Dallas-FortWorth

It is 6:05 am and we are at the Marriott in DFW.

Our original intention was to get into Nashville last night and drive home. But a late leaving plane from Belize resulted in a missed flight to Nashville and so here we are, though on American Airlines dime :)

Anyway, we felt a sense of accomplishment a couple of days ago concerning the work done in Belize. Our decision to go, the work done, the people affected, the experiences had and all in Christ's name.

Last night and today it feels as though we never left.

I am hopeful for lasting effects from this trip --- memories, fruit from our works and changed lives (ours included).

Pray that the latter is the reality, and it is not as though we never left.

Hasta luego

Today is our last full-day here.

These last few days have been filled with good-byes.

Yesterday we had a good-bye lunch with cake, fajita's and a slide show of our time here.

Today and tomorrow, we will say good-bye to the children to whom we have grown close.

We have also learned that there is a difference between "Adios" and "Hasta luego". Adios is a good-bye when there is no plan for seeing one another in the future. Hasta luego implies only good-bye for now.

So we have been sure to instead say "Hasta luego", as we hope to return or we will see them "en cielo".

LoC IX - Women's Conference

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending a woman's conference put on by Christ Presbyterian Church from Franklin, TN.

It was a first for the ladies in the surrounding villages and there were about 70 that attended. It was also at a nice resort which was a treat for us all!

Our theme verse was Zephaniah 3:17 ...

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.

(btw here is a great version of a song based on this verse)

The speaker and song leader was Diana Beach Batarseh (see here and here) who is also from Franklin, TN, but is originally from the country of Columbia.

Her focus was on the Beloved.

Some of her main points were ...

That the Creator made us to be with Him. We talked also about being image bearers and God's response to the fall--how the Savior quiets His beloved with love (how failure to fulfill the law and accusations from Satan are silenced through Christ). On the last day we focused on verses from Revelation. How the bridegroom rejoices over His bride and then a marriage feast occurs. We made flowered wreaths for our heads to lay at the feet of Jesus (you know I loved that one) & then finished things off with cake in celebration.

We had a time of worship before each session & there is a favorite song which I haven't been able to find a link to called Vestido Estoy de Amor del Senor (I am wearing the love of the Lord, i think).

We also had small group discussion of about 10 ladies--this was very special getting to know the hearts of these women.

I also got to see the strength & love of my husband who watched all four boys for over 20 hours during the weekend --- and they are all still alive!

Thanks Shane --- I learned a lot about God, myself and you!

LoC VIII- Green Thumb

When I think of gardening, the song For the Beauty of the Earth is what comes to mind.

I have really missed gardening at home. My yard with the changing color's, the evergreen's to make wreaths and various plants I have at home including hydrangea's, perennials and monkey grass. I am also curious about how things I planted this past fall are doing. I also miss the ladies at my gardening club, as well as those at church who talk "plants" with me.

When we arrived I noticed the house is edged with elevated flower beds. It had 3-4 plants, but was mostly covered in weeds. The heat & mosquitoes provided enough disincentive to keep me from redeeming this part of creation.

However, Shane & the boys bought me a plant for Christmas --- and they knew I couldn't just let it sit there. And then we came upon a nursery & I got a few more plants that I could divide.

So one cool day when my mom was visiting, I tackled the flower beds. It was nice to feel at home in this way, even far from home.

Some of the other photos are from gardens around our village and one with a lady holding the tool that is the gardeners friend here, a machete.

Jacob's Farm

This post is somewhat of a sequel to the earlier post labeled Women's Ministry.

Jacob's Farm is a farm for men in the community recovering from alcohol and drug addictions.

The farm is shepherded by Ishmael Vallejos, an elder in the Presbyterian church here, and brother of Lydia Vallejos.
The farm is run by Senor Mauro, a former alcohol and crack addict.
There are currently two other residents at the farm.

The farm itself consists of four tilapia ponds, numerous rows of fruits and vegetables (peas, cilantro, watermelon, etc.), a couple of pigs and some chickens. They attempt to be self-sufficient and sell many of their produce in town.

Their time is spent in prayer, bible study and farm work. This week the other two men are assisting in the renovation of the women's safe house already mentioned.

This would be a good ministry to pray for and support.

Athan's growth

As I have mentioned previously, we have staff devotional each morning before the clinic opens.

As a covenantal father, I have been pleased to see a change in Athan since we have come here.

Initially, he gave little care that Hudson, Bram, Grattan and I would leave him behind after breakfast to race over to the clinic for these devotionals.

Lately, his attitude has been much different. I did not realize how much he had wanted to join God's people for singing, scripture reading and prayer!

Women's Ministry

Lydia Vallejos, a lady in our church here, is involved in a pair of ministries in Patchacan.

