Pre-Trip: January 7th
Fr. Dave, Br. Uriel, Victor, Bekah, Cecilia, Mia, Grace Davenport, Ryan, Grace Burris, Dylan, Sr. MaryRose, Yared, Landon, Lily, Emeline, and Grace McElroy have all arrived safely in Houston at the hotel.
We had dinner, introductions, orientation, Vespers, Mass, and Holy Hour.
Day 1 - January 8th
We arrived at the airport and made it through security and are awaiting to board our flight at 9:55am Central.
12:53pm Arrived safely in Belize.
1:46pm Made it through passport control and customs. On our way to lunch.
We arrived into Benque Viejo at Chapel Hill and we prayed a Rosary together as the sun set. We then had dinner at Rolfy's mom's house and then walked to the church for Vespers and a Holy Hour before the tabernacle at Mount Carmel parish. We then closed the night with a team meeting and night prayer.
Day 2 - January 9th
Our male missionaries today helped out with the 2nd Form (sophomore) boys retreat while our female missionaries went to various religion classrooms at Mount Carmel High School to give their testimonies and invite the students to the youth nights next week.
We began our construction projects in the afternoon helping an employee of the parish who has worked there for 32 years. We are helping construct a bathroom.
The missionaries did really great today.
Day 3 - January 10th
Saturday was our work day. We split into two groups. One began laying the foundation for the bathroom. The other began tearing down an old rotted wall of a home where both residents have special needs. Then began rebuilding and reenforcing the wall and the roof to prevent leaking and water damage.
We ended the day by celebrating Victor's birthday and doing holy day.
Day 4 - January 11th
We had a day of rest and recreation. We were able to sleep in and prepare for Sunday Mass at the parish and celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Some went for a run in the morning, others for a walk, others slept. Then we went down to Mount Carmel Parish and had Sunday Mass. Afterwards we shared lunch with the full-time missionaries at the parish hall and then heard a talk from the pastor Fr. Tony. Then we made our way to Xunantunich, the Mayan ruins practically in our backyard. Some decided to swim in the river. Then we had dinner at a Emil's house who hosted us.
Day 5 - January 12th
Today we had an early Holy Hour and Mass at the parish. Then we had breakfast and went to the elementary school in Succotz to do our catechesis on the Good Shepherd. Then we went to our work project sites after lunch before we had our Youth Night at the high school. Very few children showed up, but overall the ones who came had a good time.
Day 6 - January 13th
We were able to sleep in a little bit before we got ready for Mass at Mount Carmel High School. The men got a tour of the school. Due to the rain, our vans were not able to get us up the hill to where we were staying so we decided to change plans and postpone our worksites until the next day. We also moved Holy Hour to John Paul the Great College. We were able to see the campus there and have lunch there. We then went to School in Succotz for catechesis. Afterwards we went got ready for youth night. There were more kids even with the pouring rain. Then we played synthetica futbol with the other SOLT Missionary Volunteer teachers.
Day 7 - January 14th
Today we had early morning Holy Hour followed by breakfast. Then went to San Jose Succotz for our last day of catechesis. We then went back for Mass and got ready to finish our work at the work sites. We came back and had dinner and Vespers and then went to Mass in Spanish at the parish. Afterwards we got tours of the SOLT Missionary Volunteer houses and then had Super Missionary Night Prayer. We then said our goodbyes and began to pack our things for tomorrow's departure.
Day 8 - January 15th
We celebrated Mass early in the morning, packed up Chapel Hill, dropped off some things at the parish and then made our way to Belize City where we had a Holy Hour at Divine Mercy Parish. We then made our way to the airport and began to separate as our return flights began to take off.
Everyone arrived safely back in the States. It was a great mission trip!