Returning to Belize After a Great Summer

What a great summer we had here in Belize.  School got out for the children the last of June and it was time to sprint toward the finish line planning for the 2013 Teacher training Conference (TTC.)  We started planning back in November but the conference began in late July so all the last minute details needed to be finished up.  We were really unsure how many Belizean teachers would be coming into the beautiful Jaguar Creek facility to collaborate with the US volunteers.

The first week brought us about 55 middle school teachers (called upper division here) and we were off sharing reading, writing, math and science workshops.  Our volunteers were fabulous and worked so hard not to just teach but to connect personally with our participants. Some relationships were renewed and lots of new relationships were forged.  We felt ready for the second week.

To our surprise a total of about 165 teachers came for second and third weeks!  Our preschool school through standard 3 (similar to grade 5) teachers were kept busy learning about calendar, shared and guided reading, math centers, hands on science and the writing process.  Afternoons were full of electives on prayer, physical education and a whole host of other fun things to do to engage the students in learning.  Everyone, volunteers and participants worked and played hard together.  What an adventure!!!

Then it was off to the staff retreat in California.  We really enjoyed sharing stories and dreams between the on the ground Belizean folk and the supportive stateside folk. Lots of time for spiritual renewal and future planning.  And a few days in the sunshine did us all good.  Then I was off to Colorado to spend time with friends and family. 

But this blog is about returning to Belize! Upon my arrival, I was off to visit and reconnect with the schools and friends.  I enjoyed the kids running up and squeezing me tight.  I loved having my three young women (who live with me part time) sharing about the start of their school year and I have enjoyed hearing from new friends welcoming me back.  

What I really am amazed with is the excitement of teachers and administrators to get back to work.  I have been home three days and have heard from a number of teachers wanting assistance in their classrooms.  I have a meeting with a teacher who wants to develop and provide workshops with me. I have met with two administrators and have 2 additional meetings scheduled. I will also be meeting with area supervisors early next week. This is such a blessing as about this time last year, I felt very lost and alone. 

I am so blessed by the work that everyone did this summer at the TTC and actually everyone who has partnered with PathLight.  I feel that everyones' support and hard work has given our work additional credibility here in the Belmopan area and I am excited to be on the ground floor!

Please continue to pray and support the work happening here with the PathLight International team.  Between sponsoring deserving students, hosting hardworking volunteer teams and training caring and curious teachers, we are all having a positive, sustainable impact on this nation. 

Marti

P.S.  For you nature lovers... Sulema and I captured a Christ lizard (known to walk on water) running through our house today!! Oh and the termites have been eating my closet so had to get that torn out and fixed!  Life sure can be amazing down here!

 Being your Hands and Feet to a Nation in Need

Recent trips into the villages included delivering books to the schools. A few North American educators had worked with their local communities to donate new and gently used books for the schools we serve. Their hope was to provide some great children’s literature to brighten the eyes of these young learners and share their love and support to area schools. And that they did!

Driving about twenty five miles out from Jaguar Creek is a small village named Cotton Tree. Cotton Tree’s 2500 people are primarily from the Kriol culture, one of about five major culture groups in Belize. The Kriol people are direct descendants of African slaves and the British colonists. They survive mostly through very small family farms and manual labor jobs. Approximately 350 students in this village attend St. Joseph Roman Catholic Primary School. A primary school in Belize has eight grades and for many this will be the completion of their education.  As with many of the village schools, the resources are scarce and what they do have is often “tief” by outsiders. On this particular day, the principal was replacing the PVC pipes that had been taken over the weekend from the bathrooms.

Late that morning, we arrived to see the children all working hard in their classrooms. After dropping off multiple boxes of books in the office, we requested to deliver some of the books to the children in Infant 1, the youngest grade. With encouragement, we arrived at the busy classroom. At first the children were a bit unsure about us, but with their teacher’s guidance, they accepted the books that were placed in their hands. The room got really quiet as the children opened their books, flipping through and looking at the eye-catching pictures. They were drawn in and for a number of minutes you could hear a pin drop. Can you imagine 30 five and six year olds quiet for even a moment?

Then the rumbling started, they tapped their friends’ shoulder to share what they were seeing; dinosaurs, airplanes, kids kicking balls… some getting out of their seats showing their teacher and other students in the classroom. Their eyes were lighting up and they were trading books, sharing books and enjoying the time together. The teacher was reading a story with a couple of students. They listened to her name the objects in the pictures and they could not take their eyes off the pages. It was a great experience, sort of had that Christmas morning feel!

Later, this caring and supportive teacher took me aside and thanked our PathLight donors for sharing the books with her class. She shared that she had never gone to a PathLight Teacher Training Conference (coming up in a couple weeks) but was so pleased she had been chosen to go this year by her administrator. She shared that she is looking forward to developing a strong relationship with us and desires so much, to learn as much as she can to support the children in her care. That is what PathLight and the work I have been called to do is all about: Bringing hope to teachers and students through faith and learning.

Please consider being a part of this great opportunity to serve the world around us. Your donation allows me to serve here and to be your hands and feet to the teachers and children of Belize.

 

 

The Mystery of Mol

Living and adjusting to living in Belize has had its ups and downs. But I recently have had the most wonderful of experiences. Two of our college sponsored students, Sulema and Silvia shared with me a problem that they were needing to solve. You see, they needed to be in Belize City, about 75 minutes away from Belmopan, for a couple of their college classes that start at 8 am. Studying tourism means that some of their classes are here in Belmopan but for some they needed to make a daily bus trip.

