Well we have come to the end of our time here in Roatan, Honduras!
Our team is exhausted and while we have had a wonderful adventure it is time to say goodbye.
Yesterday, we spent the majority of the day at the beach. We had an amazing time though a few students may have stayed out to long in the equatorial sun and are now paying for it with red backs and arms. We have also had some illness with some type of nasty bug caught by a few but it appears as though everyone is up and ready for our leave this morning. Amy has been amazing Mom/Nurse/Helper to all and we are confident everyone is ok.
The beach was a lot of fun but a good reminder that 'postcard' paradise is always a small picture that is capture of a whole life spent here on the island. Whether it has been jumping off a rather picturesque pier, playing some can jam in the sand, or just enjoying splashing in the translucent waters of the caribbean it was a true blessing to get to share the day with our new friends.
Now we are off to a long day of traveling - we essentially leave the home at 11am (our time here) and our plane departs at 1pm (again Honduras time here). We'll be getting in to Houston, TX at 5:05 (their time) and will have a good 4 hour or so layover there. Our final destination will be BWI airport at 11:57 ready to hug our loved ones and thankful but exhausted after a full trip that hopefully has stretched us, changed us, and opened our eyes to the world around us and the blessings in front of us.
To our administrators - thank you for supporting such an amazing opportunity for the students of the John Carroll School. We are encouraging the students to do the right thing - invest in people, because you have invested in them.
To the teachers and staff at JC School - it is obvious the lessons you have taught your young charges have been well received. Whether you taught many or only one of the students on this trip, you have contributed in many ways to their development. They have practically applied the many lessons you have demonstrated each day - not the problem or the test - but the patience, perseverance, and love that comes along with caring for others.
And finally to the parents of all of these amazing students - Thank You! I know your greatest treasure is your children (I know because, our children are our greatest treasure for sure). Thank you for not only trusting Amy and I but for trusting your daughter or son that they were ready to go on a journey like this. They have done amazing things here and my prayer is that they continue to build upon the lessons they have learned here - both about others and about themselves. We talk a lot about transforming travel. I am not sure we transformed a whole lot here (though in fairness building a 100 foot by 40 foot chicken enclosure with a coop and a compost bin is pretty transforming to the landscape here for sure). But I am fairly certain (whether we admit it readily or not) that most of us, if not all of us, have been transformed through our brief time here at the Children's Home. Seeing open and unconditional love, the value of hard work, and the pleasure of simply being presence are things we all take home with us (along of course with a few more bug bites).
Can't wait to see everyone soon. God Bless!
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