It’s been a long and busy day. I’m rewinding and trying to find an anecdote that captures the essence of the day. I’m not sure there’s one that will do it.
Might it be the conversation with the school principal at Gales Point who just wants clean water for her kids to drink? She couldn’t even provide us a sample because today there was no water. The pump was not working and she didn’t know why.
Or Karl, the operator who rode two miles on Ray’s lap to the pump house for the Gales Point well, and fired up the diesel generator to power the electric pump to pump the water so we could get a sample. Oh, by the way, since the pump is running, let’s go ahead and fill the water tank.
Or maybe the Nazarene lay pastors who hosted us for lunch (stewed chicken and rice and beans…or beans and rice). They listened intently as we outlined the role of Living Waters for the World.
Ramon, a former cop and bar owner, and a recent convert to Christianity, was impressive in his passion for his faith and his community. He’s setting up an internet café, the first in his community and promises to have his own email address on March 9. He wants very much for us to “approve his application” for a Living Waters system so his church can provide affordable clean water to the disadvantaged in his community.
Maybe Rebekah Pound, niece of a Nazarene “pioneer” missionary who came to Belize over 30 years ago. She came to Belize over 6 years ago to do recovery work for Hurricane Iris. She stayed and started a High School. She talked with us intently about wanting to do good for the people of the villages of southern Belize. She thinks water might be a part of that picture.
Or Jerry Parham, village elder rice grower and school bus driver in Mafredi. He opened his house to us for dinner, accompanied by four surprise (to us) house guests from Kentucky who we hadn’t expected to meet. Then he offered to let us sleep in the house with his wife and son and granddaughter (and Kentucky guests) when it was discovered that the killer bees living behind the church had migrated inside.
Or maybe Ray Hopkins, extravert extraordinaire, who hobnobbed with everyone in sight, brought a smile to many faces through the day, and pestered the innkeepers at a hotel in Punta Gorda (we couldn’t take advantage of Jerry’s genuinely gracious hospitality) to find us a place with rooms available. And who decided after we’d checked in to another hotel, to pay a visit to the owner when the night manager told us he couldn’t honor the 10% discount that the first innkeepers had negotiated for us. I still don’t know the outcome of that story.
The bottom line: if the remaining trip is as adventure filled as today, I’ll come home exhausted. With a big and satisfied smile on my face. God is good.
Dan Terpstra
Friday, February 20, 2009
On the Mission Circuit!
We covered a lot of ground today. Most of the others did the heavy lifting. I’ll let Dan provide the gory details. The first stop struck me as the most frustrating. The poverty was significant and our primary task was to convince people of very limited resources that they needed to be concerned, and ultimately pay for, pure water (that’s why I’m a LWW tech person and not a people person).
We visited a number of villages, took many water samples and drove on miles and miles of dirt roads. We finished the day at the Hope Mission Center and were surprised to find our contacts from Kentucky came down here to work at the last minute (they say hi, Tim). Things took a further surprising turn when our lodging for the night, the local Methodist church, turned out infested by killer bees. Our host offered to put the five of us in his living room along with housing four from Kentucky but we opted to drive up to the nearest “big” city and get some hotel rooms for the night.
We’re on the coast so we should see another great Belizean sunrise tomorrow. We’ll hit a few more villages at the southern most end of our travels before heading up to the Yalbac area on Sunday.
Peace to all,
Dave
We visited a number of villages, took many water samples and drove on miles and miles of dirt roads. We finished the day at the Hope Mission Center and were surprised to find our contacts from Kentucky came down here to work at the last minute (they say hi, Tim). Things took a further surprising turn when our lodging for the night, the local Methodist church, turned out infested by killer bees. Our host offered to put the five of us in his living room along with housing four from Kentucky but we opted to drive up to the nearest “big” city and get some hotel rooms for the night.
We’re on the coast so we should see another great Belizean sunrise tomorrow. We’ll hit a few more villages at the southern most end of our travels before heading up to the Yalbac area on Sunday.
Peace to all,
Dave
We've Arrived
We've arrived safe and sound in Belize.
Deju vu all over again (see my first post during last years trip). Our flight was delayed out of Knoxville and we only had a forty five minute lay over in Atlanta to begin with. A rush through the Atlanta airport but we made it okay.
We met up with Pat in Atlanta (he actually spotted me, I guess I looked distinctly Presbyterian) and Ray was waiting for us outside the Belize airport with the car already to go.
Beautiful drive to our first night's stop. A little cramped with five guys plus luggage in a small SUV. We'll be drawing straws to see who drives, who gets shot-gun and the loser sits in the middle in the back.
We stopped for a late lunch in Belmopan. We all had "Cow's Foot Soup". Quaint name. I won when I discovered a good size bit of "hoof" at the bottom of the bowl.
We then stopped in Armenia. The water system wasn't in terrible disrepair. The brass faucets had been removed but not broken off. Unfortunately it also looked like the tanks hadn't been used in a while. They were empty and the tie-down straps were missing (maybe they disappeared when the faucets were taken). On the up side the last large tank (the one Ben climbed inside to clean) had been plumbed into the bathroom in the Community Building.
We proceeded through the mountains on Humingbird Highway south of Jaguar Creek (the direction we didn't typically drive). The last seven miles were on a dusty durt road and we ended up at a small church camp for the night.
Today we're off to investigate a few potential water sites.
Peace to all,
Dave
Deju vu all over again (see my first post during last years trip). Our flight was delayed out of Knoxville and we only had a forty five minute lay over in Atlanta to begin with. A rush through the Atlanta airport but we made it okay.
We met up with Pat in Atlanta (he actually spotted me, I guess I looked distinctly Presbyterian) and Ray was waiting for us outside the Belize airport with the car already to go.
