Sunday in the Jungle

We arrived at Jaguar Creek just at dark, tired, hot, but excited. We couldn't see the jungle, but we could hear the chorus of insects and the waterfalls in the surrounding creek. And the humidity of the jungle settled on top of us like a blanket. We quickly ate dinner in the dining hall---a wooden structure complete with peaked thatch roof and screened walls and settled into two open dorms with bunk beds, and mosquito nets.

During the night, howler monkeys made themselves heard by the girls dorm, but the men had other problems - a kinkajou - which is kinda like a raccoon, pelted their dorm with nut shells for some time, and later Chuck discovered a live scorpion inside. It was quickly dispatched.

Morning brought our first view of the jungle with its rich color and dense foliage. Following breakfast we left for church in a sweltering, standing room only bus. We headed into Armenia to worship with the locals at the New Apostolic Church.

The church was housed in a one room small white building. Free range chickens pecked around under the church windows, and a skinny stray dog sat under the massive bouganvilla bushes that lined the path to the entrance.

Seven children of Mayan decent sat on the front steps smiling a welcome to us as we approached the church. We took pictures with them. It seemed like everybody had a camera!

Inside, there were 4 ceiling fans, for which we were all grateful. We opened the service singing Rock of Ages, all verses in English, followed again in Spanish. The first notes sounded so bad to my ears that I actually laughed. We did improve as the song progressed. We heard 3 sermons. Each was delivered by a different brown skinned young man wearing a white shirt buttoned all the way to the top. All were in Spanish, but the church had brought in an interpreter who dutifully translated the sermon line by careful line for us. Having us visit was clearly a big deal for this tiny church, whose number was doubled by our visit.

Thelma, aged 11, whose birthday is on December 25th sat behind me. She is just 3 months younger than Sumner. She whispered to me all through the service, trying to interpret faster than the interpreter. She had a ready smile and knew all the words to the hymns---in Spanish and English. She touched my earrings and asked how much they cost. Her ears were pierced but she had no jewelry. I left the earrings with her - my first Belizean friend.

Communion was served, and they invited us to the table. We felt blessed to be spending Palm Sunday here among these people who were welcoming us in grand style. It reminded me of Christ's Palm Sunday entrance on a donkey. That week for Him started out with such joy, and yet had many twists and turns before its fateful conclusion. It made me wonder what awaits us here in Belize as we journey toward Easter.

Much love and peace to our church family back home---we feel you are with us at every turn.

Sue Byrne