Our Coolest Service Project yet!

So we went to church a few Sundays ago, and there were 50 North Americans there!  We knew they were coming, but we had no idea there would be so many.  They all came down for a free dental clinic that they put on every 2 years at the church.  Every day for a week these dentists, hygienists and assistants donate their time to give FREE dental care to the community of Roatan.  And we're not talking just checkups or cleanings, we're talking filling a mouthful of cavities, tooth extractions, whatever their need is.  

They bring down all the supplies and equipment they need to build a mobile dental office.  But they also use local beach chairs and cinder blocks, ha ha.  It was an impressive site to see!

The future Dr. Ethan getting ready for surgery.  

This was the kids' favorite service project, and they got to do all kinds of fun stuff.  The doctors had them right there assisting them with all kinds of fun chores and tasks.

I'm pretty sure that is a smile behind Ellie's mask....

Brushing and flossing the kids' teeth...

And even cleaning all the dental tools....the kids kept begging to go back everyday, they were having so much fun!

And of course there was the chore of keeping the kids entertained while waiting for their turn or while their parents are with the dentist by playing a little futbol with them.




Ethan mentioned a few times how this project renewed his interest in a profession in medicine or dentistry.  Both the kids said they thought it would be so fun to be dentists after this week.  We were so proud that they took such initiative to be there on time every day.  They would have to get up at 6:30 every morning to be ready to start at 7:30.

Here is the line down the block for those waiting to get in...I believe they saw over 400 patients from all over the island that week!

And a photo of all the happy volunteers!  They were such wonderful people, we were so fortunate to get to hang out with them.  Volleyball on the beach became a nightly ritual....so much fun!  What a success!!  What a great opportunity for our kids to sit at the dinner table and hear these wonderful and successful dentists talk about how doing this project gives them a purpose and really brings home the joy of what they do.  "Otherwise this job just becomes about the money, and how boring is that?"  said one of them.  We made some new friends in Jacob and Joseph Lottie and their wonderful families.  This was a great week!!

Brave Food Adventures

Our first home-cooked meal on Roatan....gourmet tacos......

Later on, we even got brave enough to cook some crab that our local fisherman brought over.....

Here's some of the brave restaurants / hole-in-the-wall places we've been.....

Typical meal - chicken, rice, beans, and fried bananas, yum!!

Date night under a palm tree.....

Another BBQ hole-in-the-wall place with alley cats and dogs running under our feet......

always a common occurrence...

Talking parrot at Cannibal Cafe......

Can't forget Cindy's baleadas....(yes, that's Cindy) with Christiansens visiting!!

Below was not a brave restaurant, this was just pure heaven.

Dustin and I spent our anniversary at Frangipani's and we were the only ones there!!

This was one of the most romantic evenings we have ever had together...and one of the tastiest dinners we've ever eaten.  Their Mahi Mahi with mango sauce would be worth a special flight here for just for this....seriously.

This was our table overlooking the ocean....

Hitchhiking Across Roatan

When we came down here, one of the decisions we needed to make was how we would get around.  Rent a car?  Too expensive.  Buy a car?  Possible, but too permanent...what if we couldn't resell it before we had to leave?  So we decided to try just taking the bus and taxis everywhere.  

Then one day, we figured out that we could stick our thumbs out at pickup trucks, and magically they would pull over and let us hop in the back!  It has become our favorite way to travel.  Like riding in a "Jeep Limosine"!  We just knock on the back window when we want to get off, they pull over, and voila!  We've just gotten an open air ride, courtesy of our new friends who we don't know because their windows are tinted. haha.  We're always so appreciative of those who pull over to give us a lift.  

Hitchhike #6

 Hitchhike #8

Hitchhike #15

Does it get any better?  I don't think so....

Cruisin in style....

I've heard it said that Roatan is like Hawaii used to be 40 years ago...that islanders always gave each other rides, helped each other out, etc.  This is why I love Roatan....that spirit of goodwill still exists.  I hope that never changes...

Our Favorite Orphanage

One of our favorite things to do here on Roatan is visit the Lighthouse Ministries down the street from us.   We LOVE the kids here, they are so fun to play with....

When we first went to this orphanage, the kids were friendly but a little reserved at first.   It only took a few questions back and forth for all of about 10 minutes before it turned into playtime like this.....

Dustin has been able to help fix up the bathroom there too.....

We love our selfies....

We have been so impressed with how happy, secure, and well taken care of these kids are.  There is is such a great sense of family and community here with great christian values.  I think we'd take them all home if we could.

Ellie's Belated Birthday - Horseback Riding

So Ellie's big wish for this trip was to be able to go horseback riding.  So we went over to Anthony's Key Resort, and they hooked us up!

It was so fun riding through the jungle, through small neighborhoods, and even the beach!

Don Quixote bringing up the rear...   

Local kids going for a swim.

 I didn't catch all the Spanish when our guide was saddling me up, but I'm pretty sure I heard the word "Jackass"...I didn't know if he was referring to me or the horse.

Como se dice...."Saddle Sore?"