Yesterday was Labour Day in the country. Nothing was open, and due to the Swine Flu scare, nothing was happening either. All of the major events scheduled for this weekend were cancelled or postponed. So the city and the country was pretty quiet. Dawn and Ralph's place at Sunset was particularly quiet throughout the morning. I enjoyed one of the most relaxing days of my life here in Belize.
I slept in until 10:30 which I've never been able to do here because the sun rises so early causing it to get hot. However, my blood seems to have remained quite thin throughout the year, as I woke up yesterday morning with my sheet right up under my chin as I was a bit chilly! I took my time getting ready and then spent my morning reading while Ralph went to run errands and Dawn studied for upcoming exams. Dawn and I also cooked for ourselves yesterday. I didn't realize that she's not a cooker nor does she like to cook. So the night before we went to the store and picked up some meat, rice, veggies and plantain and decided we were going to cook a big meal for ourselves. I'm happy to report that it turned out beautifully. Ralph and Dawn got a rice cooker as a wedding gift, I was in charge of rice (even though I don't actually know how to cook rice). Thank God for rice cookers, I made the rice, taught Dawn how to use the cooker and it turned out very well. Our entire meal included Meatballs, Rice, Fried Plantain, Green Beans and Corn! It was delicious. Lorna, Joe and the kids came over for the afternoon. I hung out with the kids in the back yard we played ball, laid in the hammock and listened to music. It was great!!! Lorna's youngest grandson Kayvaghn is quite shy, and was quite shy last year when I met him. I was not expecting him to remember me or like me this trip, but he seems to remember who I am. Every time he sees me he runs up to me screaming my name coming to get his daily hug and kiss. The Sampson's refer to him now as my new boyfriend!!! He's super cute!!!
Dawn and Ralph decided to take me "out on the town" last night. We got ready and headed out at around 7:30. Stopped by the Sampsons in the city and then made our way to the Casino. Now, I've never been to a Casino, the closest I've come to gambling is Bingo with my grandmother, and that was a long time ago. At the beginning of the week, Dawn had asked if I go to the Casino and if I'd be interested. I told her, I've never been and thought experiencing the Casino in Belize would be great story to share with people. Ralph and Dawn are not gamblers. When they do occasionally go, they spend about $10 and eat at the resturant. So we went. Dawn and I got $10 in quarters, Ralph $7 in nickels and we headed to the machines. The guys working the tills laughed out loud at us, as most people who come through usually spend hundreds of dollars. I felt totally out of place there, but I tried my hardest to make it look like I knew what I was doing, while the whole while I kept leaning over to ask Dawn what all of the lights and buttons on the machines meant. She laughed pretty hard at me. We had a lot of fun. In the end, I broke even, I won my $10 back. I'm sure the woman sitting beside me thought I was nuts...1) because I only spent $10 at the Casino and 2) because I decided not to keep gambling it!! In the end, it was fun, we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot!!
We woke up late again this morning (not as late as yesterday) and took our time getting ready. I drove Dawn and I into the city to pick up Lorna, Joe and the kids and we made our way out the CrocLand on the Western Highway for the day. It's a tourist attraction with a petting zoo of different crocodiles, a resturaunt and swimming pool. We made our way through the zoo, stopped for lunch and spent most of our time in the pool. It was a lot of fun, but quite exhausting. I was the only adult in the pool (the Sampson adults didn't swim) and two of the kids couldn't swim and needed to be held. So when I wasn't looking after one of the lee ones in the big pool they were hanging out in the kiddy pool until it was there turn. So I'm beat!! They had an absolutely wonderful time and that's all that matters to me, it was great to be able to hang out with them all day.
After getting out of the pool, I quickly dreaded not bringing along my contact holder and solution. The chlorine got into my eyes from all of the splashing the kids and I did that I couldn't see. Once we got into the city we stopped at a store and thankfully was able to find some solution to soak my contacts in. From there, Dawn and I found a great fruit stand, loaded up on fruits and vegetables and made our way home. We will soon be enjoying freshly made watermelon juice and a whole lot of fresh oranges from the orange farms here. I CANNOT WAIT!
I'm scheduled to leave tomorrow. It's going to be sad and hard to say good-bye, but at the same time I'm ready to go and begin preparing to move out west. The trip has been great, even though I've only been here 11 days, it honestly feels I've been here for months, mainly due to the length of days and the laid back atmosphere of the country. I really do feel refreshed and ready to take on packing up my stuff and saying my goodbyes to people back in Toronto as much as I don't want to. The next week is going to be busy, so I'm glad I've had these few days to enjoy some time taking care of myself and enjoying the company of my Belizean families. They certainly are a blessing, and this trip has made me realize that I don't think I can go more than a year without seeing these folks again. Dawn and I have already started planning where we will go on my next trip!!!
I arrive in Toronto at 8:30 tomorrow evening. Please pray for safe travels and continue to pray for the Diocese of Belize and the people here!! They have become incredibly close to my heart and I know that I will continue to keep them close in prayer as my minitry continues!!! See you soon!!!
Chelsy
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Driving in Belize
I got to hang out with Lorna Sampson all morning this morning!! It was great. I came into town with Ralph, Lorna's son-in-law, this morning. Dawn and Ralph live out of town in a little village called Sunset, I've been staying with them all week and then coming into the city every morning. Anyway, Lorna needed to be a St. John's Cathedral to lead the primary school kids in Morning Prayer this morning at 9:00. So her husband Joe, gave me the keys to their Prado and I got to be her chauffeur for the day and she was my navigator, I'm starting to figure out my way around the city.
We got to the church a bit early, so while we were waiting we walked across the street and checked out the House of Culture, which is a house on a piece of land that used to be owned by the British when the country was still a colony and governed by the British. The land has since been sold, but is kept maintained an is now a museum on the sea. It's the same place that Ralph and Dawn got married a few weeks ago...it's beautiful.
We then made our way back to the Cathedral, where 300 children were waiting for Lorna to begin the service. It was really great to see her in action. She's a very quiet woman individually, but when she is leading service, and preaching she has so much energy and life. It was great to see the kids and her having so much fun!! Right after the service about 50 tourists came into the church. Three big greyhound type buses dropped them off. Today was a Cruise Ship day. Three Cruise Ships docked at Belize and passengers are then boated to shore and get the day to spend money and check out the city, they were everywhere. The nice thing about them being in town is that the Tourist Village was open and I was able to find a few souveniers for myself that I was not able to find in the south. While walking through the village, I was worried that Lorna may have felt a little uncomfortable, but she really enjoyed it. They have lived in Belize City for about 20 years, and this was her first time in the village. She liked it so much, we went back this afternoon!! I think she just liked seeing people she knew, and looking at all of the crafts!!
We then came back to the house at mid-day and had our lunch, Dawn and I then ran errands. It wasn't as successful as we had hoped. Tomorrow is Labour Day, so nothing will be open, it's a day off. That means that everyone is getting their banking and errands done today....and when I say everyone, I mean EVERYONE!!! Line ups at the banks were about a 2 hour wait, it was ridiculous!! Needless to say, our bank errands didn't get done, gonna have to wait until next week!!
The rest of my afternoon was spent on the couch napping. Everyday this week has included a good hour long nap, it's been glorious!!! And now I sit at Dawn and Ralph's in the village of Sunset where you can't hear a thing except the crickets and other noisy bugs outside, the neighbours are burning garbage and the fire is the biggest fire I've ever seen. It's been a great evening. Due to the day off tomorrow, Dawn and Ralph will be spending the day in Sunset. I'll stick around as well, lay in the hammock underneath their thatch and read a book...I'm re-reading The Shack while I'm here as I'm going to Paul Young's lecture at Wycliffe in a couple of weeks. Should be a good time. Tomorrow evening, Ralph, Dawn and I are going to go out and celebrate the fact that Ralph finished an exam today. Saturday - Lorna, Dawn, Diroune, Kayan and I will be heading to Croc Land for the day - it should be fun!!
We got to the church a bit early, so while we were waiting we walked across the street and checked out the House of Culture, which is a house on a piece of land that used to be owned by the British when the country was still a colony and governed by the British. The land has since been sold, but is kept maintained an is now a museum on the sea. It's the same place that Ralph and Dawn got married a few weeks ago...it's beautiful.
We then made our way back to the Cathedral, where 300 children were waiting for Lorna to begin the service. It was really great to see her in action. She's a very quiet woman individually, but when she is leading service, and preaching she has so much energy and life. It was great to see the kids and her having so much fun!! Right after the service about 50 tourists came into the church. Three big greyhound type buses dropped them off. Today was a Cruise Ship day. Three Cruise Ships docked at Belize and passengers are then boated to shore and get the day to spend money and check out the city, they were everywhere. The nice thing about them being in town is that the Tourist Village was open and I was able to find a few souveniers for myself that I was not able to find in the south. While walking through the village, I was worried that Lorna may have felt a little uncomfortable, but she really enjoyed it. They have lived in Belize City for about 20 years, and this was her first time in the village. She liked it so much, we went back this afternoon!! I think she just liked seeing people she knew, and looking at all of the crafts!!
We then came back to the house at mid-day and had our lunch, Dawn and I then ran errands. It wasn't as successful as we had hoped. Tomorrow is Labour Day, so nothing will be open, it's a day off. That means that everyone is getting their banking and errands done today....and when I say everyone, I mean EVERYONE!!! Line ups at the banks were about a 2 hour wait, it was ridiculous!! Needless to say, our bank errands didn't get done, gonna have to wait until next week!!
The rest of my afternoon was spent on the couch napping. Everyday this week has included a good hour long nap, it's been glorious!!! And now I sit at Dawn and Ralph's in the village of Sunset where you can't hear a thing except the crickets and other noisy bugs outside, the neighbours are burning garbage and the fire is the biggest fire I've ever seen. It's been a great evening. Due to the day off tomorrow, Dawn and Ralph will be spending the day in Sunset. I'll stick around as well, lay in the hammock underneath their thatch and read a book...I'm re-reading The Shack while I'm here as I'm going to Paul Young's lecture at Wycliffe in a couple of weeks. Should be a good time. Tomorrow evening, Ralph, Dawn and I are going to go out and celebrate the fact that Ralph finished an exam today. Saturday - Lorna, Dawn, Diroune, Kayan and I will be heading to Croc Land for the day - it should be fun!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Swine Flu and it's effects on Belize
I've been in Belize City for a day now, I think....all of the relaxing that I have been getting in, I've actually lost track of time. I think I got here on Monday.....or maybe it was Tuesday. In any case, I'm here. Either Monday, or Tuesday morning I hopped the James Line Express Bus at 7:20am and made my way through the country side with my final destination in Belize City. The ride was nice, a little more crowded than I had expected, but still very nice. It's always wonderful driving through the diverse countryside. I will never get over how diverse Belize is, particularly due to its size. You don't expect the diversity.
