Belize Video

A group of students from my college, Walla Walla University, came down this spring break on a short term mission trip to help with the building of the new home and to hang out with the kids and have fun. One of my very dear friends, Erik Edstrom, also came on the trip and made a video of their time here. The video shows the progress on the new home, excursions they had, and time with the kids. In this video you will see some of the kids I tutor, including Wanige and Calvin who are feeding the toucan, and Dion who is in the last shot of the video. Copy and paste the link below into your search bar to take you to the video. I hope you watch this and get a better idea of what our life is like here. Enjoy.

http://vimeo.com/63601847 

Parties, the Zoo, and River Fun

Making funny faces with Lindy, Rebecca, and Gigi (whose eyelids are flipped up especially for this picture.)

Rebecca and her kids: JR, Gigi, Raina, and Nathan.

Rachael and her kids: Vincent, Marcus, Lindy, Alex, and Anna.

Life has been pretty great, here in Belize. Several weeks ago we had a party for everyone who had completed their homework throughout the month of February. We had over about 20 or so students who had diligently shown us their homework every day after school and who had worked hard on all their tasks. We decided as their reward for the month we would have them come over to our house for an evening of banana splits and a movie. I am proud to say that all of my students that I tutored finished all of their work and were able to enjoy their reward. My four boys from Standard 5 (which is equivalent to Grade 7 in the states) and my one boy from Infant 2 (which is Grade 2). All the kids enjoyed their ice cream and the movie we set up on our laptop computer for everyone to huddle in close to watch.

The past two weeks we have been on Easter break, which is like our Spring Break. Some kids went out to be with their families for the vacation, while most stayed at KCH and have spent the time playing sports, watching movies, unwillingly reading with their tutors, or just relaxing. It has been a terrific time to get to know our kids better. We have been able to spend time with them more as a friend than as an authority or scholastic figure. 

Amy and her kids: Alexia, Senaida, and Jesse.

My boys and I: Keith, Wanige (being bashful), Dion, Calvin, and Joel.

Wanige and I at the zoo. A typical case of me trying to get him to smile.

A small boa and myself.

My school, Walla Walla University, sent out a group of about 20 students down to Belize on a mission trip to help work on the new building and to spend time with the kids. It was really great to see some old friends and meet some new ones as we played with the kids together and went on excursions with them. One day, they decided to take a group of kids to the zoo. Each adult, or college student, grabbed a kid and headed out to explore the wonders of the Belize zoo. I was lucky enough to be chosen by two of my boys from my Standard, so I was able to spend the day having fun with Calvin and Wanige. We explored the place, stopping at each animals' cage to see who lived there, and especially at the bird cages as Wanige charmed each bird in there. He would walk up to the cage and stick a piece of grass in, then within about a minute, almost every bird would be right up to the edge of the cage by him. He could even walk to the other end of the cage and all of the birds would follow him.

It has also been getting increasingly hotter as we have been here, so many days they just take the kids to the river to cool off. We have gone several times during break, and each time we go it is so fun to see as spirits are lifted as the kids cool off and swim and play. The day after Easter we went down to a different river and had a big barbecue there. There was chicken, beans, tortillas, cole slaw, chips, and rice pudding. We spent the whole day swimming, playing with the kids in the water, and just enjoying each others company. It was a really fun time to just spend time with each other and appreciate the beautiful nature that surrounds us here in Belize.

Wanige charming a toucan.

Wanige in his element. Animals.

Calvin sitting pretty in a chair.

Down at the river.

Rachael and Sharina cooling off.

Rebecca and Rabonni having a grand old time.

Weekend Adventures

For two weekends in a row, we had some very exciting excursions! First, we went on a cave tubing adventure. We drove about 20 minutes out of Belmopan and ended up at a lodge kind of area where we met up with our guide, Pablo, and we each picked up an inner tube. We carried these tubes down to the river and then crossed it, pausing a bit to swim and cool off before the hot hike before us. The water was an incredible clear blue and was definitely a refreshing rest. We continued on our hike and walked on a path through the jungle. We peered into a few dry caves and saw some bats and then carried on. We walked for a fair bit, saw a cashew tree, and came to the spot where we would begin our drift down the river. After the optional jump off a cliff into the river, we swam in the river a bit, and then were seated on our tubes and began our journey into the dark cave that the river cut through.

