BELIEVE IN BELIZE!
Belize is such a beautiful place. The Belizean people are generous, welcoming and light up the streets when they smile! I love to just smile at the people as we walk down the street because a Belizean smile makes my day feel a thousand times better.
Arriving in Belize was a shock; the easy-going nature of the people was very different from the task-oriented and fast-paced American hustle we left behind in the States. We boarded a small bus/van without AC, strapped our bags to a luggage rack hanging on the back, and rode the long drive from the airport in Belize City down the long two-lane highway all the way to Belmopan.
Belmopan was a small city, especially by US standards, and we drove down some winding roads off the highway to arrive at Belize Basecamp. Admittedly, many of us (me) may have been secretly hoping to arrive at the guesthouse and discover a haven of AC and soft cushy beds (after sleeping in the airports the previous night). Thankfully, God knows what we need; and while we did not get AC we did get a safe house with electric fans we could plug in! Miss Mona, the Host, was very accommodating and helped us get settled into the house. Our team, Ahava, settled into one of the rooms with 8 bunks. The kitchen was located outside the house in a separate building, screened in, so the heat wouldn’t boil us inside.
We had a day of rest to recover at first, thank the Lord for that! We were so exhausted after days of travel. Then we had our first day of ministry! We went to a local school (up to grade 8), called Saint Michaels School. We met with the Principle and Vice-Principle and discovered what needs the school had and learned how we could help them out during our time in Belmopan. I joined most of Ahava in organizing and cleaning the school’s library. The kids who had break came inside while we were cleaning and were so curious about all the people at their school, haha, but I enjoyed getting to show them some of the books they didn’t realize they had and especially see the young boys get excited about them. A few shy girls popped in and started to read the books we hadn’t sorted yet and asked us questions while they were on break. It was so very hot in there! I wondered, how on Earth the kids could learn and pay attention in buildings that were so hot!? One of the newest additions didn’t even have electricity yet to plug in electric fans! The kids didn’t seem bothered, which shows just how pampered I had become (lol, and I am from the South West and didn’t have AC, only a swamp cooler). That same morning I made a run to the market (no not a supermarket) which was an open air market with produce, clothes and trinkets, with some of the girls for groceries. We took a local busito (little bus) for $1.50 BZD to get there, and one of the girls (Becca) noticed a local church and openly commented on how cute it was. One of the women turned around and said, “That’s my church!” and by the time we got off the busito we had plans to attend church with them that Sunday.
The next day was the scheduled Adventure Day! We were all so excited! We would be going to the (inland) Blue Hole! We were all just so ready to cool off already, it is honestly always hot here (up to that point, anyway). We were all ready and waiting for the bus to arrive to take us there when we got a phone call… the man driving us was feeling sick. Oh no! We all had gotten so excited to go, that I am sure we all felt a little deflated inside. I was very proud of how the girls all handled it. We re-grouped, reset our expectations and had grace for the situation. Then, just as we had come to terms with the situation… we got a call! The driver was bringing his two young daughters, who had their hearts set on going, so he would take us anyway! Woohoo! We thanked him and prayed for him and off we went!
The Blue Hole was small, and we had the place to ourselves almost the whole time! We were only there around one hour, but it was so refreshing. We swam, laughed, discovered the cave around the bend had great acoustics and even sang a little! It was a dream come true for me, all my life I have wanted to go to faraway places and experience new and exciting things. And I DID! Best of all, I got to have a really great conversation with the park attendant: Abner. ??
Abner is a local Belizean, born and raised, he has a passion for preserving the nature and wildlife in Belize. He is, I believe, 23 years old and has a warm smile. He was very engaging and it made me excited to see the passion he had for his job. His passion made me think of how I should really not be afraid to share my passion for Jesus, so I told him in turn how Jesus had healed my leg and called me to share my story. Abner smiled in amazement at my healing, and unfortunately it was around that time that I had to go as our bus was getting ready to leave. If you’re ever down Belize way -go to the inland Blue Hole and say hi to Abner; he is a pretty great young man.
