THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

There really is no place like home!!  It most times feels like Belize is 'home' now to us.  But at Christmas, for me, Becki, home is where the grandkids are.  And that is in Ohio...a VERY COLD Ohio.  We both are very happy to be here, but I have to admit that the cold is a huge challenge...especially for Ray.  He is one big popsicle, even when we are indoors!!

We have had an amazing time already seeing old friends, calling old friends

(thank-you, Chief!!!) having meetings with future Belize visitors and enjoying family. Oh, and eating out!  What a beyond huge treat this is for us!!  With more than chicken, rice, and beans on the menu, we are having fun eating anything but!! So many of you have offered  'if there is anything we can do...'   Well, we may take you up on some of those offers in the future!!  So thanks in advance for your willingness!!

We have to admit that we have not missed the consumer frenzy that you all have been forced to endure.  We have enjoyed little to no frenzied shoppers, no blaring 'holiday' music, no UGH!! messy traffic & frigid weather.  Rather, a joyous, heart warming report of several churches gathering together for a rally for Christmas eve and Christmas day in Toledo District, Belize.  Difficult travel, no prior sleeping arrangements, no thoughts of 'I hope I get'.  Just a gathering of Jesus lovers getting together like family to celebrate His Birthday.  The true meaning of this season....

Ray and I would like to wish you a Blessed Christmas and join in with you all to wish

a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!

Life and Death

I have in my mind's eye     a       very         gripping        picture - 

that I wish I could share with you. In the moment that it presented itself to me, I found that I just could not invade the somberness of that moment to ask if I could take a picture. so, allow me to attempt to describe it to you. It is a picture worth a thousand words, although I will try to help you see the moment in far fewer words.

I had been delivering sandals donated by our church to villages in the southern part of Belize. I stopped at one more house to leave a box of sandals as well as some materials for the children's ministry at this mission church. It was a very enjoyable time, not only delivering these gifts but sharing the occasion with a couple of other Belizean men.

We pulled into the yard where we would make the delivery, smiling and enthusiastic. To our surprise, several people were in the yard, almost as if they were waiting for us. 

They were waiting...       as it turned out,          but not for us. 

The joy we had in our hearts vanished like a puff of smoke as the reality of the scene in front of us made it's way into our conscious minds.

The several people were loosely gathered around    

                                                                                           a     simple      wooden       casket. 

A man came to see what we wanted, recognized the pastor who was with me and explained that his father-in-law had died during the night. They were preparing for the funeral and burial to be held in just a few hours. (This is a rather quick process here in Belize.)

We explained our purpose, departed from the vehicle, made our delivery and went to stand near the casket with the family members that had gathered there. Two young adults were just beginning to apply varnish to the plain light wood to dress it up a little. They worked in near silence as the others looked on. It was a bit of a surreal moment for me, seeing, not a professional mortician at work in a room separated from sight behind walls or thick curtains in a safe and comfortable funeral home - but two family members painting varnish onto the casket of a loved one, while other loved ones watch and wait. 

The picture that strikes me the most is this:

I am standing near the head of the casket. The two family members are painting on the varnish, beginning at the top and reverently working their way down and around. Other family members are nearby. Occasional hushed conversations may be heard. Right in the middle of the scene is one other person. She is elderly. She is sitting by herself on a chair next to the casket. She is not speaking to anyone nor is anyone speaking to her. She wears the wrinkles of many, many years across her sunken face. She wears a red blouse and blue skirt. She is sitting somewhat slouched with both her arms and her legs crossed. She merely watches what is happening around her but is not a mere observer. Her husband is in that casket. 

Just last night, they had watched the grandchildren play around the house - and remembered when they were young enough to play like that. Just last night, they had talked of good memories and future days with the parents of those children. Just last night, she had gone to sleep with him next to her, as they had for thousands of nights before. 

Yet this was to be their last night together. Death slipped in during the night and stole from her. The thief, as all thieves do, did not ask permission, did not give warning nor even spare her feelings. Just like that, it was all over, just last night.

She sits there, sad, alone in the midst of other family. 

     Alone in her thoughts,       alone in her pain,       alone in many ways....

                                                                                                    and they are etched into her face. 

I cannot read them all but I see them. I see them in the dark emptiness that is in her eyes. 

I see them and so much wanted you to see this also. 

I could not break into the sacredness of this moment though.

The protective barriers of much of North American society are not in place here. Life...and it's shadowy companion, death...are in many ways, much closer to people here. I saw it up close and personal today and wish you could see what I saw.

Death makes life more precious. Enjoy it.

~ Ray

Happy Feet!!

I had a rare privilege this week. Our church in Grove City Ohio, Grove City Church of the Nazarene made it possible. Actually the children made it possible. They wanted to do something to help the children in Belize, so they raised money...selling paper flip-flops. 

That's right - paper flip-flops were traded for paper money, which was sent to Belize to purchase real flip-flops or sandals to be given to children here. Many of the children here run barefoot on rocks that pierce the sensibilities of every North American parent who has ever watched them playing here on the rocky ground. The children don't really mind. They rarely even think about it. They are children. They run, they play, they have fun, all the stuff that children do.

Sometimes their feet get hurt. Sometimes they stub a toe or a sharp rock cuts into the hardened sole of their foot - and North American parents who may be to witness the incident experience their own pain. In fact, their hurt may be equal to or beyond that which the little child experiences.

Those North American parents have children of their own back in the states. So, when the children's department decided to raise money to help children in Belize not cut their feet, it cut to the consciences of many North American parents and they bought paper flip-flops...by the hundreds!

Now, hundreds of real flip-flop sandals have been purchased and given to pastors in various villages to give to the children who live and play there, amid the rocks and grass and sharp sticks. Hundreds of smiles are being flashed across faces as they try on their new sandals and go  for a test run! 

Bright colors, fun designs and even some squeeky soles are being handed out to adorn the feet of these beautiful children. In each case, I told the pastors that children in the U.S. raised the money to provide these gifts to the children of Belize.

The verse just came to mind, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News."

There are a lot of beautiful little feet, with big, big hearts  ----  in Ohio...

Thank you for making this Christmas time a little more special for many little feet here in Belize!

Blessings from Belize!

~ Ray & Becki & Rachel

Church in a Shed

Yes, you read that correctly. Yesterday, this was said to me. "In a little while, we are going to go to Maya Canter to see if we can fix up this man's shed so we can have church there because the crowd is getting large."

Church in a shed?!?!  

Understand, this is not mockery or anything demeaning. This is the result of a miracle in the making (maybe I will tell you more about that later...). The current state of things is that a new Nazarene church is being planted in this village and the house they are meeting in is too small. Last Sunday night when I was there - there were about 30 or more people inside (small room) and a good number outside as well, standing, leaning, sitting on the porch rail, whatever they could find.

The lengths that some people will go to in order to 'have church' are quite encouraging!

The man who opened his home, was raised a Catholic, not overly involved though and just recently, went through a life-or-death situation. He chose Jesus - for his eternal life - and God chose to add to his physical life. Now, he and many members of a nearby Nazarene church, are pleading with family and neighbors to also make the same life change.

"Let's spend the afternoon trying to fix up the shed so we can have church tonight!"

I suppose Jesus started in a little space not much different than this shed, so it seems fitting...

Makes me wonder what we might be willing to do if we understood the souls that hang in the 

balance...   ~ Eternity is a real long time ~

Happy to be serving in Belize,

 ~ Ray & Becki

Thanksgiving with The Indians

Our first Thanksgiving in Belize - was WONDERFUL! My brother Carl came from New Jersey and in between working like a  crazy man on lots and lots of projects -he also did most of the cooking for Thanksgiving dinner. Leah and Tabor came back from Ohio for another visit as well. So we had some family and friends here from the U.S. - as well as some of our new Indian friends from here in Belize.

It struck me as we gathered together that we had something in common with the 1st Thanksgiving held in the colonial states. The Pilgrims celebrated making it through the long hard winter along and the long summer of learning to plant and tend crops in this land far different from where they had lived. They celebrated with their new friends that had shown them how to live in that land - how to manage to survive and even thrive there in a strange new place.