Beautiful drive to our first night's stop. A little cramped with five guys plus luggage in a small SUV. We'll be drawing straws to see who drives, who gets shot-gun and the loser sits in the middle in the back.
We stopped for a late lunch in Belmopan. We all had "Cow's Foot Soup". Quaint name. I won when I discovered a good size bit of "hoof" at the bottom of the bowl.
We then stopped in Armenia. The water system wasn't in terrible disrepair. The brass faucets had been removed but not broken off. Unfortunately it also looked like the tanks hadn't been used in a while. They were empty and the tie-down straps were missing (maybe they disappeared when the faucets were taken). On the up side the last large tank (the one Ben climbed inside to clean) had been plumbed into the bathroom in the Community Building.
We proceeded through the mountains on Humingbird Highway south of Jaguar Creek (the direction we didn't typically drive). The last seven miles were on a dusty durt road and we ended up at a small church camp for the night.
Today we're off to investigate a few potential water sites.
Peace to all,
Dave
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Advance
Thursday evening
We made it to the Advance Mission at about 5:30 this afternoon. It took a bit longer than anticipated, but this is Belize. Ray encouraged us to take Hummingbird Highway instead of the Coastal Highway. Judging from the 7 miles we finally did travel on the dirt and potholes of Coastal, that was probably the right choice. Isidro and his wife cooked up a delicious dinner of chicken with rice and beans (or is it beans and rice?) while the five of us settled into a dorm built for 32. After dinner Ray Neu joined us to explain his role in teaching lay pastors to more effectively minister in the area and his interest in helping us with clean water systems. He provided us with a new tidbit of information: Barry Bowen’s Crystal Water is now available as refills for $2 BZ for a five gallon jug. That’s very cost competitive and raises the question as to whether we should try to compete with those prices. This may lead us to consider focusing on areas where Crystal is not readily available; too small or remote.
We learned a great deal of valuable and interesting information from Ray and Ray today. It’s kinda overwhelming to try to absorb it all. Tomorrw the plan is to visit a government school in Gales Point about 10 miles north of here. The principal filled out a Water Issues Survey and we want to complete the picture with a water sample. After that we’ll head to Mafredi, stopping in Hope Creek for another water sample and in Silk Grass to pick up a Survey to go along with it.
I’m looking around the room. Everyone else is asleep, or at least trying to. I suppose I should turn off the lights. Good night.
Dan Terpstra
We made it to the Advance Mission at about 5:30 this afternoon. It took a bit longer than anticipated, but this is Belize. Ray encouraged us to take Hummingbird Highway instead of the Coastal Highway. Judging from the 7 miles we finally did travel on the dirt and potholes of Coastal, that was probably the right choice. Isidro and his wife cooked up a delicious dinner of chicken with rice and beans (or is it beans and rice?) while the five of us settled into a dorm built for 32. After dinner Ray Neu joined us to explain his role in teaching lay pastors to more effectively minister in the area and his interest in helping us with clean water systems. He provided us with a new tidbit of information: Barry Bowen’s Crystal Water is now available as refills for $2 BZ for a five gallon jug. That’s very cost competitive and raises the question as to whether we should try to compete with those prices. This may lead us to consider focusing on areas where Crystal is not readily available; too small or remote.
We learned a great deal of valuable and interesting information from Ray and Ray today. It’s kinda overwhelming to try to absorb it all. Tomorrw the plan is to visit a government school in Gales Point about 10 miles north of here. The principal filled out a Water Issues Survey and we want to complete the picture with a water sample. After that we’ll head to Mafredi, stopping in Hope Creek for another water sample and in Silk Grass to pick up a Survey to go along with it.
I’m looking around the room. Everyone else is asleep, or at least trying to. I suppose I should turn off the lights. Good night.
Dan Terpstra
On our Way
We're in the air over Atlanta and the captain has just announced that we can use approved electronic devices. So out comes my computer. I've got a choice. I can write another entry for the blog. Or I can write an update on the Community Garden for the Banner. Blog sounds more fun.
Mary Mullins delivered us safely to the airport this morning, where we cooled our heels waiting for departure. We sat on the ground for a half hour waiting for clearance from Atlanta. A bit unnerving, since we only had a 45 minute layover. We made it, after a mad dash up the escalators to our gate. And we even got a chance to meet Pat Montgomery, albeit very briefly, before boarding.
I’ve got a window seat, and I must not be composing my thoughts too quickly, because I can see the Florida coast as I glance out the window. Soon we’ll be in Belize. I’m trying to focus on today and not look too far ahead.
An email yesterday from our host for tonight, Ray Neu, indicates that he’s been busy. He says he’s got several completed Water Issues Surveys from locations in our area, and recommends that we stop at a school on the way to Dangriga to talk with the principal who is interested in a water system.
Valerie Osborne, our contact for Mafredi, tells us that although there’s no café or restaurant in the village (just a church, a school, two shops and four houses), the local families are excited about our visit tomorrow and planning to cook for us. She says we’re in for a treat.
Another email message last night indicates that Ray Hopkins, our Swarthmore partner, is still negotiating a place to stay for Monday night. One of the families of Yalbac has a resort near Cristo Rey, and a camp near Yalbac. We’d like to stay overnight at the camp while we’re negotiating with the village about the water system, but so far the price we’ve been quoted for the camp is higher than for the resort. We’ll need to see what happens here.
We’ve picked up a solid cloud cover, so there’s nothing to see out the window. I hope it breaks before we get to Cuba. In the meanwhile I suppose I should write that garden article.
Dan Terpstra
Mary Mullins delivered us safely to the airport this morning, where we cooled our heels waiting for departure. We sat on the ground for a half hour waiting for clearance from Atlanta. A bit unnerving, since we only had a 45 minute layover. We made it, after a mad dash up the escalators to our gate. And we even got a chance to meet Pat Montgomery, albeit very briefly, before boarding.