We turned on our head lamps and drifted slowly into the cave, our voices echoing off the smooth brown walls that surrounded us on each side. Looking back the crystal blue of the water and bright yellow light got smaller and smaller as we continued on into complete darkness, only our weak head lamps guiding us into the cave. We learned how the Mayans came to use these caves and how they explored them. How they believed the sun gods lived down here and how they came to these caves to offer sacrifices (human sacrifices) to appease their gods. Even children were sacrificed and it was considered a great honor.

Awhile later we reached the end of the first cave and broke into the bright day light. Swallows flew overhead as they ducked in and out of the cave. We took a rest and swam again. We then continued on into the next cave a little while later. This cave was much longer and we even passed by an opening in the cave that we didn't float out of. We heard rushing water and passed by a small waterfall cascading in through the opening. A little while later we passed by stalagmites and stalactites and then through the opening. We kept drifting down the river past the river bank and jungle until we reached where we had started and could hike back to our car.

It was definitely one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. To be able to float on a cool river through a very long and dark cave with nothing to listen to but the echoes of our own hollow voices. Such a thing I didn't know existed, but would definitely recommend to anyone who has the opportunity.

Resturant at Caye Calker with a swing bench and sand floor.

The next weekend we were able to hang out with the kids at a church social on Saturday night where they nearly froze to death because of the 60 degree weather. It was definitely a fun bonding night for us. The next day we were up early, headed to the coast. We started out on a water taxi, heading out of Belize City. We went along for about an hour and saw flying fish passing along our boat. We began to reach water that I called a Caribbean Blue color. A color that I never knew truly existed.

We reached Caye Calker first and spent the afternoon there, walking around and eating dinner at a very cute little place. The island was very small but had a very sweet little community.

Ice cream fun at Caye Calker.

We headed off again and reached San Pedro on the Ambergris Caye, which was our destination. We spent the weekend at a resort right on the beach. We walked around and visited different shops and just enjoyed the view of the beautiful beach and ocean right in front of us.

We also went out on a snorkeling excursion to the reef. We grabbed our snorkel gear and fins and took a 10 minute boat ride out on the water over beautiful blue waves. We reached the first spot and hopped off the boat into the water. We swam around a bit then headed closer to the reef. We saw many types of fish and coral and even some sting rays and an eagle ray! We swam over a deep area and saw guides skin diving. They dove down to the floor and would touch areas of sand where sting rays were, and they would soar off as if they were flying through the water.

We went to another spot called Shark and Ray Alley where we could swim with both nurse sharks and sting rays. As soon as we got there we saw sharks swim up and rays because they attach a boats motor to being fed by the people who come. We hopped right in before they swam away and we were able to swim right beside nurse sharks. The sting rays hung around for a lot longer and some of the guides were even holding them up. It was an incredible experience to see what we usually perceive as dangerous animals up so close.

The Caribbean blue water.

We headed back home on a Tuesday morning and my friend Kelsi and I asked to sit up on top of the boat by the captain. I could not stop taking pictures from the boat the entire time, in fear that I would somehow miss something or would not truly capture the true blue of the ocean.

A boat sailing out on the water.

It was a beautiful place to visit, a real paradise. It was amazing to see such vibrant colors on the water and such interesting creatures beneath its surface. To see such a different ocean from one that I am used to was a very interesting thing. I could never imagine that the sea could hold such beautiful colors. It was truly breathtaking.

My friend Rachael Coon and I.

Sunset.

Heading out to Shark and Ray Alley.

The group that went. Amy, Rachael, Kelsi, me, and Alisha.

A Normal Day

We have started to fall into a regular schedule, here in Belize. We begin waking up at around 5 am to the sweet melodies the dogs start barking and the noise of a work area behind us where people always seem to be dropping things or dragging around large pieces of sheet metal. We get up at around 7 am when the heat starts to permeate our blinds, and we begin the day with prayer and our own personal devotions. Breakfast follows and we head downstairs for a bowl of corn flakes and soy milk, usually with a delicious, locally grown orange on the side.