I felt so honored to have some of the many Indian friends we have met come to share out Thanksgiving meal with us. It truly touched my heart as I thought about how they have helped us and blessed us during our months in Belize. We all ate heartily, read from the Scriptures about thanksgiving and shared some of the many things we have to be thankful for. It was a beautiful expression of what the intent of the day is meant for.

(And we did not even have to think about getting up early to go shopping the next day! woohoo!

 Don't miss that at all!)

Do miss many f you though and hope we can see many during a short trip back to the states over Christmas time.

Blessings from Belize

~ Ray & Becki

Thankful for the "little" things

Life here in Belize is a blessing to us. We find multiple ways to realize just how blessed we are - and how blessed you are in the states too, just in some different ways. While we have access to most of the things that make life simpler in the states, some days even getting to them proves to be more of a challenge.

This little glimpse into life here is only meant to be a reminder to those of you who have all the conveniences of the U.S.  - at your fingertips  most all of the time. 

Today was normal. Not teaching, so time to prepare for the next class and work on things at the house. Yesterday was normal also. Feeding the hose from outside thru the bathroom window so Becki could do laundry, burning the trash before she hung out the laundry so it wouldn't smell like smoke! 

Needed to get a couple of phone calls made today, so I drive down the road a bit to where I can get a better signal, as we get no signal at the house. Then, in between static try to explain to the pharmacy in the states that I really need this script - now, that I am calling from outside the U.S., that I cannot come pick it up so the ONLY way I can get it is if someone picks it up for me...

Worrying about being put on hold and if all the words are getting thru and if I will have enough credit on the phone to finish the call before I need to reload it with more minutes!

Did I mention that I was standing at the edge of  field, in a small clear spot, waving off a few biting flies? I only got bit a couple or three times (not bad). When the static increased, although I did not want to  - I took off for higher ground trying desperately to keep the call intact! This means risking chiggers, snakes, etc as the higher ground where I was was also need to waist high grass, etc.

Happily, no snakes to report and I don't think any chiggers...time always tells the truth on that one though!

I finally succeeded but only after several calls, attempted calls and persistence. Yep, I think being able to pick up the phone and call the local pharmacy, and pick up the script the same day, even walking if I wanted to , as the pharmacy is only a few blocks away, yes I think that is a blessing. Ah - back to reality - that is how it WAS in the U.S. - now it is a bit more of a challenge...but I am grateful nonetheless.

Did I mention that to get this delivered to us - is only costing a plane ticket?! Yes, that's right! Actually, a friend is bringing it down for us - and when we think of it - that's NOT a little thing!

Being blessed in Belize!

~ Ray & Becki

Reflections on Teaching in Belize

(First  - let me apologize for not blogging sooner - I get caught up in the busy-ness here and forget sometimes that we need to keep in touch. As they would say here, I need a 'lashing'...)

TEACHING IN BELIZE IS...

~ long hours of preparation, alone in my thoughts...

~ reams of paper being printed and copied for the students...

~ driving to each location, picking up students on the way...

~ a heavy backpack full of papers and notes and lots of water...

~ anxious moments of anticipation to see who attends this time...

~ fighting off moments of discouragement...

~ refocusing on the entire race before me, not just this day...

~ swatting botla flies and mosquitoes...

~ dealing with the heat and humidity, for all of us...

       (students struggle to listen sometimes...)

       (teacher struggles to think sometimes...)

~ cold showers or a dip in the creek to cool off after class...

~ rice and beans and tortillas - and chicken...maybe fish...

~ teaching in English, to hearers who speak 4 other languages...

~ listening to four other languages when not teaching...

~ understanding next to nothing of what is said...

~ wondering if that is how some of the students feel...

~ long hours of passing along ideas and concepts...

~ long hours of hopefully adequate communication...

~ long hours of carefully selected words and explanations...

~ long hours of concern for clarity, contextualization and Christ...

~ long hours of listening, looking, letting the class teach me...

~ long hours of thinking on my feet, analyzing and adjusting...

~ and moments of brillance~

~ moments of 'aha!'

~ moments when students are highly engaged...

~ moments when it all clicks...

~ moments when we gain new ground...

~ moments when we scale new heights...

~ moments when it is thrilling to be a teacher...

~ moments when it is obviously the Spirit in control...

~ moments of gratitude, splendor and awe...

~ moments when it is all worth it...

~ moments when I realize again, who I am...

~ moments that I would not trade...

~ moments when I walk fully in my calling...

~ moments when I am thrilled to serve God by serving people...

         ~ Glory to God !!!

~ Ray

Airline Miles

Just a quick note to say that if you have airline miles and would like to donate some to a missionary you know - we would be willing to receive them! This can really help at times when we need to bring Rachel back to the states or when Grandma gets that homesick feeling...or when Ray wants to go to a conference, etc.

We travel Continental or American most easily from Belize.

Thanks!

Ray & Becki & Rachel

WE ARE IN OUR HOUSE !!!!!!!

WOW! It seems incredible and it is - we REALLY like our little house in the jungle - it's great!

It's not quite there yet but is getting better every day - we still have some things to finish installing or issues to solve but we are in - and it feels good!

This week we actually bought beds for us and for Rachel too (doubles as a guest bed too...hint, hint!) Having real beds and firm mattresses for the first time since May feels so good to our backs - yeah!! (we still have the air mattresses should anyone want to visit! hint... hint...)

At times, we look out of our windows and look at the jungle and all its variously shaped leaves and a little laugh will slip out...the accompanying thought is: "We're in the jungle!" It's just sort of funny. On the days that we start to think, well this is not really jungle, there are denser places, etc. we get reminded by seeing a large jungle cat, or seeing the toucans and parrots flying about, or simply the gentle hum of thousands of mosquitoes to lull you to sleep at night (just kidding about that part!)

Becki has had fun making our concrete floor look fantastic. taking advantage of the abundance of inspiration from the incredible leaves that surround our abode. She simply takes some leaves, lays them on the floor, gives a quick spritz with some spray paint, then comes back and fills in outlines, vines, etc and Viola! Fabulous floor!

This is our hallway...

She has also found out that not living in a city or even a suburban area means there ain't no trashman coming to pick up the garbage. So twice a week she burns what we have, then washes the smoke smell out of her hair! She's amazing to me, as she simply keeps doing whatever needs to be done...yep, I love my wife!

Did I mention she cleaned our truck too?!! She doesn't even get to drive it much as I'm gone a lot but she made it look purty! 

        

Just sharing a bit with our friends - be blessed, we sure are!

~Ray, Becki & Rachel

NOT ASHAMED!

Hi all !

Just a short note to share a beautiful moment with you...

This week while teaching "Preaching the Story of God" the students all had a chance to share in front of the class. This was challenging for some - and intimidating for others.

One older man, who is quickly becoming my hero, finally took his turn in front of the group. As he shared, he was becoming emotional sharing about his Savior. Indians here do not typically cry and when they do, they try to stifle it...but not this man.

As he shared the tears began to slip down first one cheek, then the other and instead of attempting to stifle them, he told why they were okay.

He said, "When I share about my Savior or things that touch my heart, it moves me and I will not be ashamed. I was not ashamed to be out in the world doing the things I used to do so why should I be ashamed now if I cry when something  moves my heart?"

By the time, he had said this, the tears formed rivulets down the aged lines of his tanned face and were dripping freely onto his shirt.

I did not turn around to confirm this, but I don't think his were the only tears by that time...

Be blessed!

Ray

Gone Fishin

Rachel and I THOUGHT we were just going to see how badly the Mullins River temporary bridge had washed out.  Little did we know that we were gonna go fishin!!!

As we took the little detour turn off we noticed 3 guys wading thru the river where it is generally low...and then we saw THE CAR.  A little less than 1/2 way across and stopped at an odd angle we saw in an instant that this guy was in trouble. His passenger side was tilted into the water and just getting to the bottom of the door.  I put the car in reverse, backed out of the detour road and headed to camp to get Ray.  All of this happened in about 2 minutes. 

