Day Six

*This one is a day late in posting, as we were pretty rushed all day, and didn’t all have a chance to share photos together.*

Our final day of work could only begin with Holy Mass and  

Fr. Scott gave a wonderfully inspiring homily. 

Our leader/organizer helping to haul siding into the site. 

We had some visitors cheering us on, today. 

The five siblings some of us were able to visit earlier in the week happen to live around the corner from this site. They came over to show off the new shoes we’d given them. 

Of course that meant they got some sweet treats! 

Four of the five just being adorable. 

It wasn’t long before these kiddos opened up and basically took over the building site. 

Someone LOVES the new Minnie doll we chose just for her, after seeing she was the only one without her own stuffed animal. 

Showing some gratitude for some new, beautiful earrings that were specially selected… It’s a girl thing. 

In an effort to let the children remain on site (but not get hurt), we put them to “work” building a village out of the scrap wood. 

These two were all too happy to comply. 

Siding…,

Siding…, 

And more siding! 

Break time is play time. 

Again! Again! Again! 

How to improvise when you can’t reach the 

from the scaffolding… 

Climb into the window and have your dad hold on tight! 

So strong! 

These two hung back when the rest of their siblings went home for the day. Such a great little addition to our team hauling windows in. 

Checking out the view. 

Looking good, ladies! 

Just look at those smiles! 

So hard to say goodbye to these cuties. 

We promised to try and see them on the next trip. 

Measuring, sawing, measuring; sawing. 

Piggy back rides are always a good idea! 

Roofing, trim and more siding. We were pushing hard today. 

Fr. Scott blessed both sites, but the space needed a little something extra…

May God bless this space and all who enter here! 

Our 2025 team, minus our fearless leader and one missionary taking the picture. 

ALMOST finished product. 

Everyone worked so hard as a team to push and finish.

In the end, we had a few pieces of siding, two windows, the door and stairs left to get done. We were saddened not to complete it, but oh so happy with all that we accomplished in those last few hours. 

A local construction crew will come in and finish up. 

This site will now be a community center space for the Holy Emmanuel neighborhood. Our hope is that the people can come together in prayer and worship. 

This color (Coral Rose) was chosen as a symbol of hope, 

as rose references in the seasons of Advent and Lent. 

Aspenol is a great friend to our missionary team. 

He has been helped on previous trips and met us all on this one, selling these beautiful rosaries. Needless to say, quite a few of us are heading home with new weapons of prayer! 

As we prepared to leave the church for the island of Caye Caulker, we had the chance to sit in prayer with our Lord exposed in the Eucharist. 

Such a blessing to be able to go and sit with Him so freely. 

This faithful church is wide open from morning Mass, until the close of evening Mass each day! 

We took a sea taxi to the island of Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize. Here, we’ll spend a day decompressing and attempting to digest all we’ve seen/done over the last week. 

Certainly didn’t take long to dump the bags and find some peaceful spots to land. 

Sunset on the island means a breathtaking view and a flurry of stingrays who arrive nightly for a special snack from hotel staff. 

From viewing the sunset on one side of the island, to the moonrise on the other…

A chance to wander alone. 

Time to come together and dig into it all. 

It is something that doesn’t SEEM necessary until we get here and realize how very important this part is.  

From GO, GO, GO to slow down and recharge.

Now is the time to be still. To reflect and pray.