Visitation

Fernando asking where his parents are

Katty, Monica, Doris, Fernando and parents

Johnny, Mom and Grandmother

Brayan, Mom and little brother

Catchin a few winks on the way home.

The last Friday of every month is visitation for the children. They get dressed up and are taken to town and have a two hour visit with their moms, and dads too, if there is a dad in the picture. After visitation is over, the children are taken to Wendy's to eat.

Pamela, Fito, and Daniela's mother does not have visitation rights, but they usually get to go to town with the others. Two days ago, Cindy and Maryuri's mom called and said she would not be at visitation this month. We decided, Marc and I would take eight of the kids to town and leave the other five with the houseparents. We gave Brenda enough money that she could walk with the kids up to Los Arcos and have pupusas for lunch. That seemed to satisfy everyone since they knew the others would be eating in town.

Marc and I and the eight kids left at 9:00. Everyone had on their best clothes and hair was neatly done. Eager anticipation filled the van. Brayan had drawn pictures for him mom and had them neatly folded and held them as we rode to town.

When we arrived, Brayan's mom was the only one there. They found a spot where they could share a brief two hours. Fernando was anxious, asking where is parents where. All we could say is wait, Fernando. Jackson's mom and grandmother came in around 10:30. Closer to 11:00, Monica, Doris, Fernando and Katty's parents arrived. They have to ride a bus from Sabana Grande. They hugged and hugged on their parents. These children were removed from the home because of abject poverty. Yet, the parents brought tacos for their children. Sisi and Rosita just made that their family.

Guess who else showed up? Cindy and Maryuri's mom. She was so mad that her kids were not there. I do not know curse words in spanish, but I am quite sure she was using some.

Sometimes some of the moms don't show. Can you imagine being dressed up and watching the others with their moms and yours not being there. How horrible that must be.

We sat and watched the interaction. There was none between Jackson and him mom and grandmother. None. They all just sat there looking at each other.

This is the first time I have ever been to visitation. The first time I have met the kids' parents. Most of these moms are 30 or younger. Jackson's mom and Monica's mom look fifty or older. Some have no teeth. Some can't sign their names in the visitation book. But they still love their kids. They travel long distances and, for them, pay large sums of money for bus fare or treats for their kids.

We have to leave at 12:00. There were lots of hugs and kisses. The parents asked me to take pictures of them and their children. I will print the pictures and take to them next month.

Then, it was on to Burger King. Burger King today, not Wendy's. Marc and I walked in with eight kids and the employees ushered us to our seats and said they would take our order and bring it to us. We gave the kids no choice in what they ordered. Marc ordered the same for everyone. We thought we were treating them. They really don't like hamburgers as well as chicken. The toys in the happy meal bags were great. And everyone received a crown. At my table, I made everyone eat before they could open the toy.

Fernando spilled his drink. Monica ate her fries and then sucked the ketchup cup dry.

Marc began to take some of the kids to the playroom. He rushed backed with Katty in tow, saying she has to go to the bathroom. I took her little hand and escorted her into the bathroom. I nearly lost my lunch when I realized her shoes were still in the playroom and she was in the bathroom in her sock feet. Katty was saying poo-poo. Poo-poo. I was hurrying, but it was too late. She had already poo-pooed. Oh my! It was everywhere. And the toilet paper in Honduras is not exactly made for cleaning messes like that. I did as adequate job as possible. I told Marc it was definitely time to go home as she no longer had any underclothes on.

We loaded the van. It was a subdued trip back up the mountain. I know some were tired, as evident by the picture. But there is no telling what some of those kids were thinking. Maybe about seeing Mom or waiting another month to see Mom again.

I am glad I went to vistiation today. It helps me better understand where some of our kids have been.

Terri