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!