After a final dinner last evening, served Belizean-style, i.e., VERY slowly, we had our wrap-up session. An incredible week, with changed lives, was had by all! Today we've packed up our things, including many wet clothes, and will head home to Texas shortly, saying goodbye to beautiful Ambergris Caye and its friendly people.

Monday, Day 8

We were so honored to have a major role in Holy Cross' second graduation. We were asked to give the opening prayer and closing benediction, and sing "Seek Ye First" and "Give Thanks". We helped take down decorations after the ceremony. And best of all, we got to meet our four scholarship recipients, who were recognized during the event!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

Homemade frozen custard!

The Tides graciously served a complimentary beach BBQ with fish that they caught that afternoon!

We had our worship service this morning at the same time Good Shepherd was having their 10:15 service. Francis and some of the construction staff joined us. Meagan led the service with the help of others on our team. Our singing is improving daily!

Saturday's debriefing and Bible study included talking about what a privilege we've had sharing our lives with another culture and how one of the reasons God sends us in mission is to learn to enjoy differences in people.

The Jimmy-man challenged himself to wear the same shirt every day that we worked - perhaps he wanted to be left alone.

Sunday, Day 7

Lack of time and internet problems precluded me from blogging very much yesterday. I'll try to catch up now! Other work accomplished on our last day of work included painting a sports equipment closet, sorting a huge bucket full of nails, and painting many shutters (notice that "we have 4 bars").

Sunday, Day 7

Lack of time and internet service precluded me from blogging much yesterday. More pictures of the office anteroom, sorting through a huge bucket of nails, painting the sports equipment closet, and painting shutters (notice that "we have 4 bars").

We headed over to Holy Cross this morning for our final day of labor. The deck planned in front of the Principal's office turned into an anteroom as the week progressed!

The kids graduating from Holy Cross frequently don't have the means to pay for their high school expenses that amount to $500.00 per year. When we all decided that we wanted to help a student and passed the hat for donations, we found that we will be able to help 4 students next year!! God is good!

Saturday, Day 6

We brought in Mexican/Belizean cuisine last evening and dined while the graduation party for the Holy Cross 8th graders (Primary VI) went on at The Tides. Discussion/Bible study centered on the analogy of a treasure hunt and a mission trip - we can find treasures in a new context that had been hidden from our eyes previously.

A well-deserved break!

Back to work . . .

Before lunch, Vernon and Francis described their first-hand experiences with injustice, abuse, and corruption - a perfect follow-up to our discussions last evening about other cultures and what our response should be to wrongs and economic disparities. It's not easy being a Christian and trying to do what's right.

Playing games in the classrooms. The kids don't have to wear their uniforms since exams are over.

Some of today's work . . .

Hugs awaited us when we arrived at school today.

Snorkeling!!

Yesterday afternoon we got to snorkel in the pristine Caribbean waters. We swam with nurse sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, angelfish, and many other tropical fish. The coral was beautiful.