April 16, 2009
I´m back from Day 4 earlier than expected. We needed to be back at the office around 2:00 local time because
Barbara's, Heather's and Jo's children were going to meet me at that time. More on that later.
Debie was feeling under the weather. Her substitute,Tirsa, was an able replacement and also a very nice lady. She
graciously stepped in at a moment´s notice. As an aside, allow me to state that the folks at CI are really a class act. I
haven´t met anyone during my many visits that didn't exhibit anything other than kindness and a commitment to the
mission. I can´t thank them enough for shuttling me around and
translating every word. Their hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
So what happened today? It was my pleasure to finally meet and get to know a couple of wonderful kids, Johainy and
Mildred (Millie). Johainy is 13-years-old and a teacher-to-be. She's at that age where part of her wants to still be a
child, part wants to be a mature adult. She was wearing her Sunday best. The earrings I gave her went well with the
outfit.
Millie is 9-years-old and cute as a button. Actually, buttons wished they were this cute. I wanted to take her home
with me. A true heart-breaker. And, while she wants to be a secretary, she should probably consider a career in
modeling. She didn't merely stand still for the camera, she was posing. Absolutely classic.
Our first stop was the children's museum. It´s a neat collection of interactive exhibits that allow the kids to get some
hands on learning while having fun in the process. They learned about rocks, electricity, and the human skeleton,
among other things. They even performed surgery of sorts. Remember the board game with the patient
with the holes in various parts of his body and if you touched the sides, a buzzer would sound and the patient´s eyes
would light up? They had a life size version of that. Johainy removed several bones successfully. Millie didn't do as
well, but she had a blast trying.
Remember yesterday´s fried chicken experience? Would you believe that the same chain had one right next to the
museum. And the girls wanted fried chicken more than anything. Lucky me! I couldn't bring myself to consume more
of that stuff and settled for a salad. The others had chicken and donuts. The mind boggles.
After carting to the van enough left-overs to feed a small army, we headed to the same mall as yesterday, and located
the same shoe and clothes stores. Johainy selected a pair of school shoes identical in style to those picked out by
Karilin yesterday. Millie went for a pair of pink sneakers with Velcro straps. Both also scored with a pair of jeans and
two tops. Johainy was looking very stylish. The boys are in trouble. As for Millie, did I already mention that she's
adorable? Well, she is.
Time was short and groceries had not been bought yet, so we rushed to the local mart and picked up the basics.
Getting back to the center shortly thereafter, we unloaded the van and had to do what I always dread: saying goodbye
and watching the tears flow. Johainy broke down and cried. It was heart-felt and a moment I won´t soon forget.
Millie was more matter-of-fact, as she asked me when I was coming back. She is simply too precious to avoid a return
visit. I can´t say when that will be, but I gave them my word and fully intend to keep it.
Tomorrow is my fifth and final visit. I have the privilege of meeting Celia, my oldest and longest lasting sponsored
child. There´s not much emotion left in the tank for yours truly. Seven goodbyes in one week is probably my limit.
I´m back from Day 4 earlier than expected. We needed to be back at the office around 2:00 local time because
Barbara's, Heather's and Jo's children were going to meet me at that time. More on that later.
Debie was feeling under the weather. Her substitute,Tirsa, was an able replacement and also a very nice lady. She
graciously stepped in at a moment´s notice. As an aside, allow me to state that the folks at CI are really a class act. I
haven´t met anyone during my many visits that didn't exhibit anything other than kindness and a commitment to the
mission. I can´t thank them enough for shuttling me around and
translating every word. Their hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
So what happened today? It was my pleasure to finally meet and get to know a couple of wonderful kids, Johainy and
Mildred (Millie). Johainy is 13-years-old and a teacher-to-be. She's at that age where part of her wants to still be a
child, part wants to be a mature adult. She was wearing her Sunday best. The earrings I gave her went well with the
outfit.
Millie is 9-years-old and cute as a button. Actually, buttons wished they were this cute. I wanted to take her home
with me. A true heart-breaker. And, while she wants to be a secretary, she should probably consider a career in
modeling. She didn't merely stand still for the camera, she was posing. Absolutely classic.
Our first stop was the children's museum. It´s a neat collection of interactive exhibits that allow the kids to get some
hands on learning while having fun in the process. They learned about rocks, electricity, and the human skeleton,
among other things. They even performed surgery of sorts. Remember the board game with the patient
with the holes in various parts of his body and if you touched the sides, a buzzer would sound and the patient´s eyes
would light up? They had a life size version of that. Johainy removed several bones successfully. Millie didn't do as
well, but she had a blast trying.
Remember yesterday´s fried chicken experience? Would you believe that the same chain had one right next to the
museum. And the girls wanted fried chicken more than anything. Lucky me! I couldn't bring myself to consume more
of that stuff and settled for a salad. The others had chicken and donuts. The mind boggles.
After carting to the van enough left-overs to feed a small army, we headed to the same mall as yesterday, and located
the same shoe and clothes stores. Johainy selected a pair of school shoes identical in style to those picked out by
Karilin yesterday. Millie went for a pair of pink sneakers with Velcro straps. Both also scored with a pair of jeans and
two tops. Johainy was looking very stylish. The boys are in trouble. As for Millie, did I already mention that she's
adorable? Well, she is.
Time was short and groceries had not been bought yet, so we rushed to the local mart and picked up the basics.
Getting back to the center shortly thereafter, we unloaded the van and had to do what I always dread: saying goodbye
and watching the tears flow. Johainy broke down and cried. It was heart-felt and a moment I won´t soon forget.
Millie was more matter-of-fact, as she asked me when I was coming back. She is simply too precious to avoid a return
visit. I can´t say when that will be, but I gave them my word and fully intend to keep it.
Tomorrow is my fifth and final visit. I have the privilege of meeting Celia, my oldest and longest lasting sponsored
child. There´s not much emotion left in the tank for yours truly. Seven goodbyes in one week is probably my limit.