AHS & CEBA Service Learning
For the second year in a row, students from American Heritage School (AHS) and Centro Escolar Benemerito de las Americas ("Benemerito" or CEBA, for short) have met to serve and learn together in Mexico City.Adventure Begins (Friday & Saturday)
Friday, January 18
As AHS students gathered at the SLC International Airport on the morning of Friday, January 18, youcould feel the excitement of the AHS youth to visit new friends in Mexico. Cierra Stice, a junior, said, "I'm so excited!" Peyton Kelly, a sophomore, "I can't believe we are going to Mexico--it came so fast."
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| AHS students gather after checking in at SLC International Airport. |
Two groups departed SLC--one group on Delta with a layover in Atlanta, and another, United with a short layover in Houston. The flights offered naps, trading seats with passengers, visiting friends and neighbors in the aisles, and missionary discussions. One minor incident--the misdirection of one student's suitcase--was promptly corrected by the airline, when the baggage was properly delivered Saturday before lunch time.
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| AHS students load into CEBA vans at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. |
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| AHS & CEBA students roasted hot dogs over an open fire as they got to know their new companions for the week. |
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| Emily and Cheylynn made friends with their CEBA roommates quickly--no surprise there! |
Morning came early, as students rolled out of bed at 7:00 a.m. to pray, wash, dress, and get ready for breakfast in the cafeteria at 8:00 a.m. Breakfast consisted of bolillo with beans, cheese, and salsa, as well as watermelon and cereal. Delicious!
Following breakfast, we gathered for a group devotional. We sang. We prayed. Mr. Anderson shared brief thoughts about (1) Joe Ehrlmann, a former captain of the NFL Colts, who later devoted his life to service, (2) a man on the plane he met who was returning to Mexico to see his family for the first time in twelve years, and (3) the advice of President Hinckley to be grateful and be still.
The day's activities included many "breaking the ice" activities. The CEBA students provided guided tours of CEBA campus to groups of AHS students. Sports followed the tours--ultimate frisbee, futsal, volleyball, tennis, ninja, and down-by-the-banks. Ahlambre (beef and rice), soup, apples, and frozen yogurt bars provided a delicious and filling lunch. The students from both schools enjoyed friendly conversations. After lunch, many students used self-directed time for getting-to-know-you activities, discussions, and a spontaneous game of missionary tag!
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| Futsal fun! |
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| Warming up for the scrimmage! |
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| Abish, Kathy & Sandra cut and tie a blanket. |
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| Spencer and Alejandro display the blanket they tied. |
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| Michael & Ayalte dance the Salsa. |
About the day, Christopher Holmstead said, "I thought it was a blast playing all the different activities, with both languages."
Sunday, January 20
(Click here to see additional pictures and videos!)
Sabbath activities were restful and inspiring. Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) was followed by Church meetings (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.), lunch (12:15 p.m.), personal devotional time (1:00-4:00 p.m.), a missionary activity (4:00-6:00 p.m.), dinner, Family History Indexing (7:00-8:30 p.m.), and an AHS meeting (8:30-9:30 p.m.).
At the conclusion of the day, Bob Sorensen, a parent chaperone and AHS Board Chair-elect, commented "One could not have scripted a more perfect day. From the beginning to the end, it was inspirational." He said he wished every parent could see how great their children are. "If parents could be a bird observing their children today, they would be so impressed."
Click here to see more pictures and videos!
Monday was packed with English-intensive service activities, such as game-show-style "Cien Mexicanos Dijeron," a bilingual Spelling Bee, Book of Mormon Skit competition, a Lunar Survival Scenario, Karaoke, Talent Show and Cultural Exchange, Family Home Evening (making blankets as a humanitarian aid activity). Conversing in English to assist CEBA students in acquiring fluency in the English language is a high priority service objective for this expedition.
"Cien Mexicano's Dijeron" consisted of teams of students answering questions previously answered by 100 individuals to guess what the majority of 100 people would say.
The spelling bee tested CEBA students with English words and AHS students with Spanish words. Can you spell "ferrocarril" or "burbuja" or "granddaughter" in another language? Students from AHS and CEBA demonstrated impressive spelling expertise.
Book of Mormon Skits were well done, entertaining depictions using modern language. Skits included Alma and Amulek, Samuel the Lamanite, Ammon defending King Lamoni's flocks, and the award-winning Nephi and his brothers going for the plates.
