Sorry for the delay. There were some difficulties getting the blog posted.

Back to work! We all got up this morning, ate some breakfast, and went straight to work. Worn out from working the previous day, we had a hard time getting started. However, I was very impressed with how diligent ad and hard working the team was, especially when it came to building a fence. Yesterday, we were instructed to continue the work another team had begun by digging holes and setting fence posts. Having made good progress on this, we had to do the unthinkable today. The posts were not in the correct location, so we had to remove them and re-do the post installation. (Keep in mind these are concrete posts that weigh about 150 lbs.) Any normal person would have sighed, put his face in his palms, and yelled, “Not again!” This was not the case for our team. We understood what had to be done, and we did it diligently. I have been blessed with a hard working team that has a great, positive attitude.

To encourage the teammates, the Affirmation Team continues a St. Paul’s mission trip tradition: “Tres Elefantes.” Every day, during lunch and dinner, one teammate is recognized for their hard work and team effort. This is done by awarding a trophy of a bundle of three stuffed elephants. It is awarded to another teammate at the next meal. But on this trip we are using a golden cup blow-up toy with “Champion” on it because the three elephants trophy could not be found. Donny and I were the “champions” today!

I’m thankful to God that this trip has been so successful. I’m also thankful that tomorrow will be a day of rest and touring with the Mexican students.

John Seligson, Tuesday, August, 2, 2010