Sharing Our Heart

For those of you who have been following our financial situation, we scraped up enough money to pay the staff their portion of the July salaries on time. We still have a few more days to pay the social security portion and taxes that are required.  To do this we still need another $5000 just to finish paying July's salaries.  Ideally we would be able to pay August's by the end of the month and get back on track (this requires an additional $15,000 by the end of the month).  God has been so faithful in always providing what we need and we know He will not fail this time.  Will you please pray with us for support and creative ideas this month.  If you like to keep up to date on how to pray, we will keep the thermometer updated with the current giving for August on our website casadeamor.org.  We would so appreciate any help you can give!

Happy Bolivian Independence Day

On August 6, 1825 Bolivian gained its independence from Spain.  Today celebrates the country's 190th anniversary and it is quite a celebration down here!  All week there have been stands on many corners selling Bolivian flags and other items with Bolivian colors.  Many of the public transportation vehicles have been decorated and houses even have flags hanging on them.

Yesterday all of the kids were out of school because many of them were marching in parades.  They do this a couple of times a year and it is quite a sight!  I don't think I have ever seen so many people in one place in my life!  It reminded me of New Year's Eve in Times Square!  I was at one of the biggest parades downtown with J and one of the Bolivian staff.  It was an adventure I won't soon forget!  

Here are a couple of pictures of J walking in the parade. 

J with Tia Sarin after the parade!

One of our oldest boys, E,  also got to march in a parade yesterday.  Unfortunately because of the timing, I wasn't able to get there to take any pictures of him.  He got to carry a flag in the parade because he is one of the best students in his class!!  I was so disappointed that I couldn't get there to take any pictures.  I'm sure he looked so handsome marching in his uniform and proudly carrying the Bolivian flag!  We are all very proud of him and how well he is doing in school!

Happy Independence Day from Bolivia!!!!!

Update on Our Tough Little Monkey!

Hannah snuck a picture of K today when the nurses stepped out of the room!!  He is doing great!!  He was having a really hard time yesterday being all alone, but was in much better spirits today.  They have removed most of the tubes and he is even able to play a little today!  We are hoping that he can be released from ICU tomorrow!  Thanks for all of the prayers!!!  God is answering!!

Successful Surgery

Here is K immediately after surgery. He is stable and doing well. He will stay sedated most of the day and will remain in ICU for a few days with only short visits. Thank you so much for all of your prayers! One of our volunteers got to be in the surgery the whole time and got to listen to his heart when they were finished (she is a med student) and says there is no more murmur!!!! We are praising God for his faithfulness!!

Out of Surgery

K (or C), depending on which spelling of his name you look at, is out of surgery.  We will let you know more and post some pictures as soon as we know more and someone can visit!!  Thank you for praying!!!!

Waiting for Surgery

As I type, I am currently sitting on a hospital bed with the sweetest little 4 year old boy I have ever met. K is VERY happily playing on Kirsten's iPad driving cars, building with virtual Legos, and playing peek-a-boo with animals! I know I'm a horrible babysitter, but there's only so much you can do after 4 full days in a hospital room with a seemingly, perfectly healthy little boy. To look at him and play with him, you wouldn't know that anything is wrong. But tomorrow morning (hopefully) K will have open heart surgery to repair 2 holes in the ventricular septum of his heart. This surgery was supposed to happen on Friday (as many of you already know), but it was delayed because there weren't any beds in ICU for him to go to after it was completed. We are really hoping it can happen this time. We are all getting a little tired of being cooped up in a small hospital room (especially K). He is being such a trooper though. He is happy and playing with his toys and always ready with a hug!!

The hospital where K will have his surgery.

Yesterday I was greeted by him running down this ramp with open arms! He brings such joy to all of us at Casa de Amor!! Please join us in praying for him over the next several days that his surgery would be a complete success and that his recovery will be quick and with as little pain as possible. Pray for peace for his sweet spirit as well. He is a very sensitive little guy and is a bit nervous about tomorrow. Thanks for your partnership with him! We will post an update as soon as we have one!