It's been a very long day today. I'm waiting to take a shower, then to dinner and after that we are all attending mass this evening at 7:00 p.m. At work today, we did doors and window frames. After the frames were in place, we used shims to keep them there, then used mortar between the frame and the cement block. You actually throw the mortar off of a trowel starting at the bottom and working your way up so as to not have any air pockets. It's neat!

I also worked with Jorge, the crew leader. Although I can't understand Spanish, I seemed to be able to communicate with Jorge pretty well. He is 23 years old and a very good worker. He caught onto my facial expressions when I would mess something up. He'd also look at me if something didn't go just right for him and I'd mumble 'Oh Brother' while rolling my eyes. He'd laugh....

I also had my first attempt at speaking Spanish and it was understood. I was proud when I said mas cemente and the young boy brought me a bucket full of cement. Jorge also had me do a few one-man jobs.

This morning I had a young boy named Christian (about five years old) insist on helping me to take some rebar to the job site. I gave him one of my work gloves and showed him how to place it under his arm and into his hand to drag it. It must have been about 16' in length and we walked about a ¼ of a mile to the job site without stopping. To look at Christian you'd think that he was younger because of his size.

On my work crew is Cal, Tophi, Jordan, Abby, Pastor Bob, Wambi, Jorge and one more Honduran but I'm not sure of his name. In addition, we can have as many as 10-15 kids 'helping'. Abby tries to keep them busy when she has some down time. I've taken about 100 photos thus far... mostly of the kids.

I have to get ready for dinner now.

Tonight at dinner, we will celebrate Steve's 22nd birthday. Lupe made a cake and of course we sang to him.

After dinner, we walked to the Catholic Church. It was very interesting as well as entertaining. People came strolling in whenever and there was a dog walking up and down the aisles. Then a 2nd dog came and I thought there was going to be a dog fight. There was very little reaction from the congregation when there was a ferocious bark so I'm guessing that this happens quite often.

At the time for 'sign of peace', Tim leaned over to ask if it was over as people got up out of there seats to walk around to shake hands, laugh or just talk. It was great as we had many of the Honduras natives wanting to shake hands with us "Gringos".

Near the end of mass, Sister Laurinda announced that it was Steve's Birthday (In Spanish of course) so everyone turned to look and then began to clap.

Not only that, Steve then was invited to the front of the church for his 'special song'. He handled it well as the song went on forever. Another funny thing... there was a man with a video camera because of a Baptism.... Well, he was taping Steve up front and then came back to tape our reactions... it was so funny!!

After mass while walking back to the house, we had many kids ask for chick elets. I've learned that means candy.

It was a very productive day and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.