It was actually a little cooler this morning, and as usual we were all at the opening ceremonies with the children at 7 a.m  Most of the group was headed to the farm early this morning while Jane, Ros and Lynn stayed behind to do various jobs.  Ros and Lynn are catching up on student evaluations in ESPANOL!  Jane ended up in the kitchen peeling and grating GIANT carrots, onions and tomatoes for lunch.  In the afternoon, she was mending clothes and with 104 children that is one huge job, especially when the sewing machine doesn't work.  Tom, who is the fixer of everything  tried his best to get it fixed.


Meanwhile Chris who had stayed behind to finish up some of the painting on the administration building, had to improvise when the promised paint didn't arrive til late afternoon.  But he got the job done and it looks beautiful.

We always enjoy the visit to the Agricultural School.  The hour and a half drive takes us through many aspects of life that are so interesting.
 
 

 Once out of the city, we are amazed at the beautify of the countryside.


The chickens, cattle, goats, pigs, horses and crops provide learning opportunities for the 60 students farmers and food for all four school locations.




This past year there has been a new experiment of farming Tilapia in their ponds and one of the students is fishing to check the size, as is done weekly.

 It is wonderful to see a few of the boys that we knew in El Hogar and because of the opportunities that they have had for an education they will be able to find jobs in the agricultural field.

 


It is a long drive out to the farm and was very hot, so a few of us were glad for a little nap on the way back.

 

Julio Cesar Almandares, the first student sponsored by St. Tim's, is now on staff at the Technical Institute and is quite an impressive man.

We got back from the farm in time to get the second and last coat of paint on the walls.  Lesley, who is just six weeks post ankle fracture, has done an amazing job on the work front with her foot in a brace and works as hard as the rest of us.  The job is done! We have painted the administration building with two, and in some areas three coats of paint.

We have traditionally taken some of the directors and teachers out to dinner while we are here and enjoyed being together at a very lovely restaurant where we continue to share stories and enjoy our week together in Honduras.  





As well as Directora Claudia and her husband Raul, our trusty driver and friend joining us, we were delighted to have the Executive Director Rev. Matt Engelby.  He is from New Jersey and spends about half a year in Honduras and the other half in speaking engagements in North America. We had met  him previously when he visited St Luke's several years ago.

Jane and Tom enjoy spending time with Heyser, teacher and marimba band leader at El Hogar.  Heyser visited St. Tim's with seven boys in the band in 2006.



It has been a long day and walking back cross the property from the computer room is a treat.  The evening is cooling so beautifully and the grounds are quiet ....  so different from the hub of activity in the day with 104 children.