The 4th to last week... :(

Well... the team left yesterday and what a BEAUTIFUL week it's been... Thank you, God!

Sunday: we celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the morning, and then enjoyed a nice Tilapia lunch together... Also some popcorn and Coca Cola, while watching Kung Fu Panda. What a TREAT!

Monday: was my favorite day... We left early in the morning and rode in the cars/ van to open the day with a beautiful breakfast at "El Capitan" a nice restaurant, literally RIGHT on the Pacific Ocean coast. It was so beautiful...

Here is a picture of "El Capitan"...

After the beautiful breakfast we drove to a safe area where we could walk the beach for a little while with the 10 girls we brought and the team. It was a GORGEOUS day so we rolled up our pants and walked into the luke warm Pacific. It was basically what I would call, Paradise.

Here we are encountered by a big wave that left us with a wet ride home...

Driving back up the mountain to the Hogar we passed a lot of Sugarcane fields that were being harvested. It was like they were lighting a jungle on fire. They light the grass on fire to get rid of the snakes, and then harvest, and then light it on fire again to clear snakes again. Quite the hard labor. (At least from what I saw...)

Tuesday: was another BEAUTIFUL day in Antigua. The team invited me along to enjoy a day at the Jade factory, again (I swear I should get a part time job there giving tours, since I could give it myself now, that being the 8th time I was there...) and then the market, and to lunch. We went to this 5 start hotel for lunch - Casa Santo Domingo. It was like a Rainforest Cafe setting with a Bonfire ambiance and quality of food. It was beautiful.

Here's a picture of us walking to our table...

Here is a picture of me with Presbytera Faith from Boston, MA. We took this in the market while getting some goodies! (you can see by my bags, I did well...) :)

Wednesday: This was the team's last full day so they did some art projects, make some skirts with Presbytera Sandy Chakos and a few other fun things. It was low key but very enjoyable for all...

Thursday: The team left and the children and I were a little down - Mother Ivonne could tell. We needed a little pick-me-up so we headed to where?? The mall of course, it was fabulous. 10 of the older girls and I hopped into the van and Mother Ivonne hauled us all away to a day of Christmas shopping, lunch in the food court, and (what I would call, Target) Hiper Pais. It was exactly what we needed. I treated us all to lunch in the food court - and for 10 girls, Mother Ivonne and myself to eat, it was less than $40. (Gotta love that!)

I suppose that's my weekly update! I hope family and friends are doing well!

Keeping you all in prayer, especially as Nativity approaches!

xoxo