The Lunar Survival Scenario required teams of CEBA and AHS students to prioritize in importance 15 survival items to survive a lunar crash. Students not only collaborated using their English, but also reasoned that teamwork almost always results in superior outcomes to solutions developed or decided upon in isolation.
Talent and cultural exchange performances consisted of:
Family Home Evening included a memorable lesson by Principal Alfredo Miron of CEBA and Principal Leland Anderson of AHS High School. Principal Miron shared three "L's" that will help us draw near to the Savior: "Look unto me in every thought," and "Learn of me. Listen to my words." Then Mr. Anderson shared two more L's, which result from applying the first three L's: "Love which He hath be stowed upon all who are true followers of his son Jesus Christ" (Moroni 7:48) and "He that receiveth light and continueth in God receiveth more [L]ight"(D&C 50:22-23; see also, "If your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with Light," D&C 88:67-68). We concluded by singing, "The Lord is My Light" (Hymns, 89).
After the Family Home Evening lesson, students spent another hour assembling and tying blankets--a service that will be much appreciated by recipients at a homeless shelter (Thursday), especially in the current cool-weather season in Mexico City where the night-time temperatures reach the low 40's and most homes and shelters rely solely on the sun's daytime radiant heating.
Breaking five pinatas--which were very short-lived due to the skill of these students--was the final activity for the evening. Students enjoyed a wonderfully memorable time!
Click here to see more pictures and videos!
Tuesday activities included a temple trip to the Mexico City Temple, visit with CEBA Administrators about AHS and distance education, painting CEBA curbs and other street signals, and a game of Capture the Flag.
One of the highlights of the Temple Trip was witnessing a sweet reunion between Robbie and his brother, Elder Bigelow, who is serving a mission in Mexico City and received permission from his mission president to visit his brother on the temple grounds. The students had a wonderful time participating in the temple work.
The Mexico City Temple Grounds are the "Temple Square" of Mexico. although the Visitor's Center was closed for remodeling, we were able to visit the distribution center, the MTC, the privately owned Museum of the History of Mormonism in Mexico, and a local ice-cream shop, and taking many photos.
Benemerito is considering starting a distance education program, after the manner of BYU-Idahos's "Pathways Program" through which several teachers and administrators are taking courses.
Bob Sorensen and Leland Anderson enjoyed discussions about this topic with school leaders, and we even tuned in to AHS's live broadcast of Nick Gentile's "The Minutemen and their World" course. Leaders quickly saw a vision for how they could provide curriculum and courses to interested students around the world.
Painting curbs, parking stalls, crosswalks, and earthquake meeting markers, AHS and CEBA students worked together diligently and accomplished more than was expected. Brittani Bills commented, "It was amazing to see how nice it looked when we finished." Michelle Morris said, "It was good to see how efficient we cold be."
About the Capture the Flag game, Ayalte from CEBA said, "It was fun. I really liked it."
See pictures below:
Click here to see more pictures and videos!
Missionary Visit and Indexing (Sunday)
(Click here to see additional pictures and videos!)
Sabbath activities were restful and inspiring. Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) was followed by Church meetings (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.), lunch (12:15 p.m.), personal devotional time (1:00-4:00 p.m.), a missionary activity (4:00-6:00 p.m.), dinner, Family History Indexing (7:00-8:30 p.m.), and an AHS meeting (8:30-9:30 p.m.).
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| Taylor, Sam, Jacob, Nathan, Hector, and Victor before they turn 18 and are eligible to serve missions! |
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| Claudia, Cristina, Camila, McKenzie, and Cierra pause for a photo on their way to breakfast before church. Don't they look like they are going to be great sister missionaries! |
Church provided a spiritual feast. Two on-campus wards hosted students in the seminary building and library. Student and ward members partook of the Sacrament. Well prepared talks and lessons for youth addressed topics such as prayer, purification of desires and actions, setting goals (e.g. suggested goals discussed in detail included: be happy, receive personal revelation, improve employment, express spousal and familiar love, attending the temple, being orderly in homes and minds), and the Holy Ghost's ability to help us teach. Translation efforts from CEBA students helped AHS students understand and participate in the meetings. Victor commented on how he enjoyed the morning church meetings. "I was translating all the things that people were speaking, and that is something I have wanted to do," he said.