Up to the house I quickly drove &  explained to Ray that he had to come...NOW.

On the way to the bridge we stopped at the only other home within miles of our home and borrowed a chain.  We were hoping the neighbor boys were home to be able to bring the tractor to help.  No dice as they were out in their fields not due home for awhile.  It was up to us.  

Meanwhile another truck had entered the picture...a meat truck.  The guys we saw earlier were delivering product (WHO KNOWS WHAT!) to this meat truck from across the river in 5 gallon buckets when the little red blazer showed up.  The guys convinced him that he could make it across in the shallow part.  So, after driving 1 1/2 hours from Belize City and having no bridge to cross, he decided to go for it.  OOPS!  Big Mistake!

Just shy of half way, he drove off the 'shallow' part and there he remained until we showed up!

To their credit, the 3 guys stayed to help this poor fellow.  So with a rope from the meat truck, the chain we had borrowed from the neighbor and our truck we were still short. Ray went up the hill again to see if he could find anything else at the neighbors and he came back with two very thick pieces of rope.  The meat truck guy ties them together, hooks it on the back of Rays truck and one of the three guys goes into the river to tie it onto the chain and other rope, already attached to the sinking car.  Oh yeah, by now the water is up to the passenger door windows.

Ray backs into the water, hoping that HE was in the shallow part, but still had to back up until his bumper was under water.  But it works....after a LONG 30 seconds the little Blazer starts to move and all of the chain/ropes held until he was on dry ground.

Unbelievably the car is still running.  Introductions all around, the meat guy packs it up, the 3 guys wade back across the river and then the car chugs to a stop.  And after many attempts, will not restart.  

During all of this, sort of an insult added to injury, 2 other trucks pull up.  They are there from the government Dept. of Works to inspect the bridge!!!  They try to help restart the car, but still no dice.  But I did have a chat with them and found out that money has come in to rebuild the 'temporary bridge' a little bit better so it isn't washing out every other day ( no kidding).  And the same for the bridge in Kendall that stranded us in Punta Gorda the 1st week we were here.  That is a whole other story tho...since then both bridges have been repaired and washed out again.

So we tow our new friend, Jerome, a Frenchman, off of the detour road and up to our camp.  He proceeds to quickly take his soaked computer apart and dry it out.  After dinner, a load of clean clothes, email on my laptop and a good conversation with Ray about what WE were doing out here in the jungle and making a bunk for our guest we called it a night. 

Next day, the car is still not working, but  a tow truck arrives that had been arranged the night before and he is off to Dangriga.  A very grateful Jerome let us take his picture.  Feliz, who doesn't do much with a camera took the pix, so it is blurry, but you'll get the idea.  Isadoro, the camp worker said that we caught a red snapper!!

Indeed!!

Minty Clean Scorpion!

Becki must be blessed....

she finds nearly all the scorpions!

This morning when she grabbed the Listerine, there was one of her little 'friends' lurking just behind the bottle! So she went to find one of my sandals and sent the little fellow into the next realm - never to return.

Then she left it on the top step for me to see when I came back - nice...

sort of like a cat bringing its latest catch home to show off.

Good job Beck!

JUST made it across in time...!

Today was a day of visiting a few pastors, encouraging and helping as able. It was a good day, not as busy as most, which made the heavy rain seem not so impressive. It rained hard off and on, stopping progress on the foundation for the new San Roman church, making driving rather slow at times and cooling the air off quite nicely (some were too cool, but for me the 78 degree air was fantastic!).

We did not mind being inside during downpours. Perhaps providentially, I wore my Crocs today, so I really did not mind getting my feet soaked either. The plastic shoes are fine wet - and I knew my socks would dry in time also.

The leisurely but productive day was interrupted by yet another flat tire. I attempted to plug it myself...when that failed, I changed the flat for the repaired spare I had - and then went to get it fixed again...large patch number 2 inside of it!

On the way back towards home, I had stopped to see a couple more people and ---- a l m o s t ---- did not make it home at all! The temporary bridge at Kendall, which has been more than temporary, was quickly becoming in danger of being submerged once again by the rapidly rising water. It appeared that I would be the lsat truck across as some of the gravel had already slipped back into the river creating a small gap at one side of the wooden platform bridge.

Somehow, 2 others small trucks made mad dashes across, the second of which nearly did not make it at all, prompting a hasty retreat from the mini-van that had been following the little truck. Many people gathered on both sides of the river to watch this act of nature perform once again. It has become more common since the major flood a few months ago.

I can confidently say this - it is a WHOLE lot more fun to watch the river rise to flood stage - when you are on the side that leads towards home!! The last time was a real bummer.

Here's a few pics for you...

Ray

  

PRAY FOR PERMISSION

Actually - our current prayer request is that you join us in praying for the approval of our WORK PERMITS so we can stay in Belize. After a couple of days of driving to Belize City to pick up a letter, then to Belmopan, to deliver the letter and purchase applications, photos, copies, etc, etc, etc - - we found out when we first attempted to turn in our applications that they needed more information...

So, back to Belize City, obtained further documents needed, back to Belmopan, more copies, more smiles and more papers delivered and now...

we wait 2 - 3 weeks to find out if we will be approved. THIS IS VITAL!!

So we are asking you to pray for our WORK PERMITS to be approved.

After that, we can then apply for Rachel as well. But each step has to follow in its proper sequence, so.......

We cannot stress enough that we NEED THIS - so help us pray please!!

(Sorry to not have written in awhile - um, been busy...!?!!!

I'll do better I hope...)

I can say that Pastors' Classes are going well - keeping me busy that's for sure. Between teaching and grading and reporting and preparing for the next class - it's BUSY! But it's GOOD!!

Keep praying for these classes, the pastors and future pastors that are attending - 

and 

those who are not but should be! We want them in too!!

Thanks friends!

Ray & Becki

One Month Later....

....and I STILL can't believe that a month has gone by.  It's weird that just this morning I was realizing how I remember things by the week now as opposed to day by day.

4 weeks ago, we arrived in BZ.

3 weeks ago, our friend Homer was here.

2 weeks ago, Brittany was here still with us.

1 week ago, we finally got our 'stuff' out of customs.

This week, Ray has been gone since early Saturday morning teaching.

So standing at the sink tonight doing dishes,  things just slowed to a stop in my mind and EVERYTHING felt so surreal.  The things I do as a routine now...fill the water bottles for the freezer and move the already frozen bottles to the fridge to keep things cold.  (only the freezer works)

Gathering up food to go across to the dining hall to fix lunch or dinner.  And ALWAYS, without fail, forgetting one little ingredient!

Ever so carefully pulling the dish cloth off of the towel rack to make sure there are no scorpions in it.  And doing the same, careful thing with the shower curtain each night.

Going outside to hang out the laundry and always stopping to put bug repellent on my legs first.

Always remembering to blow up the air mattresses before trying to sleep on a too soft bed....AND making sure not to make Ray's too hard, because he likes it 'too soft'!

It's a bit surprising to realize what creatures of habit we are and how easy it is to make new habits when the situation requires it.  Call it change in routine, call it adapting to unusual circumstances, call it WHATEVER!!!  Ya just better enjoy doing it or you are in a heap of unhappiness!!

For me, it's all good.  I like the new challenges....well, I like trying to find an easier way to do it instead of the way it's usually done.  For those who know me well, this is no surprise!!  One thing I have found out in a trial and error situation is that there are NO shortcuts to making tortillas.  And Rachel LOVES her tortillas.  Me, I can take or leave them, but Rachel loves her PBJ's on a tortilla and her chicken on a tortilla and pasta with her tortillas.   I'm looking to hire a tortilla maker.   

Other than tortillas, I am in love with Belize.  Hot?  Sure it's hot.  But sweating is supposed to be a good thing, right?  I was painting in the new house today and sweat was pouring down into my eyes, soaking my shirt, my pants, my hair, my sweatband...and all I could think of was how much I love the people here, the birds we get to see.....4 days ago we saw 8 toucans in one tree, all in a little group together... awesome!!!  And the jungle and the mountains are amazingly beautiful.

