Today, as like all the days prior, moving blocks was a major part of our day.....11 cm, versus 11.5, versus12 cm, can anyone really tell the difference???? Apparently the masons can....
On both sites today, we experienced scorpions, two on site Paulie, and one on Team Tony. Luckily for us, Eva, a 9 year old on our site, marched right over to the block with a trowel and sliced off the head of the scorpion and threw it in the bush. Thank goodness for her!
On site Paulie, morning time was spent for the kids with puzzles that Rita had brought. At the end of play time, the children asked if they were allowed to keep the puzzle, to which Rita answered, "of course it is my gift to you as long as they are shared." The kids carefully gathered all the pieces and disappeared into the house. A few minutes later they reappeared with a bible as a gift to her. The children all lined up, put their hands together in a prayer gesture and said "santito" meaning saint. Scarlett explained to Rita that she should cover their hands with hers and repeat "santito". The gift of the bible was touching but the moment of all the children giving the blessing is hard to put into words. Needless to say, Rita needed a few moments to compose herself!
Carolyn and Morgan started off the morning with coloring school. The kids were great and very adept at handling their crayons! Morgan was the recipient of most of their pics. The kids have been giving us hibiscus flowers picked from the trees, but today while we went for a walk, they formed two lines for us to walk through and gave us each small bouquets. The gestures of giving, appreciation, and love are so great.
We were fortunate enough on Team Tony to be allowed on the scaffolding. At the end of the day, Jen placed a Loonie in the cement for luck, to be buried in memory of our time here in Nicaragua. We explained to each of the families that this is done in Canada in order to bring good luck to the new home and the family living in it. This tradition was started over the last couple of years at each build. This year Team Paulie used a toonie...team competition continues!
Tomorrow is the last day on site. We will be working in the morning and celebrating our work with the families in the afternoon. It will be incredibly difficult to leave the families, community and children we have become so fond of all week.
So awesome to read all the posts!~ What a rewarding experience to help others in need!
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