We visited the same community from yesterday and opened the services to the members of the community that couldn't come the day before. It was overcast and drizzling and so the turnout was not as expected but there were some that were still able to take advantage of the services. (Dental, doctor visit, hemaglobin, etc.) Because there were fewer people visiting, the group of us that assisted here were able to interact more with the students at the school that was hosting the "Charity Anywhere Foundation."  Anna did hemoglobin, Mandy did blood pressure, Chelsea played with the babies, and Matt and Mike directed traffic and played with children. They really enjoyed playing Ecua-volley.

Melina, James, Mckenna, Chelsea, Brittney, and Sarah taught the children at two different schools about nutrition, hand-washing, and teeth-brushing.  They played a few games to help the children stay entertained, such as fruit basket and head-shoulders-knees-and-toes.  At one of these schools, fluoride treatments for the children were administered by the dentist and his assistants.

Rebekah, Liz, Greg, Charity, Paige, and Jakarelly went to the bigger school from yesterday to teach first aid and nutrition to the 9th, 10th and 6th graders. A doctor came along to give the students antiparasites and a dentist came to do fluoride treatments here as well. The students gave all us of us roses after our presenation and thanked us for teaching them. The group had a great time teaching, assisting with the treatments and interacting with the students. 

Once our group was reunited we ate lunch and started playing games. We started off playing volleyball but the soccer ball we were using was hurting our arms :/ So Jakarelly taught us how to play "Prisoner," on the volleyball court. Everyone got way into it and we were joined by some of the doctors, dentists and people of the community.

Rally in pain after hitting the ball; at least it made it over the net!

Charity was a big hit with her balloon art skills!

Susie and Shelly found what they want for Christmas!

During our devotional, we said bye to our dear Sondra. She has been absolutely great and has helped make this trip an awesome one. She is headed to a nursing conference in Australia, we will definitely miss her!

It has been another beautiful day in Ecuador! 
We left the hotel at 8 in the morning.  We all appreciated sleeping in a little bit compared to our early morning schedule in Guayaquil.  Half the group piled into a van while the rest of us rode up in an enormous traveling clinic bus.  We drove up to a school in the most beautiful location in the Andes Mountains.  We were surrounded by fields, mountains, and so much green.
A group left to go teach at another school.  They learned how to give fluoride treatments and their tooth brushing song was a big hit.
At the other school we tested vision, measured height and weight, and obtained hemoglobin measurements.  We were fortunate enough to have doctors and dentists that all the kids got to see.  James' doctor dad came down to Ecuador to help out and we have all been very happy to have his cheerful personality around.
Jackarelly, Melina, Charity, and Greg all taught at the school as well.  Afterwards more people got measurements taken, like blood pressures and hemoglobin.
We taught the kids the teeth brushing song at this school as well.  After they demonstrated how to brush their teeth on the big model teeth they got a free tooth brush.
We got to play lots of fun games with the kids.  One involved holding hands and going around in a circle until the "lobo" (wolf) showed up and sent all the kids running off screaming.  The kids were also very impressive at soccer and volleyball.  We had the best time playing with the kids and getting to know them better.
Our module presentation tonight from Charity, Jakarelly, and Paige was very thought-provoking.  They addressed the topic of women in the world and the terrible injustices that take place, such as human trafficking.  We watched clips of Half the Sky, which we recommend viewing if you get the chance.
For FHE Chelsea shared an inspiring and beautiful short film called The Butterfly Circus that everyone should look up.
We are so grateful to be in such a beautiful place working with such a beautiful people.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

At 9:30 this morning we walked to church. One speaker spoke about mothers and referenced Sister Beck's talk called Mother's Who Know. In Relief Society they had a little Mother's Day Celebration. The Primary kids sang a few songs to all the women, and all the kids and youth got up and shared why they love their mothers. It was so sweet and touching. There were many tears! Then they fed all of the women lunch at church. Can't go wrong with chicken sandwiches and Coke!

The walk to church. What a cool side walk!

Church

Rally, Paige, and Brittney in their traditional Ecuadorian clothes

Friday, May 10, 2013-- Adios, Guayaquil!

Today was our last day in Guayaquil, so it was full of lots of goodbyes.

One group went to the pediatric hospital, where they had the chance to give out blankets to some of the patients. They all said it was such a sweet experience.

Giving out blankets to the kids

Another group was in the community, doing more of school-age kid assessments. 

The last group had a busy day saying goodbye and thank you to all the wonderful staff at Louis Vernaza who have been so welcoming and good to us.

In the afternoon, the heads of the Junta took us out to lunch at a very nice restaurant as a thank you. The food was delicious and the company was wonderful! They were so gracious and kind. 

Sondra with her tasty dish!

Matt with Louis, our wonderful driver for the past two weeks

At night, we went to a Mother's Day celebration for our ward. It was so much fun! They first had a program of songs, etc. from the kids and youth, which was really cute. Then it was time to get down on the dance floor!! I'm pretty sure they had fun just watching the crazy white girls (and guys) go crazy. But we loved learning some fun latin dance moves and making new friends!

We danced the night away!

Mom and daughter getting down

Bailamos!

Limbo

Our sweaty group at the end of the night

Our two weeks in Guayaquil were so fun and memorable. It was sad to say goodbye to that beautiful city and its people, but we are excited for our new adventures up ahead!

Thursday, May 9 -- House Building and Community

The other group finally got to do house building for Hogar de Christo! They had a wonderful experience. It is so humbling to go into these communities and see the poverty everywhere, yet how happy people are. It sure makes us appreciate all we have been given!

Building a strong foundation

Lunch break with the kiddos

Finished product

The rest of us went to the community to continue checking the kids. We went to a military school, so the kids were so cute in their little hats! We actually got through a lot of kids very quickly, so it was a very successful day. Afterwards, a bunch of us learned a dance with one of the classes. It was SO fun!!

 The kids really are the best part

The whole group

The kids loved Michael's magic tricks.

In the evening, we had another multi-stake health fair. Everyone is getting so good at teaching! And the people are so open and willing to learn. The stake president in charge was so kind and fed us a delicious meal afterwards. 

 After the health fair, a group of us went to the Sheraton Hotel to hear one of the members play the piano!

And then we sang...