Shopping Day!

I got to go out shopping today.  Not for the typical groceries or produce or boring stuff like that.  I purchased fun stuff.  Take a look at the pictures below--which do you think I purchased today?

 Drums?


                             OR




                                                Motorcycle?




This is what's already back at the guesthouse:

I have been working with a Dr. Donald Devito from Florida to help set up a music program with the special-needs kids here.  He teaches special-needs kids how to play the drums, and they even compete against able-bodied students and do quite well.  He had raised $500 to buy drums, so Leonard and I went in search of them today.  Thanks to Leonard's negotiating, we were able to get two used drums for the $500.  

Now about that motorcycle.  That will be a purchase for tomorrow!   Leonard helped me find one, but the place didn't accept credit cards.  I have to go back tomorrow with the cash.  Gertrude's brother Jude is going to take care of registering it and obtaining the licence.  Even though I will be able to use it while I am here (assuming I can learn how to drive it), it will be a donation to the guesthouse.  Yes, I have a helmet.  Yes, I have other safety gear.  No, I don't plan to drive it super fast.  My guess is that it will mostly be used by the guesthouse drivers to run quick errands; it will be faster/cheaper than taking the truck out, and it will give people here a bit more flexibility.

That is the fun news for today.  I'm bummed that I didn't take my camera to horse therapy today.  My thought was how much different could it be after six weeks?  Turns out, I got to ride today!  If you've been following along about the horse therapy, you know that Cade is pretty afraid of the horses.  Each week, however, he gets better.  We decided to see how he would do today if I road as well and showed him that it was okay.  He did great!  He actually looked straight ahead instead of looking to the side.  He held onto the reins after seeing me model it for him.  And, when we stopped, we gave him the brush, and I showed him how to brush the horse: me on my horse and him on his.  He did it!  He's never voluntarily brushed the horse before!  I am so proud of Cade!  I just wish I could have gotten a picture of me on a horse.

Now for the not-so-good news.  I am completely overwhelmed!  I feel that I am working hard but not doing everything that needs to be done.  I feel as if some good things are happening while I'm here, but I fear that when I leave, it will all stop.  I also feel as if when I leave, my stay will have had no lasting impact.  It's not just that money will run out for some of the programs or there will not be money for needed physical therapy (Maryse and the club feet), but that only lip service is being given to doing therapy here with the kids, even if it's as simple as stretching and massage and play therapy.  

Please pray that I work hard and focus in the last 6-7 weeks that I have.  That I do my best to leave coherent plans on how to do the therapy.  That I not make this about me but instead about the kids.