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.