The Journey So Far: August 2013

Here are some more photos of the last few months. I fly back to Honduras on Wednesday. It's incredible how fast time flies.

Arts and Crafts time with the House 3 Boys. Over the course of several weeks we made a paper machey volcano.

Me and some of the girls from the community where I helped translate for a medical brigade.

(Above) Our outdoor oven and stove. (Below) Making homemade custard with milk (hand milked by 2 of our summer volunteers) on the wood fire stove.

Attempting to dance "Punta" with a local Garifuna band for Bill's 70th Birthday.

We couldn't let the 4th of July pass without celebrating somehow. We spent at least 2 hours singing everything from the National Anthem to American Pie out on the soccer field and I'll let you guess where the first picture is (let's just say someone really enjoys shower singing).

Above: The refurbished school bus that took us to our clinic sites during brigade week. Below: My pharmacy team in the brigade.

Inside the "clinic" which is usually a schoolroom.

Kiddissa and Doctor Robby whom she translated for.

Doctor Ed and Jamie (one of our awesome summer volunteers).

Kiddos from the community where we set up the clinic.

Learning to write his name.

Sneaking a peak into the pharmacy.

Taking a break for music lessons.

Serenading Michel for her 14th birthday.

The song brought her to tears.

Most of the brigade team in the community of marones.

A few examples of the magnets one of our boys paints. He also does key chains. Let me know if you would like one. The money goes to his college fund.

The boys' radio debut.

Celebrating the Feast Day of St. Peter the patron of our primary school.

Brittani hanging out with Missionary/Social Worker Erin Marina at a parade in town.

Belkis and Seidy waiting for the parade to start.

Yadira hanging out with our awesome summer volunteer Carolyn.

Kimberly, Bety and Luz stylin' at the parade.

Horses performing in the parade.

Brayan our future meteorologist poses with his favorite horse.

Yadira all tuckered out.

Rony with a prime seat to see the action.

Jose Isabel waiting for the parade to start.

Wilmer trying to get the best view.

Still zonked out.

Practicing their princess waves.

Yadira rocking an awesome mask.

Dole fruit co. tossed fresh fruit instead of candy.

I got a pineapple from Dole while Erin got lard from another float.

Rose Elena looking like cat woman.

My house 1 girls super excited by the Delorian style car.

Seidy counting her candy.

Waiting to head back to the Farm.

We tried to drive out, but got stuck in the parade route for the next hour and a half!

I'd been working on coloring tests for my 1st graders (since we can't print in color) when the power went out (this happens regularly) so then others pitched in and we made an evening of coloring by candle light.

The strange but traditional missionary birthday song.

For religion class the kids had to draw someone who they think embodies service (one of our pillars). 2 of the kids drawings here show Jesus and Saint Francis.

The termite tunnel running from above my bedroom door and out the window. Just days before leaving on vacation I was also shown we have a huge termite nest in the women's bathroom.

Nahomi stylin' in her beautiful dress; a girft from her Godmother Lily.

The girls' radio debut

The chocolate cookie crumble cake I made for the June birthday party.

Hanging out during the June Olympic games.

I'm attempting to explain the ball toss game.

Jump rope competition

Hanging with my special friends L to R: Kimberly, Bety, Brittani, Luz, Cati, Rosa Elena and Seidy.

Making chocolate bananas which never quite worked since the power kept going out so the freezer wasn't cold enough.

The peace garden decorated for the 17th anniversary party.

Erin Marina showing off her "watchi" list.

Wilmer trying to be cool in Haydee's hat.

Haydee (one of our psychologists) looking much better in her hat.

MMMM... Chocobananos (before they melted into banana chocolate goo).

3 of our house moms serving up fruit salad.

Alexis (one of my 1st graders) and his little sister.

House 1 performing their song to Mary.

Julitza singing her original song to Mary.

"Disaster training" at school. In my opinion the entire training has basically been a disaster. I just hope we never have to find out.

Arbor Day

Competition to see which grade can form the best human tree.

Fun in the sun on the beach

The awesome sucker tree I made for Easter.

The Chicken/Soy/Rice packs we have donated from Feed my starving Children based in Minnesota. After having volunteered with them it's interesting to be on the receiving end.