Can't believe it is time to leave beautiful Honduras. It has been a bittersweet experience. The children and country are so beautiful and I can see all the wonderful things that Friends United had done to make a difference in the education of many children, but the need here is so great and there is so much left to do. I can see why this country and people drew my parents in 54 years ago and why they keep coming back. This trip has been a blessing, especially since I've been able to share it with my daughter, parents, and all the other wonderful people traveling with Friends United.

Last Night in Roatan

My mom getting a little massage

Heading to dinner.

Sun setting behind the clouds.

Lobster Bisque 

Shrimp and Lobster!  So yummy!!!

Flan for desert!

So enjoyed sharing this experience with my very wonderful parents!  

After dinner fire show!

This is the Life, Kayaking on the Caribbean Sea

My daughter, Kara, giving Bessy a kayak ride on the Caribbean Sea.  We had lots of fun with the kayak today. 

Taking my mom out for a ride.  She has trouble with arthritis in her hands and wasn't able to paddle.  I enjoyed letting her relax while I paddled.  It was a great workout.

Kara and I spent a lot of time paddling around.  We went way out from shore and had a blast when a boat would go by and give us a little wave action.

When we paddle in to shore, this little guy came up to help my mom get out of the kayak.  He was so cute.  He came and helped Kara and I a few times too.  

Mayan Princess Resort and Pen Pal Letters

Getting ready to board the ferry that will take us out to Roatan, Honduras.  It was an hour and a half ride.  Lots of people got sick.

Bessy's family came with us.  This is her little granddaugher, Mya.

The couple eating at the table next to us. A couple of Grackles

We are staying at the Mayan Princess Resort for our last two days.  It is beautiful and our suite is incredible.  This was an unexpected treat at the end of a long hot mission trip.  Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!

Enjoying the beach.  The water was perfect!  

The view from the patio outside our front door.

The view from the back patio.

The boys and girls in Spanish Club at Trailridge wrote Pen Pal letters to students in Honduras.  Last Saturday, Bessy gave the letters to a teacher who teaches 5th and 6th grade.  The students who received the letters wrote back to my students.  Bessy's husband Carlos brought the letters to us yesterday when he came to Tela to help celebrate Bessy's birthday.

Second Day in Tela: Resource Center and School Visit

Kara and I enjoying fresh watermelon juice with our breakfast on the beach before starting a busy day in the new resource center.

Of course I had to have the fresh pineapple juice too!

Our breakfast view!

Working on the resource center.

Had to take time to celebrate Bessy's birthday.

Working on labeling fraction strips that were cut on the new die cut machine that Friends United bought for their new center.

Fraction strips!  I want one of these die cuts for our machine!

One of the teachers in Tela getting new supplies from Trailridge Elementary!  He is also one of the teachers who will help run the new Friends United Resource Center.

More fractions.

I'm using one of the boxes from the shelving units to make a bulletin board to show how to use the die cut fractions.

Getting help from one of the Honduran teachers.

She also received a bunch of new school supplies donated by the Trailridge Elementary students and staff.  

Another teacher getting supplies donated by Trailridge Elementary!

My mom wanted me to see the LEGO book in Spanish.  She knows how much I love LEGOS!!!

Fraction example is finished!

This is the brand new computer we set up today.

Paulette Baker made a game board from one of the die cuts.  I want this one too!

Die cut machine and die cuts.

New laminator.

Check out the Friends United web site
friendsunitedinc.org

New books for teachers to borrow

Kara and my mom headed to lunch around the corner from the Tela Teachers' Resource Center

Getting ready to try fresh coconut milk bought from a woman with a machete.  

Typical Honduran meal.  Fried plantains, refried beans, avocado, beef, and rice.

Our lovely lunch companions.  Paulette Baker and Marjie Palmer

My beautiful daughter Kara

These picture were taken at a small rural elementary school in Tela.  We call it the Watermelon school or Leaky Roof school because of the color and the fact that it leaks when it rains.

Air conditioner being installed in the center.  Wish it were installed before we got there.  It was hot today and we didn't even have a fan!