Ray and I (and Rachel, wether she believes it or not) are just simply blessed to be here. We know it's going to be a bit difficult at times and I'm not real keen on Ray being gone so many nights a month, but it is the job and every single job on earth comes with some personal sacrifice every now and then.  But with our job, the Kingdom just seems a little bit closer... every time a pastor comes to class and is excited to be one step closer to ordination... every time a sister shakes your hand in church and says

'God Bless'... every time someone writes to us to tell us they are praying for us... everyday.  Does it get any better than this??  I think not.  

God Bless,  Becki

A "Custom - mized" Experience!

We FINALLY got our stuff from Customs yesterday.

What an interesting, long patience testing process! I can say this with great confidence now: We are SO GLAD we had a broker working for us or we would likely still be there, shaking our heads, going in circles, wondering who, what , why are we in this line again, what did they say, what do you mean we don't have the right paperwork?!

I'll spare you the number of phone calls, hours of waiting, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc....that all came after 3 weeks of waiting and numerous phone calls, emails, and letter drops - and the broker saying "Give me just 5 minutes, okay?"

Um, okay....

Yet, by the end of the day we were on our way, too late to properly drop off the rental vehicle but we did anyhow, too late to grab a decent dinner, so we made do as we headed south, happy to be reunited with our truck and our "stuff".

Our granddaughter Rachel had prayed for God to put 'iron bars' around our stuff. Seems like God liked that prayer! Between that, Becki's resolution that it was all God's stuff anyhow and some healthy patience on all our part, we came through this with some new perspectives, new understandings of the system here and an appreciation of realized values.

The other thing we REALLY gained was all YOUR PRAYERS!

Thank you so much!!!

Ray, Becki and Rachel

2 Districts - 2 Churches - 2 Blessings

Busy Sunday here! We left home at 6:30 am to drive to Belmopan. We picked up Tito along the way. He was thumbing for a ride and we gave in. Tito is an elderly man who only spoke Spanish so our conversations did not last long. We did finally make out that he was taking his heavy bag of potatoes to the market in Belmopan to try to sell them. As we parted, we gave  a blessing in Spanish which was returned with excited exclamations about God and Tito's heart! Nice.

In Belmopan, we met up with the Maya Mopan Church of the Nazarene and followed their bus along a long, winding bumpy, dusty, bumpy, winding, bumpy road to a vacant lot. This used to be the location of the church of the Nazarene in this village in the Cayo District, called Valley of Peace.  All that remains now, after a family that had lived there moved out, are several concrete pillars, a very broken thin concrete floor and a lot of trash. Undaunted, the people from the church spilled out of their bus and began to work. Some setting up the sound system, some gathering large rocks and firewood, to cook the lunch we would eventually enjoy. Others scoured the grounds and created some make shift benches. A number of children attacked a Golden Plum tree with glee. It was like watching a pinata being broken open, as they would throw sticks high up into the tree so that when one 'scored' and knocked loose some of the fruit, children would quickly run to collect the treasures!

During the service, Pastor Tiul revealed a remnant of the former church. This was all that was really left to show that anything remained of the once living church. He brought out a metal sign with the Nazarene logo on it. In Spanish, this aged sign still carried the declaration of Iglesia del Nazareno, Sanctidad o Jehova. Pastor Tiul wept as he shared its discovery. My minimal Spanish was not enough to understand all his words, but my heart understood his heart quite clearly! It was a very moving moment.

The Lord spoke into my heart this verse, "Once again, it will take root below and bear fruit above." 

This former church WILL rise again from the ruins to become a place where the lost can find their way. In addition to the busload of church people who came to help restart this church, a few from the village of Valley of Peace made a cautious return visit. Several young men came by on their bicycles, creating an impromptu gathering there in the road.

As we met under the shade of a tree, we sang, prayed, testified, preached and worshipped - all to the Glory of God, who is able to do exeedingly, abundantly beyond all that we can ask or imagine. Pray for this restart church in Valley of Peace.

Next stop, rush back down to where we live in Stann Creek District. We got back just in time to hurry to Hope Creek. This was to be the first of our Bible Story Telling times to help establish a new church here. To be brutally honest, I found myself very challenged as everyone was culturally late. Those who made it were far fewer in number than I had expected. Some of the young children that came with their mothers were SO distracting that the two mothers took their crying, squabbling toddlers and left. To their credit and my appreciation, they did come back again later. Discussion seem awkward and felt a lot like pulling teeth. In actuality, it probably went better than I thought but I had such high hopes for Hope Creek that I could not fight off my disappointments.

I found out later that there were 2 major events competing against us at that very same time. A Billiards Tournament just down the street and in the park across from that - a futbol (soccer) marathon. A quick glance down the street confirmed that most of the men of the village were there instead of joining this Bible session.

A dozen of the 14 did stay, mostly women ( I didn't count all the ninos and ninas running around). We discussed the story of Zaccheus and saw how God already knows our name and is looking for each one of us. PRAY that this holds true and becomes a personal reality for many new people in Hope Creek!

God's not Nice...

That statement, of course, is not true...

God is nice, much more than nice in fact. Yesterday I was lead to read Luke 6:27-36, you know, the "Love your enemies" part.

Which is why today, for the 2nd day of struggling with this, I am feeling a little bit of "God's not nice." The main reason is that we are still waiting, asking, complying, praying, hoping, waiting, calling, emailing, delivering, returning, waiting...for Customs here to release our truck and belongings, hopefully not in exchange for lots of cash. That last part seems less and less likely all the time. They say you can't beat the system - I'm starting to believe it.

Enter God's Word - messes with my whole perception. 

Thoughts like: 'Give to everyone who asks of you'...

       'If they take your cloak, give them your tunic as well...'

'If they take from you, do not demand it back...'

       'Do good to those who hate you...'

'Bless those who curse you...'

       'Pray for those who mistreat you...'

Really God - what do get for this?

Why should we even allow ourselves to be taken advantage of?!

Not surprisingly, the answer to my rants is right there in the passage:

1) my reward will be great

2) I will be a son of the MOST HGH

Permit me to indulge in a not so imaginary conversation with God for a moment:

Ray: "So, getting ripped off, taken advantage of, cheated, stolen from, etc - is a good thing?!"

GOD: "Yeah, that's pretty much it."

Ray: "Doesn't make lots of sense on this end."

GOD: "Makes perfect sense on MY end."

Ray: "But God, I live on this end of things. This sounds tough!"

GOD: "I never said life would be easy."

Ray: "People are going to take advantage of me."

GOD: "Yes."

Ray: "I'm going to lose things that I value."

GOD: "Yes."

Weeping can be heard...

GOD: "Why are you weeping?"

Ray: "Because I realize how silly that sounds. I shouldn't value things..."

GOD: "You're starting to get My point."

Ray: "I know that You value the people, even if they are wicked, stealing, cheating, lying, doing wrong to one of Your born again children."

GOD: "Yes, I do."

Ray: "I'm sorry God, this is going to be tough sometimes."

GOD: "I'm sure it will take a little practice."

Ray: "Your Word says "Do good to them..., bless them and pray for them."    

        "I think I will need some help in knowing how to pray for them."

GOD: I'll help you with that."

Ray: "I'm not sure that I will feel great about a future reward when I am being mistreated here."

GOD: "My Son did not feel good about it either."

Ray: (weeping much more) "God, I DO want to be known to others as Your son too, to be seen as one who carries Your Spirit in me!"

GOD: "You are. Just stay on the path you are on."

Luke 6:35-36 "...Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Village Bible School

Brittany and Rachel, Eva & Omega, from Silk Grass, along with Elisa from Pomona, all did a great job corralling an ever growing number of children that came to VBS in Hope Creek. The location was in newly closed bar which we successfully reclaimed for the Kingdom!