The dining area where we teach preschool and the kids eat.

We get ready for the day and head out the door with our hands full of preschool supplies as we head over to them home at around 9 am. We round up the four kids we have a preschool: Erwin, Emmerson, Moses, and Rabonni, and have them all sit around a table to begin. We have worship, sing songs, work with numbers and letters, have them practice their writing writing, and have a craft. We end this at 11 am and head back to the house, drop off our items, and pick up our purses to head to the market (which is open Tuesday and Friday.) We always make sure to stop by the post office on our way there to check in with Mr. Aaron to see if we have received any mail. After biding farewell to Mr. Aaron, we head over to the market to pick up some fresh fruit or vegetables. This market truly is a gem for us because we can usually pick up 8 bananas, 10 oranges, 1 pound of tomatoes, and 1 pound of onions, each for about $1 Belize (which is 50 cents U.S.) After picking up everything we need at the market we head back to our house, which is about a 10 minute walk away, and fix ourselves lunch.

The front of the King's Children's Home.

We have free time until about 2 pm which is when we head over to El Shaddai, which is the Elementary school the children attend, to walk home the younger students who get out at 2:30. Of course, this is directly during the hottest part of the day, so by the end of the 20 minute walk over to the school, we are absolutely drenched in sweat, and continue to be so as we walk back. We begin our tutoring students with our Infants (which are grades 1 and 2), I with Dion, until about 3:30 which is when the older Elementary and Middle school students arrive at home. We then end our tutoring with the Infants and begin work with the Standards 1-6 (this is equivalent to grades 2-8). I work with Standard 5, which consists of four boys: Keith, Joel, Wanige, and Calvin. After we get homework done we try to read a chapter from a certain book with each of them. This leads us to about 6 or 6:30 and so we put up a dot for those of them who finished their homework, and leave them to dinner, usually grabbing a piece of bread on our way out.

The play area outside.

We walk back home and start our own dinner, which is mainly made up of homemade tortillas, homemade beans, rice, and coleslaw, that we put together to make burritos. When we finish dinner it is about 7:30, and so we head back over to the home and pick up a few kids to work on reading with for about an hour. We take them back after we have read, and come back, making sure to lock all five of the locks on our doors. We try and exercise a bit, dodge and sometimes kill cockroaches, and hop in the shower to wash off the day's grime and sweat. We turn up the fan to its highest mark, and lie in our beds, all sprawled out in an effort to lose as much body heat as possible. We turn off the lights and again fall asleep to the sweet, sweet sound of dog fights and cars zooming by.

The living room.

This definitely represents a very standard day of our lives here. Yet I see each day in the possibilities that lie before us in the people we may meet or the events that may occur. Just seeing our "kids" everyday makes each day exciting and fun as we get to know each one more and more. Any day here in Belize is a good day indeed.

The basketball court outside.

The library at KCH.

My buddies Jaleel, Keith (from Standard 5), and a boy named Lucas, who was visiting.

My buddy Gigi and myself.

Xunantunich and Friends

The river we had to cross.

Last Friday we wanted to do something special for our one month anniversary of being in Belize. We decided to visit a Mayan ruin and have lunch in a town called San Ignacio, which is somewhat near the ruins. After praying for protection and a fun day, we headed off towards the bus station at 7 am. One hour and a crowded bus ride later, we found ourselves dropped off at the banks of a green and murky river. Several vendors lined the side of the road, each displaying a bright and wide array of hammocks, bags, and clothes. We perused through the goods, and caught the "ferry" ride across the river. This in itself was quite interesting because the contraption that took us across was more of a platform with a roof that was hand cranked across by a sort of pulley system. We reached the other side and then began the mile walk up a steep and hilly road that took us to the ruins.

The man working the hand-crank pulley system.

The river ferry.

The tallest pyramid, El Castillo. (Note the people standing on top.)

Xunantunich is a plaza area that was created by the Mayans in about 650 AD or so. It was a very special ceremonial site. A place where the religious would offer human sacrifices and then climb to the top of the tallest pyramid (El Castillo), while wearing about 200 lbs of ceremonial jewelry. There are about seven or so different structures we saw there, with El Castillo rising about 130 feet. We climbed to the top of it and were able to see the amazing view of the land; the lush jungle forests, the far off hills, and red roofs of the tiny towns below. It really was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen.