I arrived in Belize City at about 11:30am, just in time for lunch with the Sampsons. Dawn dropped me off, and headed to work, while Lorna Sampson and I laid in the living room and had a nap. It was lovely. The last couple of days have been filled with afternoon naps. Part of me wants to go out and do things, while the other part of me just wants to sit and laze around. I have a feeling the majority of my time here will be the latter.
Dawn Sampson, was hoping to take a trip to Croc Land which is about a half an hour away on the Western Highway. We were going to spend the day at the park, and finish the visit with lunch, she figured that seeing how she'd never been there it would be a great place to go and experience for the first time together. Unfortunately it looks like our plans are going to be changing due to the Swine Flu pandemic. As of this evening, there are 4 suspected cases of the Flu in Belize. 1 in San Pedro, 1 in Orange Walk Town and 2 in Belize City. People in Belize are taking a number of precautions, face masks are being worn by employees of banks and the electricity company as well as locals on the streets. All of the events that were planned to take place this weekend have been canceled. This has included town hall meetings, the circus that was to start tomorrow in the city and the Agriculture Show, an annual weekend event that happens every year in Belmopan, it usually brings in 30,000 people. With all of the cancellations of events, the reality of the pandemic is beginning to sink in. I'm taking precautions as best I can, washing my hands constantly and making sure to keep my distance from highly populated areas which has been easy, as I'm not familiar with the city, so stay close to home.
Friday is a holiday here, Labour Day, so instead of going to Croc Land, Dawn suggested we have a Belizean barbecue at her place. I'm really excited, they have got a beautiful thatch in their backyard, complete with electricity, sink, barbecue, and hammock. It's lovely. I think all of the Sampsons are going to come to Sunset to join us. It should be a good time.
Aside from that, I might make my way to the sea to sit for a while, but other than that, I'm basking in the fact that I have absolutely nothing to do and taking huge advantage of it. I'm scheduled to fly back to Canada on Sunday and am preparing myself to be stuck at the border for a while, due to the fact that I'm arriving from Central America. Please pray for a stress-free arrival in Canada.
I will try and update in the next couple of days if anything exciting happens with my trip!! Take care!!
Chelsy
I arrived in Belize City at about 11:30am, just in time for lunch with the Sampsons. Dawn dropped me off, and headed to work, while Lorna Sampson and I laid in the living room and had a nap. It was lovely. The last couple of days have been filled with afternoon naps. Part of me wants to go out and do things, while the other part of me just wants to sit and laze around. I have a feeling the majority of my time here will be the latter.
Dawn Sampson, was hoping to take a trip to Croc Land which is about a half an hour away on the Western Highway. We were going to spend the day at the park, and finish the visit with lunch, she figured that seeing how she'd never been there it would be a great place to go and experience for the first time together. Unfortunately it looks like our plans are going to be changing due to the Swine Flu pandemic. As of this evening, there are 4 suspected cases of the Flu in Belize. 1 in San Pedro, 1 in Orange Walk Town and 2 in Belize City. People in Belize are taking a number of precautions, face masks are being worn by employees of banks and the electricity company as well as locals on the streets. All of the events that were planned to take place this weekend have been canceled. This has included town hall meetings, the circus that was to start tomorrow in the city and the Agriculture Show, an annual weekend event that happens every year in Belmopan, it usually brings in 30,000 people. With all of the cancellations of events, the reality of the pandemic is beginning to sink in. I'm taking precautions as best I can, washing my hands constantly and making sure to keep my distance from highly populated areas which has been easy, as I'm not familiar with the city, so stay close to home.
Friday is a holiday here, Labour Day, so instead of going to Croc Land, Dawn suggested we have a Belizean barbecue at her place. I'm really excited, they have got a beautiful thatch in their backyard, complete with electricity, sink, barbecue, and hammock. It's lovely. I think all of the Sampsons are going to come to Sunset to join us. It should be a good time.
Aside from that, I might make my way to the sea to sit for a while, but other than that, I'm basking in the fact that I have absolutely nothing to do and taking huge advantage of it. I'm scheduled to fly back to Canada on Sunday and am preparing myself to be stuck at the border for a while, due to the fact that I'm arriving from Central America. Please pray for a stress-free arrival in Canada.
I will try and update in the next couple of days if anything exciting happens with my trip!! Take care!!
Chelsy
Monday, April 27, 2009
Where the Jungle meets the Sea!
My apologies for not posting yesterday, it was a very busy morning and afternoon. I went with Miss Lorna and Shanton to church at St. Michael's yesterday morning. They did not ask me to do any services yesterday which I was grateful for, it was really great to be able to sit and participate in the service with the rest of the congregation. That did not stop Miss Lorna from asking me to read and then preach a quick homily on the spot for the congregation. I was nervous, but very happy to do so.
It was lovely to see some of the parishioners again. As we pulled up in front of the church a bunch of the little children who I had taught how to serve last summer were waiting for us. It was wonderful to see them, they sat right beside me in the front row of the church, crawling all over my lap as we particpated in Morning Prayer, led by Miss Lorna. We stuck around for a few minutes after the service to chat with other women at the church and to catch up. They all seem to be doing so well. I've missed them tremendously.
From there we decided to take a trip out to the graveyard to see Shawn (Shanton's mom's grave). He's been having trouble going to see the grave and tries to make up excuses as to ways he can not visit it. I asked him yesterday if he would show me where it is. Once I explained to him that I wanted him to show me where it was so we could visit together he was more willing. We sat on her grave and told stories that we remembered about her and laughed at some of the funny memories we had. He seemed to be less tense once we all sat down and talked about Shaw with him. It was a really precious moment, and really wonderful to be able to go and visit her grave, as her death came very suddenly and after I had left, which was hard to grasp.
Miss Sue from Monkey River picked me up after our visit to Shawn's grave. We made our way through the orange field farms and into the jungle to end up in Monkey River 8 miles off the Southern Highway. We dropped Miss Sue's truck off at a friends home, jumped into a boat and made our way up the coast to her home and resort called Stepping Stones. Due to the roughness of the sea we went around the back and enjoyed a lovely smooth boat ride through a lagoon that leads to the back of their lot. It was lovely. We picked up her husband Mr. Chris and made our way back to Monkey River Village. A young woman named Elizabeth who resides in Orange Walk in the north was staying in the village over night and interviewing locals. She writes for the Belize Times and is doing an article on the erosion happening in Monkey River.
The beaches and land at Monkey River is beginning to disappear as the sea creeps slowly toward the village. In the last 9 months since I conducted the funeral for the young child in Monkey River, the sea has made it's way incredibly close to the graveyard. If nothing is done it will be gone soon and so will the village. The village used to be a town of over 8000 people, it's current population is 180. Chris and a number of the locals, as well as support from the government will be working in the next couple of weeks to put up wood barries about 500 feet out at sea to stop more water from coming in and allowing the river that runs into it to take it's course. I'm not 100% sure of how everything is to work, but with time, once the barriers are up, there is a very good chance that nature will takes it course and Monkey River will be home to the beach it is so well known for and residents will not be in danger of losing their homes and belongings.
We enjoyed Stew Chicken for lunch while Chris and Elizabeth talked about the erosion problem. Sue and I made our way to the church. Sue has been working to lead Sunday School for the children in the village 2 Sundays a month. She asked me if I would be willing to lead a family/children service when I was there. I said yes. Before my arrival she put up posters and we had 26 children and their parents come for the service. It was truly wonderful. Sue seemed to be very happy with the turn out! We said a couple of repeat-after-me prayers, a bunch of songs (that they led, because I didn't know any of them), and a question and answer period where myself and the adults quizzed the children on their bible knowledge. If they got a right answer they got a pencil!! They loved it. It was a short service, but a great one. Teacher Wally and Sue said, that I got points with that service because it was short and didn't lose the kids attention!!! It made me smile. From there, we walked to the school, I've never been inside and really wanted to see what the kids were up to. They have done a wonderful job of educating the children. It's very inspiring, particularly when taking into account that Miss Sue is volunteering her time to keep the school running and making sure the children are being offered incredible education. She's an amazing woman....a true blessing and inspiriation!!! The Anglican Church is so blessed to have her and Chris working in Belize and spreading the Good News!!
From there, we hopped a boat and made our way back to Chris and Sue's place. Chris and Sue own a home and some cabanas right on the seaside. Their resort is called Stepping Stones. It is lovely, incredibly comfortable, clean, welcoming, and hospitable located where the Jungle meets the sea. You look out one window and all you see is green jungle, the other side of the building is sea. I spent the night on their deck sipping wine, eating pringles, listening to the waves crash on the beach, the palm trees move in the wind, and watching the FireFlies fly in and out of the trees. It was a beautiful evening. It was wonderful to catch up with the Harris's.
This morning Sue and I jumped into the boat at about 10am and took a half an hour boat ride up the coast to Placencia where I was being dropped off in order to catch the Hokey Pokey back to Mango Creek. We said our goodbyes there and I hopped in another boat. I really do enjoy the whole getting around by boat, much more fun than driving!!! I got off at Mango Creek, wrapped myself in a shawl, as I look like a tomoatoe and the sun is brutally bright today and started my half an hour walk to Miss Lorna's. Just as I reached the half way point a van stopped in front of me and my favourite taxi driver Carl was waiting for me! It's so neat to be remembered, and to know people here. I jumped in the car, and he updated me on his life since last summer!! He seems to be doing really well and that makes me so glad!!
The rest of my day will be pretty low key. I leave Mango Creek at 7:30 tomorrow morning and head to Belize City. It's going to be really hard to leave, I'm going to miss it here. Until then, I will pack up my stuff, hangout with the Longsworth's, and keep my ears on the news as I listened for updates on the Swine Flu that has hit Mexico. I have no plans to be in Mexico during my time here, however, my flight on the way home does stop in Houston, Texas. Miss Sue said there could be a chance that they will be offering vaccinations upon my arrival in which case it might not be a bad idea to take it. We'll see what happens when I get there.
I'll write again in a couple of days, once I am settled in Belize City!!
C.
It was lovely to see some of the parishioners again. As we pulled up in front of the church a bunch of the little children who I had taught how to serve last summer were waiting for us. It was wonderful to see them, they sat right beside me in the front row of the church, crawling all over my lap as we particpated in Morning Prayer, led by Miss Lorna. We stuck around for a few minutes after the service to chat with other women at the church and to catch up. They all seem to be doing so well. I've missed them tremendously.
From there we decided to take a trip out to the graveyard to see Shawn (Shanton's mom's grave). He's been having trouble going to see the grave and tries to make up excuses as to ways he can not visit it. I asked him yesterday if he would show me where it is. Once I explained to him that I wanted him to show me where it was so we could visit together he was more willing. We sat on her grave and told stories that we remembered about her and laughed at some of the funny memories we had. He seemed to be less tense once we all sat down and talked about Shaw with him. It was a really precious moment, and really wonderful to be able to go and visit her grave, as her death came very suddenly and after I had left, which was hard to grasp.
