Day Four: Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Amber & TJ's Blog Post

After meeting for breakfast and sharing our daily journal entry, we walked to St. Mary's to embark on another full day of work. Many of us started painting - the mural, walls, chalkboards, floor...while others of us stayed at the Chateau and worked on sewing pillows, creating teacher bags, and making take-home packs. TJ went straight into his classroom to start working with the children- of course, ten minutes later everyone was looking for him- he is in high demand here in Belize. During the break, Joelle, Kathryn, and Caroline taught the kids cheers! They absolutely loved it. Also during their break, we had a whole crew of "helpers" who jumped right in to help us paint. Korver especially loves to paint, I told him he would be an expert by the end of the day!

When the kids went back to class, and we went back to work, Corey, Amber, Joelle and Kathryn, and a few others of us helped with a dance class learning to shake our hips! It was hilarious. We also met some very dedicated ladies who peel 200 oranges every single day for the kids during their healthy snack time. They use green oranges, and they are very sweet and delicious. They top the orange halves with a spice seasoning of cayenne & salt...yummy but spicy! While we were meeting the ladies, TJ was hard at work back in the classroom teaching the children how to convert fractions to decimals. Many kids are now starting to improve in math and really like it with him as their teacher. All over the school you hear either: "Meestah Jeff, Shaggy, or Meestah TJ" all of which refer to TJ of course. He is definitely a help to the teachers who didn't quite know how to teach these harder concepts to their Standard 2 classroom, which is preparing for a national test. He says he is impressed with how smart they are, and how much they know about the Bible. Everyday they have a Bible lesson, and they know even more than us sometimes. It is so awesome that they are learning this. One poster we have seen in both St. Mary's church and in St. Mary's Primary School says "The World Is Changing, But The Need For Jesus Remains". We love it. It is so true, and I love that the kids are learning this.

During our lunch break, we met some of the vendors who all begged to braid our hair. We also had yet another dance party - all caught on video of course. Later, we went back to St. Mary's and went straight up to the library. TJ & Amber were "escorted" to the library by our good friend, Jessica. She is so sweet. Then, when we got up to the library, all the children wanted to read. They especially love to hear TJ read- today it was Beauty and the Beast - not a short version, either! D'Anza was TJ's most faithful listener : ). It was a very sweet moment in the library, and it touched all our hearts how much they love to hug, be held, and just to read. These children do not leave when the bell rings- they stay as long as they possibly can, just to be with you.

Meanwhile downstairs, the center room was getting finished up. There are now clouds in the sky on the walls, and green "grass" floor. The room looks great, as does the mural of Jesus feeds the 5000. The principal says that Jesus has dreads though. We also worked on a poster painting of the food pyramid, as the school is trying to take steps to bring healthy choices to the children. The food pyramid has not been easy, but we had a team of at least 5 or more people working on it, using a lot of improvisation when necessary.

While about 5 of us finished up the food pyramid, it started to POUR!!! Everything was getting wet, and we had to work fast. I think everyone got at least a little bit of paint on them today, that's for sure. Luckily TJ had some ponchos, and Dr. Meg & Amber shared one poncho- because we are both so short! Korver stayed the whole time and helped us until we locked up the school.

Tonight, we had dinner, laughed and shared stories at the dinner table- it was so nice. Some of the girls are getting their hair braided by the orange ladies from the school- it looks fabulous! Dawn is visiting us around the hotel, a young girl who loves to "sneak" around and play with us. Even with the rain, it has been a great day filled with hard labor, and tender moments of love. We have made so many friends that will not be forgotten. There are not many other places that you will feel this loved and this at home, than in St. Mary's school and at the Chateau. Tomorrow will be our last day at St. Mary's, and we will be sad leaving them, but know we are going on to another group of kids who need us as well.