I’ve got a window seat, and I must not be composing my thoughts too quickly, because I can see the Florida coast as I glance out the window. Soon we’ll be in Belize. I’m trying to focus on today and not look too far ahead.
An email yesterday from our host for tonight, Ray Neu, indicates that he’s been busy. He says he’s got several completed Water Issues Surveys from locations in our area, and recommends that we stop at a school on the way to Dangriga to talk with the principal who is interested in a water system.
Valerie Osborne, our contact for Mafredi, tells us that although there’s no café or restaurant in the village (just a church, a school, two shops and four houses), the local families are excited about our visit tomorrow and planning to cook for us. She says we’re in for a treat.
Another email message last night indicates that Ray Hopkins, our Swarthmore partner, is still negotiating a place to stay for Monday night. One of the families of Yalbac has a resort near Cristo Rey, and a camp near Yalbac. We’d like to stay overnight at the camp while we’re negotiating with the village about the water system, but so far the price we’ve been quoted for the camp is higher than for the resort. We’ll need to see what happens here.
We’ve picked up a solid cloud cover, so there’s nothing to see out the window. I hope it breaks before we get to Cuba. In the meanwhile I suppose I should write that garden article.
Dan Terpstra
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Back To Belize
It's Tuesday night as I write. Weather.com says its 47 degrees. In Belmopan, the capital of Belize, it's 73, On Thursday morning three of us, me, Dave Mullins, and Chuck Hadden, will be headed back to Belize. I can't wait. This will be Dave's second trip, Chuck's fourth, and my third. Our main goal this time is to make sure everything's in place for a water system installation in late April, but we'll be covering a lot of other ground as well. This is the third trip I've planned since 2005, and in many ways it's both the easiest and hardest. There are far fewer of us to worry about, but the agenda is far more fluid and open ended.
As in the past we intend to blog the experience as we go, and hope you'll follow along. Don't forget, you can also post comments so we can get a bit of feedback. This first entry will set the stage, introduce some additional players, and give you an idea of where we'll be when.
Come Thursday morning February 19, bright and early, we'll convene at the church, declare a quorum, and prevail upon Mary Mullins to take us to the airport. By mid-morning we'll be scanning the Atlanta airport looking for Pat Montgomery, pastor of 1st Presbyterian, Cody WY. He'll be our travelling companion for the rest of the trip. By early afternoon we'll be basking in the balmy Belizean air and scanning the arrivals area for Ray Hopkins, retired Political Science Professor from Swarthmore, and member of the Swarthmore Rotary. He should have our rental SUV and be ready to take us to our first destination.
In a little less detail, here's where we'll be spending the rest of our week:
Dan Terpstra for
the LWW Belize Team
As in the past we intend to blog the experience as we go, and hope you'll follow along. Don't forget, you can also post comments so we can get a bit of feedback. This first entry will set the stage, introduce some additional players, and give you an idea of where we'll be when.
Come Thursday morning February 19, bright and early, we'll convene at the church, declare a quorum, and prevail upon Mary Mullins to take us to the airport. By mid-morning we'll be scanning the Atlanta airport looking for Pat Montgomery, pastor of 1st Presbyterian, Cody WY. He'll be our travelling companion for the rest of the trip. By early afternoon we'll be basking in the balmy Belizean air and scanning the arrivals area for Ray Hopkins, retired Political Science Professor from Swarthmore, and member of the Swarthmore Rotary. He should have our rental SUV and be ready to take us to our first destination.
In a little less detail, here's where we'll be spending the rest of our week:
- Thursday night finds us at the Advance Mission north of Dangriga about halfway down the Belizean coast. We met Ray Neu at the car rental place last March and when we mentioned water, he asked us to come for a visit.
- Friday night, the 20th, we'll be sleeping in the church at Mafredi, a small village about 17 miles inland from Punta Gorda in Southern Belize. Wil Howie and Tim Myrick met Mitch and Valerie Osborne at a LWW Appalachia meeting last November and they insisted we needed to visit their Hope Mission in Mafredi to explore the possibility of a water system.
- Saturday afternoon and evening is early R&R in Placencia which, according to Ray Hopkins is one of the prettiest beaches in Belize. We'll let you know.
- We hope to stop in at Jaguar Creek on Sunday to say hi to Matteo, even though Mark and Adrienne, our hosts from last year will have left for the States on Wednesday. We also plan to stop in Armenia and get a few pictures of the water tanks and laundry facility.
- By Sunday night we'll be in San Ignacio where we'll be based for most of the upcoming week. It's the largest town in West Central Belize. From here we'll be working on finalizing plans for a water system in Yalbac, a village about 20 miles north. We also hope to have time to visit our friends in Cristo Rey, south of San Ignacio and further discuss a future relationship and possible water system.
- On Friday February 27 we head back to Belize City to drop Ray at the airport. From there the remaining four of us head north to Orange Walk. We'll meet with the principal of the Presbyterian Day School Saturday morning with the hope of laying the groundwork for restarting the Living Waters system installed there in 2003.
- Finally on Sunday, March 1, it's back to Belize City and then back to the States.
Dan Terpstra for
the LWW Belize Team
Monday, March 31, 2008
Cristo Rey
We turned right from Santa Elena and headed south toward Cristo Rey. We had just driven a loop over the low steel plate bridge on the
My brief phone conversation with Jamie the night before had provided our directions. We were to look for a park on the right side of the road after entering Cristo Rey, and then ask the first person we saw where Atiliano Jones lived. I spotted the park, and pulled the SUV in front of a small tienda a few hundred yards down the road. Peggy and I got out and asked after Atiliano, as instructed. The shopkeeper pointed to a small blue house across the street. We’d found our destination with 20 minutes to spare. As we walked up to the blue house, we saw Atiliano stride out from the porch of a house two doors down. He was a striking figure, large and athletic. His button-down shirt and slacks made me self-conscious in my t-shirt and shorts.
