Hosanna House--Belize

Yesterday was the worst for heat so far. The men could barely handle working on the church it was so hot, but they did with out to much complaint. The sick children are all better today and acting like themselves again. Trudy took great care of the kids, she is a Great nurse. After supper yesterday Ed, Cindy, Jeff, Larry, Matt, and myself went with one of the locals to a close by waterfall. It was the most beautiful I have ever seen. You can truly tell that it was made by God's hands. The trip there was easy, but getting to the waterfall was a little difficult for some. Poor Jeff fell through a rotten board, and thank goodness he was not hurt.

Today there is no work for anyone. Bob is taking us to the Mayan Ruins, and I think that the men are looking forward to a nice day of relaxation. The van is leaving so come back tomorrow and see how the sight seeing went. Ruth Smith

Yesterday the women made sun catchers with the kids, while the men worked hard out in the heat. Darlene and I made limeade, and it was a hit with everyone. We had to hand squeeze at least 20 limes, and does my shoulder ever hurt. We then went to a local house down the street and got the best homemade juice. We got a mixed fruit punch and pineapple orange, it is all natural fruit with no sugar added. Later that afternoon Anna, Cindy, Trudy, and Lorraine made a memory game with the kids and played the game with them a while, all the kids enjoyed the game. By evening we had some bright red men who did not think that sunblock was not an essential (David and Jeff), but today they are well coated. Now not only are the women getting eaten up by the bugs so are the men. Jeff's legs look like he went through a brutal session of acupuncture.
Then last night we had devotions with the kids and sang songs with them. Cindy was the devotion leader, and she spoke about Palm Sunday. After devotions Cindy, Lorraine, and I helped put the kids to bed. One little boy was sick yesterday, and now five more woke up this morning with fevers and cannot go to school.
Now today us women are taking on new duties because the director Miss Joan is taking a few days off. Trudy will be in charge of the sick kids, and we will be helping with the other kids today and tonight. So stay tuned for tomorrow to see what happens. Ruth Smith

My name is Ruth Smith and my brother Matt and I will be doing the blogs while we are in Belize. We got here on Saturday February 24th at about 4:30 pm, and the climate is nothing like home. When we arrived to Hosanna House all the children were more than happy to see all of us. Yesterday we went to the local Mennonite church, it was a very good service and enjoyed by all. Later in the afternoon we took the children to the river to go swimming, the water was extremly refreshing to all of us because it is very hot and humid. Then after we brought the children back to the house we did some sightseeing. We went and seen the ocean and a local town. But today (Monday) the men are all working on the church roof and the women are going to be with children because they have off school today. But so far everyone is doing well, a couple people have colds and a few of the women have been a buffet line for the bugs. I guess they like our sweet blood, and so far I do not think the bugs have bothered the men to much.
Well look here tomorrow for more on what we are up to... Ruth Smith