Miss Sue from Monkey River picked me up after our visit to Shawn's grave. We made our way through the orange field farms and into the jungle to end up in Monkey River 8 miles off the Southern Highway. We dropped Miss Sue's truck off at a friends home, jumped into a boat and made our way up the coast to her home and resort called Stepping Stones. Due to the roughness of the sea we went around the back and enjoyed a lovely smooth boat ride through a lagoon that leads to the back of their lot. It was lovely. We picked up her husband Mr. Chris and made our way back to Monkey River Village. A young woman named Elizabeth who resides in Orange Walk in the north was staying in the village over night and interviewing locals. She writes for the Belize Times and is doing an article on the erosion happening in Monkey River.
The beaches and land at Monkey River is beginning to disappear as the sea creeps slowly toward the village. In the last 9 months since I conducted the funeral for the young child in Monkey River, the sea has made it's way incredibly close to the graveyard. If nothing is done it will be gone soon and so will the village. The village used to be a town of over 8000 people, it's current population is 180. Chris and a number of the locals, as well as support from the government will be working in the next couple of weeks to put up wood barries about 500 feet out at sea to stop more water from coming in and allowing the river that runs into it to take it's course. I'm not 100% sure of how everything is to work, but with time, once the barriers are up, there is a very good chance that nature will takes it course and Monkey River will be home to the beach it is so well known for and residents will not be in danger of losing their homes and belongings.
We enjoyed Stew Chicken for lunch while Chris and Elizabeth talked about the erosion problem. Sue and I made our way to the church. Sue has been working to lead Sunday School for the children in the village 2 Sundays a month. She asked me if I would be willing to lead a family/children service when I was there. I said yes. Before my arrival she put up posters and we had 26 children and their parents come for the service. It was truly wonderful. Sue seemed to be very happy with the turn out! We said a couple of repeat-after-me prayers, a bunch of songs (that they led, because I didn't know any of them), and a question and answer period where myself and the adults quizzed the children on their bible knowledge. If they got a right answer they got a pencil!! They loved it. It was a short service, but a great one. Teacher Wally and Sue said, that I got points with that service because it was short and didn't lose the kids attention!!! It made me smile. From there, we walked to the school, I've never been inside and really wanted to see what the kids were up to. They have done a wonderful job of educating the children. It's very inspiring, particularly when taking into account that Miss Sue is volunteering her time to keep the school running and making sure the children are being offered incredible education. She's an amazing woman....a true blessing and inspiriation!!! The Anglican Church is so blessed to have her and Chris working in Belize and spreading the Good News!!
From there, we hopped a boat and made our way back to Chris and Sue's place. Chris and Sue own a home and some cabanas right on the seaside. Their resort is called Stepping Stones. It is lovely, incredibly comfortable, clean, welcoming, and hospitable located where the Jungle meets the sea. You look out one window and all you see is green jungle, the other side of the building is sea. I spent the night on their deck sipping wine, eating pringles, listening to the waves crash on the beach, the palm trees move in the wind, and watching the FireFlies fly in and out of the trees. It was a beautiful evening. It was wonderful to catch up with the Harris's.
This morning Sue and I jumped into the boat at about 10am and took a half an hour boat ride up the coast to Placencia where I was being dropped off in order to catch the Hokey Pokey back to Mango Creek. We said our goodbyes there and I hopped in another boat. I really do enjoy the whole getting around by boat, much more fun than driving!!! I got off at Mango Creek, wrapped myself in a shawl, as I look like a tomoatoe and the sun is brutally bright today and started my half an hour walk to Miss Lorna's. Just as I reached the half way point a van stopped in front of me and my favourite taxi driver Carl was waiting for me! It's so neat to be remembered, and to know people here. I jumped in the car, and he updated me on his life since last summer!! He seems to be doing really well and that makes me so glad!!
The rest of my day will be pretty low key. I leave Mango Creek at 7:30 tomorrow morning and head to Belize City. It's going to be really hard to leave, I'm going to miss it here. Until then, I will pack up my stuff, hangout with the Longsworth's, and keep my ears on the news as I listened for updates on the Swine Flu that has hit Mexico. I have no plans to be in Mexico during my time here, however, my flight on the way home does stop in Houston, Texas. Miss Sue said there could be a chance that they will be offering vaccinations upon my arrival in which case it might not be a bad idea to take it. We'll see what happens when I get there.
I'll write again in a couple of days, once I am settled in Belize City!!
C.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Maxin' and Relaxin' in Placencia
Not much to report today. The sky was overcast here today, and it was a bit windy. The Longsworth's and I decided to make our way over to Placencia anyway, we just decided that we would not go for a swim due to the waves. We decided to leave at around 11am this morning. Then Miss Lorna took the grandkids back to Mango Creek at 2:30 leaving me time to go and visit people that I knew in Placencia. I stopped by Miss Sonia's house. She wasn't expecting me and was very surprised to see me. We had a lovely little chat, not long as she was pretty tired, she's a very very busy woman. She was telling me about the new priest in Placencia and how they also have a new Treasurer. You could tell she was relieved to have other people stepping up and taking leadership in the church as she was doing it all up until December. She's a remarkable woman. Just before I left, she went to her cupboard and pulled out a jar of homemade Guava Jelly. It's my favourite and I was so touched that she remembered. Hopefully this one will last me longer than the last one did. I don't think the other jar made it to Canada my parents and I ate it all!!
From there I went to meet some other friends who I got to know really well in Placencia last summer, however, they have moved and through our correspondence before hand, did not get information about where they lived so was not able to get together with them. So I went back to my spot on the beach, pulled up a beach chair and sat in front of the sea and read for a good 2 1/2 hours. It was so lovely. Just before I took off to the water taxi, I made my way to my favourite Gelato shop and ordered myself a scoop of Sour Sap and Lime Gelato. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
My walk home from the water taxi was great. I met up with Mr. Peter's (my neighbour from last year) in Placencia. We took the taxi back together and he walked with me through town. A number of lee ones came running up to me for hugs!! It's really great to be remembered it really makes it feel more like home.
I'm now sitting at Miss Lorna's house, trying to keep my eyes open. Even though my day wasn't very eventful it took a lot out of me. I got a bit sunburned today, and am not looking forward to going to sleep, I have a feeling it's going to be an uncomfortable one, but I'll manage.
My time in Mango Creek is coming to an end and I don't want it to. Shanton asked me today if tomorrow was the last time he was ever going to see me again. My heart broke a little inside, we've had a lot of fun this week, and I'm going to miss him terribly. I told him that I would definitely come back to visit. I think Belize is going to be a place that I visit yearly, the culture has officially become a part of me, I'm hooked. It would be great to be able to bring a group of young people down to do mission work here, it's a goal that I have, and hope to meet in the near future. There is so much that could be done down here, and I would love to be able to bring others down and introduce them to this part of the world and allow them to experience the culture, lifestyle and hospitality of Belize, and ultimatley to see God at work in the communities here. Something to pray about!!
I'm going to go and put some Aloe Vera gel on my arms and legs, my skin's a little hot and sore. Talk to you soon!
Chelsy
From there I went to meet some other friends who I got to know really well in Placencia last summer, however, they have moved and through our correspondence before hand, did not get information about where they lived so was not able to get together with them. So I went back to my spot on the beach, pulled up a beach chair and sat in front of the sea and read for a good 2 1/2 hours. It was so lovely. Just before I took off to the water taxi, I made my way to my favourite Gelato shop and ordered myself a scoop of Sour Sap and Lime Gelato. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
My walk home from the water taxi was great. I met up with Mr. Peter's (my neighbour from last year) in Placencia. We took the taxi back together and he walked with me through town. A number of lee ones came running up to me for hugs!! It's really great to be remembered it really makes it feel more like home.
I'm now sitting at Miss Lorna's house, trying to keep my eyes open. Even though my day wasn't very eventful it took a lot out of me. I got a bit sunburned today, and am not looking forward to going to sleep, I have a feeling it's going to be an uncomfortable one, but I'll manage.
My time in Mango Creek is coming to an end and I don't want it to. Shanton asked me today if tomorrow was the last time he was ever going to see me again. My heart broke a little inside, we've had a lot of fun this week, and I'm going to miss him terribly. I told him that I would definitely come back to visit. I think Belize is going to be a place that I visit yearly, the culture has officially become a part of me, I'm hooked. It would be great to be able to bring a group of young people down to do mission work here, it's a goal that I have, and hope to meet in the near future. There is so much that could be done down here, and I would love to be able to bring others down and introduce them to this part of the world and allow them to experience the culture, lifestyle and hospitality of Belize, and ultimatley to see God at work in the communities here. Something to pray about!!
I'm going to go and put some Aloe Vera gel on my arms and legs, my skin's a little hot and sore. Talk to you soon!
Chelsy
Friday, April 24, 2009
Hammocks are GLORIOUS!!
Hey Folks,
So I experienced my first circus. I must admit, I never thought the first time I would be at Circus would be performed by Guatemalans in Spanish in Mango Creek, Belize, but there you have it. The whole thing was in Spanish...didn't understand a word, but thouroughly enjoyed it! Shanton, was so excited for me to go. He's seen the circus twice already so he kept telling me what was going to happen next and looking over at me during the funny parts to check out my reaction. It was really cute. The circus was better than I thought it was going to be. Trapeze(sp?) artists, tigers, llamas, ponies, camels, dirt bikes in big metal balls, sword throwing, clowns and tones more. It was great, I'm really glad I went, it was a great time!!
Today was a brilliantly laid back Belizean day for me. A kind of day that I don't ever remember enjoying while I was here last summer, probably because I was so worried about making sure I was doing work while I was here. I woke up this morning earlier then I had planned because of the time of the sunrise which is 5:30am - the sun is usually fully in the sky by 6:00am which is the time I woke up. I bathed and then ate with the Longsworths. I had a conference call with a committee that I'm on back in Toronto at 8:30am which I attended and then the rest of the day was mine. I had absolutely nothing planned, and kept it that way. The temperature was high 80's low 90's however it was really windy which made the temperature perfect. I sat outside in the sun took in as much vitamin D as I could. After about 45 minutes I started to get tired of reading and laid on the hammock for a while. Last summer I never was able to have a decent nap in a hammock, probably because I had so much on my mind. With nothing to distract me I had the most glorious nap of my life in Miss Lorna's hammock this morning. Apparently there was a tone of people walking past me with packages for the Longsworth's, I didn't hear a thing.
The rest of my day was spent, making my way between the couch and the hammock with my book. It's been unbelievably glorious - I LOVE IT!! I got a little stir crazy this afternoon so I hopped on my old bike and took a ride to the store to pick myself up a little treat....Plantain Chips, they were great!! I forgot how much I liked them! I came back to Miss Lorna's and spent the rest of the day on the deck with Miss Lorna and Teacher Shirley (Lorna's daughter-in-law) who lives next door. It was a great afternoon.