Atiliano invited us to share the porch of his bother’s house while we made small talk and waited for the chairman of the water board to arrive. He was obviously uncomfortable with these strange Americans who not only arrived on time, but even came EARLY.
After several uneasy glances at Atiliano’s watch, the water board chair, Jesus Guerra, came roaring down the trail behind the house in a beat-up pickup truck. We reconvened at the community center with his nephew, the chair of the village council and settled in to talk water. Jesus’ two main concerns were that it would cost too much in electricity (very expensive in
Thinking that I was in for a wild ride, I was surprised when we pulled into a homestead not much more than a stone’s throw from the porch where the others now sat, but back in the woods on the bank of the river. Two boys were cutting palm fronds to rethatch the palapa next to the house. Jesus invited me in. It was small – three rooms – and shabbier than Atiliano’s brother's. Half a dozen dogs kept me preoccupied while Jesus found his daughter and had her give me her hotmail address for future email communications. I asked her how often she checked it, and in a worldy tone she answered “Oh, at least once a week, sometimes more!”
Jesus delivered me back to Atiliano, and we walked to the house between his blue house and his brother’s house. His mother greeted us at the back door and ushered us into the kitchen. A bowl full of tamales wrapped in plantain leaves was served up, along with water that we were assured came straight from the cistern.
It was a morning of hospitality. Shared food, shared conversations and a shared sense of community permeated our visit. Although poor, Cristo Rey did not feel impoverished. In fact in many ways it seemed to provide a richer lifestyle than the ones we aspire to in suburban
- dan terpstra
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Blocks
Thinking back...
Monday Morning Construction
Task one for the week is to build a concrete block platform for the fourth water tank; the one currently perched haphazardly near the laundry building. Three years ago it sat on a wooden platform next to the
The two guys from Jaguar Creek (I wish I knew their names) are busy measuring and staking out the footings for the platform, a job that requires skills and knowledge we don’t have. We cut a few stakes for them, using Dave and Charica’s window shutter lumber, but soon run out of work. I see a stack of concrete blocks in front of the building. Sooner or later they’ll be needed for the platform. I decide to move them. It’s make-work, but necessary.
“Sarah, Matt – let’s move these blocks” “OK, How do you carry them?” I instruct the college kids to hold one block in each hand, careful to keep them away from your legs. Watch out, they’re rough. Walk slowly, you don’t want to trip.
I hoist a block in each hand and turn to make the trip to the back of the building. Directly in front of me is a little guy, all bright eyes, big smile and bare feet. He looks up at me with a toothy grin. “Sir! Sir! I can help?” It isn’t a question as much as a request. I have my doubts. The blocks are nearly half his height. But he is so eager. I try to work out how he’s going to carry such a large and heavy object; one hand on each end? He shakes his head vigorously and turns his back to me. He lifts his hands back behind his head and waits. I finally catch on and place the block between his hands, the weight resting on his back. He scampers off across the construction site, a trip he’ll repeat more times than I will as I try to keep him busy and happy.
I find out later from Sarah that his name is Miguel and he’s 5 years old. He spends the day with us, eagerly helping in any way he can (and cajoling a push on the swings from Sarah whenever he can). There’s a lesson in Miguel’s eager participation that I still haven’t quite put my finger on. I wonder about the metaphor of the concrete block. What blocks in our lives prevent us from living as fully and joyfully as I saw Miguel live on Monday? What tasks do we decide are too tough or too big to tackle, instead of saying “Sir! Sir! I can help!” Here I am Lord. Send me.
- dan terpstra
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The trip home - from Nancy
We may have been delayed, but we got home safely and that's what counts. There were 7 of us who arrived at the airport in Belize City on Saturday in plenty of time for our flights back to the United States. Anne, Catherine, Emily, and Lauren were flying American Airlines and they were departing before Joanie, Erin, and I. The employee came over the intercom to announce it was time for them to board and we gave hugs and they were on their way. We watched their plane take off and everything seemed in order...
Our plane (U.S. Airways) was supposed to board at 11:45 a.m. so that we could depart at 12:15. People started standing up about that time and were crowding around the counter, so we figured it was time to board and followed suit. It wasn't long until we heard the word "delay." Apparently the airport was low on fuel and we would only have enough fuel to fly to Cancun where we would refuel for the rest of the trip. This is not the weekend to fly into Cancun - spring break, anyone? We would not be leaving Belize City until 2:00 and would hopefully get into Charlotte at 7:55. That would work - maybe - our flight to Knoxville was scheduled to leave Charlotte at 8:20 p.m. Could we clear customs in record time? Not to worry... the plane trip to Cancun took a long time because of the lack of fuel (we flew slowly) and it took quite a while to refuel once we got there. The Cancun airport also uses the same runway for arrivals and departures, so taking off took another 45 minutes as we sat on the runway and waited. We landed in Charlotte at approximately 8:45 p.m. The airlines gave us hotel and meal vouchers and told us we would be spending the night in Charlotte. We didn't make it to the Easter worship service as we had planned - our flight the next morning landed at 11:15 a.m. We were glad to be home after a wonderful week - and we were so glad that we made it safely!
