National Anthem

Over the last three months I've been to a number of functions for schools and most recently a fundraiser where at the beginning of every event the Belizean National Anthem was sung. It's taken me all summer, but I can proudly say that I have learned the national anthem of Belize. I was helping some of the parishioners in Placencia to cook for the mission team from Virginia this afternoon and had the national anthem stuck in my head....and then realized that I was actually singing the words from memory and I didn't have to sit with the words in front of me or ask the kids to sing it for me. It may have been a fluke, but I was pretty excited!! The words are below. It may not be something you're interested in, but I wanted to post it so I had it written down and could look back on it!! I don't know how to post or link the melody, sorry, so if you're really curious ask me when you see me and I'll sing it for you :)

O, Land of the free by the Carib Sea,
Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty
No tyrants here linger, despot must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy
The blood of our sires which hollows the sod,
Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod
By the might of truth and the grace of God.
No longer shall we be hewers of wood.

Chorus:
Arise! Ye sons of the Baymen's clan,
Put on your armours, clear the land!
Drive back the tyrants let despots flee-
Land of the free by the Carib Sea!

Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,
O'er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold
Drove back the invaders; this heritage hold
From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
Through coral isle,over blue lagoon;
Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
For freedom comes to-morrow's noon.

My parents fly in tomorrow which means I'm officially on holidays. I'm so excited!! I've cleaned out the rectory and packed up my stuff....I seem to be leaving with a lot more then what I came with, and trust me I came with a lot. I think I may end up going through my bags once more at the hotel and throwing out things that I don't need.

My emotions are mixed this week as my internship comes to a close. I'm super excited to have some time to enjoy the country without having to worry about working and I'm so excited to see my parents. But I'm really sad to be leaving. Three months is not enough time...and...yeah...I'm really not wanting to leave yet. I'm praying that I will be given the opportunity to come back down here in the next year to do some sort of mission with the Diocese. That would be really wonderful!! Until then, I continue to pray that God will be present in the lives of the people that I have met, and that whatever seed has been planted will continue to be nurtured by God. It's still not completely clear to me as to what the seed is that I've planted, but I have a feeling that I may not realize it until I am back in Canada and debriefing it verbally with people.