Checking out the view atop El Castillo.

As we were walking back to the river ferry, we met two elderly people walking, and we talked with them a bit. We found out that they were in Belize for a couple weeks on a mission project, helping medically in different areas. We continued talking with them and shared why we were in Belize and how long we would be here for. They were very surprised and became even more interested in us. When we got to the other side of the river we talked with them some more and they found out that we were headed back to San Ignacio to have lunch and to do some shopping. They told us that they were headed to San Ignacio as well and offered to give us a ride on the bus they had rented. Seeing that they were a group of about 20 older people, men and women, and from Tennessee, we thought that it would be a safe choice. We agreed and headed out to San Ignacio.

When we arrived, they suggested that we just come and eat at the restaurant that they were headed to. We thought that would be easier, so we agreed. As we were about to order, the waitress informed us that one of the people was going to purchase our lunches for us. For all five of us girls! We couldn't believe it! We happily dined on burgers and fries for lunch and tried to thank the man afterwards, but he denied that he had provided and that God had. We couldn't believe the blessing.

We got back on the bus and the man that had been talking to us at the beginning, a Pastor named Don, said that they could take us all of the way back Belmopan (where we live.) It was on the way back for them they said, so we gladly took up the offer. Pastor Don also said that he wanted to take a quick stop at Spanish Lookout. This is a place that has a very strong Mennonite influence and has a dairy shop, to which he was referring. We had been wanting to go there since about the first week of being in Belize when we had heard about it. Spanish Lookout has cheese, pizza, and the best ice cream you can get in Belize. We chimed in that we would love it if we could stop there too, so on we headed to satisfy both ours and Pastor Don's ice cream craving. When we arrived we ogled at all of the flavors. Pastor Don then had us place our orders, doubled our single scoop, and said that he would pay for each of ours. We couldn't believe it! He just smiled and said to enjoy, which we gratefully and ravenously did.

After we got back on the bus they said that they wanted to make one more stop at a grocery store. As we drove along we talked to some of the women on the bus and we told them our stories of why we were in Belize. They then began to open their backpacks and bags, emptying them of all of the treats and goodies that they had. They filled our laps with sweets and just little snacks. We were overwhelmed. These people that we hadn't known an hour and a half ago were giving us rides, lunch, and now the very food that they had on them. We reached the store and got off the bus to do some shopping for ourselves. When we were packing up to go they came out of the store and handed us a 5 pound bag of flour, and tens pound bags of both flour and rice. We asked what it was for and they said for us. We couldn't believe it. This was at a point where we were getting a bit low on food and didn't have a ton of money to buy it for ourselves, the closest to need that I had ever been, and here they are, stocking up our cupboards. We were flabbergasted. And then they brought out three 75 pound bags of flour, beans, and rice, which they informed us they had purchased for the home. We could not believe it. They not only bought things for us, but bought a ton of food for the home that we were helping. We just stood there, eyes tearing, knowing we could not thank them enough for everything that they had done.

They drove us back to Belmopan and dropped us off at our doorstep. They carried in all of the goods that they had purchased and then they left, while we waved goodbye, still in shock by all that had happened. We went back inside and recounted all that they had given us. First off was a bus ride, not just to San Ignacio, but all the way back to our house in Belmopan. They took us to lunch and paid for all of our meals. They took us to ice cream and treated us all with a double scoop. They gave us treats from their own bags, as well as a CD player with music for one of the kids at the home, and later we found out that they gave us $100 US. Then they bought us food to fill our cupboards and the cupboards at KCH. We couldn't believe it.

All of the food and gifts they group from Tennessee gave us.

We looked at that day and saw the ways that God had not only provided our needs, but had blessed us beyond what we could ever imagine! That day we only ended up paying for a $4 Bz bus fair, our ticket to see the ruins, and a few groceries. They had filled our cups to the brim, and then kept dumping! When it rains, it pours! We couldn't believe how richly God blessed us that day, and it made us realize that that is what He wants to do all the time. He enjoys giving his children gifts and making their lives more abundant. He loves seeing his beloved overjoyed and astounded at the good things that He gives. He loves to hear thanks and praise to His name. I pray that we never forget that day or how God so wants to bless our lives in every way. I hope that you can feel those blessings too, even in your daily life, where God has given you so much that others don't have. I hope that you can feel His love and His passion for you in the small things that He so happily does for you.

