It's a Data day...

The St. Luke's folks have spent most of today working on the medical records of the children. They have measured height and weight for every child in the school and entered all the available information about each child into the computer. The hope is that these records can be maintained and updated each year. There is still work going on to build the decking around the outer building, and Amy and Hope have continued their individual tutoring.

Today we had chapel services as we do every Thursday. There are 3 chapel services, beginning with the Infants. They recite the prayers, listen to the readings and sing with great joy and gusto. We had visitors for the service this morning from a local mission training group.

Yesterday was a different kind of day for me. I worked at the school until mid-morning and then took the water taxi to Belize City. I had been invited by Bishop Wright to come and meet with him. Amy went with me so she could ask some questions and get some information for the up-coming St. Luke's youth mission trip. I had a good meeting with the Bishop. He is very welcoming to clergy and other volunteers. He remembered me from a previous visit. The meeting was an opportunity for him to share his vision of the Church in Belize so that all the small parts, like mission team visits, can fit into the greater whole. I was pleased to learn that the wheels are turning for establishing an Anglican church here on San Pedro. The wheels turn slowly, but at least they are in motion. Amy got some great information for the youth trip, including the Bishop's interest in getting the St. Luke's youth together with some of the young people in Belize for dinner and conversation. It was a productive day.

Ms. Rosalea, who heads the Holy Cross kitchen team, had asked me to go to the large grocery store in Belize City while I was there. I had a long list. The Bishop was late to our meeting and then graciously spent quite a while with us. So, we didn't have time to get the groceries and make our water taxi home. Needless to say, we opted for getting to the boat on time. We arrived back in San Pedro just in time to gather with the St. Luke's folks for the day's reflection and then go to dinner.

Last night was Chicken Drop night. We had dinner at the restaurant that overlooks the big event. Miss Linda from the school was last night's MC. Quite a crowd!

I have seen more and more of the children today, first at chapel and then as I walked around the school. I love their smiles! Today they could wear their regular clothes -- no uniforms. Usually they do that on Friday, but since school is not in session tomorrow, they could do it today. I can't count how many Miley Cyrus and High School Musical shirts I have seen today!!! Not to mention NBA and NFL. Just like home....

We hoping the new wave of nasty weather in NC doesn't hinder the departure of Team 2 tomorrow. Safe travels to them.

Pictures later .... I left my USB cable at home so I can't download my pictures right now.