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| Intelligence, Power, Light & Truth describe the characteristics and aspirations of CEBA and AHS students. |
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| "Centro Escolar Benemerito de las Americas Vision: To form men and women with a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, that achieve excellence in the aspects: spiritual, intellectual, social and physical; prepared to serve as missionaries, be married in the temple, continue with advanced studies, be self-sufficient, exercise a leadership of effective service in the Church and their community, living the teachings of the prophets. |
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| Reflective questions and role play scenarios provided AHS and CEBA students opportunities to pair-up and share. |
The evening indexing activity was spiritual, too. Melanie and Brittani Bills said the batch they downloaded was partially complete. When they had just about finished the batch, they were excited to find an extra person! "We found Albert!" Brittani exclaimed!
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| Cheylynn, Alma, and Kathy |
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| Ayalte, Mextli, Karen, and Kaela |
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| Davin busy at work indexing. |
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| Lela, Juan Cristobal, and Efrain |
Spencer said, "Although we only indexed for a short time [a little over one hour], we were still able to work together and love each other even more."
An evening meeting included group reflection about the service and learning we are experiencing. Many students said they have been inspired by the warmth, happiness, and cultural diversity they are experiencing.
At the conclusion of the day, Bob Sorensen, a parent chaperone and AHS Board Chair-elect, commented "One could not have scripted a more perfect day. From the beginning to the end, it was inspirational." He said he wished every parent could see how great their children are. "If parents could be a bird observing their children today, they would be so impressed."
Click here to see more pictures and videos!
Monday, January 21
English Activities, Talents, Blankets, and Pinatas (Monday)
Monday was packed with English-intensive service activities, such as game-show-style "Cien Mexicanos Dijeron," a bilingual Spelling Bee, Book of Mormon Skit competition, a Lunar Survival Scenario, Karaoke, Talent Show and Cultural Exchange, Family Home Evening (making blankets as a humanitarian aid activity). Conversing in English to assist CEBA students in acquiring fluency in the English language is a high priority service objective for this expedition.
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| Ruel Haymond, Jacob Frazier, and Hector Gomez help serve tamales for breakfast. Yum! |
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| Emily and Alejandro face off in "Cien Mexicanos Dijeron." |
Book of Mormon Skits were well done, entertaining depictions using modern language. Skits included Alma and Amulek, Samuel the Lamanite, Ammon defending King Lamoni's flocks, and the award-winning Nephi and his brothers going for the plates.
The Lunar Survival Scenario required teams of CEBA and AHS students to prioritize in importance 15 survival items to survive a lunar crash. Students not only collaborated using their English, but also reasoned that teamwork almost always results in superior outcomes to solutions developed or decided upon in isolation.
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| This team collaborates carefully about a lunar survival scenario. |
- Cierra Stice (Piano) "All of Me" by Jon Schmidt
- Michael Sorenson (Piano) "Viva la Vida" by Cold Play
- Juan Cristobal, Hector, Nathan, Ricardo, Alejandro, Enoc, Victor, Luis Miguel (Vocal) "Call Me Maybe" by Carli Rae Jeppson
- Olivia Bushman, Sidney Young, Luis Miguel, Alejandro (Vocal Quartet) "How Great Thou Art" by
- Leland Anderson, Ruel Haymond, Bob Sorensen, and Corey Young (Vocal Quartets) "Divina Luz" by John Newman and Henry Dyke (Himnos, 48) and "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy" by Phillip Paul Bliss (Hymns, 335)
- Claire Godlewski (Pop Dance) "Radioactive"
- Spencer, Peyton, Robbie, Luba, Lela, Monfer, Lily, Fernanda (Vocal) "What Makes You Beautiful"
- Brittani Bills and Michelle Morris (Vocal, Ukulele) "You Can Count on Me"
- Brittani Bills and Michelle Morris (Vocal, Ukulele) "Mi Ancla" by Mindy Gledhill.
- Brittani Bills, Michelle Morris, Ruel Haymond, Sam Haymond, and Taylor Welch (Vocal, Ukulele) "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
- Abish, Camila, Ingrid, and Friends (Pop Dance) Medley
- Itzi (Ballet Dance)
- Karen, Kathy, and Anna Andelin (Vocal) "Do, Do, Do"
- Alejandro (Piano)
- Luis Miguel and Alejandro (Pop Vocal and Piano) "Alejate de Mi" by Camila
- Mextli and Maria Fernanda (Vocal) "Amor a la Mexicana"
- Ricardo, Nathan, Enoc, Brittani, Michelle (Vocal) "I'm Yours"
Kathy, Karen, and Anna Andelin sing a fun love song in Sweet Adeline style!