Lessons with Dion

When I first found out that we were going to an orphanage in Belize I though that we would be spending each day helping out around the home with cleaning and caring for the kids. We did that for about the first day and then we started in on what they really wanted and needed help with. Tutoring.

We divided up the kids by grade and gave each volunteer a grade to work with. We each have one younger student in either grades one or two to work with as well. I was given grade 7 and one little boy in second grade named Dion (pronounced Dee-on).

I went to talk to his teacher about what he had for homework and how I could help him, yet all she said was that Dion was on a different level. I wasn't sure what that meant, but I knew I would find out later that day at our first tutoring session. I found him outside playing and I told him to come inside so we could work on homework, and he just shook his head and hid in the slide. I persisted in vain and an older boy finally had to come over and get him out. He of course got in trouble and finally sat beside me with his backpack on. I asked him if he had any homework but he wouldn't respond or even look at me, so I opened it up to find it completely empty. There wasn't even a stray piece of lint in that bag. I then told him that I would make up homework for him to do because he hadn't showed me his. I wrote down a simple math problem, but he still didn't even look at this. Seeing that I was getting nowhere fast, I asked a friend to get a book so that I could read with him. She brought one back and I began to read it to him, asking where things were in the pictures and letting him turn the pages. This got him a little involved and he actually began pointing to things and turning the pages. I was very excited at this small feat. I asked for another book and he enjoyed that one too, so I asked him if he wanted to read another one and if he wanted to grab a book. He nodded and then ran off, coming back a few minutes later, arms brimming with books! We read a few more until I had to help others with homework. That was how my first day went with Dion.

Dion

The next day was pretty close to the same. We read a few books and called it a day. Please note that he had still not spoken to me the first or second day at all. I believe it was the third day when I actually heard his mouse like voice answer me about a book that we were reading. Each day we make progress. He talks to me a bit more, and is now sitting on my lap and even jumping up on me to give me a hug when I see him. He is a very thin and quiet little boy, and smiles shyly every time you point him out and say his name. Each time I praise him on his work he hides his face and shakes his head, covering up the huge grin that is stretched across his thin face.

It has definitely been a struggle working with Dion. He doesn't always respond or do the work right away when I ask him to, but usually after much kind persistence, he works and does more than I ask. It is also hard to be with Dion because the other kids tease him and pick on him so much. It is painful to see happen. Not that we don't make them stop or reprimand them for their unkind behavior, but we know that it has gone on for a long time and still happens when we are not around. It is also hard to see the scars on his little body, wondering what happened to him that led him to this home. But I couldn't be more happy that I am working with Dion. He is teaching me many things, the first being patience, but also kindness, tenderness, and understanding. He reinforces the lesson that you can never be unkind to people because you don't know what has happened in their life to lead them to be the person they are today. He has taught me to accept before understanding a situation fully and to love unconditionally.

A School Story

Last Monday we began something new for the King's Children's home... And something quite new for ourselves. We started a preschool for the children who are too young to go to school yet. We knew that the kids who haven't had any schooling were let to run around all day long, doing just as they pleased. This made us a bit nervous because we were not sure how they would handle sitting down every morning and learning. But we also knew that this is just what the kids needed, because it will give them a much needed boost for when they start their real school one day. So we plowed forward.

We decided to have the preschool start at 9 am and end at 11 am. Just a mere two hours to let the kids start to feel structure and get a taste of what real school would be like. It would also only be Monday through Thursday, giving both us and the kids Friday off. We decided to let two teachers trade out with the other two teachers every other day, with one teacher remaining all throughout the week. I was excited about this opportunity (as my major is Elementary Education), so I volunteered to stay every day.