The next morning was Sunday, and we went to the bus stop and got picked up by the church the local women had invited us to: LifeNet! We sat with Carla from the busito (super fabulous individual who loves Jesus) and her little Sister Britney (my awesome mini-me<3)! We had a great time, and the pastor’s message was lit (really good). Turns out we made new and amazing friends in Carla and Brit!
The rest of the week was a bit of a blur for me, we worked on building a wall for a new fence with some local contractors and I got heat rash. After that, I got sick and had to go see the doctor with two other girls at the hospital. Turns out I was a bit anemic and might have been growing a parasite, the other girl was definitely growing a parasite and had to get an IV. We got meds and I was feeling great by morning. The rest of the week went much better, we helped paint a halfway home for rehabilitating men called “Hedges”. It has a beautiful story! I will share more on that later. But we met Sobe and Marcus through that day of cleaning and painting- both great men of God with a passion to share how powerful God is and transforming Jesus love is when you allow him to work in your life! Their enthusiasm was contagious. ?? We also were able to help out the local Hope for Life center, which helps pregnant women and new Moms with getting help through their pregnancy and the first year with their kids. I enjoyed being able to serve and free up the time and hands of the full time ministry workers there! They are doing a great work here!
We got to visit the shelter/home for abused and endangered young girls that week as well. The girls were full of life, and the idea that someone had hurt or tried hurting those girls hurt me inside. I cannot understand people who wish to harm and abuse children, or anyone for that matter, but I was so grateful to the women running the home who poured their lives into these girls out of love. We played hopscotch and 4-square, some girls played freeze tag with some (not me, I knew my cardio was not up top par with the girls) haha and it was a fun and sweet evening.
We also were able to help cook dinner for the Freedom House Ministry guys here in the area. The fellowship we were able to have with them over dinner was deep and illuminating. Many men shared their testimonies and we were in awe of what they had come out of, and how God had used their struggles to bring them into His calling on their lives. I really enjoyed that, anytime I see MEN of GOD being Men of God it gives me hope for our world and my own future to know Davidic Warriors still exist.
Last weekend for Adventure day we went to Ayala’s Natural Pool and Adventure Park! SO GREAT! We went through a series of ziplines, were given fresh picked produce from the vine (including the rare and elusive Sweet Lime!) and zipped over the jungle tree tops! Then we went for a swim in natural clear spring water with little fishes, gorgeous sunshine, and ate fresh yummy burritos! The crew working there were great fun! They were courteous, knowledgeable and I have to return to Belize now just to say hi! They were that exceptional! So much so, I came back the next day after church! We went with Carla and little Britney and had a blast again!
This week we helped continue to work on the school by painting the buildings, as well as running VBS (vacation Bible school) and hosting Kingdom Kids. We also helped clean the buildings around the compound for the next group of people who are coming to stay at Basecamp Belize (our ministry host’s home). The VBS has been great, the kids can be a handful, but I enjoy being able to connect with them and encourage them (especially when they seem down). I’ve been a part of the crafts-team, and I like crafts (so win-win)! Last night I helped prepare a giant batch of vegetable soup (yum) for all the girls for dinner, and this morning helped prepare the house for the Freedom House guys breakfast! We got to say goodbye to them, and it was bittersweet knowing we will be leaving in a few days. The guys and us sang songs for Jesus, drank coffee and had a few great laughs! Loved hearing them praise Jesus and se that Jesus doesn’t acknowledge borders; Jesus is alive and at work in hearts all over. Fellowship is so sweet.
Well, there is more to share, and it will come with time; but as it stands I am in a coffee shop using the wifi with the rest of Ahava (having team time to work on storytelling) and our time here is nearly up. I have so much to share! Please pray the wifi at the house we are staying at improves so we can continue to share more with you!
Thank you all SO MUCH to those who have donated! The walls, the painting, the cleaning, the hugs, the meals, the prayers… none of it would have happened if YOU DIDN’T SEND ME ON YOUR BEHALF! YOU ARE DOING THIS THROUGH YOUR DONATIONS! God Love ya! I have a $3k deadline coming up in 3 weeks please give to help keep this journey going to the next 10 countries! Blessings!! <3
