House #108

The group gathered for a prayer service over the new home of Magdalana. She received a bible, a picture of the group, a welcome mat and the key to her new residence. Hand in Hand Ministries workers were present, along with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth immersion group, to support Magdalana in her transition to home ownership. Special thanks to Candy For Caring, which financially supported the materials used in building this house.

Video from the last day of building

The Home is Complete

On day four we finished the house. We were all quite amazed that it could be completed so quickly. We never would have believed a home could be standing in what was a short time ago, an empty lot. But now the home for Magdalana is there in all of it's yellow and green glory. It is a wonderful sight to see.

Day Three

After three hot days, the home is almost complete. Everyone has been working very hard and that hard work and teamwork is paying off as we now see the house before us. The walls are up and the roof is on. Thursday we will begin to paint and finish the windows and doors.

Video from the building site

We really worked long and hard today. We sawed, we planked, we made additional frames for the walls ... and finally around 5pm we raised the walls. All four walls are standing. Tomorrow we put in windows, put on the roof, doors and may start painting.

Tonight we had a nice dinner, meatballs, a salad, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.

We are so proud to have house up ... it's all coming together. A very hot day. But just as we were raising the house, it rained gently. It was nice and little cool ... still hot and humid in Belize.

Working in Belize

We're having breakfast now ... fried jacks, scrambled eggs, papaya and citrus juice. Maggie is a great cook here at the Starfish House. Everyone slept well last night.

We'll start the house building this morning. We are anxious to get started. Last night we went to mass at St. Martin de Porres ... it was a wonderful liturgy with drums, guitars and signing. As soon as we got here yesterday, we traveled to Las Flores to see Sr. Paschal, Sr. Carlette and Sr. Rosemarie's ministry. They work with the refugees from El Salvador and are building a library, teaching English, run a preschool, and teaching women trade skillls such as sewing. We packed a lot into the first day.

We'll gather for a short prayer and then on to the work site.










We had a great first day on the house. We have the floor completely finished ... plywood nailed and all. Plus we finished the frames for 3 walls ... we have two more to go tomorrow ... plus the planking of the wood … for the exterior - which we hope to do tomorrow. The roof and then painting. Balentine and Fonz said we did a good job today, as much as groups normally accomplish on the first day. As you can imagine with this group we bent a lot of nails ... the two that are helping us just stood back and laughed at one point. It was hot

We had chicken soup for supper tonight. We ate quickly and went to the SCN Center where we met with Sisters Maggie, Chris, BJ and Bev. Sister Julie is visiting until the end of the week. We had Garifuna singers and dancers tonight. And yes, we all did the Punta.

We are building a house for Magdalana (age 39) who is living with her two daughters and her four grandchildren. The grandchildren are aged: 1 month up to 5 years. Magdalana helped today on the worksite and really did a great job. She is a worker and is really appreciative about getting this house and all the work we are doing to by volunteering our time. The house is 16 ft x 16 ft, 2 rooms with 1 small bath area.

This group is very tired tonight - but feel proud that we are helping to build the house and making a difference for this family. The people we've met here have all been really nice and glad to welcome us to Belize.

Back in Belize

Belize Video

Blessing of the Home