Work on the deck between Classrooms 1 and 2 was completed and the "field" on the new playground was already in use by mid-July.  Several teens on the visiting team helped out in the school.  The students really enjoy the attention, and the teachers can tackle some of those jobs that we simply cannot do for lack of enough hands, feet, or crowd control!  

One very special highlight of this STM week was a surprise fireworks display for the 4th of July.  This actually happened on the 3rd of July because the west coast team would be downisland on the 4th before leaving Honduras on Saturday and we did not want them to miss this holiday celebration.  Not long after supper was cleaned up, we were all told to follow the flashlights that took us to our boat dock.  We had an amazing vantage point for the fireworks being shot out over the sea.  We knew nothing of the behind-the-scenes efforts that brought this event.  Fireworks cannot be transferred by airplanes, so they had to be bought within the country of Honduras.  Through a friend on the mainland, fireworks were purchased, brought to another city about 6 hours away, placed on the ferry that travels daily from the mainland to Roatan.  Larry then traveled downisland that morning to pick them up at a shipping company (and the boat was late arriving).  Then he took our normal trip by taxi to our boat, 40 minute ride to Helene, arriving just 2 hours before the fireworks were ignited!  We oohed and aahed and quietly watched the glow, concluding with none other than "America the Beautiful."  Thank you, Kitty Hawk.

  

After two weeks with our graduated seniors, we welcomed two teams, one from the east coast and one from the west coast of the U.S.  The west coast STM had never been to Helene before, and the east coast STM was seasoned by one year of experience.  Both groups were great together.  We took great joy in hosting our dear friends from Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, NC, where we live in the states.  In that glorious place called OBX, you're a neighbor with anyone from the "Banks", no matter what township.  We were even more thrilled to see this team spring forth from two congregations who combined efforts to make a mission experience available for both churches.  Two major construction projects were accomplished, putting a roof on Bro. Elbert's new house and finishing a deck between Classrooms 1 and 2.  We also had a dentist and a promising dental student for a week!  

Here's a parting shot with the team inside the futbol (soccer) goal built for the area that will be our field.  Futbol is the sport of choice in Honduras and always the favorite of the boys, some girls, at recess.  The young men's team in Helene is called Estrella and they participate in the final championships almost every year.  The goalposts thrilled the schoolchildren who have moved them to a couple of locations so that they have the real thing as opposed to the imaginary goalposts we have been using.

In some of their "spare time" the team learned about iguanas that are a delicacy on the island.  With the help of some island friends, the iguana shown here was prepared and served during one of our evening meals.  The adventure in catching an iguana is as much a part of the experience as the eating.

Here's another scene at the playground - the team took turns each day digging out the hill and preparing the foundation.

The next week in June we hosted a team from Oregon that have made two trips a year to Helene.  During Spring Break they promote family-oriented mission trip and another, Senior Mission Trip right after their high school graduation.  Thirty folks strong arrived to do several projects, including rebuilding some footbridges on the path in a community over gulley areas from heavy rains.  A deck was begun for a shaded area during recess and there was a continuing project from last year - a lot of teams have made this happen - creating a playground for the school.  For two weeks this STM pulled weeds, raked tall, coarse grass, leveled the ground, spread loads of sand...you get the picture!  A very tedious job.  Not to mention digging the foundation for a special piece of equipment - keep following this blog!  

more Grace

Here's one more post from our first week with teams in June.  One evening all us ladies spent a fun time making dolls from materials that Grace Brethren brought.  Friendships form from moments like this as you can see in the picture of Jarina (from Helene) and a young lady from Ohio.  One week is such little time to spend.  We are excited this team already has plans to return next year!