The first is a store - it has been open less than 6 months. A local convenience store run by women who are part of an inter-denominational group in town. Pray that this would be a good source of income for these ladies and their family.

The second is a currently, as this is being typed, under-renovation women's safe house. There is an apparent need for this in this the community (like most around the world), often due to alcohol abuse by their husbands. Pray for safe, but sound, construction. Pray for effective use of this home. Pray for our Lord to come quickly so that this house will no longer be needed.

LoC VII - Food

We had mentioned previously that we ate a variation of rice, beans and chicken everyday. There is some truth to that, but not entirely ...

Above you will see the making of Tamales - something I like, though Shane is not too fond of.

We have also liked ... Black Chimole, Escabeche, fried plantains, Garnaches, Salbutes, fresh naranja's (oranges that are yellowish-green, not orange), fried rice with chicken, Ceviche, homemade fried tortilla's (Shane thinks he is getting these at home instead of the store bought - we will see :)), tres leche cake (three milk cake that I think I might develop a pregnancy craving for!), etc., etc., etc.

Below are some images of those foods listed above ... and please note, black chimole is much better than it looks!

LoC VI - Quiver-filling

I got a little behind in coming up with a blog update topic for Shane and he was getting antsy ... I think this will do!!

Psalm 127

Winding Down

We have 2 1/2 weeks to go here ... though it feels like we will be leaving tomorrow.

Please pray that we would finish our time here well. This would include both being faithful with the work we have been given to do and trusting God for the results of our work.

Please pray that short time of work here would bear fruit for years to come.

Please pray that we are remembered fondly by friends and staff and neighbors - but more importantly, that God is thought of and thought well of as a result of our influence.

Finally, pray that we are still open to be taught by God through people and events here. There is much for us to learn.

Thanks.

San Pedro

Just got back from a 3 day trip to San Pedro. It is the destination hot spot for those coming to Belize seeking the beach, world class diving or fishing.

It is also where we met up with my Mom and brother.

We had a good time - there was ... playing at the beach, souvenir bartering and buying, catching up, relaxing, barracuda fishing and eating, feats of strength and enjoying each other.

The best thing that can be said about the weather was that is was warmer ...

Busy Times

We are in the midst of a 2 1/2 week visit from our families.

Jean Lamb, Charity's Mom, came in last Tuesday. She left yesterday.

When she opened her suitcases, it was like Christmas and birthday's and a big party rolled into one.

Gum, DVD's, dinosaurs, soccer balls, raisenette's, art supplies, under-roos, clinic supplies, etc., etc., etc.

We have had the pleasure of having her join us at morning devotions, playing with the local kids and catching tarantula's. Last weekend we took a riverboat trip to Lamanai (another Mayan site here) and she joined us for a New Year's celebration with the folks in Caledonia.

Mary O'Flinn, my Mom, and my brother Tiernan get in today. We will head over to the island, Ambergris Caye, to snorkel and play at the beach.

Both sets of families are a welcome reminder of home and we are glad God is showing us His love by their presence.

Snow in Belize

Just like in North America, we too are experiencing the effects of global warming ... er, I mean climate change.

Men are going to work in jackets, hats and gloves ...

We are having to wear long sleeve t-shirts during the day ...

A single bedsheet at night is no longer sufficient to keep us warm ...

I can no longer run shirtless, or with just a tanktop ...

I think thermometers are registering down to the high 50's ...

But I am just kidding about the snow :D

Neighborhood kids

We have been able to develop a good relationship with some of the local kids. As you may recall, this has stemmed from an invitation to Hudson's birthday party.

Anyway, they have been a real pleasure to be around.

They have been good to our boys in numerous ways. They have given them marbles, fed them fruit and made sure they are well-included in games to name just three.

We have had the opportunity to have a few movie nights and have watched Bolt, Kung Fu Panda and the new VeggieTales - Saint Nicholas.

They have been by our house to play and make crafts.

Tattoos my mom have sent me have been a big hit.

They have taught Charity how to properly fry tortillas and plantains.

They truly have been a blessing to our family.

Happy New Year's

We had the pleasure of celebrating New Year's at Jose's home.

Of course, we had pinata's.

We also burned a stuffed person (doll), which represented 2009.

We were given 12 grapes to be eaten at midnight, for 12 wishes for the new year - though this gringo didn't know you save the grapes until midnight!

There was an impressive fireworks display at midnight, too.

Cartera's

My friend, Rebecca Vallejos, works as a cleaning lady in the clinic three days a week.

On the side, she makes small purses (cartera's) out of old chip bags.

If you would like, I can get her to make you one.

They would come in whatever color you would like (red, green, orange, silver, blue, etc.), provided she can find the right chip bag.

Let me know if you would like one - they would cost you 10$ U.S., c.o.d.