Our plane (U.S. Airways) was supposed to board at 11:45 a.m. so that we could depart at 12:15. People started standing up about that time and were crowding around the counter, so we figured it was time to board and followed suit. It wasn't long until we heard the word "delay." Apparently the airport was low on fuel and we would only have enough fuel to fly to Cancun where we would refuel for the rest of the trip. This is not the weekend to fly into Cancun - spring break, anyone? We would not be leaving Belize City until 2:00 and would hopefully get into Charlotte at 7:55. That would work - maybe - our flight to Knoxville was scheduled to leave Charlotte at 8:20 p.m. Could we clear customs in record time? Not to worry... the plane trip to Cancun took a long time because of the lack of fuel (we flew slowly) and it took quite a while to refuel once we got there. The Cancun airport also uses the same runway for arrivals and departures, so taking off took another 45 minutes as we sat on the runway and waited. We landed in Charlotte at approximately 8:45 p.m. The airlines gave us hotel and meal vouchers and told us we would be spending the night in Charlotte. We didn't make it to the Easter worship service as we had planned - our flight the next morning landed at 11:15 a.m. We were glad to be home after a wonderful week - and we were so glad that we made it safely!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Fom Anne, Friday
Orphanage Update - Sorry I haven't posted all week, but you know I hate technology.
Tuesday Joanie and I headed back to the orphanage. I did more laundry and she worked in the kitchen and a dentist was there. Dora did say that she appreciated the help. We had more time with the kids. At one point I had Lequesha and Leah (Dora's daughter) each on a knee. It reminded me of when the twins were little. After about an hour, Lequesha asked me if she could tell me a secret in my ear. I said yes, and she whispered in my ear "I'm afraid of the dentist". I told her I used to be also and we went and watched the dentist for about 30 minutes. Then she told me to follow her and she went and put her name on the list for the dentist! I told her she was a brave girl. Joanie had a lot of time with the kids since lunch was so late.
Wednesday morning I took a walk with the teens and went back to the orphanage to take the older kids to swim at blue hole. Of course they weren't ready when we got there, but we stayed cool and waited until they were. Chio (the bus driver) started honking the horn and they all started climbing on the bus. They asked Joanie and I if we wanted to ride with them and we agreed. Chio makes the trip in a lot less time than any of our drivers! I think our children were scared for our lives, but Joanie & I stayed cool. When we got there we had kids everywhere and it was chaos. Kids jumping where they shouldn't, swimming past where they should, and wandering off. I manned the water and Peggy used her teacher voice from above to keep everyone in line. We even took Eleona, a blind girl. Joanie spent the entire time with her, but we were a little amazed they sent her with us. She did beautifully and she sang several to Joanie in Spanish. Together they sang This is the Day the Lord hath Made in English and then she sang it in English Creole. When it was time to go, Chio started honking the horn, we did a count and thought we were missing 3 kids, they told us there was an extra kid we were missing also. They kept saying they would catch the bus home, but eventually the bus pulled out and the other 4 showed up and got on. I don't think we were following Girl Scout Safety Wise, but were doing it the Belezian way.
Thursday was back to the orphanage for teens, medical and us. We were going to take the kids to the park and play games, but it was raining. So we stayed flexible and ended up playing with the kids and helping them brave the medical team. I apparently have several new daughters since my girls have new sisters. When we got in the van, the teens and us were crying because they wouldn't see their new friends again. I know Kings Children Home is going to be in our monthly budget.
Thanks for all your support. We are flying home tomorrow and if we don't have any problems will spend Easter morning with you.
Tuesday Joanie and I headed back to the orphanage. I did more laundry and she worked in the kitchen and a dentist was there. Dora did say that she appreciated the help. We had more time with the kids. At one point I had Lequesha and Leah (Dora's daughter) each on a knee. It reminded me of when the twins were little. After about an hour, Lequesha asked me if she could tell me a secret in my ear. I said yes, and she whispered in my ear "I'm afraid of the dentist". I told her I used to be also and we went and watched the dentist for about 30 minutes. Then she told me to follow her and she went and put her name on the list for the dentist! I told her she was a brave girl. Joanie had a lot of time with the kids since lunch was so late.
Wednesday morning I took a walk with the teens and went back to the orphanage to take the older kids to swim at blue hole. Of course they weren't ready when we got there, but we stayed cool and waited until they were. Chio (the bus driver) started honking the horn and they all started climbing on the bus. They asked Joanie and I if we wanted to ride with them and we agreed. Chio makes the trip in a lot less time than any of our drivers! I think our children were scared for our lives, but Joanie & I stayed cool. When we got there we had kids everywhere and it was chaos. Kids jumping where they shouldn't, swimming past where they should, and wandering off. I manned the water and Peggy used her teacher voice from above to keep everyone in line. We even took Eleona, a blind girl. Joanie spent the entire time with her, but we were a little amazed they sent her with us. She did beautifully and she sang several to Joanie in Spanish. Together they sang This is the Day the Lord hath Made in English and then she sang it in English Creole. When it was time to go, Chio started honking the horn, we did a count and thought we were missing 3 kids, they told us there was an extra kid we were missing also. They kept saying they would catch the bus home, but eventually the bus pulled out and the other 4 showed up and got on. I don't think we were following Girl Scout Safety Wise, but were doing it the Belezian way.
Thursday was back to the orphanage for teens, medical and us. We were going to take the kids to the park and play games, but it was raining. So we stayed flexible and ended up playing with the kids and helping them brave the medical team. I apparently have several new daughters since my girls have new sisters. When we got in the van, the teens and us were crying because they wouldn't see their new friends again. I know Kings Children Home is going to be in our monthly budget.
Thanks for all your support. We are flying home tomorrow and if we don't have any problems will spend Easter morning with you.
From Erin, Friday
Today was a "play day", so 15 of us traveled to Xunantunich (we had a lot of trouble pronouncing and spelling this word!) to visit Mayan ruins. The ruins were absolutely astounding. There were several very large, stone temples. The largest pyramid temple was around 150 feet, but we're not sure the exact height. We just know that it was EXTREMELY tall, and very scary when we climbed all the way to the top. The weather wasn't exactly nice - it misted pretty much the entire day. Which made it interesting for us to climb the many, many stairs of the temples since they were slippery and wet. Some of us went on all 4 fours and did a "spider crawl" down the temple.
