Fun on the River!!

Tommy and I picked up bits of trash about the yard after lunch. It was a hot day so Amy suggested we all head to the river. I've never seen the girls happier except when they played football (soccer). We somehow loaded 23 children and 3 adults in the van. The river is a clear, wide stream very close to Hosanna House. No one knows its name, it's just "the river." It's so precious the way the older girls look out for the younger ones. Of course, the toddlers and littliest ones stayed behind. One of the girls, Yolanda, brought a soccer ball to toss back and forth in the water. It's greatest depth was about 4 feet right under the bridge. Many of the girls jumped off the 10 ft. bridge above with squeals of delight all the way down to the surface of the rushing creek. A couple of the quieter girls, Brenda and Florita, layed down the water at a shallow point and just lanquished in the ripples. With the mountain vista in the distance, I felt like I was in paradise, watching these beautiful children playing, laughing and splashing in the sparkling, cool waters. At the end of our swim time, Dave called the girls together and they rehearsed the Good Samaritan skit, "Belize style." One of the girls was a downtrodden, beaten European that many passed by, until a kind hearted Belizean woman came along. The girls really enjoyed performing their Bible lesson.

After we returned to Hosanna House, Gladys and Mr. Bob loaded Tommy, me, Elizabeth and several of the girls to visit nearby neighbors to invite to church on Sunday. We visited with many walking along the road and at about 8 houses of different colors and conditions. One of the wood homes was painted a bright coral pink and we petted a gray, dun-colored horse there tied to a tree. Everyone was outside mostly, some mowing the lawn, others sitting on their porches. One lady with blonde hair was especially kind and gave us plaintains, avocado, bananas and other fruits. She was a one of the poorer homes and was so happy to give us this gift!! She needs some new boards for her porch steps and Gladys will ask Mr. Bob about this.