Symanzik Family Update

Jerard saw an ophthalmologist today.
The doctor dilated Jerard's eyes so he could view the optical nerve. Jerard's optical nerve is pale which indicates that it is not working well. Optic nerve atrophy is the term he used.

He seems to see light and shadows, but he does not fix his gaze on objects or track with his eyes.

There is a test that could be done to clarify the extent to which the optical nerve is working but it would involve flying up to Manila to have it done.

And in the doctor's words, it wouldn't tell us a whole lot more than what he has told us and my motherly instinct has felt....Jerard sees light and shadows and responds more to touch and sound than any visual stimuli.

At this point, we will not pursue that test.

We will just keep on loving him, praying for him, touching him, singing to him, talking to him....he is a blessing and I thank God for bringing this special 'special needs' little boy into our lives.

Kirsten and her friends had a great time at the end of the school year beach party burying each other in the sand!

Summer break has started for our kids.

We are thankful for the teachers our kids have had. Mikayla, Kirsten, and Ben had great teachers and did very well in their studies.

Ben with his teacher at the year-end beach party.

Summer brings many goodbyes, partings, and reunions.

Kirsten's two good friends from school are coming over today for an early birthday party for her. They both leave later this week to go to Korea for the summer so we decided to have an early friend birthday party.

Ben spent last night at his friend's house. Isaac and Elliott and family are moving to Nepal Wednesday. They will be greatly missed.

One of my good friends left a couple weeks ago. Two other good friends leave this week, one for a year furlough, one to another country.

That's the nature of the transient missions community. Enjoy your friends while they are here, know that somewhere down the road our paths may cross again, be thankful for email and skype; and know for all eternity we will share life together with Christ.

Ants.....

they are just part of life here. They are everywhere. In homes,offices, schools, stores, etc....... usually in small numbers.....

but, sometimes, a mob congregates to attack some spilled food or dead animal.....and they do that very quickly!

which is what I woke up to in our kitchen after my Sunday afternoon nap!

A lizard had gotten caught between the closing door and the door frame.....

Ants were making it lunch!!!

Needless to say, I sprayed all those little critters and ruined their lunch time for them!!!!

It's been quite a week here for utilities!

We've been without internet for 3 or 4 days (but now, obviously, it's fixed!) It was finally fixed this afternoon.

We've had power outages and water stoppages several times this week.

Today, again, we have no running water
so when it started pouring rain tonight,
we took advantage of the shower and went outside to cool off, shampoo our hair and wash up a bit!!!