Tuesday started our effort with 88 kids

    Wednesday it grew to 107 excited children

         Thursday we managed to handle the swelling crowd of 135 rambunctious little  

               ones while about 15 adults watched from the wings.

Incredible!

The day had a strange turn of events as a Police vehicle came by during VBS. A woman was let out, who spoke briefly to her children, then was taken, along with her husband, to jail for an unknown length of time. She was allowed to inform her children that there would be no one at home when they finished VBS. These 3 beautiful little boys did not deserve to receive such harsh news. The oldest is maybe 10 yrs old.

The reason they are suddenly parentless is that mom and dad had 3 lbs of marijuana in their home. Such a small amount of hopeful quick cash to demand such a high price - especially in light of their heartbroken children.

We took them to a nearby village to be delivered to the home of an aunt. She agreed to take them for the moment but also stated that she did not know what to do with them. 

To me, this is one more reminder of how desperately Hope Creek Village needs the HOPE of JESUS!

God's Answer So Far...

Well, today did not go as we thought it might...

But - 

I am sure God's hand is stirring.

Last week in my personal Bible story-telling studying I had been reading about the woman from Shunem who Elisha told to take her family and leave because the Lord had decreed a famine to hit Israel for 7 years. She proceeded to do as she was told and went to live in a foreign land for 7 years, then returned. When she came back she went to the king to beg for house and land back. Now it "just so happened" that the king had earlier that day asked Elisha's servant to tell him all the great things that Elisha had done. He had just finished telling about the boy whom Elisha had raised from the dead when who should walk in but the mother of that boy, with her son.

When the king found that this was the woman, he asked to hear her story. She confirmed all that the king had just heard. The king then appointed an official to her case and instructed the official to return her house and land AND all the income from her land from the day she left the country until this day.

When I read that I started praying for "an official" here in Belize, who would help us. 

Today, I called the customs broker to find out that certain wording in our exemption was actually costing us a great deal of money in this case. No one here did anything wrong or intentional, it is just that changes have happened in the government, so some procedures are being handled differently than they were in the past.

It was suggested that if we had another letter with different wording, it would be worth a  great deal. So...travel to Belmopan...intending to pick up the first letter which should have been signed and waiting for us.

Just before we get to the capital building, we get in touch with the District Superintendent, so instead of going in along, we wait and go with him. That's official number one, but not a Government official. In trying to assess where we are and what we can do, we seem to hit a roadblock. While we are standing right outside the Finance offices, a lady walks out who instantly recognizes Rev. Tzib and calls him by name. 

Long story shorter, this "official" not only knows him, but is a member at one of our Nazarene churches in Belize (one I have not been to yet, but WILL!) Louise hears our situation from the DS and immediately goes to see what she can find out. When she returns moments later, she suggests a new plan that MAY reverse the huge duties that are being levied against us right now. Yeah! It is not a done deal but it is a great mental boost for us.

PRAY that this second letter is approved and that ALL DUTY IS WAIVED!

We are still concerned about our stuff sitting on the docks as it could become vulnerable to theft, etc. - but Becki said God checked her on that the other day as she was getting anxious. She heard God say "You're hanging on." So she felt that nudge to release our 'stuff' that has already been purchased with God's money, send down here with God's money and is being protected or 'placed' with God's full awareness.

We are excited to see a testimony in the process of being built that will glorify God.

P.S. I shared with the 'official' - Louise the story from 2 Kings and told her that I was glad to meet her as I had been wondering who our God appointed official was going to be!!

Keep praying - we'll tell the rest as soon as it happens!!

Ray & Becki & Rachel  (& Brittany , who was with us for this long, interesting day...)

Scary things in the shower...

I love my wife. I love that God has prepared her for such a time as this.

The other evening while she was taking a shower I heard "Ray, could you come here a minute?" This was said quite calmly, showing no signs of distress.

When I went to see what was up - she simply pointed to her 'shower guest' and asked if I could remove it. She did give a little shudder thinking about being in there with a large scorpion just above her shoulder!

I removed the scorpion, from the shower and from the land of the living. He never should have come visiting, at least not there and not then.

Not too much later, Becki once again said "Ray, can you come here?"

I returned to find my wife just beginning to dry her hair and a smaller, though lively scorpion scuttling along the floor. It soon went the way of the first scorpion.

Ah, so I decided right then and there (again, not just for the first time) that I love my wife. No loud screeching about a horrid life-threatening discovery, no jitters afterwards that kept her awake during the night or wanting to flee. Just an opportunity for me to be her 'hero' and remove the uninvited guest.

Yep, I love my wife.

Ray

3 Shots Rang Out!!!

It was about 3:30 in the morning and quite dark outside when the first of 3 - 22 caliber shots rang out. When you awaken to hear that, very close to your house, and your wife whispers, "Did you hear that?" several things go through your mind!

"Yes." I whispered back and strained to listen for any other sounds, like voices or someone approaching our house.  

Didn't hear any...

                      or did I?

                           ...what was that? 

Should I go look? 

Probably not.

Don't know who was shooting.

Don't know what they were shooting.

Or if they're done shooting. 

I don't have a gun...I don't even have a machete in this little house.

I want to look outside but I don't want to present a target.

The lightning in the distance is not really helping right now.

Was that lightning or a flashlight that just swept by our house?

Becki's asleep, that's good.

I'm still listening...

Was that a man's voice?

It's been 10 minutes, seems okay

    It's been a half hour, we probably fine...

        It's been an hour, I can go to sleep now...

            It's been too long for me to go back to sleep now...

Another half hour, ah, it's getting light outside, must be 5:00 am. 

I go check the clock, it is 5 am -- I want my sleep back!

I doze for about an hour or more.

Later, I find out that it was our beloved friend and the Director of the camp here who fired those shots. They were awakened during the night by the whimpering of their dog who is locked inside his rough little doghouse in front of their home, as a "tiger" was nearby. They said they could smell the jaguar's sprayed scent but could not see anything in the blackness of the surrounding jungle, so...

...he fired off 3 shots.

My internal alarms went off...

I'm sure the jaguar ran off...

I'm sure Felize went off to bed...

I sure wish I'd known that and not wasted all that time listening to the darkness of the Belizean night!

Well, at least it made for a productive early morning prayer time!

Between laying there in the dark and peering out the windows I had ample opportunity to pray!

I'll know better next time (I hope!)

Ray

Man Found Dead Near Us

Here's abit of news from our neighborhood. For those who know the area, this is the village at the end of our road. A man from Guatemala was found last week in an abandoned building near the end of the airstrip at the end of our road. His body was left to be found by an unsuspecting jogger. Since the body had already decomposed during the approximately 3 or 4 days since he had been killed, his body was hastily buried right where it was found.

I know the man who had hired this now deceased man from Guatemala. In fact, he is actively helping us plant a new ministry here in Hope Creek. 

There is more to this than I can share here, but... it does remind us that we never really know who is around us.

And, it emphasizes again, that we "need to make the most of every opportunity."

Pray that we do.

HUGE BLESSING!!

We just received this most abundant blessing, so we wanted to share it with all of you:

The Ministry of Finance here in Belize approved the request sent by our District Superintendent Rev. John Tzib and has granted us a FULL IMPORT DUTY EXEMPTION for our truck and belongings.

Rev Tzib said, "Thank God for all His goodness." We heartily agree!

This is worth several thousands of dollars not being paid in import taxes!

Thank you for praying with us!

Ray & Becki

ps - - before getting this posted even we received word that one of the 2 letters needed was not signed............. so, it will be sent back , signed and returned again - and uh, did we mention that the lady who needs to sign it is out of the office this week?!

So close!

Reading and Phones

Hey, just a thought here -

If you are reading these sporadic blogs of ours - jot us a note once in awhile. We know that people are reading but its nice to hear from you once in awhile since we can't see you any more!

Also -we learned last week that Nokia is the brand of choice here for holding connections better. And I am learning this week that my old Verion Motorola is quickly dying - the battery won't hold a charge for a day even.

So, if you have a Verizon serviced Nokia phone that you are not using and would not mind getting to us somehow, drop us a line first so we can talk about how to get it here. (We pay even for packages shipped in the mail, so we want to think about options...)