Our guide, Dino, was great - he informed us in great detail of how Mayans sacrificed people to the gods, which was a little gut-wrenching (quite literally). But we learned alot about the culture and history of the Mayan people.
After visiting the ruins we did a little shopping in San Ignacio. We ate lunch at a small cafe and had barbeque chicken, which is a very common Belizean dish. After lunch we headed back to Jaguar Creek...however we encountered many bumps, potholes, and a speed bump on a gravel road along the way. Mike was a great driver, but we had 16 people packed in a 15 passenger van, and the back row hit the ceiling many times from the extreme turbulance. We have had a great time in Belize! Seven of us are flying back tomorrow, and we appreciate your prayers!
Our guide, Dino, was great - he informed us in great detail of how Mayans sacrificed people to the gods, which was a little gut-wrenching (quite literally). But we learned alot about the culture and history of the Mayan people.
After visiting the ruins we did a little shopping in San Ignacio. We ate lunch at a small cafe and had barbeque chicken, which is a very common Belizean dish. After lunch we headed back to Jaguar Creek...however we encountered many bumps, potholes, and a speed bump on a gravel road along the way. Mike was a great driver, but we had 16 people packed in a 15 passenger van, and the back row hit the ceiling many times from the extreme turbulance. We have had a great time in Belize! Seven of us are flying back tomorrow, and we appreciate your prayers!
Completion!
The construction projects were completed on Thursday. In a flurry of activity gutters were hung, PVC was cut and glued, valves were installed and the water tanks attached. All this occurred in unusual and less than ideal conditions. It started to rain just before we woke up and continued steadily throughout the day. We climbed on slippery ladders and slogged through mud while finishing the work. In addition we decided to make up t-shirts that say "I went to Belize and almost got hypothermia!" The steady rain combined with a steady breeze left us all chilled.
The one reward from the soggy conditions was that after everything was hooked-up, the rain began to fill the water tanks. By late afternoon when the Living Waters team passed by, there was water available out of the spigots.
There are still some loose ends to tie-up but this morning the conditions are a lot like yesterday's. Shoving our American "completion" complexes aside, we concluded that safety outweighed further progress and decided to take the morning figuring out how to pack our wet and dirty clothes.
My "rain forest" experience is now complete.
See you soon.
Peace,
Dave
The one reward from the soggy conditions was that after everything was hooked-up, the rain began to fill the water tanks. By late afternoon when the Living Waters team passed by, there was water available out of the spigots.
There are still some loose ends to tie-up but this morning the conditions are a lot like yesterday's. Shoving our American "completion" complexes aside, we concluded that safety outweighed further progress and decided to take the morning figuring out how to pack our wet and dirty clothes.
My "rain forest" experience is now complete.
See you soon.
Peace,
Dave
From Sumner
AH!!! I wish I were there with you all! I can completely recall everything you describe - the incredibly green everything, the howler monkeys at night, the creek with its wooden stairs, the glass coke bottles (although that's the norm over here), the cicadas chirping like there's no tomorrow! I miss Jaguar Creek so much! Get elizabeth to show you where the eel lives...have you climbed up the waterfall yet? If you go farther back, there's a deep blue hole where the water comes out. Its so cool (and a tad scary). Anyway, say hi to LaQuisha and Ezekiel and Crystal for me, if they are still there (although they would probably have no idea who you were talking about) Do they still have a dog? When I was there he was just a puppy, and Ezekiel and I (I think) decided to name it Little Basil (no idea why). I bet he's huge now... :) Right now, even in Provence, there is no place I'd rather be than with you all in Belize. And I do mean that!
Love, Sumner
Love, Sumner
From Chuck
Thursday night
Today I went with Dan, Peggy, Lynn, and Jessica on a field trip to the San Ignacio area. On the way we stopped at the basketball court we had worked on last spring. It was finished and looked great. From there we went to visit Nadean Jones's husband in the village of Cristo Rey. Dan will likely write about that, so I'll let this be sufficient.
We then visited the Octavia Waight nursing home, where Lynn chatted briefly with a resident she had met last spring and gave him a stack of magazines she had brought. Next, a visit with Rafeal Ku, the general manager of Presbyterian schools in Belize. We discussed the potential water treatment system at the Orange Walk school, and I felt we came to an understanding that we should proceed toward a covenant to rebuild the existing non-functional system.
Tonight we had Maundy Thursday communion. I felt a strong connection with you back home taking communion in a far different place, but linked by the bond between us. I think it went well, by which I mean that I think I didn't prevent anyone's having a worshipful experience. It was my first experience as a celebrant, and a bit scary. I am thankful for the change in the Book of Order that allowed us to have communion and for the training that Pastor Kerra gave me to make it possible.
Back at the lodge after the service, Peggy, Sarah, Ben, Drew, Dale and I sang hymns and gospel songs for a while. It was wonderful to join our voices and our hearts to make such joyful music to praise God.
Today I went with Dan, Peggy, Lynn, and Jessica on a field trip to the San Ignacio area. On the way we stopped at the basketball court we had worked on last spring. It was finished and looked great. From there we went to visit Nadean Jones's husband in the village of Cristo Rey. Dan will likely write about that, so I'll let this be sufficient.
We then visited the Octavia Waight nursing home, where Lynn chatted briefly with a resident she had met last spring and gave him a stack of magazines she had brought. Next, a visit with Rafeal Ku, the general manager of Presbyterian schools in Belize. We discussed the potential water treatment system at the Orange Walk school, and I felt we came to an understanding that we should proceed toward a covenant to rebuild the existing non-functional system.
Tonight we had Maundy Thursday communion. I felt a strong connection with you back home taking communion in a far different place, but linked by the bond between us. I think it went well, by which I mean that I think I didn't prevent anyone's having a worshipful experience. It was my first experience as a celebrant, and a bit scary. I am thankful for the change in the Book of Order that allowed us to have communion and for the training that Pastor Kerra gave me to make it possible.