If the weather holds out, Shanton, Miss Lorna and I will be making our way over to Placencia to enjoy time on the beach. I also hope to catch up with the Villafrano's who live under the rectory at Placencia. Their youngest Beyonce was one of the little girls who spent a bunch of time last year trying to teach me how to dance like a Belizean. Joseph, her father, e-mailed me to tell me she's got a few more moves to show me. We'll see if I can learn them!
Sunday I will go to church at St. Michael's and then take a trip out to Monkey River for the evening to spend some time with Sue Harris and her husband. I will return to Mango Creek on Monday early afternoon. So if you don't hear from me on Sunday it's because I don't have internet access. Monkey River is very small (pop. 400) and it's about a half an hour drive through the jungle, so it's a little secluded, I cannot wait!!
Please continue to pray for the Diocese of Belize. They have a real shortage of clergy people here, clergy are looking after many parishes, up to nine in some areas. The thought of it exhausts me. However their faith is so apparent and strong, it is incredibly encouraging and reminds me everyday as to why I love it here and the people here. They are constantly proclaiming the word of God and allowing the light of Christ to shine through them through their actions of hospitality, and their ability to share their love for Christ with each other! What a wonderful blessing!!!
Until tomorrow, take care!!
Chelsy
So I experienced my first circus. I must admit, I never thought the first time I would be at Circus would be performed by Guatemalans in Spanish in Mango Creek, Belize, but there you have it. The whole thing was in Spanish...didn't understand a word, but thouroughly enjoyed it! Shanton, was so excited for me to go. He's seen the circus twice already so he kept telling me what was going to happen next and looking over at me during the funny parts to check out my reaction. It was really cute. The circus was better than I thought it was going to be. Trapeze(sp?) artists, tigers, llamas, ponies, camels, dirt bikes in big metal balls, sword throwing, clowns and tones more. It was great, I'm really glad I went, it was a great time!!
Today was a brilliantly laid back Belizean day for me. A kind of day that I don't ever remember enjoying while I was here last summer, probably because I was so worried about making sure I was doing work while I was here. I woke up this morning earlier then I had planned because of the time of the sunrise which is 5:30am - the sun is usually fully in the sky by 6:00am which is the time I woke up. I bathed and then ate with the Longsworths. I had a conference call with a committee that I'm on back in Toronto at 8:30am which I attended and then the rest of the day was mine. I had absolutely nothing planned, and kept it that way. The temperature was high 80's low 90's however it was really windy which made the temperature perfect. I sat outside in the sun took in as much vitamin D as I could. After about 45 minutes I started to get tired of reading and laid on the hammock for a while. Last summer I never was able to have a decent nap in a hammock, probably because I had so much on my mind. With nothing to distract me I had the most glorious nap of my life in Miss Lorna's hammock this morning. Apparently there was a tone of people walking past me with packages for the Longsworth's, I didn't hear a thing.
The rest of my day was spent, making my way between the couch and the hammock with my book. It's been unbelievably glorious - I LOVE IT!! I got a little stir crazy this afternoon so I hopped on my old bike and took a ride to the store to pick myself up a little treat....Plantain Chips, they were great!! I forgot how much I liked them! I came back to Miss Lorna's and spent the rest of the day on the deck with Miss Lorna and Teacher Shirley (Lorna's daughter-in-law) who lives next door. It was a great afternoon.
If the weather holds out, Shanton, Miss Lorna and I will be making our way over to Placencia to enjoy time on the beach. I also hope to catch up with the Villafrano's who live under the rectory at Placencia. Their youngest Beyonce was one of the little girls who spent a bunch of time last year trying to teach me how to dance like a Belizean. Joseph, her father, e-mailed me to tell me she's got a few more moves to show me. We'll see if I can learn them!
Sunday I will go to church at St. Michael's and then take a trip out to Monkey River for the evening to spend some time with Sue Harris and her husband. I will return to Mango Creek on Monday early afternoon. So if you don't hear from me on Sunday it's because I don't have internet access. Monkey River is very small (pop. 400) and it's about a half an hour drive through the jungle, so it's a little secluded, I cannot wait!!
Please continue to pray for the Diocese of Belize. They have a real shortage of clergy people here, clergy are looking after many parishes, up to nine in some areas. The thought of it exhausts me. However their faith is so apparent and strong, it is incredibly encouraging and reminds me everyday as to why I love it here and the people here. They are constantly proclaiming the word of God and allowing the light of Christ to shine through them through their actions of hospitality, and their ability to share their love for Christ with each other! What a wonderful blessing!!!
Until tomorrow, take care!!
Chelsy
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Home SWEET Home
My morning began bright and early, 6:00am to be exact, the sun was well into the sky by that time. It was glorious. I stayed with Dawn and Ralph Sampson and had a wonderful wonderful evening. It was pretty laid back, we watched t.v and ate cheesecake. Dawn and I ended up being locked out of the house for about 45 minutes and had to wait outside for Ralph to come home. While we waited she asked her neighbour if she could make the cheesecake from the package that we bought at the grocery store, she said absolutely and we enjoyed just before bed. It was great.
Dawn drove me to the airport this morning at 8:30 so I could catch my 9am flight to Savannah (Mango Creek) however, my 9am flight was actually at 10 so I had to wait around for a bit which was no bother for me, got to read a book FOR FUN which was glorious. I arrived in Mango Creek and was greeted by Miss Lorna Longsworth. She looks great it was so great to see her. As we drove into town, I couldn't help but continue to feel like I was coming home!! We dropped my stuff off at her house and waited around for Shanton (her grandson) to come home. She was telling me that all last night he kept asking where I was, who was picking me up, and when I was going to arrive. So I waited in anticipation for him. As soon as I saw him I almost started to cry, he has grown so much and his smile was contagious. What a wonderful strong young man. In the last year he has gone through a lot. Shortly after I left Mango Creek, Shanton's mother who I got to know quite well passed away suddenly. Miss Lorna has said it's been a hard year for him, but that he has been doing well. She also said that when he found out I was coming he was incredibly excited, and that she hasn't seen him smile this much since I was here last. It's been great to see him and chat with him. I missed him and Miss Lorna tremendously.
Miss Lorna took me around town to say hello to friends that I haven't seen. One of these people included Mr. Peter's my neighbour who kept an eye on me all summer last summer. He told me he's going to come to church on Sunday, it's going to be great!!!
I found out that school is out tomorrow as it is the last Friday of the month and they don't have school. So Miss Lorna and I made a trip to IPS to see some of the kids. I must admit I was expecting the kids to make noise and run to give me a hug. It wasn't like that at all. When I walked into their classrooms their expressions resembled that of a deer caught in the head-lights. It looked like they had seen a ghost. They were incredibly shy and didn't say much. It was a bit awkward. However......I knew them well enough to know how to break the ice......I simply held out my hand in preparation to receive a high five and they raced to me. It was great. Their faces lit up, and they demonstrated their high fiving skills for me. They haven't lost it. God continues to be at work here. Mango Creek does not have full time clergy. Fr. Gordon who is full time in Placencia comes to Mango Creek once a month to do Eucharist, all of the other Sundays Miss Lorna leads. I will be joining her this Sunday. I'm very excited.
There is also Circus in town. Miss Lorna, Shanton, Miss Shirley (Lorna's daughter-in-law) and I are going to attend. I'm really looking forward to it. It's just across the way from the Longsworth's, so all afternoon I've been listening to the Lion and Tigers roaring. It will be a fun evening. Not quite sure what tomorrow will hold, haven't thought that far ahead, and probably won't until tomorrow. I envision a lot of reading in the hammock on Miss Lorna's deck - about 3 hours of my day were spent in that hammock today.....BEAUTIFUL!!!!
It's been really great seeing people here. Mango Creek is small enough that people still remember me, we've kind of picked up where we left off....and I really like being able to do that with people. It really is home for me and the people here have become family. What a wonderful gift and blessing to have!!
It's 6:00pm and it's pitch dark outside which means it's time for me to bath and get ready to go to the circus with the Longsworths! As always take care and talk to you tomorrow!!!!
In Christ,
C.
Dawn drove me to the airport this morning at 8:30 so I could catch my 9am flight to Savannah (Mango Creek) however, my 9am flight was actually at 10 so I had to wait around for a bit which was no bother for me, got to read a book FOR FUN which was glorious. I arrived in Mango Creek and was greeted by Miss Lorna Longsworth. She looks great it was so great to see her. As we drove into town, I couldn't help but continue to feel like I was coming home!! We dropped my stuff off at her house and waited around for Shanton (her grandson) to come home. She was telling me that all last night he kept asking where I was, who was picking me up, and when I was going to arrive. So I waited in anticipation for him. As soon as I saw him I almost started to cry, he has grown so much and his smile was contagious. What a wonderful strong young man. In the last year he has gone through a lot. Shortly after I left Mango Creek, Shanton's mother who I got to know quite well passed away suddenly. Miss Lorna has said it's been a hard year for him, but that he has been doing well. She also said that when he found out I was coming he was incredibly excited, and that she hasn't seen him smile this much since I was here last. It's been great to see him and chat with him. I missed him and Miss Lorna tremendously.
Miss Lorna took me around town to say hello to friends that I haven't seen. One of these people included Mr. Peter's my neighbour who kept an eye on me all summer last summer. He told me he's going to come to church on Sunday, it's going to be great!!!
I found out that school is out tomorrow as it is the last Friday of the month and they don't have school. So Miss Lorna and I made a trip to IPS to see some of the kids. I must admit I was expecting the kids to make noise and run to give me a hug. It wasn't like that at all. When I walked into their classrooms their expressions resembled that of a deer caught in the head-lights. It looked like they had seen a ghost. They were incredibly shy and didn't say much. It was a bit awkward. However......I knew them well enough to know how to break the ice......I simply held out my hand in preparation to receive a high five and they raced to me. It was great. Their faces lit up, and they demonstrated their high fiving skills for me. They haven't lost it. God continues to be at work here. Mango Creek does not have full time clergy. Fr. Gordon who is full time in Placencia comes to Mango Creek once a month to do Eucharist, all of the other Sundays Miss Lorna leads. I will be joining her this Sunday. I'm very excited.
There is also Circus in town. Miss Lorna, Shanton, Miss Shirley (Lorna's daughter-in-law) and I are going to attend. I'm really looking forward to it. It's just across the way from the Longsworth's, so all afternoon I've been listening to the Lion and Tigers roaring. It will be a fun evening. Not quite sure what tomorrow will hold, haven't thought that far ahead, and probably won't until tomorrow. I envision a lot of reading in the hammock on Miss Lorna's deck - about 3 hours of my day were spent in that hammock today.....BEAUTIFUL!!!!
It's been really great seeing people here. Mango Creek is small enough that people still remember me, we've kind of picked up where we left off....and I really like being able to do that with people. It really is home for me and the people here have become family. What a wonderful gift and blessing to have!!
