Our team has been here for a few days now. We have settled in at the compound. Nothing is like what I expected!
I expected to have a hand sized spider crawl across the table at breakfast; instead we have lizards and toads the size of personal pan pizzas. (Neither has been on the table.). I thought we would have bugs crawling all over us in our sleep. They haven't been to bad. (Brooke did save Becky and Gerri from a 4" dragonfly.). I have not been chased by any snakes or crocodiles, yet.
We have only seen one iguana so far, not counting the plastic one inside the dining hall. (last night Yvette prepared us iguana and iguana eggs with dinner.) The egg was not anything I would ever choose to eat again...it was all yolk and gritty. The meat was very tasty, but it had a lot of fine bones similar to fish. When we passed out food, hygiene, and school supply packs some of the families gifted us with oranges and coconuts. I tried the fresh coconut water straight from the coconut...never again!
There are so many children here! It is heart breaking to see them wearing shoes that are worn out, if any shoes at all. Most of the children we have seen have been cleaner than I expected. In the poorer village we visited yesterday there were some exceptions. I've been warned that the children in the squatter villages will probably not be so clean.
Jesus is at work here. At the Sunday evening service I heard the sweetest music ever! The blend of the accents singing their heart out to Christ was amazing! He is working in me too! I can't begin to describe how blessed I have already been by this trip, even before we left!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Misty's Moments
So, we've been here for a couple of days now and things are surprisingly better than I thought! Hailey and I are sleeping in a cabana with two other ladies who are wonderful. It reminds me of camping when I was younger. There's no bathroom in our cabana, so we have to go to the bathhouse for restroom and showers. Last night I showered while standing in a couple of inches of water because the drains weren't draining. My apologies to the husband, but I wasn't alone in the shower. I was joined by a cricket and a moth (both sadly had drowned...did I do that?!). At least we have showers, right?! The days are really hot, and air conditioners are few and far between in these villages. We do have one in our cabana, but we only turn it on after dinner so we can sleep better.
Today we really began our work. We left early and headed to a small community center in Blackman's Eddy (I think that's how you spell it). Our puppet team performed for the first part of the program. I've watched these teens perform at home, and I knew they did a great job there (in the comfort of our air-conditioned church). It amazes me how well they do here with less than ideal conditions. I had no idea how much work goes into these productions!! These teens work hard and never complain! Anyway, as I was figuring out what my role was at this place, my sweet daughter had found 5 new friends who she was getting to know! Then, when the puppets started, she lead them to the front and sat with them during the whole show! She even had one of the littlest girls in her lap!! For those who don't know Hailey, she tends to be on the bashful side. How proud was I to see her take such interest in these kids who are so different from her. I was still figuring out my role when the puppets were done, then I met Jenny. She said she was 10, but she looked to me about 7 or 8. She wanted someone to help her, and it was my pleasure to take her from Play-doh to coloring bags to bracelets to necklaces. I got to share the salvation necklace beads to her, which was cute. She smiled and nodded as I explained it to her. At the end of the VBS time, she didn't want to leave. Hailey took our picture, so I will remember her long after we come back. Hailey also took a picture with her friend from Blackman Eddy.
After some walking in the villages around the community center, we were all very hot and feeling quite drained (not to mention starving!) How excited were we when we gotto the air-conditioned ice cream parlor!!! You could see the place we went on facebook (I think...they did have a sign that says to follow them on facebook) and it was called Western Dairy. Yumm-o!! I actually got a slice of pizza here, too. Surprisingly, Hailey turned down the pizza for her Nutella sandwich and 2 bologna sandwiches!! I didn't even know she liked bologna (did you CB?) We got a little more ice cream to go. That was exactly what I needed to get me ready for the next village.
Buena Vista was different from the morning VBS community. As soon as they saw our bus come through, they were literally running after us. We set up quickly with the same crafts as this morning, but the kids kept asking for more. It was another proud moment to watch Hailey take the inititative to help with face painting the kids! I was on supply patrol (watching the extra supplies so they didnt walk away). I was surprised at how many were there, and they just kept coming out of the woodwork!! What beautiful children they are down here, too. As supplies began disappearing...literally being taken, we changed gears to begin giving out the beans and rice, hygiene packs and school packs. We sent many families back to their home to get their packs, while others stayed to get theirs. I had the privilege of handing the moms their packs first. They had to line up single file, so we could monitor the giving (some would go through the line twice if allowed). Then, I got to give the kids their school packs and the not school-aged kids a beanie baby toy. They were so grateful for the little bit that we gave them. As we left, we got tot visit Rhonda's sponsor family. We gave them supplies and other goodies and asked to pray for them. The only thing she wanted us to pray for is peace for their family. Not more money or a better place to live or even better floors (than dirt)...but for peace. Amazing.
Overall, I'm enjoying the experience of sharing God's love with so many people who don't know Him. Interesting to me how much easier it is to share with those who I don't know rather than those I do know at home. As Hailey said, after I asked her why she was not as shy down here, "it's because they don't know me here!" I hope some of the ease of sharing here will follow us home.
Thanks to everyone who supported us before this trip and during our time here now. Love to ya'll at home! Goodnight Chris and Tyler!! Love and miss you both!
