A week ago I landed in my first country of the world race. I can’t believe I’ve already lived in the beautiful country of Belize for a week.
I am currently living with 18 other women and it’s definitely been a learning experience but also created so many sweet moments of authentic community. Sometimes that looks like a quick cry sesh as we talk about our struggles or share our testimonies. Other times it looks like dance parties and singalongs in the kitchen. **Actually, as I sit here writing this blog we are jammin out to Disney songs and dancing in the kitchen as our lovely Agape team prepares dinner for us!
Here’s some highlights of week one:
Ministry– we have had so many different opportunities and it’s really been neat to have a variety of avenues to help out in the local community. We have painted murals for a local school, scrubbed and cleaned up a house where men and women who want a second chance after prison will live and work, helped with a weekly kids night for our host’s church, dug a trench (the best we could) in the clay for a wall at our host home and are preparing dinner for the freedom house men tonight.
Food– everyday consists of peanut butter on bread in some form or another. Dinner started with lots of beans and rice but we have found ways to be creative with our cooking. *Shoutout to the chefs in the group!* PAPUSAS- a little pocket of heaven that our neighborhood restaurant makes. I told myself I wouldn’t be picky on this trip and have already eaten more cheese than I’d like but I can’t miss out on this delicious food! Also, my teammates introduced me to Schweppes and they are delish! We don’t exactly know what’s in them because it doesn’t say, but when in Belize…right?? 🙂
Me time– I’ve had a bit of a struggle finding this so far. But when I have found it, I definitely love laying in my hammock. We have the perfect hammock hangout thanks to Miss Mona (our host) that looks out on the backyard and there’s just SO MUCH greenery. Then when the rain downpours every 20 mins it makes for the most peaceful and perfect spot to just reflect and process.
Critter friends and foes– so far we have come across 2 huge tarantulas and countless lizards where we are living. So every corner I turn I’m just a little cautious to check all corners first. At one of our ministry sights we also saw a baby red and black snake. Thankfully, our friend Marcus killed it quickly but definitely kept us on our toes the rest of the day! Our neighborhood is full of doggies, goats and chickens and we have learned that roosters don’t care if it’s morning or night, they will crow (aka scream) at any time.
Adventure days– for our first adventure day of the race we found ourselves at the blue hole. This isn’t the one in the ocean but a smaller one inland that comes from an underground river. It was such a cool hidden nook in the jungle. The water was so clear and cold but so refreshing since everyday we wake up immediately sweating.
So all in all this first month has been exciting and busy yet full of many little moments to be able to sit in the presence of the Lord. I love everything about this first month; community, what I’m learning, where I’m being stretched, new experiences, the food, the rain, the ministry, the kids, and just FINALLY getting to live in the race.
ONE WEEK DOWN, FOURTY-FOUR TO GO
