July 10

 I think we last posted on Sunday morning - it was raining and Sunday school had been cancelled.   We spent a few more hours watching the puppies, putting out the trash, cleaning up, packing and Alvaro came to pick us up around 11.   We stopped at the neighbors to give them the key and got about 1/3 of the way to San Narciso (14 miles away) when Dale realized he had forgot his computer case back at the Zantingh's, so we turned around and stopped at the neighbors for the key before going back to the house for the computer.   Once we finally got to the Pott's house, where Elsa had made us a delicious lunch of chirmole with rice and horchata to drink.

 About 3:00 we all loaded into the bus (driven by Zair) for the 5 mile trip out to San Victor for the worship service.   Dale and Alvaro had gone on ahead to get the sound system set up.   Several of the women had prepared rice and beans for a dinner afterward.  A team from Florida had arrived on Saturday, and they also were going to follow us to San Victor where they would be spending this week working on a roof over the classrooms that were added last year to the San Victor church building.

Here Elsa is giving the driver of the team van directions to San Victor.   They decided to just follow the bus out.

 And here is what the road looked like for the 5 mile trip.   There was a lot of standing water in the cane fields from the rain that had fallen all morning.

The San Victor church was full for the service (having the 12 member team helped) but also several families from the village showed up, and the folks we had brought from San Narciso plus another truck load that had made the drive.

Alvaro did an excellent job, preaching in Spanish and English, on Ezra 8 about how the people of Israel and the Levites gathered for their trip back to the temple in Jerusalam. 

 After the service the Cokes and rice and beans were served up to the crowd and a very good time of fellowship was had.

Here is Elsa and Veronica dishing up the food.
We got to chat with another of our former students who had recently gotten married, his wife expecting a baby girl soon, and they have started attending church pretty regularly.  We encouraged them to continue to be involved with the church.

 Afterwards, we loaded everything back on the bus and made the trip back to San Narciso.    We had to say our good-byes to our Belize church family and they told us that we are such a blessing to them because we return every year to visit them and encourage them.   It is surely them who are a blessing to us!    Pray for the faithful members in the Belize Presbyterian churches that God would give them the patience and endurance they need in a very difficult culture.   It is a struggle for many of them to be faithful to the church, because they need leadership who will teach and model the Christian life.

This is a playground we passed at the San Narciso RC School - just to give you an idea of the rainfall we had on Saturday and Sunday.

We got up Monday morning and got ready to leave for Belize City.   But first Elsa and I went to get gas from the gas can man; stopped by the tortilla factory to pick up some masa for the empanadas the ladies were making for the team's Monday lunch; and took the masa over to Rosaura's house, where she and Alicia were already busy shredding the fresh cooked chicken for the empanadas.   I wish I had my camera along, the owner of the tortilla factory invited me in to see his tortilla machine and how it worked.  Fascinating!

Dale spent the last hour chatting with Alvaro over a breakfast of homemade tortillas with refried beans and scrambled eggs. 

A long day of travel with no real problems, but not enough time to eat more than the peanuts offered us on the flights.  

We are now home again!  

July 8

 It's a very rainy day in Belize!!   Sunday School has been cancelled, so we have a couple extra hours to pack up.    We are moving to the Pott's today and will spend the night in San Narciso before heading to the airport in the morning.    Hopefully the rain is slowing down and the sun will come out and the evening service in San Victor will not be cancelled.  There is a team that arrived yesterday to work on the roof at the San Victor church, so they will be going to the service in San Victor also.  A rice and beans meal will follow.

This may be the last update to our blog before we leave, since we don't know what kind of internet service we will have tonight.

This past week has been different in many ways to our prior trips, but it has been full of good visits with friends and we have been assured over and over that we are a blessing to the church here.

I didn't go into detail last night about the reception.  A wedding reception in Belize is usually held at the groom's parent's home where they have rented tents, tables, and chairs and decorated very festively.   Freinds of the groom's family prepare the food and it is served by the bridal party - especially the girls.   When you arrive a tray of unfrosted cake squares is passed around, then comes the glass of coke with a plate of chips and queso dip.   Then rice and beans or rellano is passed out as the main course.  The wedding cake is not cut until the next day and shared with neighbors and friends.
Last night just as the main course was being served, the clouds opened up and it POURED!   Everyone scrambled for shelter, but we were given special invitation to go into the house for shelter.   The bride and groom's table did not happen to be under shelter,  and it was soaked.   The bride ran inside and seemed to stay pretty dry, but most everything else was wet.  I felt so sorry for her, but once the rain eased up, the eating and partying went on.   If only words could explain the whole experience!

Till later -- Adios! 

 Busy day in Belize!    This morning we went to San Narciso for the final seminar and also the first video of Christianity Explored.    On the way to San Narciso this lizard showed up on our windshield - our new hood ornament! 

The morning went well, the small group was challenged by what Dale shared with them.  
Just as we were ending, some very dark clouds rolled in and it poured heavy rain.

We were invited to stay for lunch with the Potts - we had delicious escabeche which had been cooked over a wood fire.  Very tasty!

This afternoon we had the joy of attending a wedding of a former student, sister of my friend Elsa.    The wedding was supposed to start at 4, but did not get started until 4:45, when the bride showed up.    It was held in the Nazarene church.
The reception followed at the groom's home.
Here are a few pictures of the wedding.

Tomorrow we will have a full Sunday in San Narciso and San Victor, and will be headed home on Monday.

July 7

 It's Friday - got some more laundry done while Dale was preparing for this evening.   It was a nice breezy morning for drying towels!

After all the morning chores were done, we wen to RD's for some lunch and then we stopped by Norma and Nehru's house and had a nice visit with them.   They were getting ready for a "sleep-over" in their church (Nazarene) with about 60 youths.  We happened to know that the same church was also having a wedding rehearsal and being decorated for a Saturday wedding.  How both can go on at the same time in the church, I have no idea.  They didn't seem concerned.  

