Donations

Thanks to those of you who set aside money that could have been used for a variety of things (both wants and needs) back home but you chose to improve the life of the local people here.
Donations thus far have been used for a variety of things.
An ECG machine was bought. It is the only one in the district of Corozal, including the local hospital. The district might be the size of Madison county but only has a population of about 50,000 – though it seems much larger due to more difficult transport.
Some was donated to the local grade school. Teacher salaries are currently 1 month behind, and so part was used to aid this.
Two duffel bags of medicines were brought. Money was used to buy some of it and also to facilitate its way through customs.
The ministry here is multi-pronged – spiritual, healthcare, education, and relational – and you have helped to enhance it.

Athan is now 1

We had a special joy to celebrate Athan’s first birthday with the office staff. Of course, we obtained the requisite “first birthday, face full of cake and icing” photos. He got a new riding car – though mostly we hope he will walk behind it to keep his hands off the floor!

More about Bats

Franciso blocked some entrances to the house, so we haven't had any bats for 2 nights now - though they can be heard scurrying in the attic. Some funny person said we were trying to decorate for Halloween with real bats – ha ha, very funny.

Random photos

Bats

There is a certain amount of tension felt when living in the third world – at least at first, and for some it never stops.
Among other things, the culture and people are different, requiring a constant effort to both fit in and try to avoid inadvertently offending someone.
Without A/C, the heat is inescapable, from morning through night – even for folks from Alabama :)
Furthermore, from 5 minutes after your shower until your next shower, an increasing reality of uncleanliness pervades.
There is also the fear of disease – this includes insect-related diseases found locally such as malaria, encephalitis, dengue fever, bott-fly infestation, etc. Also, several water-borne illnesses make even showering and brushing your teeth something done with apprehension.
Finally, there is at least a continual trepidation, if not fear, of the wildlife. In Belize, we have been told to be wary of small snakes, leaf-cutter ants, tarantulas, mongrels, etc. and bats – the last of which we had a close encounter times 4 last night. This doesn’t include boa’s and jaguars that are not supposed to come into our area!
Anyway, about the bats. Unlike the other houses in the area, our attic is apparently a preferred living quarters for the local bats. Yesterday, the maintenance guy blocked the outside entrances to the attic to keep the bats out. Unfortunately, the bats that were already there wanted out in the evening to feed - there only way out was through our house!
As you can see from the photos, our boys acted liked little school girls – hiding under the table. Bram, then true to form, fell asleep amongst all the commotion.
Hudson then reminded us that “God is always with us”. This was both a bold and searching statement but was also evidence of child-like faith – something Jesus told us is required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
All of the above-mentioned things may be small, either in part or collectively, but they all can`teach us to press towards Him.
So thanks be to God for sending us this and other trials.

First day in the Clinic

It is warm and humid here – one tourist remarked as we got off the plane that this is why we are here, but I think he will have A/C!
Saw a Jabiru Stork on our ride to the clinic – looked like it could give Hudson a run for his money.
Arrived to our home around six local time – we will be on M.S.T. until daylight savings and then on C.S.T. We were treated to a delicious and satisfying spaghetti dinner by one of the clinic missionaries.
The boys were “devastated” to not find gecko’s crawling around inside, until this one was spotted in a corner. Bram named him “Echo”. 
Church yesterday was in Spanish, which was hard to follow. Thankfully we have the translation to follow along with!
The first day of clinic is nearing an end. Standard clinic stuff - diabetes, hypertension, URI's, etc. One patient was told to return today to see an Internist - I was not allowed to tell them they were out of luck :(

Travel day

Currently we are hanging out in Dallas-Fort Worth. Four hour lay-over made more tolerable with play soldiers, lego, peanut butter crackers and blog access! Sent off by my Dad this morning - one day after major oral surgery, no less. Left only one bag at home but a trusty neighbor was able to bring it to the airport before take-off - it was the much anticipated EKG machine, so we were glad to have it. We are all eager to see what Belize and God has in store in for us.

<48hrs

Months of preparation and prayers has led us to this point - we leave in less than 48 hours! Most of the big details are taken care of - we now only have lots and lots of small things that hopefully we will do a good job of remembering most of them. Our next post will be from Belize. We have a couple of bags of medicines (thanks to Blessings International and Kingsway International) that we are anxious (Ps.139:23, Phil 4:6) about whether or not they will make there way through customs to the clinic. We are also excited to have been able to purchase a much needed EKG machine for the clinic through donations already given.

2004 Photos