Week recap!

This week was the bomb. Sarah and I got the opportunity to go to Belize City and help a missionary couple there with a primary camp for 2 days, as well as a Relief Society activity. We taught the sisters how to sing parts, and played pioneer games with them. The kids were adorable, and we had a great time.
       Other than that we have continued work at the orphanage/transition home, and with Soilet (a self sustaining sewage system). Commence pictures.

 This is actually at Succotz camp. These bracelets were generously donated by the Riley family. We have used them so many times! And the kids absolutely love them!

 Teaching at the Belize City camp. The first day was underwater themed, so we had a fish pond, we sang songs, and made awesome aquarium crafts. We also learned about different species of fish and cool facts about them.

 Sarah with some Primary kids.

 Almost all of the Belize City Primary children. And me :)

 We had a blast at the camp. Belize City is very different from San Ignacio, but the members there are great, and so are the missionaries!

 Sabrina and I.

 Sarah and Adrianna.

 The kids loved the games. This is part of Animal 4 Corners.

 We had the opportunity to go to the Green Iguana project. It was so cool!

 Sarah and Bradford (the iguana)

 Baby Geckos!

I only have 2 weeks left until I go home. This is my last Saturday, because I will be in the Cayes next week. Belize has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Hopefully more pics to come!

20 days in a blogpost...this should be fun :)

 This is a surprise that I found at PEACE Camp. I love those kids so much! I spent 2 weeks traveling to Belmopan every day to teach kids ages 9 to 14 conflict resolution, emotional management, and problem solving. It was super fun, and I had a great time getting to know the kids.

 I have become best friends with a couple of teens here in our neighborhood. We hang out at least a couple of  times a week. They are hilarious. Abi and Richie (in photo) came to church on Sunday to hear my talk. They are awesome.

There was a fire just a couple of blocks from our house. It was a jewelry store. Crazy!

There is a lot of cool fruits here in Belize, like dragonfruit, starfruit, Waya, and a bunch of others. This dragonfruit stains your hands red.

 A little town called Benque had a fair this past week. We stopped by for a second and rode the Ferris wheel. It was definitely the shadiest Ferris wheel I have ever been on. And it was fast!

 Sarah and Megan (our country director)

 This is the most expensive Fanta and Pepsi we have ever bought. 20 dollars American.

 Not really. It is because we were in Guatemala at the time and there is an exit fee :)

 A Saturday adventure. We went to ATM which is a cave that ancient Mayans believed to be the gate to the underworld. This is a full human skeleton.

 Oh, you know. Jacob and Sarah the spelunkers.

 A HUGE Mayan pot. Never been touched. We had to swim in order to get into the cave, which was pretty cool.

Sarah helped with a summer camp in Succotz where they taught about cultures from all around the world, played games, and sang. The kids loved it!

We are continuing our work on the volunteer house we are building for the orphanage, and our work with diabetes in rural areas. Other projects are the music class, writing class, English classes, and work at a local hospital.

Sarah and I will be going to Belize City (on our own) tomorrow to meet with a missionary couple there and help them with a summer camp for 2 days. We have planned 2 half day activities and lessons to teach the kids. One day is Underwater themed and the other is Land Animal themed. I think it will be way fun. Pictures and stories to come.

Sorry about the gap.....

Our Placencia House!

    So, it has been a few days. The main reason I didn't post is because me and sarah and 4 others took off randomly to placencia for the weekend. We finally gave in to our desire for beach-bum-ness. It was awesome :)
     But, now it's back to work. Every day for the next 2 weeks I will travel to Belmopon and help teach the PEACE Camp being put on at the GPC. It is awesome. We are teaching about 25 kids, ages 9-13, leadership and conflict management skills.
      PEACE stands for Preventing, Engaging, and Addressing Conflict Affectively. Cool, huh?
     I am personally learning so much from the lessons and activities, and the growth in these kids is apparent in only 2 days. I love it, and the kids are great. When a 10 year old starts expressing interest in Belize's place in the International community, you know you have sparked something. Which is awesome.
     Other projects are music class, writing/english lessons, and continuing work on the orphanage.
     Just some thoughts. Is poverty strictly about economics and numbers? I consider some here to be in poverty because of their lack of opportunity. But their financial situation is fairly stable. Others are financially impoverished, and we are all pretty aware of all the challenges that stem from that.
     So, do we work on their annual income? Or do we work in education and maybe help them in other areas? And do we work from the top down (government), or the bottom up (grassroots, charities, etc.)? Both?
     Also..... I think I am going to register as a Democrat. Surprise parents :)
Jacob Can't-Stay-On-One-Topic Tonks

Haircut!