Our Bags are Packed and We're Ready to Go!

Its hard to believe that by this time on Saturday we will be in Belize and well on our way down to Punta Gorda!

For the first time on a June trip, we will be traveling with a full team of 20. With just six returning volunteers, we are excited about welcoming a mostly new crew.  We had to make a last minute player substitution due to Father Don's injury and the need for Father Bob Suit to remain at All Saints.This is tougher than one would think because of the vaccinations required for travel. We are happy that a designated hitter stepped up into the spot!

We will be teaching in three villages, Santa Cruz, Pueblo Viejo and Santa Elena. It will be the first time we are visiting Santa Elena, we were invited by the principal who we know from another school.  We have a lot of fun, hands on activities planned for the children.  In addition to the usual health/hygiene lessons, we will present Art, Music, Theater, Religion and STEM lessons.  Our supplies include a bag of rocks for painting, Solo cups for building bridges and towers and almost 100 bags of homemade PlayDoh (that should be fun explaining in Customs!)  Friday will be a Games Day at each school with lots of favorites like Go Fish, bowling, Barrel of Monkeys, dominoes, tic-tac-toe relays and face painting!

In addition to teaching, we will work on construction projects in Santa Cruz and Santa Elena. In Santa Cruz, we have been asked to help replace wooden doors and window frames. We will be using local wood that the men in the village have harvested and prepared for use.  In Santa Elena we will be building and painting wooden picnic tables for an outdoor dining area in the school. If time permits we may be able to help paint San Francsico de Jeronimo Catholic Church at the end of the week.

As if this wasn't enough to keep us busy, we will also be presenting a Women's Health Clinic in Otoxha and addressing the continuing water issues in San Lucas and Otoxha.

Whew, I'm exhausted already!  Please pray for good weather, good health and safe travels for our volunteers.  We are so thankful for your prayers and your financial support of these projects.

Bantiox!  (that's THANK YOU in Ketchi Mayan)