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!