Cierra Stice gracefully plays "All of Me" by Jon Schmidt.
After the Family Home Evening lesson, students spent another hour assembling and tying blankets--a service that will be much appreciated by recipients at a homeless shelter (Thursday), especially in the current cool-weather season in Mexico City where the night-time temperatures reach the low 40's and most homes and shelters rely solely on the sun's daytime radiant heating.
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| Alejandro, Spencer, Luis Miguel, Robbie, and Peyton tie blankets Monday night as an FHE service activity. |
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| McKenzie and Camila prepare their blankets for tying. |
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| Abish, Michele, Sandra, Kathy, and Diana proudly display the blanket they tied in record time (about 15 minutes)! Way to go, Team! |
Click here to see more pictures and videos!
Tuesday, January 22
Temple Trip and Painting (Tuesday)
Tuesday activities included a temple trip to the Mexico City Temple, visit with CEBA Administrators about AHS and distance education, painting CEBA curbs and other street signals, and a game of Capture the Flag.
Bob Sorensen and Leland Anderson enjoyed discussions about this topic with school leaders, and we even tuned in to AHS's live broadcast of Nick Gentile's "The Minutemen and their World" course. Leaders quickly saw a vision for how they could provide curriculum and courses to interested students around the world.
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| AHS and CEBA students enjoy the ride to the temple. |
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| AHS and CEBA students prepare to enter the baptistry. |
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| Robbie met his brother at the temple. |
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| Jerusha and Cierra browse in the distribution center. |
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| Spencer, Davin, Mr. Anderson, and Peyton pause for a photo in front of the Mexico City Temple. |
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| We enjoyed a tour of the Museum of the History of Mormonism in Mexico. |
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| Olivia, Claire, Sidney, and Mr. Young pause while shopping in the Distribution Center. |
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| More shopping in the Distribution Center. |
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| Pausing for a picture in the Museum of the History of Mormonism in Mexico. |
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| Cierra took this beautiful photo. |
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| Visiting about AHS and Distance Education with CEBA Administration. |
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| Preparing the street for painting. |
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| Painting the Earthquake and Emergency Evacuation designated meeting points. |
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| Kathy, Ricardo, and Lela repaint the parking stalls. |
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| Cleaning up after dinner! |
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| Jail in Capture the Flag! |
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| More Jail in Capture the Flag! |
Click here to see more pictures and videos!
Wednesday, January 23
Christopher, Ricardo, and Victor helped Olivia ascend and descend both the temple of the sun and the temple of the moon at Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone. Amidst cheers from more than 50 students, Olivia smiled from ear to ear at the accomplishment. Olivia's smile and look of relief upon summitting the pyramid of the sun were witnessed by many. Several onlookers commented that Olivia's efforts and the kindness of those assisting her inspired them. Olivia later said, "It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but after seeing the people cheering me on and the view, it was worth it."
Our experience at Teotihuacan was enhanced by the tour guidance of Brother Torres through the Ciudadela de Queztalcoatl. Thank you, Brother Torres!
Shopping for an hour in the market nearby allowed students to purchase some souvenirs to take home.
During the bus ride home from Teotihuacan, many AHS students took naps. Others played charades or discussed riddles.
Before dinner, students shared PowerPoint presentations about their families, homes, towns, and hobbies. Pictures and illustrations made classmates' personal and family cultures come alive. Many enjoyed this activity and lingered longer than the time allotted for the activity. Teachers were happy to let them.
After dinner, we took the entire group across the street for tacos--a cultural experience not to be forgotten. Street serenaders sang beautifully some of the most popular Spanish songs, and AHS and CEBA students sang along in a spirited way that made onlookers smile. AHS students have decided they love this culture, and they enjoyed the tremendous variety of authentic Mexican tacos, in many cases more than those in fast food taco establishments of the USA.
Night games of basketball, futsal, and other Mexican group games concluded the evening.
Teotihuacan, PowerPoints, and Tacos (Wednesday)
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| Flanked by helpers, Olivia Bushman smiles after descending the Temple of the Sun. |
Christopher, Ricardo, and Victor helped Olivia ascend and descend both the temple of the sun and the temple of the moon at Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone. Amidst cheers from more than 50 students, Olivia smiled from ear to ear at the accomplishment. Olivia's smile and look of relief upon summitting the pyramid of the sun were witnessed by many. Several onlookers commented that Olivia's efforts and the kindness of those assisting her inspired them. Olivia later said, "It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but after seeing the people cheering me on and the view, it was worth it."
