Hello friends and family!

It has been awhile since we were able to post because the power went out last night! :( But it is back on today, so we are very happy about that! Anyway, on Thursday we all went to the mayan ruins as others have posted about. I thought it was all sooo incredible! And to think we were walking on the same land and stones that the mayans did! The art the mayans created was beautiful too.

I took about a million photos of it all!

As Erin had said, we had the coolest tour guide. Apparently he is in the Guinness book of world records for being a tour guide for more than 30 years, and he can say hello in over 100 languages. And he was like 70. It was awesome.

The one hardship I have faced on this trip has been the insectos! The very first night I kept finding these large beetles IN MY BED. I must have killed 10. And I kept freaking out when I felt them crawling on me, keeping everyone awake---- sorry again guys!!!  It was out of my worst nightmares. But being down here and seeing the mud huts the families live in has put this huge phobia of mine into perspective. I am sure the insects are the last worry on their minds. So I am a lot less afraid of them now!

Except for the really really big roaches like this one in the museum....

Speaking of fears, I have not been afraid much during this trip. Honestly, my first airplane ride was the scariest part, and even that was more exciting than scary! I am not afraid of any of the things we heard about before coming. I even went on this super sketchy, really high bridge and felt no fear!

My favorite part of the trip so far has probably been spending time with the children. When all of the children come for the feeding program, we get to play with them and they seem to love it! Friday we gave them candy while we played.

Their favorite game to play involves tickle attacking. They really liked to chase after me and try to tickle me until I was on the ground! It was a bit overwhelming, but fun! I just enjoyed getting to love on them, and for some reason they really enjoyed us all being there spending time with them. I never wanted them to leave! And I'm excited for Monday to get to play with them again!

We also spent a lot of time building and working on the house yesterday. We started actually getting the walls up! It is really exciting to see it all come together.

The home we are building is for a widow with three sons. The boy in the center of this photo with the white shirt is one of her boys. He is so sweet. The other two are brother and sister. They live up the street. They all came while we were working just to play! I don't think they have ever gotten piggy back rides before, but once we taught them how to do it they had fun!

Also, the first day we worked I met a new best friend. I decided to name him Dominoe. He loved to play and cuddle and be held. I want to take him home with me! But I found out Friday he belongs to the family we are building the house for and his name is Negro. There are a million dogs everywhere here, but this one has been the sweetest so far :)

Adios! --Betsy <3