Misty
Today we really began our work. We left early and headed to a small community center in Blackman's Eddy (I think that's how you spell it). Our puppet team performed for the first part of the program. I've watched these teens perform at home, and I knew they did a great job there (in the comfort of our air-conditioned church). It amazes me how well they do here with less than ideal conditions. I had no idea how much work goes into these productions!! These teens work hard and never complain! Anyway, as I was figuring out what my role was at this place, my sweet daughter had found 5 new friends who she was getting to know! Then, when the puppets started, she lead them to the front and sat with them during the whole show! She even had one of the littlest girls in her lap!! For those who don't know Hailey, she tends to be on the bashful side. How proud was I to see her take such interest in these kids who are so different from her. I was still figuring out my role when the puppets were done, then I met Jenny. She said she was 10, but she looked to me about 7 or 8. She wanted someone to help her, and it was my pleasure to take her from Play-doh to coloring bags to bracelets to necklaces. I got to share the salvation necklace beads to her, which was cute. She smiled and nodded as I explained it to her. At the end of the VBS time, she didn't want to leave. Hailey took our picture, so I will remember her long after we come back. Hailey also took a picture with her friend from Blackman Eddy.
After some walking in the villages around the community center, we were all very hot and feeling quite drained (not to mention starving!) How excited were we when we gotto the air-conditioned ice cream parlor!!! You could see the place we went on facebook (I think...they did have a sign that says to follow them on facebook) and it was called Western Dairy. Yumm-o!! I actually got a slice of pizza here, too. Surprisingly, Hailey turned down the pizza for her Nutella sandwich and 2 bologna sandwiches!! I didn't even know she liked bologna (did you CB?) We got a little more ice cream to go. That was exactly what I needed to get me ready for the next village.
Buena Vista was different from the morning VBS community. As soon as they saw our bus come through, they were literally running after us. We set up quickly with the same crafts as this morning, but the kids kept asking for more. It was another proud moment to watch Hailey take the inititative to help with face painting the kids! I was on supply patrol (watching the extra supplies so they didnt walk away). I was surprised at how many were there, and they just kept coming out of the woodwork!! What beautiful children they are down here, too. As supplies began disappearing...literally being taken, we changed gears to begin giving out the beans and rice, hygiene packs and school packs. We sent many families back to their home to get their packs, while others stayed to get theirs. I had the privilege of handing the moms their packs first. They had to line up single file, so we could monitor the giving (some would go through the line twice if allowed). Then, I got to give the kids their school packs and the not school-aged kids a beanie baby toy. They were so grateful for the little bit that we gave them. As we left, we got tot visit Rhonda's sponsor family. We gave them supplies and other goodies and asked to pray for them. The only thing she wanted us to pray for is peace for their family. Not more money or a better place to live or even better floors (than dirt)...but for peace. Amazing.
Overall, I'm enjoying the experience of sharing God's love with so many people who don't know Him. Interesting to me how much easier it is to share with those who I don't know rather than those I do know at home. As Hailey said, after I asked her why she was not as shy down here, "it's because they don't know me here!" I hope some of the ease of sharing here will follow us home.
Thanks to everyone who supported us before this trip and during our time here now. Love to ya'll at home! Goodnight Chris and Tyler!! Love and miss you both!
Misty
Sunday, April 1, 2012
our first time out!
Today was our first time out of the compound. We visited a church that looked like Crosroads ( at least thats that what Mr. clay said.) The people at church were so nice and i found that when we do puppets,sing,or even a smile to people that have nothing they'll rejoyce! I found a very nice family that had a mother and two little girls that were sooooo cute.the mother gave me her prize position it was gift to her and it was suppost to be givin to her daughtres but she gave it to me. Can you believe it. Well know we're back at the compound and we're having a blast! We're getting ready for Sunday night service and V.B.S. We just had a soccer ball juggling match and Tracy beat Aaron.(ha ha Aaron and you said you can beat anyone!) Well thats all for know. BYE
-Hannah
-Hannah
April fools day from Belize
It's a beautiful morning with real scorpions and fakr spiders. It's hard to know what to believe with this group on April fools day. We had so much fun last night sortin rice and beans and lots of other supplies.slept really well as a matter of fact I didn't hear people screaming and chasing a scorpion in the shower I had just used, thanks God. We are headed off to a church service where the puppets will perform and we help the children make sock puppets. This afternoon we,re walking the village ,sorting supplies then church tonite.
Hi to Cory! Love Gerri
Hi to Cory! Love Gerri
Saturday / Day 1
We made it to Belize without any major problems....we got a little worried when one team member was told her passport was invalid - she needed to sign it. We didn't exactly make friends at the Atlanta airport or Belize City airport with our 100+ pieces of luggage (includes our carry-on). However, we made it safely (all team members) and all pieces of luggage. Praise God!
Great lunch at Cheers on the way to the compound in Roaring Creek. We met another team that had just arrived in Belize. They are going to be spending a week in LaGracia. We had hoped to visit LaGracia, but since this team will be loving on them and sharing the Word with them...we will be going to another village. They were super nice and my hope is that they plant many seeds in the village.
When we arrived at Roaring Creek, we immediately unloaded all of our luggage and unpacked/sorted supplies. WOW - there are a lot of supplies. THANK YOU to all of you who have donated!!!!
It is now Sunday moring and we are excited for our first full day in Belize. We will be going to church in Belmopan.
Great lunch at Cheers on the way to the compound in Roaring Creek. We met another team that had just arrived in Belize. They are going to be spending a week in LaGracia. We had hoped to visit LaGracia, but since this team will be loving on them and sharing the Word with them...we will be going to another village. They were super nice and my hope is that they plant many seeds in the village.
When we arrived at Roaring Creek, we immediately unloaded all of our luggage and unpacked/sorted supplies. WOW - there are a lot of supplies. THANK YOU to all of you who have donated!!!!
It is now Sunday moring and we are excited for our first full day in Belize. We will be going to church in Belmopan.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
One more day!
We are on countdown! Only one day until we lift off for Belize. Lifting each of you and your families in prayer! Are ya ready for Jesus to blow your mind and melt your heart? Be prepared! :)
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