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| Christopher and Olivia pause in front of the Temple of the Sun. |
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| Heading to the Temple of the Moon. |
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| Group Photo from the Temple of the Moon, looking toward the Temple of the Sun. |
Shopping for an hour in the market nearby allowed students to purchase some souvenirs to take home.
During the bus ride home from Teotihuacan, many AHS students took naps. Others played charades or discussed riddles.
Before dinner, students shared PowerPoint presentations about their families, homes, towns, and hobbies. Pictures and illustrations made classmates' personal and family cultures come alive. Many enjoyed this activity and lingered longer than the time allotted for the activity. Teachers were happy to let them.
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| Robbie and Juan Cristobal share PowerPoints about their families, homes, and hobbies. |
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| Carlynn and Ingrid share PowerPoints. |
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| Entering the taco shop! |
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| Carlynn gives her tacos a thumb up! |
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| Excited for some authentic Mexican tacos! |
Night games of basketball, futsal, and other Mexican group games concluded the evening.
Thursday, January 24
Our service-learning humanitarian service objectives culminated Thursday morning in a four-hour visit to a government-funded, long-term homeless shelter for senior age gentlemen, almost all of whom have no capacity to support themselves and would otherwise be living in the streets. Many residents are immobile or semi-mobile (e.g. wheelchairs are common), most have no known family support, and some are mentally disabled or physically disfigured. AHS and CEBA students first visited the severely immobile residents, sang hymns or other love songs, delivered hand-tied fleece blankets, took residents for wheelchair rides, patted hands, gave them hugs and smiles, and engaged them in inspiring conversation. Some students were touched to tears by the needy state of these gentlemen and the spirit the service invited. When asked about the highlights of the trip, AHS Junior Cierra Stice said, "I like the asylum yesterday. I realized how unselfish you have to be to serve and how much more selfless I [can be]."
This service was an application of the service-learning theme written on the back of our group T-shirts—Jacob 2:18–19: "And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." Before the service activity, leaders emphasized to students that the Savior would "administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." He often spent time among the poorest, sickest, and most despondent to brighten their lives and bring them comfort, peace, and healing. Leaders encouraged students to consider how their feet would be walking in places where the Savior might walk and how they could be privileged to do what he might do in bringing joy and happiness to the residents.
After visiting with the gentlemen for almost an hour and a half, we transitioned to the second phase of our service plans, which included two hours of garden beautification, litter removal, and repainting a reflection pool and welcome marquee. Leaders emphasized that individuals feel better when they live in and visit beautiful places (students agreed they loved visiting the Mexico City Temple for the Spirit and beauty of it). Students masked the bronze marquee placard, and painted the concrete around it, giving it a fresh, bright coat of white paint. Rollers were used to paint a blue floor for the reflection pool, and others painted the short walls of the pool white all around.
In the garden area, students re-wrote CAIS CUATEPEC using rocks that they then painted white. Leaves and grass were raked and collected. Impressively, students collected over a dozen 24-gallon bags of litter from the campus, giving the facility a cleaner appearance and feeling. Leaders of the facility were very appreciative and said they would be glad to have us come back any time! We returned to CEBA for Lunch.
Hiking the "B" after lunch gave students a unique opportunity to walk through Mexico City streets on the way to the nearby hill. Students saw some very poor homes that used mattress springs for fencing, that featured out-houses for bathrooms, stone "lavaderos" (washing machines), and very steep streets. Students observed the near ubiquitous use of concrete for building homes. The beautiful view of Mexico City led students to recollect on the prosperity of the USA, the vastness of the earth, and the unending care and love of God for His children in all the world.
After the hike (1:30–3:10 p.m.) and time to pack bags and clean dorms, CEBA's 85-member folk dance team (called "Ballet Folklorico"), amazed us at 5:00 p.m. with a variety of dances from following periods and regions of Mexican Heritage: Teotihuacan, Aztecs, Sinaloa, Veracruz, Merida, Baja California, and a Mexican National dance. Some dances involved as many as 48 students. The team demonstrated advanced choreography, colorful and stunning costumes, and a brilliant student performance. One student commented, "Wow!"
