Executive Director
Apr 11
Good Morning All
The blessings of Belize Telephone Lines , the hot weather and two days of intense workload have kept us from touching base with you. So, here is a catch up of what we have been up to.
Friday was a day filled with new work. The construction team worked hard in pouring concrete in a Belize fashion. What this means is that time is not a player in the daily acitivity schedules. Our boys and staff were raring to go at 8:30 AM but the cement mixer was not. So...hurry up and wait. The pour started off around 9:30 with a new mixer and our manpower. You can appreciate a 25-1 mix, no sand, and totally manual for a small pouring. Add the 38 degree, 150% humidity (if that is possible at all), and some 60 loads up and down a sketchy ramp using old wheelbarrows..hmmmm. To top it off, as our guys were tiring going up and down the ramp, I managed to get back from the CCS School here and help out on running the cement.
For those of you who know me, the physical side is truly a draw for me, so I started running the wheelbarrows up the ramp and racing the boys to the end. Then the rain started. Now, rain in Belize is not a simple drizzle with a soft beginning and ending. Rain is akin to a distant train slowly coming towards you. You are not sure what it is that is approaching, but the rumble of the sound barrier and curtain of hot air before it hits (yes it hits), is amazing to experience. The rain poured down. It is like the skies opening, and thousand of gallons of water racing from heaven to the ground, and each raindrop challenging its buddies to hit the ground harder than the last.
It is awesome to experience. And it could not have been a better time for the guys as well. We were all overheating, and the warm downpour did not slow us down at all. It was totally motivational and recharging to us all. We worked through lunch with the last 25 wheelbarrow loads and managed not to get injured at all on the ramps. Spaghetti and meat sauce were a welcome relief after a hard days work.
While the boys were enjoying the rain, the girls were out dancing in the heavy showers. It was great to see them just being girls and playing in the rain with each other. Hard to describe, but from a father's perspective, the pressures of life in Calgary at times can be overwhelming for our kids and to see them simply let go and be alive is totally satisfying.
The leadership group found a new calling and a new CCS. This one is Cayo Christian School. Interestingly enough, this school is a byproduct of our first adventure in Belize. The kids were pushed out of the original buildings we were a part of 5 years ago and have had to rent this new space for the past year to hold school. It is a primary and secondary school complete with a computer lab and full classrooms. Chalkboards are the staple for delivery of the programs, and simple mahogany desks and chairs are the furniture. To say they have nothing is an understatement. There were no supplies, no paper, no pens, no nothing. The supplies that were sent down are a Godsend to them. We were engaged and challenged to clean the entire building, top to bottom, washing floors, windows, desks and all. We managed, in a Canadian way, to finish up the first part of our work early, and waited for the teacher/principal to return from her Vet visits (a whole other story). She was shocked at all that we had done in such a short period of time, and was amazed by the results.
While we were cleaning, some of the team members had opportunity to peek inside of the teachers supply closets. A simple sign saying "Return all supplies when done" caught their eye, and they had to look. Simple curiosity I think. In any event, the cupboard was bare....The joy of delivering these supplies was an awakening to a number of the girls. They were also caught up in the science room by the preserved critters and simplicity of the materials. We were thankful for the chance to work with this school and to be able to surprise the classes for Monday by having the school ready to go! Would love to be a fly on the wall when that happens!
Brittany and a group of girls went into the jungle to gather palm fronds for the school. A truck ride, some machette action and a big trailer kep them busy for a few hours (hot, sticky, dense jungle growth). We set them up as a stage backdrop for the school play that was coming for next week. Kind of a unique experience for them too!
Wasn't going to mention this, but was goaded into sharing. As we returned to the school in the afternoon, and with the wet slippery roads, we experienced Belize road rage. Simply, there are no rules for driving, and both Phil and I are quite aware of how this works and so make accomodations when we are piloting busses around Belmopan and Cayo. Wouldn't you know, we signal left to go into the school, slow down early, pull all the way over and then begin to make the turn. Screech, skid sounds, and a quick look to the left to address where the sounds are coming from, and to our surprise, a local taxi driver is beside us. He begins to roll down his window, and then I slowly get out of the drivers seat to politely ask him what he was thinking. Perhaps I am a bit intimidating at first glance, but I never have the chance to chat with him. He rolled up his window and quickly sped away. Passing on the left, with signals and brake lights showing...hmmmm - makes you wonder what people are thinking sometimes. All is good.
So, with that out of the way we left the school and picked up the boys and continued on the a unique gift shop called the ART BOX. Local artists and suppliers have this outlet for Belize crafts, and it a great store to visit.
Devotions were huge, and we reflected, with a ball of yarn, on the experiences and learning that we had enjoyed this week. Nice to have all of the kids open up and be real with each other. We have become a community of believers.
Now for yesterday.
Up at the crack of dawn as we have a long road journey ahead of us to get to the water. This day started with fresh made cinnamon bins and coffee (coffee by Phil), lots of suncreen, towels and backpacks. We headed back to Belize City and arrived about 9 AM to catch our boat to go snorkelling. We met Mr. Biggs. You need to ask your kids about him, he is a testament to a living physics experiment on mass versus floatation. Tremendous presence and message delivery about water adventure, safety and creatures in the ocean.
We hit a couple of the local swimming holes and felt the current pulling and pushing us as it ebbed and flowed past the world's second largest reef. Everyone enjoyed the rest and free floating experience. We broke for lunch on the island of Key Caulker and San Pedro, and then got some down time to walk and talk and enjoy the life of being laid back and having nothing to do. It is addictive!
Sunscreen and lathering were the key messages. I just had to say it.
Some of us enjoyed the sun a little too much (Phil) and became crispy and toastlike. Not naming names, but we were a little beat on the ride back. We stopped in Old Belize and had a big dinner together on our way back to camp.
Last night finished with a devotion involving very tired folks. I think we all were asleep within seconds of heads hitting pillows. Today is a new day, and the sun induced glowing around the breakfast table is an interesting twist. Lots of aloe and happy spray to take away the pain of the sun.
It has been a great week and we will soon be heading home. Today is a morning of worship and then off the Mayan Ruins near Guatamala. We will be up early again tomorrow for our flights and then seeing you as we return home. I will drop a final blog sometime on Tuesday to bring this year's trip to conclusion. We will be presenting at Wednesday devotions with pictures and stories for the rest of the school. Please join us if you can.
Blessings for the day from Belize, and thank you for sharing the lives of your students in our care for the last week. We all grow a little from the experiences, pray that the growth continues past this adventure!
Scott and theTeam!