Francis Seivert greets assessment team in Montaña de la Flor

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Day 3

Saturday, March 26, 2011




A pick ax to the Eye!! Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds, but I know it would get your attention. Emily Ortega got her own eye pick ax, but it was minor and just below the eye and we do have an eye doc on board (and mom too). We thought we knew hard work yesterday, but today really challenged us all. We were paired up and each team worked a section digging. There were no ceremonies this morning so it was straight to work once we got there. It was also very hot today, so digging and pick axing from 8a to 12a wore us all out. We keep everyone one their water and Gatorade. The little kids came around and me and a group of the girls had fun leading them in song and playing games. We sang chocolate, heads shoulders, row row row your boat, and played duck duck goose…………all in Spanish of course!

During our work day we had no access to bathrooms, so that made for some interesting fun. Melissa had her first “natural experience”! We ate again in the church, tortillas and rice, spaghetti and meat balls and more watermelon. Tonight we had tortillas, chicken, vegetables, and fresh tomatoes. As you can see we are well fed.

We had lots of time in the park today. The students are a real hit with all the kids. We had Stephanie, Macy, and Chastyn doing head stands, Mary and Megan were surrounded by a group of little girls, Connor and Brandon were showing some basketball moves, Niko, Lauren, Melissa, and Kirsten were playing soccer, Nick was sketching the whole thing, and Sami was in the middle of it all. Devin seems to have his own fan club there. I also walked them to the corner store and we bought ice cream. You would not believe what an exciting treat that was, something as simple as ice cream has much more significance now. It was not all play back at the compound, moms get ready, everyone was washing their clothes at the “pila”. This is a small well inside the compound with a washboard and soap. But our chaperones are busy too….Steve Rice has tended to an eye injury, helped fix a truck, and apparently he and Don just helped install a water tank here at the compound. Tomorrow we will go to church and off to the mal nutrition center. We will be delivering our beds as well. The team is both excited and anxious about what they will experience.

Everyone is doing well and having lots of fun. Once again I was very impressed with how hard everyone worked. It was hard to get them to even stop for breaks. I think everyone will sleep well tonight. Thank you for all your comments, they are very much appreciated!

Oh, and Chuck, Don says the fishing here is great, you should try it!

All the students and chaperones say “miss you and lots of love!”

12 comments:

  1. Merica, you're great at summarizing the day! I can see, feel and even taste what you describe! Sounds like a big happy family working together. I hope everyone enjoys the "simple" life, unlike the craZy here. I love you Chastyn. P. S Chuck says to tell Don, using a pic-ax doesn't count as fishing!

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  2. Merica's Mom and Dad said:

    We are enjoying your blog and are proud of you and all the young people. We have talked to the boys a couple of times and I suppose Trace is off to the tournament. The last time I talked to Ty, he was reluctantly planning to do some house cleaning. Love you - Mom and Dad

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  3. Thanks, Merica, we await patiently for your daily blogs. Hey Macy!!! Glad to see you are putting your years of gymnastics to great use! Today was another cold and rainy day. We took Brayton with us to dinner in your car.....he wanted to drive. Today was a day of cleaning and more cleaning! I bet church there will be really neat. We saw Lauren and Melissa's parents/siblings at mass tonight. We talked acout you guys and how much we miss you. Love you so much....Mom and Dad.

    P.S. Are your muscles sore? And Brayton says Hi!

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  4. Sounds like a great adventure, we are thinking of all of you. Grandpa is doing well and following your blog. Love Tom and Nancy

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  5. Dear Everyone,
    I am glad to hear you are o.k., but am sorry to hear about Emily 's eye. I have thought of you all every day. Good luck, and vayan con Dios.
    Mms Schulman

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  6. Things are fine on the home front. Ty has the NCAA pool all figured out on what it takes today for him to win it all. Jack won his basketball game yesterday. I got the BBALL goal for Jack. It's at Papa's. Trace actually went wiht me to pick it out. He was very glad he went, since we found a used cather's mitt for him for cheap.

    I'm sure tomorrow morning will be brutal getting the kids up for school. Everybody seemd a lot healthier. I have to go. People are showing up for the 8AM Class.

    I love you,

    Bob and the Boys

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  7. I am so proud of what you all are doing. You are making such a huge difference in the lives of so many Hondurans! Today will be an amazing day for you. Take some pictures of the new beds at the malnutrition center. For all the Irish baseball fans, the Irish are in the championship game against Clinton. Game was postponed until next Saturday due to weather. Steve, MDMN is at 15. Love you Steve & Steph!

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  8. Well, Melissa, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! I bet that did make for some serious entertainment for those who know you well. Dad and I got a big chuckle out of it. Sure is quiet around here without you and Lauren. We are sending all our love and hope your muscles aren't too sore. Love you.

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  9. I feel so proud and blessed to count you as my friend, Merica. You're the best! Your team is in my prayers for continued good work, safety, and blessings. Oh, and I went shopping again without you, but this time Emily was searching for the purse. Lord, give me strength. I love you!!!!!

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  10. Kirsten, your parents have been trying send you a message on the blog but are having difficulties. When they set up a new google account it was in Dutch! They said to tell you that Brigette is doing well but misses you, as well as your parents and Grandma and Grandpa. They wish all of you well. They are in Aruba today where it is sunny, hot, and windy. They are able to read your blog everyday and see what you have been doing. You are in their prayers.

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  11. Trace again and mom I really love you and hope you get back soon.dad cooked my snicker doodles and they were great.everyone misses you and we love you.

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  12. Emily, I hated to hear about your eye, but I know your in good hands. I wish I could help you. If mom hasnt already done so, you are grounded from all pick axes! Sheila, your Mom and Dad are very eager for news and send their love and prayers for you both. We love and miss you...

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