Saturday, March 19, 2011

Had to add a few more Belize pic's



The first is of the entire work crew in Dolores; and the second is of Israel and Milton, two of our favorite kiddos.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Belize service trip



Over spring break last week, Dr. Pete Bicak and I accompanied a group of 10 outstanding RU students to southern Belize for a service trip. While there, we met some kind and fascinating people, including villagers in the Mayan communities of Dolores and Laguna, as well as our wonderful and welcoming hosts in Punta Gorda and Belize City. Our work chiefly involved helping the villagers finish building the Catholic church in Dolores, construction of which began in January of 2010. We also served as volunteers and even substitute teachers in the village's school, where we became very close to many of the Mayan children. We also had the good fortune of meeting Vicente, who took us on a guided jungle walk and a tour of Laguna, where we got to meet Kevin (above - so cute!) and share a meal with him and his family. We even got the chance to visit and learn about the Lubaantun Mayan ruins (pictured). The twelve of us worked incredibly well together and it was such a pleasure to spend a week with these amazing people. The work was difficult, but leaving Belize and leaving one another was even harder. It's been a challenge to reintegrate since we've been back, and I find myself really missing our group and the people we met.