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Whew! What a fun-filled day we have had from sun-up to way past sundown.  After all of our adventures yesterday, we were very excited for the day to begin.

Breakfast was another scrumptious affair!  The variety and amount of food that we are served here at Balai Isabel Resort is unbelievable.  Right after we ate we headed down to the beach for morning exercises.  Kuya Bong and Ate Wendy led us in some martial arts exercises and strengthening.  The ambassadors were very tired and drenched from head to toe afterwards but the kids were ready to continue so they moved onto some rope exercises called lupid.  The children showed great coordination and patience as they practiced this new skill.

Just case we weren’t sweating enough, we moved onto the obstacle ropes course.  The first task was to swing on a rope across an open pit of mud.  Ate Kim was one of the first to give it a try and provided us all with a good laugh as she ended up standing in the pit of mud!!  The children were next and amazed us all as they flew across with little effort.  One boy did a great job of demonstrating the course and then helping guide the other children through it.  Just when I was considering to give it a try, the resort staff showed up with our morning snack so my opportunity was cut short.  (I got so lucky!)  Our snack was a fried banana with a mango dipping sauce.  YUM!

After a break, we headed back to the clubhouse for lunch.  (Can you tell we are not ever going hungry??)  The food was delicious as usual and we had more live entertainment. 

Our afternoon activities began with a get-to-know you game with all of the ambassadors, children and social workers.  We all shared answers to many questions but the one that stood out the most to me was the last question.  The question was “I Wish…”  Every one of the children answered this question the same.  They all said that their wish was to be a part of a loving family.  We all wish, right along with them, that they will have families very soon.

After this activity each ambassador worked with one child on a special scrapbook project we had put together for them.  The books had pictures of the places we had gone together as well as individual pictures of each child.  During this time we asked them specific questions about what kind of a family they envision themselves being in someday and about their individual dreams and hopes for their future. 

After another snack, we all headed to the pool for some much anticipated time in the pool.  A girl had learned to swim on her back yesterday and today she taught some of the other children what she has learned.  Many of the children also worked on doing handstands underwater.

We got out of the water just before the rains came.  This rainstorm has been our longest lasting one we’ve experienced.  Dinner was delicious as usual and the live entertainment kept our toes tapping!

I will sign off now so that I am not late for the talent show that we have each prepared for tonight.  The ambassadors have worked hard all day learning some Tagalong surprises for the children.

Sending you our greetings,

Jenn Hoggatt