Prayer Request

Please pray for Bro. Jesus Falcon who has gone missing from his home in Mexico.  There has been no contact with him since he arrived December 14th, 2010 to visit his family for the holidays.  Jesus lives and works with us in Belize and has become like family to the Joiner's.  Official paperwork is being filed with the missing person's department in Mexico by his sister.  However for those of you who are currently following the news you will know that Mexico is currently in a state of upheaval. Jesus's hometown of Monterey, Mexico is now under drug/mafia control so the police won't be much help at this time.  Again, your prayers are much appreciated at this time.   

Bro. Jesus Falcon and his favorite activity....food. 

This is Why I Teach...

I've always wondered how men and women could dedicate 20+ years of their life to the classroom.  Today I found out how.  During their free time one my of older students wrote me a beautiful letter. I also received the cutest drawing from one of my younger students.  These little notes and drawings are what making teaching worth the hard days. 

"Sis. Amber,

I love you you are my best teacher that have teach this school I like your words that you speack [sic] to the class your words lift me more to Christ some say that you ar [sic] mean but I notice that you wont [sic] us to do right thanks you for ALL you have done for me you are soch [sic] a blessing to me

                                       Love You "

*This is how the note came to me...spelling mistakes, missing grammar and all. :) 

Honduras/Guatemala Missions Trip

I was told that Honduras was beautiful but nothing prepared me for the beauty that I found on my resent trip there.  With the cancellation of our planned Mexico trip, Missionary Tim Joiner decided to squeeze in a quick trip to Honduras.  Okay, so maybe my roommate Korena leaving might have had something to do with it.  Regardless it was a week that I will never forget and pray I get the pleasure of going back soon.  While there we were honored to visit several of the local missionaries in the area as well as some of the churches under Bishop Joiner.

It was also my first time having more Americanized food and a hot shower.  I can't tell you how excited I was about the previous mentioned.  I'm sure we look liked crazies POW's fresh out of jail, stuffing our faces like there was no tomorrow. Many of us got sick but the pain was well worth the wonderful tastes such as Wendy's, Popeye's, Baskin Robins and more.

Our first service, the trip will up the mountain will make you pray through if nothing else. Me and God became close friends let me tell you. :)

The church in Subidana, Honduras. You can see the small lantern which is normally the only source of light.  They have church in the dark, walking miles in the rain, located way up in the mountains. We brought in a generator and a string of lights for this service.  I don't think many of the people there had ever had electricity at night. If this doesn't make you thankful for the little things, nothing will. 

The church in El Progresso.  Got to spend Sunday morning with them; great move of God in that place. 

Pastor Jimmy and his beautiful family.  They are located in the city of El Progresso and pastor the revival church there.  

The church in San Pedro Sula pastored by Bro. Rudy Lopez.  We baptized 7 people in the wonderful Name of Jesus the night we visited. 

Having an outside service on the site of the future church in Siquatepeque.  

Looking down into the city of Siguatepeque.  I'm standing on the site of the church that is being built by Pastor Marc & Lori Schreckhise. 

My roommates posing with Pastor Mac & Lori Schreckhise. 

Outside of the church in La Celba, Honduras. 

Inside of the church in La Celba, had to be one of the hottest services I have ever been in. There was only one working fan in the middle of the church, but with about 50+ people dancing around it got kind of hot.  

Missionary Brent Schrechise & Family.  These people are so very sweet and doing a great work for God in the city of La Celba. 

Pastor Jimmy cutting up oranges for Korena and I.  We teased him all week that he looked like Obama, that was until he showed up that morning looking like Tiger Woods. To be honest, I'm not sure what image is worse right now. :)

He was a great sport with it all, even let us American girls take pictures with him like he was a celebrity.

Breakfast at our hotel.  Eggs, black beans, slice of ham, cheese and tortillas.

It took me a while to actually get the guts to eat this but I'm glad I did.  Kind of looks like a sea urchin with an eyeball inside.  Not sure of the name but it tasted real good as long as I didn't look at it before I popped it into my mouth.  Hey! When in Rome right? 