It's 6:00pm and it's pitch dark outside which means it's time for me to bath and get ready to go to the circus with the Longsworths! As always take care and talk to you tomorrow!!!!
In Christ,
C.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I'm back in Belize baby!!!
Hey All,
I made it safely to Belize today. I arrived just before 3:00pm Belize time (5:00pm Toronto time). The trip was tiring. I was up at 4:00am in order to get ready and get my stuff together to be to the airport on time.
I must admit, a big part of me was hesitant to come. Part of me wished I didn't plan to come and I was regretting making the decision to come here. Mainly because there are so many people at Wycliffe who are not going to be there when I get back, and I will not be able to say good-bye properly to them. So the trip itself was not the greatest as I was feeling like I was just coming to Belize to get away from saying good-bye, to get away from feelings about finishing up my degree and transitioning into work in Edmonton. That being said, it wasn't until the plane was flying over the Caribbean Sea and over the countryside of Belize that I started to get excited. The closer we came to the ground the more detail you could see in the trees. You could see the different features of the palm trees from others. The closer we got to the ground the more excited I got. I walked through the plane and walked down the stairs onto the plane runway, the heat and humidity of Belize hit me and I felt like I had just come home, I was home!!
Lorna Sampson and her grand-daughter met me at the airport and we took a nice long drive through the city. It is a really neat experience to come back to a place that you once lived and that has become home, to see what has changed, and you make a big deal out of things that others would not. For example, consturction that was happening around Belize City has been finished and dirty, dusty, pot-holey roads are paved. I was so excited by this. A park in the middle of Belize City where a lot of homeless people took up residence has been renovated, re-painted, and now is a clean park for Belizeans to hang out, again super excited by this. The Sampson children are growing, Dawn and Ralph (Lorna's daughter and new son-in-law) are married, things have changed, God has been at work. It's wonderful a wonderful thing to witness!!!
I head to Mango Creek early tomorrow and will spend time with Ms. Lorna Longsworth and Shanton. I can't wait, it's going to be great. I will try and blog again tomorrow evening and update you on what my day entailed.
I'm so happy to be back, and completely blown away by how much Belize continues to feel like home, even after being away for a year. It's a real testament to the hospitality of the people hear and the work of the Spirit within the community!! It's going to be a GREAT week!!
In Christ,
C.
I made it safely to Belize today. I arrived just before 3:00pm Belize time (5:00pm Toronto time). The trip was tiring. I was up at 4:00am in order to get ready and get my stuff together to be to the airport on time.
I must admit, a big part of me was hesitant to come. Part of me wished I didn't plan to come and I was regretting making the decision to come here. Mainly because there are so many people at Wycliffe who are not going to be there when I get back, and I will not be able to say good-bye properly to them. So the trip itself was not the greatest as I was feeling like I was just coming to Belize to get away from saying good-bye, to get away from feelings about finishing up my degree and transitioning into work in Edmonton. That being said, it wasn't until the plane was flying over the Caribbean Sea and over the countryside of Belize that I started to get excited. The closer we came to the ground the more detail you could see in the trees. You could see the different features of the palm trees from others. The closer we got to the ground the more excited I got. I walked through the plane and walked down the stairs onto the plane runway, the heat and humidity of Belize hit me and I felt like I had just come home, I was home!!
Lorna Sampson and her grand-daughter met me at the airport and we took a nice long drive through the city. It is a really neat experience to come back to a place that you once lived and that has become home, to see what has changed, and you make a big deal out of things that others would not. For example, consturction that was happening around Belize City has been finished and dirty, dusty, pot-holey roads are paved. I was so excited by this. A park in the middle of Belize City where a lot of homeless people took up residence has been renovated, re-painted, and now is a clean park for Belizeans to hang out, again super excited by this. The Sampson children are growing, Dawn and Ralph (Lorna's daughter and new son-in-law) are married, things have changed, God has been at work. It's wonderful a wonderful thing to witness!!!
I head to Mango Creek early tomorrow and will spend time with Ms. Lorna Longsworth and Shanton. I can't wait, it's going to be great. I will try and blog again tomorrow evening and update you on what my day entailed.
I'm so happy to be back, and completely blown away by how much Belize continues to feel like home, even after being away for a year. It's a real testament to the hospitality of the people hear and the work of the Spirit within the community!! It's going to be a GREAT week!!
In Christ,
C.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Belize in T-minus 3 days!
Hey Folks,
It's been a while since I last posted. My final year of the MDiv has been extremely busy and eventful, therefore keeping me from posting anything!! Since the last time I posted, I have finished my degree in Toronto, and am preparing to Graduate in May. During my studies I've managed to keep in touch with many people who I met down south during my internship. Ever since I arrived back in Canada, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the country and the people that I met in Belize.
So as a treat for finishing my MDiv, I decided in February that I was going to take 11 days to visit the country and the people that I met in the south. I leave on Wednesday morning! I'm incredibly excited, cannot wait to get there and catch up with the people who became so much like family while I was down there. I cannot wait to experience the laid back life style again, I cannot wait to take a trip to the school in Mango Creek to see the kids! I can't wait to be there!The trip is going to be a very quick one, but totally worth while. I will be splitting my time between the south (Mango Creek, Placencia and Monkey River) and the north (Belize City and Caye Caulker, maybe San Pedro).
I will be visiting and staying with the Longsworhts, the Sampsons and the Harris's. It's going to be a great, relaxing and refreshing time.
I will try to keep the blog updated for those who are wanting to know how I'm doing. I will not have easy access to a phone, so this will be my way of communicating with people.
In Christ,
C.
It's been a while since I last posted. My final year of the MDiv has been extremely busy and eventful, therefore keeping me from posting anything!! Since the last time I posted, I have finished my degree in Toronto, and am preparing to Graduate in May. During my studies I've managed to keep in touch with many people who I met down south during my internship. Ever since I arrived back in Canada, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the country and the people that I met in Belize.
So as a treat for finishing my MDiv, I decided in February that I was going to take 11 days to visit the country and the people that I met in the south. I leave on Wednesday morning! I'm incredibly excited, cannot wait to get there and catch up with the people who became so much like family while I was down there. I cannot wait to experience the laid back life style again, I cannot wait to take a trip to the school in Mango Creek to see the kids! I can't wait to be there!The trip is going to be a very quick one, but totally worth while. I will be splitting my time between the south (Mango Creek, Placencia and Monkey River) and the north (Belize City and Caye Caulker, maybe San Pedro).
I will be visiting and staying with the Longsworhts, the Sampsons and the Harris's. It's going to be a great, relaxing and refreshing time.
I will try to keep the blog updated for those who are wanting to know how I'm doing. I will not have easy access to a phone, so this will be my way of communicating with people.
In Christ,
C.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Culture Shocking in Canada Has Begun
It's been just over 2 weeks that I have been back in Canada. I must admit, that there were a few things that I wasn't used to when I got back here. 1) The traffic and abundance of pavement 2) The weather. I found it pretty easy to get "back into the groove" of things back in Ponoka when I visited my parents. It kind of took me off guard as I was expecting to go through a bit more shock when coming back to Canada. I just assumed I was a lucky case of you know that 1 in 1 million people who don't experience culture shock upon their re-entry into a first world country. My assumption has proven to be wrong. I just recently arrived back into Toronto where I will complete my last year of my M.Div program. I arrived after spending 9 days in my home town with parents maxing and relaxing and taking it super easy. And after spending 6 days in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania helping with preparations and attending a friends wedding, which was way less stressful then I thought it was going to be - she's super organized. By this point I was convinced I wasn't going to experience culture shock. Boy was I wrong. Since arriving back at Wycliffe I have had to move all of my stuff into my dorm room in a bit of a hurry so that I can finish off last minute details for the upcoming Orientation Week and Retreat that I am in charge of as Senior Student. It was today, in the midst of my running around trying to get things done that I officially started culture shocking. This morning I had 3 things that I needed to get done in the span of about 20 minutes, so I was a bit stressed and moving significantly faster than I had been all summer. My mentality was to get things done and quickly as possible. I accomplished what I needed to and then went back up to my dorm room. This finish the jobs quickly mentality caught up with me quickly as I sat down at my desk and couldn't stop shaking from the hustle and bustle that I had just experienced. My body has gotten used to the laid back lifestyle of Belize, and the attitude that no one is in a hurry to get things done, and don't worry everything will get done. Which is the attitude that I began to embrace during my time in Belize. (I hope that doesn't make them sound lazy....cause they're not!) Anyway, I'm sitting in my room, my body shaking and working on adreneline as I try to relax myself and stop stressing out about the upcoming week and the stuff I need to get done. I forced myself to take an hour to do nothing and just sit and relax, I grabbed a piece of olive wood carved like a cross that I bought in Bethlehem last year and rubbed it and prayed for a while. I must admit, I don't want my attitude to change....I don't want to be in a hurry, but that's life here, and I don't want to let go of some of the cultural differences that I embraced during my 3 months abroad. This experience has made me realize that I'm going to transition back into the culture whether I want to or not. But it's also got me wondering how I can continue to maintain this laid back mentality and incorporate it into different aspects of my life. My prayer life for example and not being in a hurry to get it over with, but taking the time that I feel I need at that moment to be still in the presence of God and not be worried about the endless list of things I have to do. Being able to spend time with friends without worrying about the endless list of things I have to do, but enjoy the company and blessing of their friendships and so on and so forth. This is something I really want to incorporate into my life, and over the next couple of months I will be discerning how to do that, without falling behind in my academic life etc. I'll keep you posted!
I've also had a few conversations with friends in Toronto. And they have included them asking questions about what is one food that you haven't eaten all summer and would love to have? I have to admit when asked the question I can't think of anything. It's not until I eat or drink something that I have tasted all summer that I am reminded of how much I missed it. Example: I headed out for lunch with a friend and ordered myself and Root Beer. The first gulp of that soda pop I don't think I will ever forget. It was so satisfying, and I hadn't realized how much I missed it until I had it. Slurpees, licorice and trail mixes are a few other things that I have thourougly enjoyed eating. I know in the next few weeks there will be more and I will definitely be keeping a record.
So there you have it, I'm not the lucky 1 out of 1 million that does not experience culture shock. I just realized that my lifestyle in the last couple of weeks hasn't been overly different from what it was in Belize....the only difference was that I was in Canada and not Belize. My pace stayed the same, and it has changed drastically in the last couple of days, and has thrown me off!!
I've also had a few conversations with friends in Toronto. And they have included them asking questions about what is one food that you haven't eaten all summer and would love to have? I have to admit when asked the question I can't think of anything. It's not until I eat or drink something that I have tasted all summer that I am reminded of how much I missed it. Example: I headed out for lunch with a friend and ordered myself and Root Beer. The first gulp of that soda pop I don't think I will ever forget. It was so satisfying, and I hadn't realized how much I missed it until I had it. Slurpees, licorice and trail mixes are a few other things that I have thourougly enjoyed eating. I know in the next few weeks there will be more and I will definitely be keeping a record.
