Friday

Friday was a bittersweet day for all, joy at end of the week celebrations and a little sadness that we have to leave our friends.

In San Lucas the students worked on a beautiful activity to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, made word puzzles and completed paper globes. The students surprised our team with a beautiful banner signed by all of the children. The banner will certainly find a special home at All Saints.  

In Otoxha it was a fast last morning. As soon as we got into the villages the kids begged us to "dance with us, Miss!" so we lined up and made a total spectacle dancing the Cupid Shuffle in yet another village.  We did an activity with each class including making Fruit Loop necklaces and mini marshmallow/toothpick structures.    We were invited to two different homes and served the Royal Rat (gibnut) in one of them. This is an animal that looks like a giant (up to 25 pounds) guinea pig.  After lunch we were treated to a lovely presentation by the students and teachers. They sang their national anthem and gave gifts and lovely speeches to al of our volunteers.  Father Don was able to drive over to Otoxha and join in the celebration.

The day in Corazon Creek was full of celebrations.  Our teachers and construction crew were invited to lunch at the home of Sebastian. He serves as both the Alcalde (mayor) and the Catechist.  From there they moved to the new Catholic Church where they presented a chalice and paten to the church. They were gifts from the wife of a member of the Knights of Columbus who passed away.  Sebastian was surprised and pleased.

After lunch the group moved to the community center for a presentation by the children. Almost every family showed up as well. They performed their native dances and invited Rose to join in! One of the families let her borrow a native blouse and skirt and helped her get dressed to dance. It was a sight to see!  After the dancing, lovely speeches were made as gifts were presented to all the team members.  

The day there was not yet over. Each family was presented a solar lamp and given instructions on how to use them.  In a village with no electricity this is huge! We heard that one of our scholarship students who received a lamp last year sat up reading until 2 am, just because she could.

Saying goodbye to our friends in Corazon was not easy, but we know we will be back again next year.

Father Derrick Vo and Dorla joined us for dinner back at the retreat center and it was nice to visit. In the small world way that is Belize, Father Vo was in the seminary with the nephew of our teammate Linda.

We had another wonderful moment involving Linda. Her family donated some money "for a special need."  Ann asked the Sisters if they had a special need and they told her about a man in a remote village (Dolores) who needs to travel to Belize City for a colon operation.  He does not have the money for the cost of travel and medical care and the Sisters were looking for a way to assist him. Once again, the hand of God was with us as the cost of the operation was the exact amount that was collected by Linda's family :)

There are so many other wonderful stories about the week that we will share with you when we get back home.

We are hoping for a sunny day tomorrow, or at least a dry day!