Q and A part 1

Wasn't quite sure how to begin blogging so I thought that I might start with answering some of the common questions people have been asking me.

* How did I come to this decision to serve in Belize?
Last December, I decided that it was time for me to check out another short term mission trip for the coming year.  I had been to Nicaragua, El Salvador and to Costa Rica so going back to Central America seemed like a great place to begin looking.  I Googled the subjects of missions and education and immediately found PathLight International.  I served with about fifteen North American teachers in July and August, training and mentoring primary school teachers at an annual conference held in Belmopan.  It was then that I felt God's hand in guiding me to serve full-time in this area of the world.

I made one more trip to Belize in November and this really cemented my heart's plan to move ahead.  I had a wonderful meeting with the Directors of PathLight and had the amazing opportunity to meet with the Ministry of Education of the whole country to discuss teacher training needs.  We are sooooo excited to be a part of what the government is doing for educators in Belize. 

* Why now?
I asked myself the same question!  After much thought and prayer, the better question was Why not now?  When the opportunity presented itself to serve in Belize, the work seemed perfectly aligned with my passions and my experience.  I discussed the opportunities and challenges with family and friends and I believe that this was clearly God's plan.  I just needed to say yes.

* What will you be doing?
Well, the big idea is that I will be supporting, training, mentoring and encouraging educators who work with students in the rural schools outside of the capital city of Belmopan.  PathLight's mission is to bring hope to these impoverished people through education, breaking the cycle of poverty in this small nation.  This will mean spending time with teachers training in the areas of professional development needs, come alongside administrators with school-wide needs as well as encourage the hearts of these very dedicated educators as they work with students.  Specifically, this will mean modeling engaging teaching strategies, training effective planning, locating useful resources, planning small retreats, setting up conferences and the best part...loving on the beautiful children!


*  When will you be heading south?
Soon (and that is about as clear as I can be at this point).   As God is lining up both prayer and financial support, I will be able to define this better.  What I do know is that along with the people at PathLight, my family/friends and I are praying for sometime this spring.  We are so excited to begin this work and know that the timing will impact at what level we will be able to begin. 


* What is going to happen with Toby (my 17 year-old pup)?
Toby is happy to share that he will be a Belizean soon!  He decided that being a MD (missionary dog) was fitting during these last years and he hopes to find many children to lick!

Feel free to add questions and comments.  I look forward to sharing more about my adventure.
Blessings,
Marti