Environment Workshop - San Juan La Laguna

Last week, I went to San Juan La Laguna and gave a workshop about the environment (Responsible Stewardship of the creation) for Centre Esdras. About 40 pastors from the area came and participated.

 We looked at the Biblical basis for God´s care for the environment and our responsibility for it.

 What to do with rubbish?

 As well as how to use less energy or more sustainable ways of using energy.

It was good to be able to share this with the Pastors and local leaders, as well as look at practical ways in which churches can respond. I hope that it was useful and enjoyable for them.

Step holiday - Belize

So the Step team get to have a weeks holiday inbetween their 2 projects - and I kindly offered to go with them to help with transport arrangements etc ... nothing at all to do with their choice of holiday destination.... Placencia beach in Belize.

It´s a great place to relax. We stayed in these cabins, right on the beach so I was the first up every morning -taking advantage of the chance to swim whilst watching the sunrise. 

 

One day we went on a trip up Monkey river to see a bit of the wildlife....

 Bats, hanging on a tree.

 A tiny hummingbird nest - with an egg and a chick inside.

 Termites

 Howler monkeys

 Enormous bamboo

 Not sure what species they are....

 Rambo

 Lianna enjoyed the BBQ we had one night.

 All the team together - on a rare occurance of actually making a group decision about where to eat!

And last chance for a sunrise swim before we left. 

I know... it´s a hard life.

Step changes

So the time came for the Spring Step team to say goodbye to their first project. They´ve really enjoyed the little community out in the countryside, with lots of fresh air, and half the village just popping round to visit, learning some Quiche, as well as help with the building work. (And I´ve enjoyed visiting them there too!)
The church had a farewell service for them, and presented them all with a souvenir sign with each of their names.

 I was also presented with a handmade plaque recognising Latin Link´s partnership with them. It was so humbling to hear the church talk about the impact of the team being there and working alongside them.

 They will greatly miss Luis, their builder, and all round joker.

 The childrens club also had a special goodbye event for them- singing traditional songs, showering them with flower petals and presenting them with leaving gifts. Then all 250 kids lined up to say their goodbyes to the team, and then lined the road as we packed the minibus and drove off.

It´s so great how even in a relatively short time, and with very limited shared language, the Step team have managed to touch the lifes of this small community - and how each of the team members have been changed in the process as well. I love be able to watch as this happens!

Back to school.

The view from my hostel.

Recently I went back to Spanish school, to brush up on my imperfect subjunctive and a few other things. But I went to a school in San Pedro La Laguna, so that I could have a bit of a rest at the same time.

 This was my classroom ... right on the edge of the lake.

 Back at the hostel, I did my homework in the hammock!

 View across to San Pablo La Laguna.

 In the end, I had to miss my last day of classes and leave early, but getting the very early bus meant that I got to see this stunning sunrise over the lake, as we drove up the mountains.

What steppers do on their day off.

Internet cafe.