Back at the lodge after the service, Peggy, Sarah, Ben, Drew, Dale and I sang hymns and gospel songs for a while. It was wonderful to join our voices and our hearts to make such joyful music to praise God.
From Dale, Thursday
3/20/08 Dale Hadden
Today we worked at the orphanage. We worked in the kitchen because there was a dental team seeing the children where we had worked before. First, several impression - the orphanage is much improved. There is much less debris, the rooms are clean but still crowded. The kitchen is improved. Everything looks freshly painted. This is reflected in the children as well. Three years ago we treated 10 or 12 children with ringworm. This time I treated one. I identified one child with a minor heart murmur and one child (new to the orphanage and young) with badly bowed legs, probably rickets, who needs orthopedic intervention. A few children had ear infections. There were many cases of head lice. The children on the whole were healthy, and their skin looked good. In one long marathon session we completed the physicals on the children, several children of staff members and a few staff members. I was impressed with our teens’ relationship with the children.
Today we worked at the orphanage. We worked in the kitchen because there was a dental team seeing the children where we had worked before. First, several impression - the orphanage is much improved. There is much less debris, the rooms are clean but still crowded. The kitchen is improved. Everything looks freshly painted. This is reflected in the children as well. Three years ago we treated 10 or 12 children with ringworm. This time I treated one. I identified one child with a minor heart murmur and one child (new to the orphanage and young) with badly bowed legs, probably rickets, who needs orthopedic intervention. A few children had ear infections. There were many cases of head lice. The children on the whole were healthy, and their skin looked good. In one long marathon session we completed the physicals on the children, several children of staff members and a few staff members. I was impressed with our teens’ relationship with the children.
From Syd, Thursday
3/20/2008 Syd Murray
The process to plaster the interior and perhaps the exterior walls is to first load the pointed trowel and toss the mud in evenly delivered blops. Raul tried with great patience to instruct me. The best I could do was to wear most of it on my head or his back. My Spanish is as nonexistent as my mud throwing skills but I thought I heard someone comment that I threw mud like a girl. The comment tasted like cement back home.
The process to plaster the interior and perhaps the exterior walls is to first load the pointed trowel and toss the mud in evenly delivered blops. Raul tried with great patience to instruct me. The best I could do was to wear most of it on my head or his back. My Spanish is as nonexistent as my mud throwing skills but I thought I heard someone comment that I threw mud like a girl. The comment tasted like cement back home.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Praying for You
How hard it is to do God's work! God doesn't work on "American" time, or on our "to do lists." The Spirit moves where she will. The projects and programs we think are so important are sometimes God's little ruse to get us where we need to be. In my own ministry, I've seen this time and again. The things I think are important are far less than the events that come unexpected, unannounced and way, way off my schedule. The Spirit's work is seen in hindsight or from looking kind of sideways and unfocused. God called each of you to be in Belize - for reasons which may be yet unknown. It may have been to build relationships more so than to build a laundry house or put shutters on windows. Blessed are the poor and the meek. Perhaps we who are rich and strong have much to learn.
How easy it is to do God's work! Remember that the confessions of our church teach that the chief end of humankind is to glorify God and enjoy God forever. That little word - enjoy - is so valuable. Another spiritual teacher acknowledges that to align ourselves with God's purpose is to be filled with joy and enthusiasm, or when we cannot be thrilled about what we're doing to at least be present in the moment - because God is with us, right here, right now. The beauty you see all around you is God's spectacular show. The church's celebration of resurrection is Sunday, but it is with us every moment.
It's both difficult and easy to find ourselves in God's hands doing God's work. Trust in the Spirit. In Jeremiah God comforts all the families of Israel by saying, "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness. When Israel sought for rest; the Lord appeared from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." God loves you and God is faithful. God will not let you stumble or fall - unless of course you will recognize God more clearly in the face of the person who helps you back up!
We're praying for you!
Kerra
How easy it is to do God's work! Remember that the confessions of our church teach that the chief end of humankind is to glorify God and enjoy God forever. That little word - enjoy - is so valuable. Another spiritual teacher acknowledges that to align ourselves with God's purpose is to be filled with joy and enthusiasm, or when we cannot be thrilled about what we're doing to at least be present in the moment - because God is with us, right here, right now. The beauty you see all around you is God's spectacular show. The church's celebration of resurrection is Sunday, but it is with us every moment.
It's both difficult and easy to find ourselves in God's hands doing God's work. Trust in the Spirit. In Jeremiah God comforts all the families of Israel by saying, "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness. When Israel sought for rest; the Lord appeared from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." God loves you and God is faithful. God will not let you stumble or fall - unless of course you will recognize God more clearly in the face of the person who helps you back up!
We're praying for you!
Kerra
Wednesday
Today was the last day of medical clinic in Armenia, the clinic was fairly small we only saw 21 people. We saw several men today. The slower pace of clinic allowed me time to talk more with the mothers. One of the mothers was giving her year old child a bottle of sugared coffee! The additional time allowed me to ask her what she was giving her child. Over the period of time we have seen one very sick little girl, a child with malnutrition from worms, and several children with draining ear infections. I was grateful that we had the medications to treat them. We also saw an 89 year old woman with severe arthritis her hands, feet and knees were deformed and she complained of pain. We were able to give her Ibuprofen because the team contributed their own medications. I had given out all the Ibuprofen and Tylenol I had. It was cough and cold season and many of these people cannot even buy aspirin. It was a blessing to be able to give these medications. Odelia and Filberta the community nurses asked if I could give a public talk on asthma and scabies. It was an answer to my prayer, because I had wanted to do more health education. The people volunteers who staffed the clinic have done a fantastic job. They made the clinic successful. Tomorrow we will be working at the orphanage with the children there.