So there you have it, I'm not the lucky 1 out of 1 million that does not experience culture shock. I just realized that my lifestyle in the last couple of weeks hasn't been overly different from what it was in Belize....the only difference was that I was in Canada and not Belize. My pace stayed the same, and it has changed drastically in the last couple of days, and has thrown me off!!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Last days in Belize, first days in Canada
The rest of the week with my parents was a wonderful time. Our routine over the last week was balanced between activity one day and then a day off after that. The heat really took a lot out of my parents, so we made sure that if we did something active one day we would relax and recoop the next. Tuesday was a laid back day. We walked around Placencia, went for our daily swim in the sea and just hung out. We were planning on heading Belize City on Wednesday but my friends Joseph and Shelley convinced us to stay one extra day. So instead of travelling on the bus through the country, we hopped a little fishermans boat and headed out onto the sea to Laughingbird Caye and National Park. The ride was bumpy, so much so that our tail bones were sore and bruised by the time we got there. The Caye is a small island with a shelter, barbecue, bathrooms and lots of Pelicans and Palm Trees. We spent about 4 hours between the water and the picnic tables. The beaches were amazing and soft, I would have stayed there forever if I could. We had a great time with Joseph and Shelley's three kids Travis, Amber and Beyonce. They were a hoot. My dad had so much fun bugging little Beyonce and she loved being picked on. On the way back our ride was significantly less bumpy as we were riding with the waves not against them. About 15 minutes into our ride we anchored the boat and did a little fishing in the sea it was great. Upon our return, we packed up our stuff, and got ready to meet Joseph and Shelley for a drink and a little Karaoke at the Purple Space Monkey, it was a great experience, some people made us plug our ears.....but I'm assuming that happens at all Karaoke clubs!!
Thursday morning we hopped the 6:45 am water taxi to Mango Creek and caught the 7:30 am Express Bus to Belize. I thought it would be nice for my parents to see the country as we didn't get a chance to make it into the Mayan Mountains, and the bus ride is perfect if you want to see the country side, and super inexpensive. I purposely packed my sweater as the A/C makes me freeze. We stopped in Dangriga, and a man came and sat beside me in the back of bus. We started talking about what I was doing down in Belize. When he found out I was a Deacon in the Anglican Church he told me he knew a Deacon in Belize. "Her name is Lorna Sampson," he said. I clapped my hands and said, "Lorna did an exchange at my seminary and she lived across the hall from me in Canada, her daughter is coming to pick us up at the airport." I replied. "You know Dawn as well? She's my god-daughter." It was so cool....and totally common in Belize. I don't think I ever took a bus ride that didn't involve me talking to a local who knew someone who I had gotten to know well during my time in Belize. It's amazing, how many people you get to know in such a short time. It didn't hit me until yesterday when I realized that I had actually met a lot more people than I thought I would, and a lot of them were situated outside of Mango Creek. Small world......I'm definitely going to miss that. We arrived in the city. Dawn Sampson picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel. It was amazing. The beds were divine, and they had douvee (sp) covers which I took total advantage of seeing that the room was air conditioned!!! Because the bus ride can take a lot out of a person, we laid low for the day because our Friday was going to be packed with activity. Friday, Dawn took the day off of work, and she and her neice and nephew joined me and my parents on an adventure to Jaguar Paw Resort to go Cave Tubing and Ziplining. What an awesome experience. My parents walked up a path for about a half an hour, made their way into the cave, hopped on their tubes and let the current take them down stream to where Diroune and I were waiting. They tubed through a massive pitch black cave that would open up so you could see the jungle as you were floating down stream. They couldn't stop talking about it. After their return, we hung out played in the river a little...my parents jumped off a cliff. My mom was stiff as a board when she jumped off the cliff and she landed in the water with her mouth open. Of all the people that jumped that day she was the only one to scream....we laughed pretty hard.
From there we made our way to the Ziplining section of the resort. We met our tour guides, got dressed for the occasion and briefed as to what was going to happen. The trip was 45 minutes and we would Zipline to 6 different platforms....the highest was 85 ft. It was amazing as we soared over the canopy of the rain forest, you felt like a monkey. I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life. My mom is really afraid of heights but we convinced her to come. The majority of her time was spent with her face in the tree that the platform encircled......I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard at her and the noises she was making. I don't think the tour guides had laughed so much either, they got a kick out of watching my dad and I hound my mom as she held onto the tree for dear life!!! Now it's important to know that when I do things like this often I scream.....loudly. I was so proud that as we got to the last platform, I hadn't screamed once. It was time, to get down, and the tour guides lower you to the ground. So you're standing there and basically have to walk off the platform and pray that their ropes are secured. Before I walked off the platform, the one guide asked what speed I would like to be let down at, I said it didn't matter, thinking that I was all pro now. The first second and a half was a slow decent and then he let go of the rope.......I'm happy to report that my vocal chords are working and I'm pretty sure I scared any animal in the jungle away from us with my screech. As I got to the bottom of the tree the guide waiting for me was red he was laughing so hard.....all I could do was laugh as my knees knocked together.
Our final evening was spent having a wonderful supper with the Sampsons. They have been my Belizean family so it was wonderful to have the opportunity for my Canadian and Belizean families to spend time together. We had a wonderful time, we laughed a lot...it was a great way to end the week. At the same time it was really hard to leave. My parents kept telling me this week that they felt like they were taking me away and that was hard for them to do, particularly when they saw the people that I had gotten to know and grown close to. I must admit, it still hasn't sunk in that I'm not returning to Belize, coming back to Ponoka is like a vacation, and I need to keep reminding myself that my next destination isn't Belize. I miss the country and the people tremendously. Everyone that I talked to has told me to come back, and I can see myself making yearly trips to spend time with my new friends and family in Belize. I'm going to miss the gentle nature of the people, their humor and hospitality. I'm going to miss the laid backness of life in Belize and simplicity in which they live their lives. And yes I'm even going to miss the rodents that took up residency with me in the rectory.
After 14 hours of travel time I made it home in one piece. It was hard for me not to burst into tears as I flew farther and farther away from the country and people that quickly became home to me. I know the next few days are going to be hard. I'm excited to be home, yet homesick for Belize at the same time. I was welcomed to Edmonton by the graceful dance of the Northern Lights in the sky, and the captain updating me on the weather in Edmonton 16C (59F). It scared me, I haven't been in weather less then 85F and 100% humidity all summer!!
I've only been home a few hours and already I'm finding myself culture shocking a little. Having my luggage still in Denver doesn't help the situation either. :) In the airports I couldn't get over the hussle and bussle of the people. Everyone was running or speed walking to get somewhere, and all I could do was slowly walk to where I needed to go the fast pace of the America's can be overwhelming....it was to me. When I got home, I couldn't get over all of the pavement and the smoothness of the roads...it was a nice change from the pot hole roads in Belize, but with smooth pavement comes lots of traffic, traffic I'm not used to seeing. And walking into my parents house was a huge shock as well. There house is very large compared to the houses that people live in, in Belize. Not that the people are poor, their houses are just compact and small. I realized this morning that the first floor of our house is bigger than most peoples houses who have a family of 8. I don't really know what to do with all of the space. It's something that I will need to grow accustome to.....but the simplicity of housing and living in Belize is something I've really grown to love.
I've decided to continue to blog over the next couple of months as I tranisition myself into the North American culture. I figured it would be a good way to debrief and continue to reflect on the experience. Please keep me in your prayers, as I share my experiences with people and reflect on the work that God accomplished through me this summer. Also continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Belize as they continue to spread the Gospel through the country!
Thursday morning we hopped the 6:45 am water taxi to Mango Creek and caught the 7:30 am Express Bus to Belize. I thought it would be nice for my parents to see the country as we didn't get a chance to make it into the Mayan Mountains, and the bus ride is perfect if you want to see the country side, and super inexpensive. I purposely packed my sweater as the A/C makes me freeze. We stopped in Dangriga, and a man came and sat beside me in the back of bus. We started talking about what I was doing down in Belize. When he found out I was a Deacon in the Anglican Church he told me he knew a Deacon in Belize. "Her name is Lorna Sampson," he said. I clapped my hands and said, "Lorna did an exchange at my seminary and she lived across the hall from me in Canada, her daughter is coming to pick us up at the airport." I replied. "You know Dawn as well? She's my god-daughter." It was so cool....and totally common in Belize. I don't think I ever took a bus ride that didn't involve me talking to a local who knew someone who I had gotten to know well during my time in Belize. It's amazing, how many people you get to know in such a short time. It didn't hit me until yesterday when I realized that I had actually met a lot more people than I thought I would, and a lot of them were situated outside of Mango Creek. Small world......I'm definitely going to miss that. We arrived in the city. Dawn Sampson picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel. It was amazing. The beds were divine, and they had douvee (sp) covers which I took total advantage of seeing that the room was air conditioned!!! Because the bus ride can take a lot out of a person, we laid low for the day because our Friday was going to be packed with activity. Friday, Dawn took the day off of work, and she and her neice and nephew joined me and my parents on an adventure to Jaguar Paw Resort to go Cave Tubing and Ziplining. What an awesome experience. My parents walked up a path for about a half an hour, made their way into the cave, hopped on their tubes and let the current take them down stream to where Diroune and I were waiting. They tubed through a massive pitch black cave that would open up so you could see the jungle as you were floating down stream. They couldn't stop talking about it. After their return, we hung out played in the river a little...my parents jumped off a cliff. My mom was stiff as a board when she jumped off the cliff and she landed in the water with her mouth open. Of all the people that jumped that day she was the only one to scream....we laughed pretty hard.
From there we made our way to the Ziplining section of the resort. We met our tour guides, got dressed for the occasion and briefed as to what was going to happen. The trip was 45 minutes and we would Zipline to 6 different platforms....the highest was 85 ft. It was amazing as we soared over the canopy of the rain forest, you felt like a monkey. I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life. My mom is really afraid of heights but we convinced her to come. The majority of her time was spent with her face in the tree that the platform encircled......I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard at her and the noises she was making. I don't think the tour guides had laughed so much either, they got a kick out of watching my dad and I hound my mom as she held onto the tree for dear life!!! Now it's important to know that when I do things like this often I scream.....loudly. I was so proud that as we got to the last platform, I hadn't screamed once. It was time, to get down, and the tour guides lower you to the ground. So you're standing there and basically have to walk off the platform and pray that their ropes are secured. Before I walked off the platform, the one guide asked what speed I would like to be let down at, I said it didn't matter, thinking that I was all pro now. The first second and a half was a slow decent and then he let go of the rope.......I'm happy to report that my vocal chords are working and I'm pretty sure I scared any animal in the jungle away from us with my screech. As I got to the bottom of the tree the guide waiting for me was red he was laughing so hard.....all I could do was laugh as my knees knocked together.
