June Overview and Update

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Although the progress is slower than we anticipate at times, it’s reassuring to look back at pictures (whether last week or last month) to see the results.  During the month of June we stepped onto the property!

Roadway progress to the Property

Sticks then rock added - almost to the property

Measuring progress

Stepping on the property with sandbag

Property line - cleared and filled with seagrass

The "Red Sea"

First acre cleared

Last acre of mangroves is harder to clear

The rainy season has still not produced an abundance of water for the cisterns on the island that are used for showers, cooking, etc.  With that said, we really don’t know how much water is capable of showing up on the property, however we stay thankful. Multiple times throughout this week we have been able to rake and haul seagrass for the property.  With the abundance of wind and seagrass on the shore, the beach barely looks like it has been touched or raked at all.  It reminds us of the woman in the Bible whose cruise of oil was continually full. 

We are also working on building a stone wall around the property to hold in the fill of seagrass and eventually sand and soil.  Everyday we see the land cleared more and we are able to walk around on the property.  It’s inspiring to see the acres from one side of the property to the other side, especially visualizing the buildings and children on the campus.  Everyday is an act of believing.

Almost to the property (mid June)

Rock wall along property line

Checking out the progress and sharing the vision

End of the month progress -
on the property and building a stone wall

Seagrass Continues

We met with the mayor’s assistant today who informed us that the truck will not be available this Saturday due to the weekend festivities for San Pedro’s Day.  However, he promised us that the truck would be available to help us collect seagrass next weekend.

On a different note, from the end of the road that we built, we can now see the last post of the third acre in the back corner.  Most of the third acre has been cleared except for a small section of mangroves which are harder to chop due to roots that stand above the water. 

The water is still high however with the high winds the sea has been blowing in an abundance of seagrass.  Once again this is great for fill and free for anyone to rake up and use in the areas needed.  One day at a time; we stay thankful. 

Maple Apple

One of our volunteers was given some Caribbean fruit called “Maple Apples” which grows on a tree. It has the sweet taste of a pear but the tartness of a green apple. The locals say that it is very good for your body.  They also suggest the maple apple as a great treat to freeze and eat after a hard day’s work. Each Maple Apple is small enough to eat with one big bite and perfect for a little snack.  As you can see, the fruit is in a small cluster of four or five little maple apples.

High Tide; Chopping Continues

The tide continues to be up therefore the water is still high on the property.  Even yesterday the water rose as we worked throughout in the morning.  The seagrass that we have laid out is soggy in areas where we continue to walk, however it is a great blessing to be able step on a surface.  

This coming week the focus is to continue to clear the land.  With almost two acres cleared we have one more to complete.  We will then form up the property to contain the fill as it is placed on the land.  The forms will consist of wood, sand bags and a stone wall.  The fill will be a mixture of soil, sand and seagrass.  We don’t have a definite completion date but the goal is still to start construction the first of August.