Later in the afternoon it was a trip back through town and on to San Narciso for the next seminar.
The group that came were the members of the San Narciso Church - primarily three families, the Potts, Serranos, and Patts.     They all were appreciative of what they were being challenged with.  

July 5

 This afternoon I went to the ladies Bible study in San Narciso.   We discussed what the differences were between a good shepherd (pastor) and a mal pastor, and also how important the shepherd is to the flock (pastor to the church).  We spent over two hours discussing what was on two pages of their Bible study book.   I really enjoy meeting with these ladies.    After the study, which Alvaro leads, the ladies spent another hour planning the meals they will serve when they host a team this coming week.   I left before they were finished.




Dale spent the time talking with Alvaro's eldest son who just graduated from Cornerstone a couple weeks ago.   He will go on to 6th form this fall, and in two years have an associates degree before continuing his education somewhere where else for his BA.

 This young lady kept the chart of the meal plans for next week on the chalk board.   She is always present when the church doors are open and plays the keyboard for church services.  

 Tonight we met Elsa and Tito and kids at Cactus Plaza for dinner.   We had a lot of fun with the kids - I'd love to bring them home with me!   Actually I'd love to bring the whole family home with us.

We walked over to the bay and had some fun - the kids kept wanting me to take their photo.

We also are taking care of the puppies - making sure they get food twice a day, and some water.
We won't be bringing any of them home with us, however!

4th of July

 We realized today that we have not been in the US for the past eight Independence Days!   We've forgotten how the holiday is celebrated.

Our day began about 3:15 this morning when we got up to say goodbye to our friends as they headed north to Cancun and they should now be in Toronto, Canada!   We miss them.  

Late morning we headed to Patchakan for lunch with the Itzab's, stopping first in town to buy a watermelon  and make a quick visit with Klara who  owns the print shop,

 We had a delightful time visiting with Kevin and Kristine.   Their mamita had helped Elsa prepare a rice and beans lunch for us.  (With watermelon for desert to add the July 4 touch.)  This family has become special to us and it is fun to see how the kids have grown over the past year.  Kristine will be in Infant 2 (first grade, I think) this next year.  She is a very bright little girl - who happens to still think I have artistic talent.




                                                                                          

 The friendship with this family is one of the reasons that keep us coming back each year.





 Pray for their spiritual growth - that they would be faithful to attend church. 

Tonight we went to Tony's by the Sea for dinner with Alvaro and Elsa.    As always, we had a wonderful time of fellowship with them.   It's nice to give them an opportunity to get away for a few hours from all the pressures of the church.   We want to support them with our encouragement and friendship .

July 3

 It's been a busy day!   Dale went to school this morning with Albert, and I stayed behind to help Romalda and Brittany with the laundry.   I am SO thankful for my washer and dryer.   Washing clothes here is very hard work - especially if you don't have an automatic washer.  

We were grateful that the threatening rain clouds this morning blew over.  There was a lot of wash to be done before they leave tomorrow for Canada.   No pics of the laundry process - sorry.

   Later in the afternoon, while we went to town to get  some vegetables for our dinner, the 'bush-hog' man showed up to cut the grass. -  land-scaping Belizean style.



We didn't even know this lizard lived close by, but he show up for a peek at the grass cutting excitement.

                      

Our hosts will be leaving us early tomorrow to fend for ourselves as they travel north to Toronto to visit family.   We will miss them- we are so thankful for their friendship and their generosity to us in many many ways.

July 2

 Monday morning trip to town with Romalda to pay bills.  The electric bill is paid at the bank, but you have to go to the BWS to pay the water bill, BTL to pay the phone bill, and then to another bank to pay her son's tuition for Jr. College.  It was over an hour of standing in lines.   I sneaked a photo of just a portion of the line at one of the banks.   I'm sure there was over  hour wait - probably 30 people total in this winding line that filled the lobby.  People just wait patiently.  Romalda was fortunate that they opened a separate line for those making tuition payments. 

 Tonight we were invited for dinner (salbutes) at the Nah home in Cristo Rey.   Hilario, someone we got to know on one of our first trips to Belize is now a proud grandfather!     He is a cane farmer, but also works as a night watchman at the clinic.    We always enjoy our time with this dear family.      The youngest daughter is going into Third Form at Cornerstone this fall.  She has always had one of the biggest smiles in Belize!

Danai, the mother of this cute little boy, was one of our students back in 2004-05. 

Dale went to school with Albert this morning and spent time under the shade trees working on re-arranging how to proceed with his seminars. 

We had our first opportunity to walk around Corozal town  this afternoon - to go into some of the stores, and to get Dale's stock of hot sauce.

July 1

 Sunday - a day of rest!  

The Presbyterian Church in Belize had a 25 year celebration today - all the churches in the country cancelled their own services today and everyone who was able made the  two hour trip to Belize City for a 9:00 am joint service at the Unity Church.  Because the buses were full, we did not go.  Instead we went to Sunday School and worship at a church close to town- a Baptist church.  It was a great opportunity to visit another group of believers in Belize.     

 After church we came home and Romalda made us some chirmole. (a black soup with chicken and vegetables) and we were all able to get some much needed rest.









Later in the afternoon we took a walk down the road to check out the charcoal making operation.

This is the structure they use to lay the wood they have cut from downing trees.   The wood is slow burning as smoke pours out the bottom.  We were told that if the structure caught on fire, it would all be ruined.

Also stopped along the way to take some picture of the beautiful blossoms.

And then we drove into town to enjoy some breezes on the pier.

Here is a picture of the moon peeking behind some clouds and casting a glow on the water below.

It has been a restful day!