Thanks!
Ray & Becki

FIRST PASTORS CLASS

Even though it was a last minute crisis for the previously scheduled teacher…
Even though it seemed ‘coincidental’ that I happened to stop at the church of the education coordinator…
Even though he had my phone number recorded wrong so that none of his messages were getting through to me…
Even though I did not have free time on my hands as I was at a conference, trying to learn something myself…
Even though my wife was FINALLY being freed up to come to Belize and this would be my first time to see her in 6 weeks…!
Even though we had only a night at Advance to dump our stuff, repack and leave again…
Even though Rachel has ‘no clue’ where she is sleeping or what is going on…
Even though we would have liked to work on settling in and attempting to “get our house in order”…
Even though we did not have all the plans together yet for feeding the pastors, etc…
Even though we did not have sheets enough for ourselves even…
Even though we did not know how many would attend…
Even though there was no gas for the stove when we arrived…
Even though food had to be purchased right then…
Even though I was still trying to prepare the lessons while traveling…
Even though the printer at camp ran out of ink…
(and was manually refilled repeatedly!)
Even though we ran out of copy paper and switched to notebook paper…
Even though there were many unanswered questions…

God was faithful and we had a wonderful class!

“Thank yous” to Darin, Jafet, Agapito, Sabastian, the ladies who came last minute to cook and I’m sure others whose help I did not immediately see…

The pastors were a bit discouraged early on as we were late in arriving. They have gathered there before only to sit all day when no one ever shows, so they were beginning to wonder. Once that was talked out and explained, we were on our way. Their hunger to learn was evident as they asked questions, stayed up at night studying and were typically sitting at their tables doing homework long before I began to teach each day.

There still are challenges involved as so many need to still go to work (some were hindered from returning because of the threat of the loss of their jobs). Many others leave their farms unattended while they come to class, so they will have extra work to do later. Others have so far to travel, whether by bus, or walking, or hoping to catch a ride, just to come to class or to return for Wednesday night services. It is humbling to see one of our pastors here, a 62 year old man, faithfully riding his bike several miles over rough roads to go serve at the church he has planted over the last year’s time. His stamina and perseverance are incredible. Pray for him as he works so diligently for the Lord!

Thank you for your prayers in supporting this effort. Many in Belize will be blessed as we serve them through training their leaders.

P.S. Pray for our travels - and continued ministry efforts as right now we are a bit stranded down South - we headed home yesterday and after 2 1/2 hours, had to turn back when we saw that the temporary bridge was washed out by the 2 days of rain. And we had another full night of rain all last night which will hinder getting the bridge fixed --- again!

Is life here boring...?! Nah! How 'bout you?!

Ray & Becki & Rachel

BECKI IS IN BELIZE !!!!!!!!

WOW!  

It's been 47 days since I left Ohio to come to Belize...

It's been 47 days since I saw my wife...

It's been 47 days of hectic schedules, busy busyness on both ends,

It's been 47 days of emails, im's and phone calls...

It's been 47 days of "I miss you" and "I love you"...

It's been 47 days of wondering when this day was going to come.

At last - it's here!!!!!!

Wow, she's gorgeous!

Becki and Rachel and I had a great reunion, just so happy to see each other. Yes, Rachel is here too - Becki has been homeschooling her this year and she is just as happy to be a homeschool student in Belize as in Ohio or anywhere we might be.

We also had a divine appointment in meeting a Nazarene mission team from Kansas that just arrived in Belize. I cannot even tell you all the details now, but it was a true 'God - thing'!

I tried so hard to make a certain thing happen and circumstances far beyond me stopped all progress. Yet, God had other plans. He actually used this group to accomplish what I was trying to do - without them even knowing that a local pastor needed exactly what they were bringing to that table! Not only that but they blessed me in another way too as they have some men who will help tackle a little project for the future training of our pastors here.

And - I met a recently retired man who is interested in helping us with teaching the lay pastors. All this because Becki's flight this morning was delayed a couple of hours due to thunderstorms last night which kept the flight crew from getting enough sleep to be able to fly.

Um, is God in the details...or what!??!! 

I  LOVE  IT ! &  I LOVE GOD even more for making such things happen, and allowing me to see it in full living color! Too cool!

Pray for me this week as I go to teach a class on New Testament to the lay pastors. I just found out about this as I was leaving to go to a seminar for 3 days. Can you say 'brain overload'?!

God is faithful  -  so I KNOW it will be a good week, but I also know it will be an even better week  - if YOU will pray!

Thanks everyone!

Ray

First Service for a New Church Plant!

Lord's Bank is a nice name for a church! It is the name of the village where Dionicio Teck lives and it is where we had a rally this morning as the first service held here in efforts to open a new church. Dionicio is not a pastor, he is not wealthy, he is not an evangelist. Dionicio is a layman who has a heart for the Lord and for other people. 

This heart for others and for the Lord led him to make a plan to open this new church start. He worked hard to invite others, clear the lot in front of his very simple, little house, arranged for a set up the small tent we used for shade and paid from his own pocket to rent chairs, provide food and even help pay for transportation to bring others from a village farther away so they could be there to offer their support.

In light of all that he did, it was sort of fitting that I preached from the story of the woman in Luke 7 - who brought an alabaster jar of perfume, wept on Jesus feet, dried them with her hair, and poured the expensive gift on His feet. Dionicio did all of this over the past couple of weeks.

His lavish gift to help start this church does NOT come from deep pockets - nor does it come from a high paying job - it comes from a certain low level of income but a deep level of love and commitment. 

More than 110 people attended this morning. Many were so happy to see a church in their neighborhood. We were blessed far beyond the heat, the brief rain (which make it even more humid after it passes), and the bugs - by the smiles on the faces all around us. Their songs, the children who were dedicated and the many kind words shared after the service, during the fellowship meal, were of great encouragement. 

PRAY for this new start church

PRAY for a pastor to be provided

PRAY for the pastor who is asking his church to allow him to go preach there in the afternoons

PRAY for the people of the community

PRAY for salvations to be abundant

and PRAY that LORD'S BANK will become a true repository of God's abundant grace and love and forgiveness to all who need it.

Ray

Sunday - Bliss to busted!

With only so many hours in a day you wonder sometimes how much can happen in just one day.
This Sunday started out with an amazing number of 'coincidental' meetings. I thought I was starting a little late for the church that I wanted to attend but soon found out I was right on time - God's time!

I met Ramon, a new friend in Hope Creek, who was walking out to check on his farm. We greeted each other warmly while he updated me on what he has been doing lately...speaking to young people in his village about starting a Bible study! This is very cool, as so far, he and I have not had our first Bible study together even. He is already working though to recruit others. On top of that he told me that he was talking to another man who also said he should probably change his life also - this man owns a bar. I had asked Ramon earlier where we could meet and he was not sure. When he told me about this man - I asked if we could go meet him - and talk to him about this possible change of life - and then told Ramon, maybe he will even let us have Bible study in his bar! He agreed, so we will try to go meet him on Tuesday morning - PLEASE PRAY for this meeting and this man and the Bible study that will soon develop here!

So, I left Ramon and drove on towards my destination. Not too much after along, I stopped to pick up a man looking for a ride. I have been cautioned about doing this with men carrying bags as on occasion they are carrying drugs but I felt a nudge to stop, so I did. Marcel was on his way towards his home after being at work for the last 10 days at a local resort. He gets 4 days off in between working shifts. Our conversation quickly became serious as he found out I was headed to church in the same village where he wanted to go to. He told me about his addiction to alcohol and said that he knew he needed to change as he is a husband and father of 2 now. He was actually raised in the church, by parents that sent him there, but he has gone his own way and gotten into this trouble. It became clear that he knew some Scripture as he asked me about the kind of prayers that God answers, etc. I assured him that whether we are sinning or not, one prayer God always answers is an honest heart cry of "God, Help me!"