Not a big deal, you might say, except that Sulema and Sylvia live in rural villages far from Belmopan and further from Belize City. The the first bus from their villages couldn't get them to class on time. After some prayer and a couple conversations, we decided to have them move in with me 4 nights a week. I live a 10-15 minutes walk from the bus terminal and they can catch a 6:15 am bus and make it to school on time.

They arrived last Sunday night, after having the rural bus pass them by and having to wait an hour for the next one. Their hands were full with bags of clothes for the week, school books and their contributions to our cupboards. Sylvia's family has a corn grinder and she brought 3 lbs. of fresh masa for corn tortillas. Sulema's family grows vegetables. She brought a fresh head of cabbage and lots of tasty cucumbers. She told me her dad was concerned that she didn't have enough and went back to the farm to add to her bag.

Living most of my adult life alone and never having children myself, I wondered how I would adjust. And the answer is... I am loving it! These are the sweetest young woman and they make me laugh so much. The best part was on Thursday evening. I sent them a text telling them that I missed them already. After a few fun texts back and forth, I received one that confused me. It said " may you rest and have a good night then mol." I thought 'Did she spell 'mom' wrong or what?' I moment later, the mystery was solved. It said "mol means sweety love mami, in my culture." Yep, I lovin' it!

Sharing Hearts

This evening, I sat with a new Belizean friend who has lovingly accepted me into her world.  She is a faithful servant of the King, who shared some of her struggles with me.  During our conversation, she shared that she was choosing to avoid church this evening because she didn't want to be fake.  She is struggling with a number of issues and knew that her church family would caringly ask her how she was doing. She knew she would tell them that she was fine, even though that was not the whole truth.  She wants to be fine and knows that her church friends want to be supportive, but the timing of sharing was not right and she just didn't want to put on an act. 

I was honored that she was willing to share a bit with me but as I returned home this evening, I kept thinking about her struggle to attend services with her husband and children.  By the way, her struggle was not with him!  This made me think about my own hesitancy to share my struggles with my friends.  Like this kind woman, I choose not to share my struggles with people as I do not want to be a burden to them.  I do not want to be a "Debbie Downer".  But, really, am I just being unfair to my friends?  Am I selling them short?

What really makes a friendship real?  How does one deepen friendships, if we are only willing to share parts of ourselves?  Do our friends only want to be our "good time friends" or are real friendships a balance of fun and sharing of our deeper hearts?

I think that I am selling some of friends short.  I am not trusting that they care enough about me that they want to support me through my lonelier moments or the challenges of my life. I see myself as someone who wants to support my friends but I am unwilling to let them have that opportunity.  The truth is, I didn't have any sage advice for my friend and you know what, she didn't necessarily want me to solve her problems.  But she gave me the privilege of hearing her share her heart and the privilege of being able to encourage her and let her know that I cared.  I felt that she gave me the gift of deepening friendship.

So tonight as I write this, I have learned an important lesson.  Sharing my burdens with those that I care about doesn't have to be a burden to them, but it might actually be a gift of trust!

 

Loss of a Good Pal

Who would have known almost 18 years ago that this special little puppy would fill my life with so much joy?  Today, I made the decision that my little old puppy, Toby, was ready for doggy heaven.  When I came to Belize, I knew that it was probable that I would lose him here and I was right. 

As you know, Mr. Tobyman would have turned 18 years old in November.  He was a snuggly puppy whose favorite spot in Belize was on the one pillow I brought from home.  He settled in well once we moved into our house at #2 Baboon Avenue here in Belmopan.  But he was old and life was mostly about sleeping. 

About four days ago I saw a change in the quantity of food he was eating (he always had a pretty healthy appetite for a 7 lb. pup.)  I could not get him to eat anything the last couple days and he stopped drinking yesterday morning.  After many tears and prayers, I realized that even if I could get him through this illness, he was not really living a full life anymore.

An incredibly empathetic veterinarian and I held and petted little Toby as he slowing drifted off to sleep and eventually passed.  I told him that he was going to see my little Maggie dog. 

I am very sad yet sure that a compassionate decision was made.  I know that he will be missed by not only me but by many of you.  Thank you for caring.  I miss my little Tobester. 

The Rana

Coming home this evening to my new home in Belmopan, I was startled by some movement in my yard.  I looked to see if it was a cat or a lizard, but could see nothing that would make that crackling sound.  Toby and I went to the other area so he could take care of business and I heard the sound again.  I turned to see the biggest frog (probably a toad) sitting on piece of wood.  Looking at Toby who is 6.5 pounds, I would guess that this frog was close to 2.  He was so calm and tolerated my flashlight in his eyes.  Later, Toby, during his second visit outside, was exploring.  We found him just staring at this huge amphibian, which is impossible since he is blind.  But even Toby found this peaceful creature interesting.  I really am still surprised by the amazing expression of God’s creation here in Belize.

Chocolate, an International Treat

Today, Adrienne and I had a great experience at the water company.  We went to get the water turned on at my little house and were told that it would take three to five business days after we returned with a rental receipt.  We were a little disappointed as I was hoping to move in this weekend and start shopping for dishes and things to settle me in.  Also, we have so much we want to do with the schools next week. 

Adrienne and I were joking in the car that maybe we could gain favor with her famous chocolate chip cookies.  We returned with the rental receipt mid afternoon and kept the joke going by sharing with the two young men at the water company that we would bring them chocolate cookies if we could have it a little sooner.  Initially, there was little response.  Adrienne then shared that she "makes a mean chocolate cookie" and their interest was piqued. 

With a sly little smile, the gentle man shared , " No promises, but you might want to check this evening..."  Well, we had Dion who lives a couple streets away check at about six (right before dark).  Lo and behold.. I have water!

Guess who are going to be looking for chocolate chips tomorrow!!!