Next, we had to come up with a daily schedule. We decided to have just about the same thing every day, so that the kids will feel the structure of school and will be comfortable with this new arrangement. We start off every day with a memory verse, that we usually add motions to to make it more exciting. Next we have a Bible story, followed by prayer. Motion songs follow this, including some of the kids favorites which are: If You're Happy and You Know It, Let Us Come Together, Peace Like a River, and Who Has Come to Preschool. The last song is the most exciting for them because in the song each child is named and pointed at, which of course brings smiles and embarrassed, but happy, looks. Most of the other songs they are still trying to learn, so we are just leading them while they stare at us wide eyed and with mouths agape. Next comes the day and the weather outside, and then a story, which of course is always read with much enthusiasm as to keep the students' attention. After that comes working with numbers, and then working with letters, another story in there, and we finish with an art project.

The preschool has been going fairly well, so far. We have had some rough patches where no one wants to sit still and participate, or we can't find them, or they won't come out from under the table. But for the most part, it goes along pretty smoothly. They seem to be very excited to learn and to get individualized attention, which they may not always get.

Some special points of interest that have happened in the preschool so far are as follows. One little boy, who we thought for the longest time to be named "Urban" is actually named "Erwin." This posed a problem because we had been telling him that his name is "Urban" and that his name starts with the letter "U." Now when we go through our alphabet book, he stops at the letter "U" and says that his name starts with that letter. We feel terrible about that one. A fun thing for the kids is when we break out letter tiles and have them find the letters "A" and "B." They really enjoy that and are getting really good at it too. It is definitely exciting to see them learning more, and to come in every day wide eyed and bushy tailed. I feel like we are definitely needed here for that reason. To give the kids a jump start on education and to show them some attention and affection. It has definitely been a learning process for us so far, but it has also definitely been a blessing.

Here are two visitor students; Quincy and Karalee. A brother and sister who came for the day.

Quincy, Karalee, Emmerson, and Jason coloring for art.

Miss Rachael removing a sticker from Erwin's (not Urban's) head.

Quincy, Erwin, Miss Kelsi, Karalee, and Emmerson listening to a lesson.

Miss Karli enthusiastically reading a Dr. Seuss book.

All the kids sorting through letter tiles to find "A" and "B."

First Week

To the airport at 3 in the morning. Flying for four hours over the continental United States and landing in Texas. Rushing to catch the connecting flight and then flying two hours to Belize. I look out my window as we are approaching. Pillars of fluffy white clouds spread as far as the eye can see. We descend, and as we emerge from them, all one can see is green. Lush jungle coats the land. There is untouched wild everywhere. We land and step off the plane into a new world of heat and humidity. 

We take a truck from Belize City to the capital of Belmopan, driving fast along a simple road that winds through the jungle. We arrive at night to a new home that is being built where bugs are calling their night songs and where the rain pours harder than I ever knew could.

It is a strange new place we have come to. One that I hadn’t imagined. A place where rain pours as water would flow from fire hydrants. Where poisonous snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, and other critters roam and where fireflies light up the green grass at night. Where howlers monkeys scream in the night, and where jaguars prowl in the deep jungle. Where there is not city and then some jungle, but jungle and then some town. This is the place I now call home.

It has been an interesting and exciting experience so far. We have traveled on the public buses by ourselves, shopped in the local markets, and walked around our new town of Belmopan. We have seen many exotic birds, a spider monkey, and even a caged jaguar. We have begun to integrate ourselves into our new lives of helping at the King’s Children’s Home. I have held and comforted babies, fed them, and sang them to sleep. I have raced around with the younger children, and teased the older ones, just trying to get to know everyone. We have been loved on since the moment we arrived. Each precious child wanting to get his or her turn of attention and affection. We have seen the tattered home where about 70 children live. We have seen the humble beds they sleep in and the few possessions we own. We have seen the joy and the struggle on the faces of those children who have so much less than one could imagine. 

This time here in Belize has definitely been eye opening, and we haven’t even been here two full weeks. It has been incredible to see the life of people who are far poorer in our eyes, yet who are far richer in the time they have and can spend with those they love. It has been a tough adjustment going from the fast passed life in the states, to the slow and steady life style here in Belize. It is definitely worth it though. Prayers are continually appreciated as we start a preschool and a tutoring program after school. Thank you for your time and support. I love and miss you all.

Blessings.