Pleased to report on another full day here in Belize! Our Thursday began with "fry-jack" for breakfast, a local specialty prepared by the McBrides for us. Then we were off to St. Hilda's for another sunny and active morning.
It is truly remarkable to note the diversity of activity that we have found ourselves a part of at the school this week. Today many of us continued to assist with literacy efforts in the classrooms and/or with smaller groups of students, others did odd jobs around "campus," some helped to set up the school computer network, and a few even rebuilt the puppet theatre from three years ago in order to help rekindle the St. Hilda's puppeteering program!
An outstanding highlight of our day was a wonderful and blessed mid-morning period of prayer with and for the teachers of St. Hilda's. It was a special time of fellowship for all of us. We on the Away Team were able to communicate formally and distinctly--and on your behalf--our respect, admiration, and support to the devoted group of teachers who provide daily care for the students of the school. And for their part, the teachers voiced expressions of heartfelt and moving gratitude for all of our preparatory efforts and for our positive presence at the school this week.
We departed St. Hilda's at lunchtime today in order to head out for a half-day-trip to points east--in the Caves Branch area of Belize. We enjoyed a short jungle hike and then a somewhat darker walk down into St. Herman's Cave, an underground limestone universe whose human use dates back at least to the Classic period of the Maya. Check out the photo below for a view of all of the Away Team members following our successful emergence from the cave!
Next we enjoyed a refreshing swim at Blue Hole (the onshore version), a magnificent sapphire pool in the heart of jungle. (It is apparently considered a cenote, for the geology buffs among you.)
Following our return and another lovely supper at "headquarters," we closed our Thursday with a beautiful Celtic Liturgy. This time of communion was specially graced by the presence of our hosts, the McBrides.
It is of course with some bittersweetness that we move into the final full day of our mission here in Belize. Thank you, as always, for your prayers--they have been a blessing to us throughout the week, and they will help us to complete the mission with humility, reverence, and gratitude.
Until tomorrow . . .
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