Huge Storms Blast San Ignacio and Santa Elena

So I think Jim had filled you all in up through Thursday afternoon. Little did we know what we were in for for the rest of the afternoon evening. After our meeting w/ the local Health Educators, Jim headed to another healthcare facility to pick some things up while I headed to the 'Greenhouse' where everyone else lives to have a meeting on planning our summer camp. As I walk there, I see the BLACK storm clouds move in. I saw lightening in the distance but assumed it would be just one of our normal afternoon showers. Most of the volunteers were at the Greenhouse and we all just sat out on the covered area to watch the storm. Though, as the rain started, the winds picked up a lot - much more than usual. Then it began to hail and the winds got even worse. We ran inside to seek shelter. One of the women that helps at the house (who only speaks Spanish) was freaking out that her kids might be walking home from school in this. Though, we can see the school from the Greenhouse and we assured her that the kids were ok. All of the sudden, we see the roof of the school get blown off. Then a huge tree falls down in the road and pulls down a power line. Things were flying everywhere - there were hurricane/tornado strength winds. It was scary. We were holding Miss Bianco back from going into the storm to pick up her kids. We saw a lot of the school kids huddling under a balcony - I assume these were the kids on the left side of the school where the roof blew off. After about 30 minutes, the rain stopped and the sun shined. All of the volunteers went out to see the distruction. There were roofs everywhere, major flooding in the road, trees down everywhere. WE did what we could to help the people. The worst was yet to come when we got to our house. We all are ok but our house, specifically the trees around it, were hit HARD. We are still without power and are going to take off for the weekend to Caye Caulker to relax at the beach a little. Last night was SOOO hot w/ out the fans but we made it threw. The stand that held our TV and strereo even blew over in the house and broke a lot of the woman's pottery. The couch was drenched because of the rain and so were Jobby and I's beds. Our roommate Jackie was freaking out but we managed to calm her down adn tell her these things happen. 1/2 our clothes were out drying for the day on the clothes line but are now entangled in a huge tree adn power line that is down in the yard. Hopefully things will look up when we get back on Monday. Anyways, we have to head to the bus because we hvae a meeting in Belize City and can't be late :) Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone! We wish we could be at your wedding Melanie and Alex! Miss you all!