The last day. We all dread this day. It is a good thing our clothes are already dirty from a morning of work because there isn't enough tissue in Honduras to handle our tears in the afternoon. All of us wiped tears on the sleeves of our shirts all afternoon.
We started the morning as usual at the work site. More shoveling, wheeling, dumping and tamping. Mary and Courtney unanimously won the title of "Tamping Queens" (sung to the Abba song, Dancing Queen). They tamped most of yesterday and all morning until it was time to say good bye to our Honduran co-workers. They tamped an entire room right up to the top of the foundation wall! We had a fun time working, sharing Tootsie Pops with everyone (funny sight to see all 20+ of us, North Americans and Hondurans working diligently with Tootsie Pop sticks hanging out of our mouths!), and generally joking around with N.Amer and Hondurans alike. It was sweet to see one of the workers be so gentle with Alex (young Alex - Pamm's other, Honduran Alex son) and Yonibel who wandered up to help. He was patient with them and showed them how to shovel more efficiently, etc. We were all sad to say good bye to each other. It doesn't take long, and common language is not required, to build relationships with the Hondurans.
At 2pm we joined the children in Cottage 1 for a "reunion" - Honduran word for final program. We look forward to it and dread it at the same time. It is always so sweet and dear but so very emotional knowing we have to say good bye to our precious children. (we have all adopted them all by that point) Gabriel, who provides an outstanding male role model and who works with the girls on microbusinesses, led the reunion. Gabriel is wonderful. He led us in prayer several times. He puts his heart and soul into prayer as you can see in the picture. Several groups of children got up and sang for us. I did alot of the translating and had my first emotional moment when I explained to our group that the song the children just sang said, "God is in this place, the Spirit is in this place, God is here with us." Truly, not just a praise song but an observation of what we all see, feel, and experience. Little Jocelyn, age 4, got up and recited (as she rocked back and forth with a huge grin on her face) the 23rd Psalm. After all the children performed for us, Gabriel called us all up to the front. He said the children were going to pray for us. Several children ran up to join us so each of us had our arms around a child, except Bruce who was holding Jocelyn! Then Gabriel asked me to explain to the team that we had our arms around the children the same way Jesus puts his arms around us. (sob) He and the children prayed so hard for us, thanking God for us and our presence, praying for safe travel, and praying for our families back in the US. All of us were sobbing and wiping our tears on our sleeves. He wanted to know if we had words for the children. I got up and in Spanish (!) told them how much we love them and that we don't want to go home but we must. I told them we will all come back because we, and Jesus, love them so much. Then I tried to get some of the other team members to say something. They all shook their heads no because they were crying so hard they couldn't speak. So I told the children that they couldn't say what was in their hearts because they were crying so hard. (giggles) I told them our hearts are breaking with love for them. Next Gabriel asked the staff to come up to join us. Amy, a teacher from SC who is spending the summer at SBV, led us in prayer for the wonderful staff. We are all so moved and impressed by these beautiful people who love and care for God's littlest lambs.
All too soon, it was time to get on the van and weep our way down the road and back to Erika's.
Meanwhile, Jan, Leamarie and Anne were in Flor del Campo. Leamarie and Anne are staying until Tuesday so didn't have the tearful goodbyes. Jan, on the other hand, did. She helped the ladies finish skirts (with zippers!) that a team from SC had started last week. Several ladies made Jan banners (beautifully made on the sewing machines) and they all cried as they shared their love for each other. Erling sobbed as he hugged his new mother good bye.
Anne and David went into La Cantera to see the results of the "chicken project." St. James sponsored two families to get chickens, the chicken houses (I know there is a farm-y name for where they live) and instruction on how to care for them. The families eat and sell the eggs from the chickens and, when baby chicks appear, they give the grown-up chickens to another family and continue to raise the chicks. Anne happily told Isidra that St. James sent down money for another family to join the program. This is major for the people in La Cantera who can't afford to buy eggs. Selling the extra eggs will be a great source of income. Gladys, the Honduran Director here in Honduras, had written a very well thought out, detailed, and professional grant request for the Chicken Project. Very impressive.
I guess one message I would like you all to get is that the Hondurans are great people. The teachers are providing an education that rivals the quality in the US. The Honduran administrative staff are hard working, professional, and very creative. All the caretakers LOVE the children. Every single staff member deeply loves the Risen Lord and considers every day an opportunity to witness to the power of His love.
So, packing, debriefing - discussing our impressions and preparing for reentry, planning our return to Honduras, Compline, and bed.
Blessed trip. Thanks be to God.
Donna joined us for our last day of hard labor 
This was right before 
Courtney and Mary, Tamping Queens 
Group shot with our co-workers
Children seated and ready for the program
Gabriel praying fervently for us and the children 
The fabulous staff at SBV
The ladies and their new skirts
Sonya showing off her chicken area 
Sonya's chickens