He said he had prayed that morning and wondered how things would be when he got home. That already that morning when they got off work his friends had invited him to have a drink. When he turned them down, citing lack of money, they offered it for free. He told them he just had to go home to see his children. I suggested that this ride and our talk was part of his answer. He agreed. He said he just needed some encouragement and had found it.

I took him to his in-laws home after swinging by the church so he would know where it was. Feeling very encouraged myself, I went on to the church at San Roman. There I worshipped with a great group of people and young people especially. It was thrilling to see a dozen teens get up and sing and quote Scripture that they memorized, each doing their own verses. The message I offered was from John 1 - about Jesus moving into our neighborhood. The congregation responded well, even when a drunken man made his entrance into the service. His own brand of 'participation' was politely borne by the people who sometimes tried to help him lower his volume some. Part way through the sermon, he decided he'd had enough and weaved his way out the door.

His entrance, and personal choice to leave when I was preaching about becoming a child of God - made for an interesting Live Object lesson. One in which I encouraged the church people that he is our neighbor, someone to pray for , to show love and hope and truth to - in hopes that he will one day rejoin them - of sober mind and sober spirit!

I spoke to several people in this church about future classes for pastoral training and Bible study and even received a request for 12 Student Study Bibles! It seems someone there has 1 and now they are all eager to have their own so hey can learn and memorize more.

I went on to visit 2 more churches in the afternoon, enjoying fellowship and encouragement along the way before turning back towards home. As I came back through San Roman, I saw Marcel walking along the road, along with another man on a bicycle. Excited to see my new friend, I slowed down, only to quickly recognize that both men were intoxicated. In fact, as I drew nearer to them, I watched the one one the bike collapse into the ditch next to him, while Marcel simply looked at him, apparently helpless himself beyond standing there staring at his fallen comrade. My heart sunk.

I slowly passed by and decided not to stop. I wanted to but have learned from friends in the states that you can't talk to a man while he's drunk. So my morning bliss was busted by this oh-too-real vision of reality.

PLEASE PRAY for Marcel, for his wife and children. Pray that this will be his last day to drink as God's Holy Spirit convicts him of his sin and draws him to Jesus for the help that he needs.

I'm not discouraged - (much) - I am reminded of what Jesus said: "From the time of John the Baptist until now, The Kingdom of God has been advancing and forceful men take it by force."

PRAY for the Spirit to be the force at work in Belize and in me!
~ Ray

"We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see
—but God likes to go off-road"

- Tony Snow


Tony Snow (1955-2008). He was not only President Bush's press secretary from 2006-2007, a broadcaster with Fox News, a journalist and newsman, but also a committed Evangelical Christian. Tony Snow died Saturday, July 12.

Many times, testimonies do not come from easy, cushy, everything is alright with me type lives. This reflects a general rule of life -Trials produce unexpected blessings.

Tony Snow wrote this in July. He had just resigned as the President's Press Secretary because of his ongoing battle with cancer. In ChristianityToday he wrote an article reflecting on lessons he has learned and is continuing to learn. Here is an excerpt from that article: Cancer's Unexpected Blessings

The moment you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things change. You discover that Christianity is not something doughy, passive, pious, and soft. Faith may be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But it also draws you into a world shorn of fearful caution. The life of belief teems with thrills, boldness, danger, shocks, reversals, triumphs, and epiphanies.

4 wheeling anybody?!! ~ Ray

Harvest Time for the Children !

The volunteers I mentioned the other day have been faithfully ministering all week - and are exhausted! Last night they stayed up nearly all night making preparations - one mother of 2 slept just 3 hours and her mother...did not sleep at all!

The morning site was packed with 240 children and the afternoon site was filled with nearly 100 excited little souls. God rewarded their diligence this morning as 18 older children came forward and gave their lives to Christ. I was not able to stay to see the harvest at the second site but God is surely stirring amidst these young hearts.

Continue to pray for the Ayalas as they minister. They minister every Sunday afternoon in an open lot to 35 children that responded to the call of Christ at last year's VBS.

Glory a Dios!

Ray

I stood weeping...

as I listened to a wonderful Cuban lady tell us about how they were gathering the children to come to the VBS we came across today. 

We stopped to check on Pastor Marcos this afternoon, to see how he was faring and were amazed to see their little church bursting with children! A lady from Cuba who now lives in Miami, had come back to Belize to help lead VBS in a couple of locations this week. She and another volunteer from her little church near Naples came to help her daughter and son-in-law do this wonderful ministry. They are doing children's ministry in one area in the mornings, grabbing some lunch and coming to another village in the afternoons. This was their second day and already they are getting a bit tired but were SO EXCITED about the children who were coming.

The morning group is having about 150 children while the afternoon group is about 75. 

Most of these children are not involved in church at all so this is incredible.

She told me about a couple of children who wanted to come but had to help with chores. So they decided to get up at 4 AM in order to help with the chores so they could be ready to go to VBS by 8 AM. Young children hungry, hungry for the things of God!

Another story she told me was difficult to hear and such a blessing also as I realized the depths this family is going to in order to reach out to those who may otherwise be completely forgotten. They found out about 2 young boys who are locked in their house everyday while their parents work. They really wanted to come to VBS, so these burdened adults asked permission to keep the boys with them, all day, while the parents work. They reluctantly agreed because they thought the boys, (their own) were 'malo' - bad but this lady explained to the parents that they thought they were 'bueno' good boys. She relayed that they were so serious and somber, didn't smile and shied away when they tried to hug them --- but --- that they were there and were already warming up a bit and loving being active, making the crafts, hearing the Bible stories.

I think what moved me was more than the story -it was also the fact that this family is making such an incredible impact on these children. The son-in-law took a week off from work to be able to help do VBS with his wife and mother-in-law. She had such passion and conviction in her voice and obviously in her actions, her love for these children was so evident and so encouraging and so challenging all at once. Her love for them was so evident that it touched me deeply. Hearing her son-in -law explain about closing his business for a week to go and help. His wife's voice calling out and sometimes singing to the children as we visited. The fact that they were doing this without help from anyone, without funds beyond what they had in their pockets, without asking for help but just serving the Lord by serving these little ones.

I was so blessed and encouraged that waves of admiration, blessing and great gratitude kept washing over me as...

....I stood weeping - in joy over the little ones hearing about my Jesus!

Pray to the Lord of the Harvest for help in winning and keeping these young ones in the Lord's House!

Ray

POMONA HAS CHURCH!

This newer church in our area has had its ups and downs lately. Sort of like a child learning to walk, they go for a bit, not exactly sure of themselves, then they stumble a bit also. Sometimes they fall down and look around to those watching to see what they should do next. If the adults or older siblings are encouraging, then they get up and try it again.

Pomona church has been like that. They have gotten their start, walked a bit, stumbled a bit and recently, unfortunately have fallen or sat down and did not know quite what to do.

Leah McLaughlin and her son Tabor have been here in Belize this week. She became very enthused about Bible Storying during her last visit to Belize. Her eagerness earned her a chance to come back and teach it to some of the women in local villages. The first was Silk Grass. The women there were also captured by this simple yet profound way of digging treasures out of the Bible. A decision was made to take it to another nearby village to introduce to the women there…enter Pomona.

After a morning of Bible Storying at Silk Grass, the ladies loaded up our little vehicle and went to Pomona. A short time later, we had assembled a delegation of ladies and children, plus Tabor and myself, and walked through the village going to homes of those already known to have been involved in the Pomona church. Smiles, greetings called over fences and through windows soon created some excitement for the following day when the class would be held.

Saturday proved to be a bit of a challenge as some followed through on the invitations while others found other things to occupy themselves with. Leah and the ladies persisted which led to the next step…Sunday morning.

It was decided that we would have church Sunday morning and attempt to reignite this little church. There was overnight excitement and enthusiasm which was challenged by reality on Sunday morning. When we arrived, the church was locked and no one was to be seen.

Persistence is an interesting word. We persisted.

We had walked around the village a couple of days earlier, so we knew where people lived and Leah had already committed their names to memory so….

