Thank You

You give but little when you give of your possessions.  It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.  ~Kahlil Gibran

 I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to those who recently gave of their time in order to raise money for the work here in Belize.  Sis. Marcella Thomas who offered her wonderful talents in the kitchen cooking what I know was a fabulous meal. To those who gave of their time and money I can not thank you enough. Because of  your burden, over $700 US dollars were raised.  Due to the exchange rate this means that $1,400 Belize dollars was given to the work here in Guinea Grass.  This offering could not have come at a better time as the work here just purchased a much needed, small 22 passenger bus.  

Over the years I have seen members of Inland Lighthouse give of themselves no only in money but in time as well.  However, I have never been more proud to say that I'm from Rialto, California then I was giving that offering. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Hurricane Richard Update

As many of you now know, Belize was hit with a hurricane last night. Thankfully our small village was spared and we passed through with mild wind and rain. I know this was due to all the prayers that were sent up on our behalf.  While I don't have any clear reports right now I have heard that most of the damage was suffered along the coast, Belize City being hit hard.

In caution we opened up the church, which is a designated shelter here in Guinea Grass.  This was my first hurricane and it was interesting to experience something of this nature. I will admit that I prefer earthquakes as they are over quicker and I can simply roll over and go back to sleep. But it was nice to at least know something was coming...that was a plus right?

Preparation for the incoming storm started early Sunday morning. Windows were boarded up, shutters nailed closed and roofs tied down.  In case of flooding all items needed to be off the floor yet under something in case the roof came off.

This was us girls for most of the night....on our laptops. It's a very strange feeling having to think about what little items you can take with you, knowing that the rest of your stuff may very well get destroyed. 

Oh and my shirt reads, "Sister of a United States Marine".. take that Hurricane Richard! 

  

One of the local scouts who worked as a runner during the storm. They checked homes and ran information from shelter to shelter.  Several of them came and hung out in the church or office to listen to the storm's progress on the radio and chat. 

A general picture of the shelter through out the night. Be careful you don't step on someone as you go to the bathroom! :) 

~~~~

Now I just need a shirt that reads, "I survived Hurricane Richard." 

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep..

A major thank you is due to the kind generosity of Bro. Ricky Moore and Sis. Joyce Pierce.   These wonderful people meet a need that while may seem small, has made a world of difference in our younger class.

While we all wish that someone would put us down for a nap, most of us remember the fight of our childhood when someone said we HAD to lay down.  Thankfully our kids are now very willing to go to sleep due to the sleeping mats that were paid for, made and sent to us recently.  I've been told the kids now BEG to have nap time. :)

Getting boxes from the States is like Christmas time for us. 

One of our young students getting her new sleeping mat. 

The teacher was so happy that the kids just stayed on their mats. Normally they roll all over the floor. 

This kids literally got his mat, laid down and crashed out. :)~

~~~

THANK YOU SIS. PIERCE

&

BRO. RICKY MOORE!

Family Camp

Ever been camping?  Well I haven't. Not a big fan of the whole outdoor thing. My idea of camping is Motel 6.  I mean come on, who wants to go on vacation and actually have to make your own bed? That's the whole point of room service isn't it?  But like all good people I've been growing. Hotel's without room service that come fully equipped with your personnel selection of local bugs are nothing to me now.

Located just outside of the nation's capital I was blessed to spend several days on a beautiful campground.  The main church hosts a family camp each year held during the month of September. This is a time for all the churches here in Belize to gather, have church and spend time together. Camp speakers this year were Rev. Mark Copeland and Rev. Cardwell from the States. These amazing men of God spoke to our hearts each night.  Once again I was honored to be a part of the work of God here in Belize as I watched men and women, young teens and children worship God openly and with passion.  Our services often were simply just a time to worship, dance and allowing the presence of God to be entertained.   26 people were filled with the Holy Spirit during our three day conference.  Dios es Bueno!

The sanctuary at Family Camp. While we do have a covering, it's still out doors which means it gets VERY hot and the bugs are always present. 

Thankfully very clean and nice rooms located on the grounds. Each room did come with an A/C, while it cost extra it was completely worth it.  It was also the first time I had a hot shower since I had been in Belize. :)

Dinner time at family camp. Try feeding about 200 people breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's a job trust me. 

My roommates organized a game of football (known as soccer in the States). 

God moving amongst the people of Belize. 

Rev. Cardwell preaching the evening service.

Our singing group Rev. Joiner has nicknamed The 5 Gringa's. 

Go Home Mickey, This Isn't Disneyland!

The visitors have returned.  Guess they didn't read my last post about how they weren't welcomed. This time they didn't even wait until we were home; just greeted us when we arrived late tonight.  I mean what do they think we are running here, a hotel?  I like animals and all but if they keep up these rude visits then I will just have to take drastic measures. Sorry PETA, but Micky has to die!

Going to be up late tonight in prayer.  I would pray the whole "I'll go to Africa" prayer but since I'm already on the mission field I think it's a moot point. Seriously, I'm feeling a burden for the Arctic region -polar bears need God too you know.

Life Is a Highway

This is a very common image around here...yes, we even Facebook and twitter to each other in the same room.  

The scorpion that was over my bed on my last trip to PG.  Thankfully one of the local girls killed it - bad news was she thought it would be funny to chase me with it afterward. 

  

Hey! Anyone missing a fish? 

(This was caught by one of the men here in the church,  he brought it for us to eat.)

A rare find: soda in a can. Double treat: It's a Dr. Pepper!

All soda is either in a plastic or glass bottle and you can only find Coke Cola products here.

Bro. Joiner found this for our peanut butter lover, Korena.  Ladies and Gentleman I present to you peanut butter and jelly....IN ONE JAR!  (sadly it doesn't taste very good...but don't tell Korena that.)

Josey styling her very own pair of Crocs....aren't they cute? 

Darlina Joiner - ready to shop! 

Several Mennonite girls playing.  Shipyard is a Mennonite community about 5 miles from our home here in Guinea Grass.  So far it's some of the most beautiful country I've seen.

Normally the Mennonite children will run away from a picture, however this boy decided he was going to pose. 

"I don't think we are in Kansas anymore, Toto."

Mennonite horse and buggy at one of the local stores in Shipyard. 

Lessons Belize Has Taught Me - Part 2

#1 

My roommates like to keep the A/C on freezing.

 “Um, you guys I think the song is suppose to be “Baby, It’s Cold OUTSIDE.”

#2

It’s necessary to wait a month to tell me that a hot shower is possible.

#3

Checking heads for lice is apparently part of teaching.  

#4

Somehow buying American clothes in a Belize thrift store is cooler then shopping at the Salvation Army in the USA.

#5

It’s amazing the lengths a kid will go to get out of school. 

“Honey, you don’t have a fever, you feel fine. No, sister, it’s in the bones...fever in the bones.”

#6

Don’t freak out if you have a black tail appear under the door near your bed. It’s just the dog who lays outside; for some reason his tail is wagging. 

#7

No, that isn’t your dog’s chew toy you hear squeaking. It’s just the mice

#8

Cooking dinner is like feeding an army. Guess this is what it’s like having a large family.

#9

There is nothing like the possibility of a hurricane to make you realize you are still an American tourist at heart. 

#10

Nothing beats listening to a scary story during a rain storm, at night, without electricity.