(Ema Roadknight)
Well, that's a wrap!
All good things must come to an end, and this week has been one of them. With the last day of VBS and the closing up of the work projects it was a full and emotional day. Without a doubt I thought my kids were spectacular in every way. Watching them over the course of five days was exhausting but also a blessing. Most of my kids were going into grades 5 or 6 and have been attending CEE and every day they wowed me with their sharing hearts and patience with me and my peer leaders. With the language barrier it was hard at times but in the odd occasion one of the CEE leaders weren't around the kids fluent in both spanish and english were more than happy to help explain instructions, or translate questions. As we handed our kids their goodbye gifts it was increasingly hard to hug them goodbye for the last time.

Following lunch, our many work projects were continued this afternoon with the willing help from some of the CEE leaders. We successfully moved all of the books back into the library and began to put them on the shelves. With the absence of a librarian for a period of time, we struggled but at the very least we managed to organize the books alphabetically. Our lovely murals were finished, with a very special thanks to the designing and painting duo Josh and Ameil. With The help of some of the crew they brought their visions to life and have left their artistic handprint on the walls of the school. We wrapped up the wood construction of the custom carts for the library, and finished several other painting and varnishing projects around the school. All were busy this afternoon and were graciously rewarded with a trek to the local ice cream shop.

After we made it back from the ice cream trip the CEE student leaders joined us for dinner and a campfire where we were able to exchange some canadian themed thank you gifts. It wouldn't be a Canadian campfire, let a alone a Westney campfire without some classic camp songs. With some encouragement,  Aaron, Lydia and I lead the group in some campfire songs with hoarse voices and all. Our lovely worship team also got up and led us in some of our favourite songs from the VBS, closing up the night with some group pictures and s'mores. With some teary hugs and the exchange of contact information we said goodbye to our many new friends and began to clean the grounds and pack our things.

For Lydia and I it was a surreal moment to realize we stood in this very same place only three years ago, saying goodbye to some of the same people. With hopeful hearts we said buenas noches for the last time and promised to come back and see them in 3 years. As we ready to head off to Tela tomorrow morning we are grateful for the few days of rest but I can safely say we will miss the school and everyone we met along with it.