Our final evening was spent having a wonderful supper with the Sampsons. They have been my Belizean family so it was wonderful to have the opportunity for my Canadian and Belizean families to spend time together. We had a wonderful time, we laughed a lot...it was a great way to end the week. At the same time it was really hard to leave. My parents kept telling me this week that they felt like they were taking me away and that was hard for them to do, particularly when they saw the people that I had gotten to know and grown close to. I must admit, it still hasn't sunk in that I'm not returning to Belize, coming back to Ponoka is like a vacation, and I need to keep reminding myself that my next destination isn't Belize. I miss the country and the people tremendously. Everyone that I talked to has told me to come back, and I can see myself making yearly trips to spend time with my new friends and family in Belize. I'm going to miss the gentle nature of the people, their humor and hospitality. I'm going to miss the laid backness of life in Belize and simplicity in which they live their lives. And yes I'm even going to miss the rodents that took up residency with me in the rectory.
After 14 hours of travel time I made it home in one piece. It was hard for me not to burst into tears as I flew farther and farther away from the country and people that quickly became home to me. I know the next few days are going to be hard. I'm excited to be home, yet homesick for Belize at the same time. I was welcomed to Edmonton by the graceful dance of the Northern Lights in the sky, and the captain updating me on the weather in Edmonton 16C (59F). It scared me, I haven't been in weather less then 85F and 100% humidity all summer!!
I've only been home a few hours and already I'm finding myself culture shocking a little. Having my luggage still in Denver doesn't help the situation either. :) In the airports I couldn't get over the hussle and bussle of the people. Everyone was running or speed walking to get somewhere, and all I could do was slowly walk to where I needed to go the fast pace of the America's can be overwhelming....it was to me. When I got home, I couldn't get over all of the pavement and the smoothness of the roads...it was a nice change from the pot hole roads in Belize, but with smooth pavement comes lots of traffic, traffic I'm not used to seeing. And walking into my parents house was a huge shock as well. There house is very large compared to the houses that people live in, in Belize. Not that the people are poor, their houses are just compact and small. I realized this morning that the first floor of our house is bigger than most peoples houses who have a family of 8. I don't really know what to do with all of the space. It's something that I will need to grow accustome to.....but the simplicity of housing and living in Belize is something I've really grown to love.
I've decided to continue to blog over the next couple of months as I tranisition myself into the North American culture. I figured it would be a good way to debrief and continue to reflect on the experience. Please keep me in your prayers, as I share my experiences with people and reflect on the work that God accomplished through me this summer. Also continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Belize as they continue to spread the Gospel through the country!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Last Sunday in Mango Creek
My parents arrived safe and sound on Thursday evening. After a long 12 hour trip from Calgary to Belize via Houston (and almost missing their flight in Houston), I met them at the airstrip in Placencia and helped them settle into the hotel we are staying at. It is so nice to have family here, someone to share my experience with, and talk about what I've been doing, introduce them to people that I've been telling them about all summer, take them to the resturaunts I've been scoping out for their arrival, getting them to eat some of the Belizean Cuisine that I have fallen in love with over the last 3 months. It's been so wonderful and refreshing to have them here. I need to keep reminding myself that it's hot down here and that we need to take it slow. Over the last 3 months I've gotten used to working in the heat and can go all day running errands and taking little breaks here and there. On Friday morning, we were scheduled to go snorkeling but we canceled it because the folks were still pretty exhausted from their trip. So we Hokey Pokied it over to Mango Creek. I took them to the rectory and the church, introduced them to my neighbour Mr. Peter's, and we walked around town really slowly. It nearly killed them. I tends to get hotter in land because of the lack of sea and it got hotter the longer we were in Mango Creek. Let's just say my parents slept incredibly well from their exposure to the sun and the walking that they did :) The last couple of days have been spent lazing around Placencia, I've been taking advantage of the souvenier shops and stalking up on souvy's that I've been eyeing up all summer. I was walking down the sidewalk the other day and looking at some paintings, I really wanted to find a small painting that I could bring home with me to remind me of Belize. I just so happened to bump into an artist who had said if I would like, he would paint me an original picture for me before I leave the Penisula on Tuesday...I jumped on the offer, and am waiting anxiously to pick it up!!! The lazy days have been glorious, I'm finding myself to be freezing my butt off in the hotel room that my parents booked. We purposely got AC with the room so that they would be comfortable. When they come into the room they lay out on the bed and soak in the airconditioning....when I come in, I jump into my bed and cover myself up with the sheets and 2 blankets that are in the room. We've got it all working well. The AC is blowing directly on them, and I'm sleeping in the bed farthest away from the machine. I'm so screwed when I get back to Canada!!
So technically last Sunday (July 27) was my last Sunday in Mango Creek and Placencia. But both parishes wanted to do a farewell service for me together before I left. So I told them that I would be happy to lead another one yesterday (August 3). I must admit, Saturday evening I was not looking forward to it, just because I was supposed to be on "holiday" with my parents but I was still thinking about work, so it was just frustrating. The parishioners had decided to invite Placencia congregation to Mango Creek for my last service and then have a big lunch and dessert afterwards. After 3 months of an average of 20 people in Placencia and 5 in Mango Creek, I wasn't expecting a big crowd yesterday. I was blown away, when at 10am people were still coming into the church. It was full, everyone had to share hymnals and prayer books. There were people there who I had met on the street in Mango Creek, but had never come to church and decided to come and worship with us for my final service.....even my neighbour Mr. Peter's, whose not a church goer but has been looking after me all summer came for the service. And the food was never ending. About 6 members of Mango Creek looked after the main meal, while Placencia looked after dessert. The food didn't look like much, but it seriously never ended. It was a wonderful coincidence that the Gospel for Sunday was the feeding of the five thousand. And just as the five thousand came together as a community to eat together and worship together, so to did people from Placencia, Mango Creek and Canada at St. Michael's. I couldn't help but be filled with joy as I led the service and looked up at the front pew that was saved for all of the food! It was an absolutely wonderful day. My parents said afterwards that they feel bad, because they feel as if they're taking me away from my home. Belize has become home. I've been very persistent in telling parishioners that I will absolutely be back. I want to come back to continue in mission and to visit my family in Belize. They have been such a blessing. Their hospitality and love have helped Mango Creek and Placencia to become home, and they have truly helped my experience to be an enriching and fulfilling one as I have witnessed Christ at work in their lives.
So today I feel like I'm officially on holiday. No sermon or service to worry about. My parents and I had booked a tour to see the Mayan Site Xunantunich (shoo-nawn-too-nich) but it poured last night, and when we woke up it was still super cloudy. Our tour guide phoned us at 5 this morning and suggested that we make our way to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve. He was worried that with all of the rain that we had, had the potential rain to come that we might end up getting stranded on the north side of the river where the Kendal Bridge was washed away. We agreed and instead took a trip to the Wildlife Sanctuary. We enjoyed a fun, and educational tour through the Rainforest by our tour guide Ems. (If you are ever in Placencia and you want a great tour guide you need contact me and I'll give you Ems number....he was AMAZING!!!) We then enjoyed a wonderful Rice and Bean lunch and then we headed back into the rainforest our final destination - WATERFALL!!! We enjoyed the most refreshing swim in the pool. (Coldest swim ever for me). We even got to enjoy a natural back massage from the waterfall. Ems made his way beside the falls, and we followed him and sat under it with our back towards the falls....it was glorious!!!
We just returned. My parents are showering, I'm running a couple of errands and may go and enjoy a quick dip in the ocean before I bath. The week has been wonderful and relaxing. We are scheduled to head up to Belize City on Wednesday. I've convinced my parents to take the Express Bus that way they can really see the country...and it gives me one more countryside drive before I leave. I can't wait. Once in the city, we will take a day trip to Caye Caulker, one of my absolute favourite places down here (aside from Placencia and Mango Creek) and then out to Jaguar Paw with Dawn Sampson. Our final night here, we are going to enjoy a nice dinner with the Sampson Family. I can't wait!!! I'll try and post again soon with updates as to how our adventures have been. So far, it's been great....it's always a hoot having the Alberta Hillbillies visit me in foreign lands!!!
So technically last Sunday (July 27) was my last Sunday in Mango Creek and Placencia. But both parishes wanted to do a farewell service for me together before I left. So I told them that I would be happy to lead another one yesterday (August 3). I must admit, Saturday evening I was not looking forward to it, just because I was supposed to be on "holiday" with my parents but I was still thinking about work, so it was just frustrating. The parishioners had decided to invite Placencia congregation to Mango Creek for my last service and then have a big lunch and dessert afterwards. After 3 months of an average of 20 people in Placencia and 5 in Mango Creek, I wasn't expecting a big crowd yesterday. I was blown away, when at 10am people were still coming into the church. It was full, everyone had to share hymnals and prayer books. There were people there who I had met on the street in Mango Creek, but had never come to church and decided to come and worship with us for my final service.....even my neighbour Mr. Peter's, whose not a church goer but has been looking after me all summer came for the service. And the food was never ending. About 6 members of Mango Creek looked after the main meal, while Placencia looked after dessert. The food didn't look like much, but it seriously never ended. It was a wonderful coincidence that the Gospel for Sunday was the feeding of the five thousand. And just as the five thousand came together as a community to eat together and worship together, so to did people from Placencia, Mango Creek and Canada at St. Michael's. I couldn't help but be filled with joy as I led the service and looked up at the front pew that was saved for all of the food! It was an absolutely wonderful day. My parents said afterwards that they feel bad, because they feel as if they're taking me away from my home. Belize has become home. I've been very persistent in telling parishioners that I will absolutely be back. I want to come back to continue in mission and to visit my family in Belize. They have been such a blessing. Their hospitality and love have helped Mango Creek and Placencia to become home, and they have truly helped my experience to be an enriching and fulfilling one as I have witnessed Christ at work in their lives.
So today I feel like I'm officially on holiday. No sermon or service to worry about. My parents and I had booked a tour to see the Mayan Site Xunantunich (shoo-nawn-too-nich) but it poured last night, and when we woke up it was still super cloudy. Our tour guide phoned us at 5 this morning and suggested that we make our way to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve. He was worried that with all of the rain that we had, had the potential rain to come that we might end up getting stranded on the north side of the river where the Kendal Bridge was washed away. We agreed and instead took a trip to the Wildlife Sanctuary. We enjoyed a fun, and educational tour through the Rainforest by our tour guide Ems. (If you are ever in Placencia and you want a great tour guide you need contact me and I'll give you Ems number....he was AMAZING!!!) We then enjoyed a wonderful Rice and Bean lunch and then we headed back into the rainforest our final destination - WATERFALL!!! We enjoyed the most refreshing swim in the pool. (Coldest swim ever for me). We even got to enjoy a natural back massage from the waterfall. Ems made his way beside the falls, and we followed him and sat under it with our back towards the falls....it was glorious!!!