It's pronounced different so now I'm permanently confused.  But the biscuit was WAY better then they make it in the U.S.   This was the first American food we eat upon arriving in Honduras. 

Haven't been to Baskin Robbins in so long and here I am eating it in Honduras.  It was good let me tell you. But again, anything tastes good after a long time. :)

This is not a  dwarf banana, it's called an Apple Banana. The texture is slightly drier inside and it's a mixture of sweet with a little bit of a nut flavor to it.   They are very common here in Central America and can easy be bought from fruit stands on the side of the road. 

Eating Pizza Hut after service. I don't care what Haley says, THIS was the cause of ALL our sickness. It had nothing to do with the sweets we eat at the mall....nothing at all.  

The first thing to greet me when we entered the mall in San Pedro Sula.  When you haven't had something for a very long time, it tastes better somehow.  Not sure how that works but it does, trust me. 

Yes, I'm enjoying it.  Wish they had this size (they call it junior) in the US as you can actually finish it without felling sick.   

Like any youth group we don't pack light.  I was just happy not to have to pack my own bedding and towels.  However, I discovered that hotels in Honduras and Guatemala don't give the standard 3 towels per a room.  Thankfully someone packed extra towels....can you say local? LOL

Finale night on the road was thankfully NOT spent here. Gross and dirty doesn't even cover this sad excuse for a "hotel." Korena's face really does say it all and the pictures doesn't even show how dirty and small the room was.  We ended up sleeping in the bus parked at the Guatemala/Belize border...all 20 of us.  It was actually kind of fun - what a way to end the trip let me tell you.  

First Aid Training

Contrary to popular belief, Belize is not as civilized as the media has many people thinking. It's not full of luscious jungle, beautiful beaches and romantic island get aways.  The government here is very primitive and very little here is "nationalized."  This is the case with the emergency system here in Guinea Grass.  Our church has and operates the only ambulance in the village.  We serve about 4,000 people, all free of charge.  Currently there is only one registered EMT living here in the village.

We were blessed last week to have four registered EMT's from Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada with us.  Among them was a certified Red Cross/EMT who has been teaching First Aid for about 10 years. Over a 100 kids and teachers from the local schools were trained in First Aid/CPR in a week long class.  The evenings were opened up to working adults and teenagers interested in helping with the ambulance service. Working with the Orange Walk Red Cross office, we were able to certify over 36 people in First Aid/CPR.  Future First Responders classes are in the works to help further the medical response teams now created.

My roommates holding the Ambulance service banner for the local independence parade.  

Bought and maintained 100% by donations. 

Practicing on placing a victim in the recovery position.  

Demonstrating and practicing placing victims on a stretcher.

  

A little after class antics -- this group decided to try a group heimlich. 

Practicing CPR on dummies brought in by the Canadian EMT's. 

Three of the four EMT instructors demonstrating proper techniques for splinting broken legs or other lower body injuries.    

Some of our village teens practicing proper splinting using some pre-prepared splints brought in for the training.

Some of the students having a little fun with EMT instructor Donny Taylor. 

"Um, excuse me Sir, but I think this person is missing the rest of his body."

Bishop Tim Joiner practicing CPR. 

