Greetings from Belize
Our time here has been quite an adventure! Molly, Dana and the group arrived safely in Belize City this past Friday morning. George Bryan arrived on a separate plane early afternoon and I arrived from California about an hour after George. He was waiting for me at the airport when I arrived. I don’t think George nor I have ever been more happy to see each other! Phillip, from Belize (an amazing guide arranged by the school) shuttled us to meet the group at the Anglican Diocesan center in Belize where we were to spend the night.
That was quite a night. The Diocesan center in Belize was VERY different than Talbot hall. We were exhausted and happy to have a roof over our head. I was very impressed with the groups endurance and willingness to adapt to our lodging situation. (no air condition and mostly no electricity because of a power outage)- BUT WE SURVIVED!!
Saturday morning we hit the road early and went cave tubing about an hour outside of Belize. We hiked for about an hour and entered the water at cave number four. Phillip again lead the way for us. Once we were in the water we formed a train with the tubes locking legs and arms together in formation for safety. This was a great metaphor that we more than ever were linked together now and must rely on each others gifts for the rest of the journey. We traveled through caves and eventually stopped where there were giant cliffs that we could climb and jump down into the water. Thank God for the risk takers in the group. Thomas Bilisoly, Alex Cady, and Doc Temple lead the way. Leader Molly began to climb and I with much fear and trepidation followed up for the jump. IT WAS AMAZING! There are many pictures to show when we get home.
A lunch of chicken, rice and beans was the staple of our day. (Those of us scheduled to take our malaria meds did so-Don’t worry Gillian–we received your message and Alex didn’t take his). Early Saturday afternoon we caught the Boat taxi from Belize City to Ambergris Cay. The water taxi was FAST- really fast! Francis, from Holy Cross School met us at the dock on the island with a big smile and hug. We checked into our lodgings (much different from the diocesan center in Belize City- Praise God!) It is right on the beach- BEAUTIFUL!) Our neighbors are from Eastern Shore Chapel in Virginia Beach. Molly reconnected with an old college buddy-she was very happy about that. We had dinner with the group from Virginia Beach and then crashed for the night after closing prayers.
Sunday morning we had breakfast together on the pier (above the beautiful clear amazing aqua waters). We met Francis at the school for a tour of the school and very thought provoking film about the small community of San Mateo, Belize. (where most of the students live) After the film Vernon (Francis’s husband) gave us a walking tour of San Mateo. There wasn’t a sound from the group. Words can’t describe what we saw. The community is built on top of water (and not in a good way) Homes didn’t have any running water, electricity, or sewage system. Homes were not what we think of. Often three families would live in a 12 x 12 structure that was put together with hardwood framing and tin. Many homes didn’t have windows or doors- yet still to them it was home.
The group from Good Shepherd and Eastern Shore Chapel had a communion service together.
Sunday afternoon was filled with swimming and relaxation time. By evening some teenagers from Belize had befriended the group from Norfolk and were cracking coconuts and sharing coconut milk and coconut with each other. The magic really began to happen. Throwing coconuts, balls, laughing, playing games, were the highlight of the evening. Ben Billisoly successfully climbed VERY HIGH in a coconut tree.
C.C. Pitts, Kendall Winn, and Ann Bryan met with the leaders and began to put together what Bible School would look like for the week. MAN- Their years of attending and volunteering at Good Shepherd VBS made them pro’s at this.
Leader Dana led evening wrap-up (what’s working/what’s not working). The group ironed out community kinks and committed to hit the ground running Monday morning with a VBS themed “I Gotta Be Me”. One more surprise! They each received their journals for the week with the photos and letters from home. They were quite excited and weepy with the gifts! I have seen them writing and drawing in them already at different points.
Monday morning the group rolled suitcases of art supplies, books, soccer equipment, and school donations down the beach in their “I Gotta Be Me” yellow t-shirts designed by Thomas Bilisoly. The group engaged the children with the question “Who Am I”? They used the story of David as the scripture story for the day. George, Thomas, and Doc got more than they bargained for on the soccer field as tons of local children piled in to play soccer along with the VBS children. C.C. and Molly let the “Who am I” dress up group. Armed with cameras and a small printer- each child was given a photograph of themselves to take home. I, with volunteers from Virginia Beach began the art projects for the week. Kendall Winn, Ann Bryan, Ben Bilisoly, and Alex Cady were instrumental in leading each group from station to station and learning each child in their groups name.
After VBS the group began doing construction work around the school. Installing hurricane ties, painting walls, painting roofing tin, and other projects.
Once back at “home” the group met up with their friends from Belize and played, swam, and shared an amazing meal together at a local eatery. After free time we closed with night prayers led by C.C. on the beach and were all sound asleep by 10:00.
Today was Day 2 of VBS. The theme was Who is my neighbor told through the lens of the Good Samaritan story. Camp wore us out but we still managed to do more construction projects at the school for a few hors. The group is on their way back “home” now. The plans are to rent two golf carts and take a sightseeing trip (beyond walking distance) around the island for a couple of hours.
Other than normal group “bumps” in the road our time together couldn’t be going better. Several are already talking about what they could do different to make next year better. Thanks again for your prayers and support. We will be in touch as the week goes on!
Peace and love,
The Belize Gang
