[07.16 - Tuesday]

Plan de Ayala, Nuevo Mexico, Palma Real (Tojolobal Jungle)Well contrary to what you might hear, sleeping in a hammock is harder than it seems! Our whole group was split between three different host houses Monday night. Five of us girls were given a small room to share – three started in hammocks and two were on the floor with Thermarests. First of all we hung the hammocks too close together so there was no room to move, and second it was very cold! By 11:00 p.m. we were all awake and ready for morning. The three who had started in hammocks (Daisy, Melissa, and I) all moved to the floor for fear of falling out. By 2:00 a.m. the roosters started crowing and the donkeys started braying. It was quite a sound! At 4:00 a.m., the host family started waking up to prepare for their day. With lack of sleep and cold floors there were many things to laugh at!This morning we all got up and went to repair and install water filters. We were accompanied by a large group of precious village kids who were always ready to help! Around 10:00 we started the children’s program which was on the Promise of Victory over Sin. We did two different crafts, played several games, and put on a skit! It was so much fun and the kids really enjoyed it!After lunch we left Plan de Ayala and a lot of new little friends to make our way to the village of Nuevo Mexico where we will be spending the next three nights. We tried doing a children’s program in a nearby village (Palma Real) but no little kids showed up. So instead we played soccer with the older boys, Gringos vs. Mexicanos, and we dreadfully lost! After the game we did a skit and showed the Jesus film in Tojolobal to the villagers. Now we are all bunked down in the local church and ready for some sleep. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds!- Katelynn, for the team