible guy with very much the same life goals that I have. His mission is inspiring and I just wanted to share his website with you! Please do your part and help us spread the word in order to help those less fortunate. His website is www.hike4water.org When you have the time, take just a minute to read about John's plans for the next 6 months and his plans to hike 2,200 miles, all to help get clean water for those that are not fortunate like us! Thank you!!

Thanksgiving Feast...

Being away from home for Thanksgiving is not always the most fun, however, when a girls second option is about as good as the first, life isn't that bad! We had such an incredible meal! Good company, lucky for me the company also filled the roll of good cooks! Everything was made from scratch and was just as good as home! We all shared the things we are thankful for... so many things in this life I am thankful for!!!
These pics will show a bit of our day. My camera lense was foggy so the pics are a bit foggy (imagine that... I amaze myself sometimes.;)) Our meal was followed by a good game of Uno and another game called Settelers, which I had never played.
I hope your Thanksgiving was just as good if not better then ours!
THANK YOU for you support, love and prayers while I have embarked on this journey!

Our gorgeous brand new kitchen at the nutrition center. A much better option for Thanksgiving dinner!

Dan is half brilliant sometimes!

This was a "last photo" just in case the oven blew up on it's first time being turned on.

Heaven!

A delicious cider we created!

The 4 of us with our warm cider!

2 of my favorite boys so excited!

Dan, caught eating early, with his friends from home, Clay & Kristi

So good!

The crew of us, minus Norma and Luis who joined us later!