A final devotional allowed students to express their love for each other, recollect poignant experiences, and share lessons learned and testimonies borne.
We then shared the following panoramic picture with students and they visited until bedtime, sharing hugs and more expressions of love--knowing the tour would end at 5:30 a.m. the next morning.
Shelter, "B," Ballet & Devotional (Thursday)
Our service-learning humanitarian service objectives culminated Thursday morning in a four-hour visit to a government-funded, long-term homeless shelter for senior age gentlemen, almost all of whom have no capacity to support themselves and would otherwise be living in the streets. Many residents are immobile or semi-mobile (e.g. wheelchairs are common), most have no known family support, and some are mentally disabled or physically disfigured. AHS and CEBA students first visited the severely immobile residents, sang hymns or other love songs, delivered hand-tied fleece blankets, took residents for wheelchair rides, patted hands, gave them hugs and smiles, and engaged them in inspiring conversation. Some students were touched to tears by the needy state of these gentlemen and the spirit the service invited. When asked about the highlights of the trip, AHS Junior Cierra Stice said, "I like the asylum yesterday. I realized how unselfish you have to be to serve and how much more selfless I [can be]."
This service was an application of the service-learning theme written on the back of our group T-shirts—Jacob 2:18–19: "And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." Before the service activity, leaders emphasized to students that the Savior would "administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." He often spent time among the poorest, sickest, and most despondent to brighten their lives and bring them comfort, peace, and healing. Leaders encouraged students to consider how their feet would be walking in places where the Savior might walk and how they could be privileged to do what he might do in bringing joy and happiness to the residents.
After visiting with the gentlemen for almost an hour and a half, we transitioned to the second phase of our service plans, which included two hours of garden beautification, litter removal, and repainting a reflection pool and welcome marquee. Leaders emphasized that individuals feel better when they live in and visit beautiful places (students agreed they loved visiting the Mexico City Temple for the Spirit and beauty of it). Students masked the bronze marquee placard, and painted the concrete around it, giving it a fresh, bright coat of white paint. Rollers were used to paint a blue floor for the reflection pool, and others painted the short walls of the pool white all around.
In the garden area, students re-wrote CAIS CUATEPEC using rocks that they then painted white. Leaves and grass were raked and collected. Impressively, students collected over a dozen 24-gallon bags of litter from the campus, giving the facility a cleaner appearance and feeling. Leaders of the facility were very appreciative and said they would be glad to have us come back any time! We returned to CEBA for Lunch.
Hiking the "B" after lunch gave students a unique opportunity to walk through Mexico City streets on the way to the nearby hill. Students saw some very poor homes that used mattress springs for fencing, that featured out-houses for bathrooms, stone "lavaderos" (washing machines), and very steep streets. Students observed the near ubiquitous use of concrete for building homes. The beautiful view of Mexico City led students to recollect on the prosperity of the USA, the vastness of the earth, and the unending care and love of God for His children in all the world.
A final devotional allowed students to express their love for each other, recollect poignant experiences, and share lessons learned and testimonies borne.
We then shared the following panoramic picture with students and they visited until bedtime, sharing hugs and more expressions of love--knowing the tour would end at 5:30 a.m. the next morning.
Friday, January 26
4:00 a.m. came early, but there was excitement in the air as students cleaned their rooms, finished packing their bags, and rolled them out to the vans that were to transport us
We left from CEBA to travel to Benito Juarez International Airport at 5:38, arriving at 6:08 a.m. in time for check-in. Students flew home via two flights (Delta through Atlanta, and United through Houston). The trip allowed for naps, reading, and visiting. McKenzie reported excitedly "I invited a neighboring passenger to visit Temple Square if his connecting flight was delayed!" We congratulated her for making that invitation.
We have been grateful to be welcomed home by loving, supportive parents!
Departure (Friday)
4:00 a.m. came early, but there was excitement in the air as students cleaned their rooms, finished packing their bags, and rolled them out to the vans that were to transport us
We left from CEBA to travel to Benito Juarez International Airport at 5:38, arriving at 6:08 a.m. in time for check-in. Students flew home via two flights (Delta through Atlanta, and United through Houston). The trip allowed for naps, reading, and visiting. McKenzie reported excitedly "I invited a neighboring passenger to visit Temple Square if his connecting flight was delayed!" We congratulated her for making that invitation.
We have been grateful to be welcomed home by loving, supportive parents!
