Jorlene set to travel to US for surgery

ANOTHER GREAT JOY--

The preparations were long for Jorlene and for PPMA and PPH. Jorlene suffers from severe Scoliosis and has suffered many other illnesses due to her Scoliosis over the years. She turns 13 in September, 2008, looks 5 yrs. old, due to her Lenca Roots. Jorlene came to one of Dr. Joe's Examining Sites in 2004. From that time on PPMA has been instrumental to look and to find the Hospital and Surgical Team that would accept Jorlene.

Marilyn Price, RN and Medical Brigade Team Captain three times, tried to get Jorlene accepted at CARDINAL GLENNON HOSPITAL St. Louis, MO but was not accepted there in 2007. Thanks to Dr. Joe, St. Charles Hospital and Doctor Egnor, Jorlene was accepted. When we got this great news, all the legal work began to lawyers, Immigration Offices, USA Embassy for the vital Visa.

The trip to Tegucigalpa takes 6 hours for Jorlene and her acting parents from Urraco. We travelled to Tegucigalpa Sunday, July 27 and got up very early the morning of July 28 to get to the USA Embassy by 7:00am.

Because of Jorlene's Case, we were admitted into the USA Embassy ahead of other Hondurans there for their Visa Interviews. The first Interview was quick and smooth. The Consulate only looked at Dr. Joe's Letter. Then within 5 mintues we were called for the final and most important Interview. Again, incredibly, no questions, the Consulate held Dr. Joe's letter and said you have the Visa. These words are always like the word of God. What a joy. One wants to yell for joy, but of course everything is very silent in this large room full of people.

HOST FAMILY: LILA BENITEZ, RN
20 BIRCH AVE.
HUNTINGTON, NY 11743

According to Dr. Joe, who was also instrumental in finding the Host Family for Jorlene, some of the Family members speak Spanish.

If you would like to help with the fundraising we need $500 MORE for Jorlene's expenses. Marilyn Price raised $1,000 for all the expenses we had up to now. Usually we do marathons in the streets of El Progreso for the sick children going to the USA, but there is no time is available for this now. Please earmark checks to PRO-PAPA MISSIONS AMERICA snd send to Phyllis Casey.

Also, our Clinic is doing incredibly well. We are able to take care of poor pregnant women--pre and post natal care, plus birthing. And then there are the traumas that come regularly along with all the sick children. I am so proud, happy and thankful for the Clinic. Benigno Ramirez does an outstanding job of Supervision and many other things at the clinic.

BUT the Clinic still needs help to receive the monthly Subsidy of $3,000. If anyone would like to help out at your work places, churches, families, those who have been on Brigades, please send any amount to Phyllis Casey, and earmark: CLINIC.

PHYLLIS CASEY
PPMA OFFICE AD.
603 JOHN S. MOSBY DRIVE
WILMINGTON, NC 28412

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS TOO.

Last note: Dilcia Alvaro, our PPH Accountant and Assistant in the office had her two hour operation yesterday at Dr. Salvador Gutierrez's Clinic--gratis with Dr. Ricardo Chinchilla, Orthopedic Surgeon, Gratis. The only expense for Dilcia's family are the clamps and some pay to the Surgical Team. TOTAL OF $800.00. Thanks to Shirley Sholtis and Dave Nedley, Dilcia received $300 toward the cost of her operation.

In Dilcia's absence here at the office, we are blessed to have a wonderful, bilingual professional in the office: MARTHA SORTO, 22 yrs. old, Martha has her Passport and Visa and is planning to go to the USA to be with her Family in January, 2009. You will see her email address in the CC line above.

All for now. Thanks for your prayers, concern, friendship and constant help over the years.
Our Thanks, prayers and love are with each of you,
Sr. Laurinda Mayer, SFCC