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Published: February 23rd 2007
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Belizean Sunrise
Every morning we get to see the sun rise over the caribbean ocean...breathtaking. Belize...home...so familiar...so welcoming...I can't tell you how happy I was when my feet stepped on to Belizean soil. Not that I didn't like Honduras, because I truly did. I was just ready for friends, fellowship, English! So I had a couple of days to relax and do a little trip set up before Jennie and Jason (my co-workers) arrived. The village we were ministering in was Dangriga. A quite, calm village right on the coast. It's about a 2.5 hour drive south of Belize City. And that drive is absolutely gorgeous, driving through mountains passing villages.
I was super excited to see Jennie and Jason! I had spent too much alone time in Honduras. Even though I enjoy and need alone time, I had had enough, and that says a lot coming from me. I saw 3 movies by myself in Honduras! So, we spent the next day running around doing last minute things before the team arrived. The team consisted of 11 adults from California, the LA area. They were such a blessing and a lot of fun to serve alongside with! Pastor Curly, their senior pastor, is an amazing speaker, we got to hear him preach. So
Praying Pelican Missions mascot
How appropriate. The pelican is actually an ancient Christian symbol for sacrifice. The mother pelican would peck at herself to make herself bleed to feed her baby. the group did VBS, construction, evangelism, visited the hospital. I however seemed to spend most of my time at the hospital...for a couple of the team members. The first night, bless her heart, Teresa, a team member, slipt and broke (simple fracture they called it) her wrist. So she got it casted for free! We should've known. But the pain didn't stop. So I took her back to the hospital and the doctor said it was put on wrong and it would need to be redone or it would heal wrong. So later that day I took her to his "private practice." It was CRAZY! Seems like a dream now! Like out of the movies. (Make sure you check out the picture below!!) As soon as we walked in I was nervous. Was this a for real practice or just a shady doctor wanting business? But the doctor tried to put us at ease. Funny guy. First he brought out some old saw to get her cast off & pryed it open, then he had to give her anisticia, and he brought out a bucket of water (I was wondering what this was for), told me I was going to
Kelsey...my fav
So I know we're not suppose to have a favorite, but I couldn't help it. She would latch on to my hand. She was so sweet & soft spoken, but when the music started she could dance! be his assistant (Lord help us), took out a chinese finger lock that attached to her thumb and a long pole, so the weight of the water in the bucket was pulling against the thumb strechter that would align her bones. (I hope you're trying to picture this scene). Then he all of a sudden snapped her bone back in place. 😱 I could hear it pop! She screemed bloody murder. Then I had to pull her fingers in the opposite way, while she's in pain, while he put on the cast. It was insane! I can't even explain it. And he was a hoot in and of himself. He was Columbian, hilarious, by the time we left we knew everything about his family history. I must say, he surpassed my expectations.
Anyway, the trip was great. We spent the night out at Caye Caulker, went snorkeling, always a good time there. Then the group left & it was time for Trip Set-up for all of our trips coming up in the spring & summer. Jason P and Matt flew in so we were all together...lots of laughter! We managed to go to Orange Walk, Crooked Tree, Ladyville, San
Crazy Doctor
I'll have to explain this one in person. You see the bucket of water, that was the weight. Her thumb is attached to a chinese thumb lock, pulling in the opposite direction. Then he popped her bone back in to place. Ignacio, Santa Elana, Hattieville, Red Bank, Independence, Belize City, Belmopan, Armenia, among many other villages. We drover ALL over the country, with pot holes the size of small craters! It was mostly Jennie & Swartz & me in the car (Ol' Bessie is the car's name), so we got to know each other VERY well, the good the bad and the ugly! Poor Jason, Jennie & I were singing the whole time! So during this time we went to the villages that we will be bringing teams to. We met with the pastors and tried to set up as much as we could for the future trip. I'm exceptionally excited about one in particular...Red Bank. It's a remote Mayan Village in southern Belize. My group that is going wants a rough and challenging trip. Well that's what they are going to get! So the villagers live in huts, no running water or electricity, an old civilization. It's going to be great!! Can't wait!
We also did some touristy things. We went Cave Tubing at St. Herman's Cave. Was awesome, we were in tubes in the water & had lights on our heads because it was a long cave in
Garifuna Museum
Amazing history of the Garifuna culture. the dark! We also went swimming at the Blue Hole and learned about the Garifuna culture at the museum. We spent the last night at Caye Caulker once again to debrief. However all of the hotels were full so we ended up having to stay in an old run down shack. Funny stuff.
Great trip over all! Now I'm back in the states, great to be with friends & fam...I've been gone 2 months! Left the day after xmas. Nice to be able to drink tap water again, actually feel clean after showering, sleep in a comfy bed, & many other convinences. But I don't want to settle in too much, because then it's time to head off again! God keeps things interesting...so much work to do! Missional living...that's what it's all about. These last couple of months I've grown a lot. Realizing why I am here...it's not about being comfortable, it's about being out of your comfort zone, taking risks. If life is easy, then you must be doing something wrong. We're called to suffer and we will be persecuted...and we should welcome it with joy! My mom's friend, Judy Harper, and my cousin, Justin, have been an
My 2 shadows
The one on the left would follow me around, adorable! She was precious! Her mom cooked all of our breafasts during the week. inspiration to me in this.
So now I'm debating if I should move out to Phoenix with Jana for a couple of months until the summer in Belize. Praying about it. I go back to Belize in April for a mission trip. I'm in Dallas right now, so if you're in the area or not, call me! I've given up coffee and soda for lent, so if I'm a little moody you'll know why! 😊 Also, some friends & I are training for a triathlon this spring! Let me know if you'd like to join!
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Meg
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I can't quite Belize it...
So nice to hear all is going well. Keep up the amazing work, keep smiling your beautiful smile, and serving from the limitless depths of your gorgeous heart.