Dale
Dale
Who moved the goal posts?
Everyone seems to have a fantastic success story, so why don't I? The youth have been exceeding everyone's expectations. They completed twice as much painting and bonded with both the Belize kids and with each other. The medical team has seen almost a hundred patients and has had enough time to establish relationships to promote long term health education in addition to short term care.
The Living Waters group returns each day with another challenging opportunity and a call to return this summer to install a water system.
The "results" from the construction team have been mixed. The blocks are up and most of the concrete has been poured. The plumbing and gutters are going up and should be finished by Friday morning.
As for me, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I elected to serve on the carpentry detail to install windows and doors. You need to understand that my idea of a window and what they wanted are two different things. Essentially what they wanted were shutters. That's fine. Once I figured that out I dug right in. Made good progress the first day but then ground to a halt when we didn't have any hinges. Not quite as simple as driving down to the Home Depot. Finally got the hinges Tuesday afternoon and installed them before we called it a day. This morning when it came time to hang the windows we discovered that my one accomplishment on Tuesday had been done wrong so we had to remove them and try again.
So in three days I've constructed a couple of windows and mixed a little concrete. Is this what it's all about? Don't get me wrong; it's been a marvelous experience. I've rejoiced in the accomplishments of others, marveled at the beauty of the country and felt tremendous pain viewing the poverty of the citizens. Somehow it all feels very selfish, however. I've been gaining a lot but it's not clear what I've been giving back.
Will I do it again? That remains to be seen. It is an experience that everyone should have. Perhaps I'm also learning things that will make future trips more fruitful. Or possibly I need to come to terms with my goal oriented mentality.
Stay tuned.
Peace,
Dave
The Living Waters group returns each day with another challenging opportunity and a call to return this summer to install a water system.
The "results" from the construction team have been mixed. The blocks are up and most of the concrete has been poured. The plumbing and gutters are going up and should be finished by Friday morning.
As for me, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I elected to serve on the carpentry detail to install windows and doors. You need to understand that my idea of a window and what they wanted are two different things. Essentially what they wanted were shutters. That's fine. Once I figured that out I dug right in. Made good progress the first day but then ground to a halt when we didn't have any hinges. Not quite as simple as driving down to the Home Depot. Finally got the hinges Tuesday afternoon and installed them before we called it a day. This morning when it came time to hang the windows we discovered that my one accomplishment on Tuesday had been done wrong so we had to remove them and try again.
So in three days I've constructed a couple of windows and mixed a little concrete. Is this what it's all about? Don't get me wrong; it's been a marvelous experience. I've rejoiced in the accomplishments of others, marveled at the beauty of the country and felt tremendous pain viewing the poverty of the citizens. Somehow it all feels very selfish, however. I've been gaining a lot but it's not clear what I've been giving back.
Will I do it again? That remains to be seen. It is an experience that everyone should have. Perhaps I'm also learning things that will make future trips more fruitful. Or possibly I need to come to terms with my goal oriented mentality.
Stay tuned.
Peace,
Dave
At the Creek
Wednesday, ~6:30AM
It’s morning. The sun’s up and the birds are calling to each other. I find myself sitting at the edge of Jaguar Creek, a place and time of day I occupied almost exactly three years ago. Some things have changed. The deck now extends to the water’s edge. I could dangle my feet in the creek if I wasn’t wearing shoes. Some things are eternally the same. The crystal clear water burbles over the small waterfall upstream, surrounded by lush jungle growth. I’m reminded of the journal entry I wrote three years ago, and again of the contrasts between the natural beauty and the human degradation one sees in Belize. I’m not sure how the jungle view from where I sit could be much more beautiful. And I don’t understand the psychology and culture that permits the rampant trashing of this beauty with plastic bags and bottles and junk of all sorts. Not much different, I guess, from many of the ‘hollers’ I’ve seen in the hills of East Tennessee.
I spent yesterday in Orange Walk in the northern part of the country. Four and a half hours of driving punctuated by a four hour meeting with the principal of a Christian elementary school and her husband. Their dedication to and vision for their community and school was inspiring. The conditions in which they worked out that vision were appalling to these American eyes: unsafe wiring; open sewer lines; construction materials in hallways, classrooms and playgrounds.
But even in these conditions they immediately grasped the idea of providing clean water to their students and families as a way to powerfully minister to their community.
God is at work in us and through us amid the contrasts that define Belize.
- dan terpstra
It’s morning. The sun’s up and the birds are calling to each other. I find myself sitting at the edge of Jaguar Creek, a place and time of day I occupied almost exactly three years ago. Some things have changed. The deck now extends to the water’s edge. I could dangle my feet in the creek if I wasn’t wearing shoes. Some things are eternally the same. The crystal clear water burbles over the small waterfall upstream, surrounded by lush jungle growth. I’m reminded of the journal entry I wrote three years ago, and again of the contrasts between the natural beauty and the human degradation one sees in Belize. I’m not sure how the jungle view from where I sit could be much more beautiful. And I don’t understand the psychology and culture that permits the rampant trashing of this beauty with plastic bags and bottles and junk of all sorts. Not much different, I guess, from many of the ‘hollers’ I’ve seen in the hills of East Tennessee.
I spent yesterday in Orange Walk in the northern part of the country. Four and a half hours of driving punctuated by a four hour meeting with the principal of a Christian elementary school and her husband. Their dedication to and vision for their community and school was inspiring. The conditions in which they worked out that vision were appalling to these American eyes: unsafe wiring; open sewer lines; construction materials in hallways, classrooms and playgrounds.
But even in these conditions they immediately grasped the idea of providing clean water to their students and families as a way to powerfully minister to their community.
God is at work in us and through us amid the contrasts that define Belize.
- dan terpstra
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