Monday - Last Full and Busy Day

The girls each bought a pretty scarf for Clara, our housekeeper, to thank her for helping them in the house - laundry, dish washing, changing sheets, etc.  Here they are about to give her the presents.

We headed out to the ranch bright and early.  I rode Molly and she was quite energetic today and the rain made it too wet to ride in the bull ring so I used caution and did not give lessons but just gave Molly a good work out.  But, each girl had a turn sitting on her for pictures and I talked to them about the importance of wearing a safety helmet any time you get on a horse - even if it is to just sit there for a picture.

Lindsay aboard Molly

Johanna aboard Molly

Then we headed up to Las Clavellines with Carol and Beverly to visit with the sewing ladies and also to see Esperanza's house that is under construction.  Then we drove quite a ways to the very small village of Colorado where there are only 30 families and a small primary school with 19 children and one teacher - grades 1 to 6.  These families are poor and our Outreach is going to pay for 1/2 the cost of the uniforms which will be pants and jackets of the sports variety which will help keep them warm in winter.  Many of the children showed up to welcome us (summer vacation is on right now) and it was quite heartwarming to meet them.  They had a big bottle of Fresca to share with us.  Then we had to drive all the way back to Las Clavellines to take the teacher and his wife.  By the time we got back to Carol's it was after almost 3:00 and we were all starving.  Carol provided us with gazpacho, bread and fruit with a cookie.  The girls had never had gazpacho before but they liked it and thought it tasted like red salsa.

The Sewing Group in Las Clavellines

Johanna, Beverly & Lindsay Looking at Uniform

Esperanza's New House in Las Clavellines

Esperanza and Some of Her Children

Esperanza's Old House

On the Way to Colorado

School in Colorado

Teacher/Principal of the School

Some of the Colorado Children

More of the Children

Back at home, the sun was out and the girls headed into the pool for their last swim (after they did most of their packing).  They had a lovely time and I did a video of them singing "De Colores" in the pool - very sweet.

We had our last dinner together of chicken, baked potatoes and carrots with strawberries and cream for dessert.  We all retired a little early because of our early departure in the morning.