DAY FOUR: Awesome AMS

We had planned for our first day in refugio to be a chill day, but after exploring in the morning and getting ot know the land and animals, many of us were ready to get to work. There had been hurricane damage on the grounds, so we cut and moved some logs around the loquat trees, which sadly are not ripe yet. They had been hit pretty hard by a freeze a few weeks back.

After that, we got together and helped move a horse trailer that had been all but dead and collecting ants and thorns. We worked with Noe and Saul, who are the two refugees here now. We have been getting to know them, though the language barrier made it slow the first few days.

The students on this trip are doing so well. Everyone has been helpful and responsible, more than one person at a time volunteering to do something that isn't necessarily his or her chore. I was impressed that on a day when we were sccheduled to be relaxed and not working, so many people actually wanted to do work projects.

The spirit has continued, too. We have taken on a number of work projects, and our students have been highly motivated and hard working. When we weren't working, they have been interacting well and positive in mood. We will have a lot more to say about this, but if you know or care about these guys, you should be proud. I am.

Jason S