Isa refuses to turn four

Today I feel better, but yesterday and the day before the Chikungunya kicked in strong. Yesterday I couldn't lift a cup with my right hand. I also had trouble getting up when I was seated on the "throne". Sorry if that was TMI. It's like what Ana went through, only not as crippling. Ana says she is better now! Other coworkers are suffering from Chikungunya relapses too. One walked into the community center rubbing her shoulder on Wednesday. I knew what was wrong before she told me. She can't lift up her right arm either.

My ankle has been killing me. It hurts as much as it did when I first got the cast. I have no idea why. I haven't done anything crazy. It started five days after I began PT, so I don't think it was that. I called Friday and made a doctor's appointment. He's out until Tuesday but I'll see him Tuesday morning. Meanwhile I'm resting.

Ana is pretty sure one of the girls we love is pregnant. She's 19 and graduated from high school. But she doesn't have a job or a stable home life and the boy she is dating is young - still in high school. Ana noticed the girl started looking and acting different in November. She's got bags under her eyes and is skinny, except for a belly which she never had before. She's wearing baggy shirts and lycra pants. Ana asked the girl if she is pregnant. The girl answered, "If you had an older daughter and she was pregnant would you hit her?" Ana responded that her soul would be sad, but if that happened she would not hit her. My heart aches. I pray this girl, who has always showed so much promise, is not pregnant.

Yesterday Impacto Juvenil did a class for the Strong Mothers program. Ana was there. Erika and her younger sister Kenya also attended. They talked about pregnancy prevention, disease prevention and safe sex. I love hearing that Erika feels comfortable getting more involved, and is allowed to be involved even though she doesn't have a child in the program. Ana said that she already knew the things they were taught, but many of the mothers did not.

All of the prayers for provision for Ana's kids paid off!!! Tuesday David got a backpack, uniform pants, shoes, and notebooks from Impacto Juvenil. Ana is so grateful. She said none of the other kids got both shoes and uniform pants, but David got both. Ana said the shoes fit as though they were made for him. Plus he was the first of everyone to be called up to get his things. That meant a lot to them, I could tell.

Now they only lack a few tiny things for Samuel - copy paper, thick craft paper, "foamy" paper and cold medicine. I asked Molly if she will be shopping for school supplies this week and can drop them off for me, since I am not driving (or walking).

Also, each of the kids only have one uniform. ONE in this hot, sweaty weather. Jired's uniform pants are two years old and have already ripped. Ana sewed them together and told him not to bend over or they might rip again. I will get them uniforms once I am up and around.

Isabela is so funny! Ana was talking about Isa being four years old now. Isa's birthday was three weeks ago, but she told Ana that she is not four yet because she has not "cut the cake" (Honduran saying) yet. I have to hurry up and get better so I can bake a cake and Isa can turn four! I made a cake for every birthday so far, so I she refuses to turn four without one. Hahaha!

Isa's first birthday

Isa's second birthday (with Ana and David)

Isa's third birthday

Birthday photos from 4th birthday party soon!