My roommates Korena and Chelsea being put through some simulated scenarios.  Here Korena demonstrates First Aid for an impaled object to the eye.   

~~~

Thank you so much to the Canada group for the time, money and effort you put into helping make our community a safer and better one! We are forever indebted to you!!

Lamanai

I have been in Belize now three months and I've finally found time to do some tourist stuff! LOL  As many of you know, my life here is NEVER boring.   If there is anywhere in Belize I would recommend you see, Lamanai would be one of them.  Traveling by small motor boat, we rode 25 miles up the New River to reach the entrance of the protected reserve. Located on the banks of the New River Lagoon, we were greeted with a delicious spread of Belizean food. Trust me when I say that if there is anything that Belize knows how to do well, it’s cook BBQ chicken!  

Meaning, "submerged crocodile", the name Lamanai is mispronounced by most visitors and locals.  Historians believe that Lamanai was first settled about 3,00 years ago.  Most of the temples that have been excavated were built in what is known as the Pre-classic period (around 100 B.C.).   At it’s hight the population of the area we know as Lamanai was over a million strong.  Unlike other areas that were taken over my the Spanish conquistadors, this Mayan mecca was still populated when the first Spanish missionaries arrived.  Churches were quickly built by the invading foreigners, building over the current buildings, temples and tombs.  In the 1640’s the Mayan’s rebelled, burning down the missions and attempting to run off Spanish invaders.  

Between the British settlers and the outbreaks of imported diseases, the Mayan population was soon extinct.  In 1974 Canadian archeologist, David Pendegast of the Royal Ontario Museum began excavation of the current site. Money soon ran out, leaving only six buildings fully excavated.  The largest of the pyramids is N10-43 which raises 112 feet from the Jungle floor.  The steps of the temple is in excellent condition after some recent restoration and is open to climbing for all guests.

Waiting for the boat to pick us up we were greeted by the “welcoming party.”  There are many dogs here in Belize, sadly most of mistreated and often abused.  If there is anything I hate to see, that is a skinny and hungry dog. I wish I could adopt all the dogs here in Belize....makes me miss my two little boys at home all the more. 

While waiting for the boat to arrive, Damon McKillop and his sweet wife, Marcia, decided to take some "romantic" pictures.   Needless to say they got some teasing for this stunt.  

I have discovered there is no feeling like the wind in your face, the smell of the clean air around you as you ride up the river.  The journey was so peaceful I almost fell asleep on the ride up river. Sadly Damon McKillop made sure I stayed awake. LOL

This was actually a rare view from the river.  The few homes that dot the river bank are mostly poor, wood shacks with thatched roofs. 

Some of our party from Canada. They were a blast to go with and I miss all of them so much. 

(L to R: Arron, Jeremy Parrish, Sheryl Taylor, Donny Taylor, Damon McKillop)

Most locals travel the river in small home made canoes like this.  Fishing and boating is the main activity on the river since it does have crocodiles and isn't "swimming friendly."

The Spider Monkey Resort and conservation located a few miles up river.  The semi domesticated spider monkeys often come into the motor boats looking for food.  Our tour guide Eddie pulled the boat close to an overhanging branch.  Using some bananas he had brought we were able to lure a female spider monkey into our boat twice.   The second trip for her she crossed behind by back, jumping down next to me before walking down the middle of our boat to get her "prize."  Because she moved so quickly I wasn't able to get a good pictures of her. It was interesting to note that only the females will venture into the boats or near people, the males wait in the trees, the females bringing back any captured goods. 

This picture was quickly snapped over my shoulder as the female walked behind me.  

("Hang on my little Spider Monkey.")

  The typical meal here in Belize: red beans & rice, stewed or BBQ chicken, coleslaw, warm potato salad and fried plankton. There was ice water and cokes in the cooler. All the food was prepared by our tour guide, Eddie’s wife and was some of the best I’ve eaten. 

A replica of a Mayan hut that would have been the typical home.  This, along with other original pieces are located in the on-site museum. 

Some of the Mayan pottery that was excavated in the original 1970 dig.

Our tour guide, Eddie starting the "walking" part of our tour.  A former History teacher he was very well versed in both the site history as well as the cultural. 

The first of the six temple pyramids on the walking tour.  Known as P9-56 it was discovered that the current temple was built over a previous one that was erected five centuries before.

 The tallest pyramid temple at Lamanai, rising 112 feet in the air. Most of the group climbed to the top...I wisely choose not too as I KNEW that I would freak out trying to climb down.  I had planned on it but thought better of yet when I saw how steep the climb was. The view from the top I heard was amazing.  I did climb to the half way point....doesn't that count? :)

Some of the Canada group making the trek to the top.  All the ladies in our group made the brave climb up. Yes, I got teased but at least I was safely on the bottom and not clinging to one of the poor guys as he helped me down.  Don't think that would have been a nice image....at least for me it wouldn't have been. :)

Luptia got a hold of my camera and wouldn't give it back until I posed for a picture. This is the first proof I have that I'm ACTUALLY here. Yes, folks....I'm still alive! :)