Wednesday

We're a little late again posting, crazy busy days and have internetaccess only if we get into town.

It was another great day in the villages.
 
Otoxha: Our construction crew is happy to have about 85% of the floor competed.  It is breathtaking to see, will post pictures when we have wifi in Placencia.  The community members have been working along with the guys while their wives have made snacks and provided lunch every day. Their generosity is humbling.

The teachers,  Ann and Anne, completed an art project with every students.  Derlene and Jody did a STEM project based on the "Three Little Pigs" with the intermediate and older students. It was a teacher's dream to watch the students engage engage in critical thinking and working together to build community.  Not wanting to be outdone, Derlene got to take a spin on Olario's bike today, riding it down the hill to lunch in the village.  One speed bikes on hilly dirt roads are quite a workout.

Mark demonstrated first aid techniques to several villagers.He spoke with the Health Worker about getting some supplies to treat minor injuries.

San Lucas:  We forgot to add a funny story from earlier in the week.  Father Don was working with the students folding Origami figures. He was attempting to make a paper crane and was on step 12 or so when he gave up, unfolded the paper and taught all the kids to make paper airplanes!

Jill, Suzanne, Father Don and Rose were happy when the second teacher finally showed up today. They taught water cycles, did math projects with jelly beans (projects with candy are fun in any country!), and played many math games.

Blue Creek:  Phil, Cathy, Christy and Anita were in Blue Creek.  Phil got to experience handing out the "slippers"  After putting a child's flip flops on the wrong feet, he got the hang of it pretty quick!  Once again our best laid plans had to be altered.  One of the teachers was at a workshop so her students were just dismissed all day and two other teachers were being observed by Ministry of Education (as part of getting advanced certification) so we could not teach in their rooms in the afternoon. The principal needed to be in on the observations, so he sent his students home after lunch!!  We still managed to work on PenPal letters and art projects. Christy taught the oldest kids how to draw self-portraits and we ALL made pipe cleaner dogs.  Cathy had a little trouble with shaping the pipe cleaners and when we do the project again tomorrow we suspect she will be hiding in another classroom claiming to be playing math games.

We walked down to see Blue Creek, it is beautiful.  There is a pavilion where women sell their hand made crafts so we told everyone we had shopped at the Blue Creek Mall.

Corazon Creek: Chris, Bobby, Desiree and Mike got a lot more painting done.  There was a high peak that needed to be painted, it was too high to reach on a ladder, so a man from the village climbed right, leaned way over and got it done!  They were invited to lunch at Sebastian's home, Chris pronounced it the best caldo he's ever had, Desiree asked for seconds!

The quote of the day comes from Vernon. Several men from the village were sitting by the side of the church "supervising" the tile work and he told them we should create a new tv show called "The Real Husbands of Otoxha!"