Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Final Days after Building Home in Belize City for Volunteer Group
Saturday
On the road to Alta Ha-bouncing over potholes, through unpacked stretches of single lane road. Rough ride, but worth the trip.
Beautifully restored Mayan temple-with detailed explanations by guide. Several of the group climbed to the top of two temples. Rain showers came and went-Great Experience.
In the afternoon, we visited Old Belize Museum and Sea Side Marina. A slow down in our fast pace and a nice break to sip and savor the ocean views.
A candlelight ceremony closed our reflections of the week.
Sunday
Sleep late- leave for Las Flores by 10:00 am.
Rainy day- cooler, hard ride to Belmopan.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Last Days at Belize City House
Friday-The house is painted, doors hung and blessed with prayers and songs!
Today was sooo hot! Last touches of paint for louvres and facia board. More volunteers than jobs - older ones supervised from the van-noon came and we were still painting and hammering-but by 3:30 every nail was covered and every window, door and step was completed!
A lovely ceremony of blessing held up for 30 minutes waiting for Mark White's sons to arrive after a 3 hour ride on a bus-SCN's, neighbors, and all of the volunteers came for the delivery of the keys.
Mark was given a picture of the commissioned volunteers and a Hibbs family photo, a crucifix, a candle, a bible and a welcome mat! Mark promised to place them in his home and remember all of us-for days from a pile of lumber to a house.
Afterward we all (25) went to the Bird's Isle restaurant on the water-ate beans and rice, fish, shrimp, and enjoyed local drinks.
Today was sooo hot! Last touches of paint for louvres and facia board. More volunteers than jobs - older ones supervised from the van-noon came and we were still painting and hammering-but by 3:30 every nail was covered and every window, door and step was completed!
A lovely ceremony of blessing held up for 30 minutes waiting for Mark White's sons to arrive after a 3 hour ride on a bus-SCN's, neighbors, and all of the volunteers came for the delivery of the keys.
Mark was given a picture of the commissioned volunteers and a Hibbs family photo, a crucifix, a candle, a bible and a welcome mat! Mark promised to place them in his home and remember all of us-for days from a pile of lumber to a house.
Afterward we all (25) went to the Bird's Isle restaurant on the water-ate beans and rice, fish, shrimp, and enjoyed local drinks.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thursday in Belize City
From Sister Luke:
Thurs-
Up and at them-arrived at site by 8:30-painted the second coat of blue on the top one third of the finished 4 walls-at 10 am-all of the volunteers gathered to raise the walls - 5 men to lift and 6 women to anchor the wall from slipping. Heavy walls were lifted, braced, and held until they were nailed solid. All of the edges fit as expected and by 11:00 the house was up.
Next the roof-
Unload tin and rafters - climb nail and cut off ends-women continued to paint the 2nd coat of blue and the trim coat of pink-today was not as hot or as tiring as yesterday. Our skins continue to pink and our spirits are intertwined with the Belizian people and our mission of building a house.
Thurs-
Up and at them-arrived at site by 8:30-painted the second coat of blue on the top one third of the finished 4 walls-at 10 am-all of the volunteers gathered to raise the walls - 5 men to lift and 6 women to anchor the wall from slipping. Heavy walls were lifted, braced, and held until they were nailed solid. All of the edges fit as expected and by 11:00 the house was up.
Next the roof-
Unload tin and rafters - climb nail and cut off ends-women continued to paint the 2nd coat of blue and the trim coat of pink-today was not as hot or as tiring as yesterday. Our skins continue to pink and our spirits are intertwined with the Belizian people and our mission of building a house.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday in Belize
Hot and busy, but its been a very productive day — four framed walls-unload 3" siding to cover the walls-cut, hold, hammer-the sound of hammers intermixed with calls for help and more nails and wood. Pink and blue paint is spread on the finished walls and on elbows, hands and clothes-working late to try to finish this house for a Friday evening dedication. Good help from all volunteers. Sunburned and tired on the second day.
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