Friday - final day at Holy Cross

This week has zoomed by.  We can't believe it's almost time to leave Holy Cross and Belize.  We have done so many different jobs and met so many wonderful children and teachers.
Our pizza party Thursday with the Infant 2 class was a huge success. The pizza was rapidly consumed and followed by wild games of tag on the playground with Dr. Peter, Ms. Sandra and Mr. Bob.  There are no infant classes today because the teachers are in Belize City at a workshop.  Nancy and Annie are missing them already!  Nancy is helping  Renee finish the last of the heights and weights, and Annie has gone to San Mateo with Jim, Sandra and Carson.  Mr. Bob is getting one last set of math lessons in today, and Joanne is wrapping up all the records.
Last night we had a delicious dinner at Waraguma, followed by ice cream at Manelly's.  Our favorite ice cream shop, DandE's, has been closed all week because one of the owners is sick.

Pizza party with Infant 2

Bob presenting the school with the check for feeding program support. 

We've noticed lots of changes in San Mateo -- more filled in land, more power lines.  

The Mayor and Town Council election is March 4.  

There are still many "London Bridges" in San Mateo

A rainy night turned into a beautiful sunrise.

Jim, Annie,  Carson, and Jan will head home tomorrow.  The others will follow on Monday after a trip Saturday to the Mayan ruins at Lamai and to Belize City Sunday for worship at the Cathedral. We have had a great time here and a great time together.  Thank you for your prayers.

In closing....

the reason we come....

Ash Wednesday

Yesterday we continued the work that was begun on Monday - measuring heights and weights, teaching math, religion and Infant 2, organizing records, and treating sick children.  Our Tuesday evening dinner was at Caliente where we had a good view of the Carnival festivities but remained safe and clean from the painting.  Once again everyone turned in early.  The heat had made us tired especially tired.
Wednesday has been another productive day.  Nancy was back to Infant 2 first thing; Jim, Sandra, and Carson went back to San Mateo and saw more children and adults.  Bob's math lesson was a big hit. Peter and Renee only have one more class to weigh and measure.  Jan conducted 3 Ash Wednesday chapel services and imposed ashes on students and staff.
At lunch time, Peter, Bob and Jan went to the high school to meet the students sponsored by St. Luker's.  Valdimir, Ariany and Ashanti are all doing very well and seemed happy to see us.  After lunch, several of us have done data entry of the heights and weights (it's much cooler in the computer lab) while Dr. Jim, Annie and Carson are taking care of sick students and teachers.
We expect our walk to dinner to much quieter tonight now that Carnival has ended.  There is still some serious shopping to be done in town.
Our week is speeding by.  We will do all that we can in the time we have.  Thank you for supporting us with your prayers.

More about Monday

It was a busy day at Holy Cross. Jim, Carson, and Sandra went into San Mateo in the morning and then saw children at the school in the afternoon. Peter and Rene weighed and measured 4 classes of children. Joanne organized the records so that their data can be added to the previous years. Bob took the Standard VI girls through a math lesson, while Nancy and Annie worked in an Infant 2 classroom. Jan taught the religion lesson in Standard IV and V getting everyone prepared for Lent.

The traditional Carnival "painting" was in full force, gearing up for the peak Tuesday night. We managed to see some of the fun as we had a great dinner at Elvi's and walked home paint-free.
Back at the Sandbar there was a s'mores party going on.

Stay warm and safe, NC friends and family. We are watching your weather reports closely, and, quite honestly, not sad to be missing the event. It's warm and sunny here.
Enjoy the pictures from today. More to follow.

Team 2015 has arrived

The entire team has arrived in San Pedro!  We have settled into our accommodations at the Sandbar and are adjusting to a different style of living.  The weekend was quiet and relaxing.  On Sunday, some of the group went out on a catamaran snorkeling and visiting Caye Caulker.
Today we have had the Holy Cross tour, Ms. Rosalia's delicious breakfast and are now scattered around the school doing our various tasks.  We promise to take lots of pictures this week and will post them and updates as we can.  We thank you for your prayers and support.