Friday

Today was our last day with the kids from the center  
We got to spend the day with them at "Sports Day" which is a big event that includes all Children's Homes from the whole country of Belize. They all get together in a large field and have misc. sporting events - kind of like a big field day. There were also a couple bounce houses, a trampoline, face painting, snow cones (which last a whole 2 seconds in the Belize heat) for the kids to enjoy and they were all served lunch there as well. Some of the children in our center have close friends and even siblings in other centers and this is possibly the only opportunity they will have to see each other all year. It was absolutely sweet to see the reunion between siblings but also heartbreaking as well. 
It's so hard because on one hand I think - is it really good that we come in and allow children to get attached to us and then leave again? But on the other hand I think - would it really be better if we didn't come at all? My hope is that in the week that we've spent with them, I hope I have said enough how special they are, how special God has created them and believes them to be and how much they are loved by their creator....people's love will come and go....God's love is eternal!

Our Math Camp team finished up yesterday so they could join us at field day, which was really nice to have us all together with the kids.  The hard working construction team stayed back at DMCCC to finish up their projects, and everything looks fantastic!  The boys all have new lockers, complete with combination locks, in which to store their personal belongings.  The girls had some lockers, but locks were added.  Jodie and Bev spent countless hours teaching each child individually how to work a combination lock.....such patience they had!  The team also created a locked storage area for building materials and supplies that are left at the center as projects are finished and extra supplies are saved for the next project.  It will be a much safer place now.  Such a great job by this team!!!
Tomorrow we head to Caye Caulker, one of Belize's beautiful islands, for a much needed day of R&R.  We are physically and emotionally drained after this week, and looking forward to a day of bonding with the team, where we share our experiences and prepare for the hardest part of the trip...."re-entry" into our lives in the US.  
We are so grateful to each of you for your prayers, your love and support while we've been here.  Together we have shown God's love to these precious children, and shown them that with God, there is always HOPE.