Not too long later we had gotten the keys to the church, had visited a few homes and brought some people back with us.

A happy 3 hours later we slowly reversed the process, took people home, gave lots more smiles and handshakes and words like “See you next time, okay?!”

It is neat to work within God’s sense of timing too. We found out that next week a group will be coming that will be doing VBS …at Pomona! So, is His infinite wisdom, this week was at least, in part, about preparing some of the church folks to receive the ministry that is in store for next week.

It’s fun to be a part of what God is doing, even if we don’t know how it all works out, it is neat to see that He gives us a place in His handiwork.

Just for Grins

See the map clear down at the bottom of this page....

         ............... scroll waaaaaaaaaaay down there.....

You can see we have a long ways to go!

Ray & Becki

How Many...?

How many leaf-cutter ants does it take to strip a small tree down to skeletal remains?

How many bees does it take to harvest the nectar from the flowers of the Kahune Palm?

How many blood-sucking insects are there in Belize?

How many vines does it take to topple a full grown tree?

How many species of birds are there that sing their incredibly different and wonderful songs?

How many beautiful flowers grow that here naturally are sold as Exotics in the U.S.?

How many mangoes can I consume in a week?

I actually do not know the answers to any of these questions. But...I know:

~ leaf-cutter ants are voracious and incredibly diligent workers. Once they begin to harvest, nothing stops them.

~ the bees are equally busy when they gather nectar, the blooms drop with amazing consistency as they work.

~ insects...Who Knows?! But I can tell you there are more than I care for!

~ vines...I did not count them but in the process of clearing it out from the portion of our 'driveway' that is was covering, I found myself thinking, there is NO WAY you could quickly go from point A to point B in such a mass of interspersed vines (and before anyone says "Hey it's the jungle!" Yes, I know I am more aware of it all the time.

~ birds...Couldn't tell you that either although I imagine someone can. It is a treat though to hear such magnificent melodies even though the trees are so thick we cannot often see them. Although today I did see an abundance of green parrots and 4 Keel-billed toucans in a bare tree near the dining hall. How cool is that?

~ flowers...It is amazing to see the Bird's of Paradise flowers growing in ditches when we would pay a premium for them in the U.S.

~ now, to the all important question about mangoes.... I don't know this one yet either as I missed the season and there aren't enough now to discover the quantity but hopefully someday...

Well, maybe some of this would encourage you to visit Belize someday. Don't worry about the bugs, when you weigh out the whole deal - they're not that bad compared to the treats all around you and the wonderful people you meet. 

More on them next time...

Ray

New Flood this Morning

I woke this morning early to a serious thunderstorm. I LIKE thunder, so I smiled and nestled in for some more sleep. Then I remembered the recent flood and thought that the people here would probably not share my enthusiasm. When the rain finally let up a few hours later, it was time to investigate.

I went for a ride after the rain subsided to go look around. Felize was eager to join me and on the way we picked up Francisco and David, 2 older boys who are our nearest neighbors. They were happy to go with us. At a few points along the way, we had David go ahead of us to test the depth of the flowing water covering the road. When I expressed concern that he not get knocked over, his older brother simply said, "He can swim."

We went thru 4 or 5 low areas until we got to within about 1/2 mile from the little creek with the raised up bridge. That was as close as we could get. They anticipated that in about 4-6 hours, you should be able to make it then but not this morning, that's for sure.

The road changed a LOT during this one rainfall - a normal car would not fare well here. In fact, just this morning, even though we were being very careful, somewhere along the way, a rock must have sliced the side wall on my left front tire as a nice flap of rubber is hanging there now. Felize had told me that the rocks on this road can be very sharp - this proves it!

It is interesting what a difference a few hours of rain can make here!

"Gifts" from Guatemala

CULTURAL ADVENTURE

This last week has been interesting. I accompanied Rev. Jafet Pat on a journey to attend an Education Conference at STN, Seminario Theologico Nazareno, in Guatemala. I am REALLY glad that he took me. I did not know what was being said most of the time which was not so bad in the meetings as he translated or I read most of what was in print (I could figure that part out)

However, listening to the people speak is a whole 'nother ballgame! (Which brings up another point in itself, they play and watch a lot of futbol...but it's not the football we think of, it is what the rest of the world calls futbol - or soccer, to us Norte Americanos)

I was so glad to simply be following my friend and not having to understand what everyone was saying when we got on and off buses, went through customs to get out of Belize and then into Guatemala, exchanging money with men I could hardly catch a word of ...trying to understand something about what bus? where? when? what cost? oooohhhh mmmyyyyyyyy....

SO much easier to say, Jafet, how much? Where now? OK, thanks or ah, gracias!

OUTSIDER PERSPECTIVE

Seriously though, it was great to be the outsider, the one who could not understand what people were saying but still know they were talking about me. When they asked Jafet about me, very few would even look at me and he did not ask me to respond, so I was often just an observer, of quickly spoken words of a different language, head nods and an occasional smile.

I enjoyed this, not because it was comfortable but because it gave me the rare chance to see what is is like for someone visiting the US but unable to converse clearly in English. My

 horizons have been expanded by how we can simply ignore, shy away or sit awkwardly among those we cannot easily talk to. I quickly became thankful and appreciative of those who tried to speak to me, in either language.

GENEROSITY

This educational conference focused largely on how we need to be continuing to develop further ways to reach out to those who need to be taught and not just wait for them to meet our expectations. The people we met in Guatemala were from a few of the neighboring Central American countries. One common thread, in addition to a love for their food, and easy laughter, was that they were so willing to offer help. Jafet and I talked of this as offer's continued to come - in the way of encouragement, help in developing online courses, other offering to come teach in Southern Belize, and English books for a much needed library for the pastors.

It was so refreshing to receive offer after offer. None of these came because we had money to give them, in fact the offers come at their own expense. The generous 'gifts' came because they showed us generous hearts, willing attitudes and hearts for the lost and those needed training in the things 

of the Lord.

We both came away refreshed and encouraged by these other brothers and sisters who are already working hard in their own countries but had such freely offered they support. It seemed like a living NT letter being spoken aloud in real time instead of being read from a historical perspective.

PRAYER WINS AGAIN

Can I say "Thank You" again to those who prayed for our safe travel. The 2 overnight bus rides did not prove uneventful but were quite safe, despite lightning and rain and cows running alongside our bus this morning and crowded narrow city streets and winding, windy, twisty, curvy mountain roads.

HEY JERSEY!

I saw a man at the bus stop in Guatemala City wearing a Cape May Bird Observatory tshirt...! Did I just hear Carl break into that lovable song, "It's a Small World After All!"? (sorry, just had to !)

2 MORE SMALL FLASH FLOODS

Mullins temporary bridge is gone again. I guess the last couple of nights here have experienced pretty serious rains and the culvert bridge is no more...until they come fix it ...again...

I went to see for myself and got on site just after a young boy in a canoe had dropped off a man and his bicycle on this side of the river and headed back across to where a group of others awaited transport.

     

NEW CHURCH ?!

I gave a man a ride today here on Coastal Highway, which for those who don't know, is nothing more than an improved dirt / gravel / rock road. We spoke about the most recent little flood and the major one too. He had dog paddled / swam on a 5 gallon bucket for more than 2 hours to get past the little creek here on our road that floods, in order to get to the other side to go check on his mother. She had already lost everything in the big flood and he was concerned her so he took a very dangerous journey through murky water to go see about her safety. He definitely put his safety to the challenge in the process.

He also told me that in the big flood, he had lost 6 pigs, 9 sheep and 4 ACRES of Haberno peppers which he was growing to sell to a local company. His lost was quite large, all he had, but he was so matter of fact in saying, "I will start over." "We're all alive, that's what is important, so we thank God and I will just start over."

He asked what I was doing here and when I told him, he asked me to start a church here in this area, explaining that he thought people would come to it, especially if we offered rides as many people walk. He said it is really needed here and it would be great if I would do that. I told him that if I did I would come looking for him to help. He agreed.    hhmmmm....

LORD, Lead on!!

Ray