I will be going under the knife again on May 18th.  The orthopod doing the surgery is the premier ‘locked elbow guy’ in the Pacific Northwest.  He tells me I’ll be home in Honduras in four months: August.  I believe him.  To stay in contact with my friends and colleagues in La Paz I call home frequently; I am still after all a member of the Health Project team there and merely on medical convalescence leave.  Improvements continue at the Hogar San Jose.  Sor Edith tells me a new roof on a large room designated as a classroom is being constructed by the soldiers from Palmerola Air Base who occasionally come to build things, like our chicken coop.  The quest for the personeria juridica continues to be just that, a quest.  Edith told me our lawyers are still mired in bureaucratic negotiations with the government.  The children are well but a few are coming down with the sniffles; the rainy season has started.  I am fortunate to be recuperating in Seattle surrounded by family whom I love dearly.  We are preparing a gift box with clothing and toys for the children, everyone contributing something.  My next post will most likely be after my surgery and three-day hospital stay.  Wish me luck.