We just returned. My parents are showering, I'm running a couple of errands and may go and enjoy a quick dip in the ocean before I bath. The week has been wonderful and relaxing. We are scheduled to head up to Belize City on Wednesday. I've convinced my parents to take the Express Bus that way they can really see the country...and it gives me one more countryside drive before I leave. I can't wait. Once in the city, we will take a day trip to Caye Caulker, one of my absolute favourite places down here (aside from Placencia and Mango Creek) and then out to Jaguar Paw with Dawn Sampson. Our final night here, we are going to enjoy a nice dinner with the Sampson Family. I can't wait!!! I'll try and post again soon with updates as to how our adventures have been. So far, it's been great....it's always a hoot having the Alberta Hillbillies visit me in foreign lands!!!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Last Service in Placencia
Last night marked my last official service in Placencia. It took so much energy out of me. I had, had a busy day of traveling, it was particularly hot in the church as we had 18 visitors from Virginia among us, who are here for the week leading a VBS at St. John's Memorial....and with that many new people it made me a bit nervous. And to top it off, it took every ounce of energy for me not to cry. And I managed not to shed a tear. The service was lovely. It was great to see the church full, and it was such a pleasure to welcome the group of young people and their leaders from Virginia to Placencia. You could feel the enthusiasm that these young people had for mission, and you couldn't help but be so exicted and look forward to doing mission with them.
Before the service Miss Sonia had told me that one of the leaders of the group was a priest, so I asked her if she would talk to him about coming up after communion to bless those who haven't been baptized. Because I'm not priested I can't bless them, I often will invite them to come forward and will say a prayer with them. So I thought it would be a great experience for him to be able to bless them. But I think I may have embarrassed him when I let people know that he was present. I think my exact words were, "We have a real live priest among us this evening ladies and gentlemen." The congregation laughed, and I glanced over at him to see him sink a bit in his chair and turn a bit red....while laughing as well. He was a good sport about it. It was so wonderful to have him come up to the front and watch the children hurry to the front to receive their blessing. Their faces were radiating as this priest signed them with the cross and said the blessing. What a beautiful moment...and I must admit, I was so thankful that this had taken place on my last service in Placencia. I couldn't have asked for a better memory to leave the country with :)
I stayed in Placencia for the day, hung out at the church and at the school in case I was needed during the VBS. I wanted to stick around as a member of the congregation and be available to the team from America if they needed anything or anyone to run errands for them. It was a lovely day. The team had 70 children come out for the VBS today, and the kids were so excited. While the team ate their breakfast I was cleaning some things up in the church and the children were in there bouncing in their seats waiting with such excitement for their new foriegn friends to arrive. Crafts were done, games were played, snacks were had and swimming was enjoyed. As somone who has been living here for the last 3 months, I've become very aware of the need for Christian education and VBS for the children here, and I couldn't help but feel so grateful for this team as they are taking time out of their summers to come and live among us and be present in our community. It really is a blessing, a blessing that I have taken for granted when involved or ministered to by mission groups in Canada. So if you're reading St. John's Mission Team from Virginia....God bless you, and thank you for sharing in mission with us and sharing your faith with us!!
Before the service Miss Sonia had told me that one of the leaders of the group was a priest, so I asked her if she would talk to him about coming up after communion to bless those who haven't been baptized. Because I'm not priested I can't bless them, I often will invite them to come forward and will say a prayer with them. So I thought it would be a great experience for him to be able to bless them. But I think I may have embarrassed him when I let people know that he was present. I think my exact words were, "We have a real live priest among us this evening ladies and gentlemen." The congregation laughed, and I glanced over at him to see him sink a bit in his chair and turn a bit red....while laughing as well. He was a good sport about it. It was so wonderful to have him come up to the front and watch the children hurry to the front to receive their blessing. Their faces were radiating as this priest signed them with the cross and said the blessing. What a beautiful moment...and I must admit, I was so thankful that this had taken place on my last service in Placencia. I couldn't have asked for a better memory to leave the country with :)
I stayed in Placencia for the day, hung out at the church and at the school in case I was needed during the VBS. I wanted to stick around as a member of the congregation and be available to the team from America if they needed anything or anyone to run errands for them. It was a lovely day. The team had 70 children come out for the VBS today, and the kids were so excited. While the team ate their breakfast I was cleaning some things up in the church and the children were in there bouncing in their seats waiting with such excitement for their new foriegn friends to arrive. Crafts were done, games were played, snacks were had and swimming was enjoyed. As somone who has been living here for the last 3 months, I've become very aware of the need for Christian education and VBS for the children here, and I couldn't help but feel so grateful for this team as they are taking time out of their summers to come and live among us and be present in our community. It really is a blessing, a blessing that I have taken for granted when involved or ministered to by mission groups in Canada. So if you're reading St. John's Mission Team from Virginia....God bless you, and thank you for sharing in mission with us and sharing your faith with us!!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
It's All In the Hips Baby!!
I enjoyed a fun filled evening at a fundraising event for the Friends and Supporters of the Diocese of Belize (FSDB) which is an organization that raises funds or the Anglican Schools in the Diocese and also recognizes outstanding individuals in the Diocese around the country who offer their time and talents to the Diocese of Belize! It was a wonderful evening of eating, drinking and dancing....yip.....I danced!!!
I was super excited to go to this event. For the first time all summer I was going to be able to dress up, do my hair and make up and enjoy the elegance of the evening. I caught the 7:30 express bus from Independence to Belize and made my way on what I realized could very well be my last bus ride across the country. Learning from the last express bus ride I took, I packed a sweater with me as to not freeze my booty off because of the A/C. Good idea...I got weird looks from the tourists, but I was warm and that's all that mattered!!!
I arrived in the city, Lorna and Dawn Sampson picked me up and I spent the day chilling out with them at their place trying to not to show too much excitement for the evening....and secretly counting down the minutes until I got to get ready!!! So 5:30 rolled around and I hopped in the shower, got dress and went to do my hair and make up. My hair has gotten quite long over the last couple of months, and I have worn it in a pony tail every day since I arrived. I didn't bring a curling iron or blow dryer because...well why? So I let my hair air dry, stuck a head band in it, and left it at that. Not too hard....I still know how to get ready for a fancy night. Piece of cake. Then I pulled out the make up. And must admit I had flash backs to the first time I ever put make up on in Middle School. I don't know if it's just me, but I remember being so excited to be allowed to wear it, but when it came time to actually put it on, I was a bit nervous. How different was it going to make me look? That's exactly what I was feeling last night. I had to laugh. I was so nervous that I was going to poke my eye out with the mascara after not using it for 3 months. I'm happy to report that the mission was accomplished and I still have both of my eyes!!!
I arrived at the Biltmore just after 6:30 and as I entered the ballroom where the event was taking place, the Emcee announced my arrival. "We would like to welcome Deacon Chelsy Stevens presently Deacon in Charge at Independence and Placencia." Wasn't expecting that, and may have turned a bit red. Found out shortly after that they introduced all of the clergy that walked in as they walked in as well as the Governor General and the Prime Minister!
As I sat at my table I was overcome with joy to see a bunch of Steel Drums waiting to be played....I was so excited!! And as soon as the orchestra began to play I couldn't keep my eyes off of the them. This instrument has such a soft and welcoming sound to it, and you can't help but be over come with happiness when watching the musicians play as they move to the beat of the song they are playing. It's captivating. And I said to one of my parishioners....."I so wanna learn how to play that!" The Steel Drum Orchestra serenaded us over dinner. Dinner was followed by awareds to individuals who have offered of their time and talents to community, school and church in Belize. My good friend Sue Harris from Monkey River was one of the Honorees!!
After the awards were concluded, and the drum orchestra had cleaned up. The live band set up to get ready for the dance. This was the point of the evening that I had been dreading. I thought I was a good dancer, and maybe according to Canadian standards, I am, but I was convinced I wasn't going to meet the requirements of "Good Belizean Dancer." The music started and I slowly sipped on my glass of water as I watched the dance floor quickly fill up. Within a minute and a half of the music starting.....more then half of the assembly was up and dancing. Men, women, young and old, clergy, the Governor General and the Prime Minister were up shaking it. Sue came up to me after about 5 minutes and pulled me up to dance. And I didn't stop. It was awesome no one cared what you looked like and everyone was having a grand time. It was so much fun. And to my surpirse I didn't feel like a complete idiot...I may have looked like it but know one drew attention to it!!
By 11:00 I decided to call it a night as I needed to catch an 8am flight to Mango Creek to lead Sunday Service. I phoned Joe Sampson to pick me up. While I was waiting at the front entrance of the hotel, 2 members of the Cathedral who I've met in passing a few times came up to me and said, "You look like you were having fun out there!" I told them I had a blast. The man piped up and said, "You are a really great dancer!" I just about kissed, that made my night...I told him I had been so worried about looking like an idiot cause Canadian dancing is a bit different from Belizean dancing where hips and pelvises are used a lot! He replied, "Well, it's all in the hips baby, and you were definitley know how to work your hips!!" BooYah!!! It was a great night....and the couple laughed really hard when I told them that I was going to go back to Canada and teach people how to dance like a Belizean...they thought it was awesome!!! Looks like the few dancing lessons from Miss Lorna and the children in the village paid off!!
I'm heading over to Placencia this evening to lead an evening Eucharist service. I'll stay the night and then head back to Mango Creek tomorrow morning. This week is going to be pretty low key as I need to clean the rectory, work on a report for the internship and say good bye to people. We'll see how it goes!! Continue to keep the people of Belize in your prayers, particularly the south as the shortage of clergy is very noticeable...after I leave there will be 9 parishes without clergy and one clergy that is relatively close (between 40 minutes to a few hours drive away.)
I was super excited to go to this event. For the first time all summer I was going to be able to dress up, do my hair and make up and enjoy the elegance of the evening. I caught the 7:30 express bus from Independence to Belize and made my way on what I realized could very well be my last bus ride across the country. Learning from the last express bus ride I took, I packed a sweater with me as to not freeze my booty off because of the A/C. Good idea...I got weird looks from the tourists, but I was warm and that's all that mattered!!!
I arrived in the city, Lorna and Dawn Sampson picked me up and I spent the day chilling out with them at their place trying to not to show too much excitement for the evening....and secretly counting down the minutes until I got to get ready!!! So 5:30 rolled around and I hopped in the shower, got dress and went to do my hair and make up. My hair has gotten quite long over the last couple of months, and I have worn it in a pony tail every day since I arrived. I didn't bring a curling iron or blow dryer because...well why? So I let my hair air dry, stuck a head band in it, and left it at that. Not too hard....I still know how to get ready for a fancy night. Piece of cake. Then I pulled out the make up. And must admit I had flash backs to the first time I ever put make up on in Middle School. I don't know if it's just me, but I remember being so excited to be allowed to wear it, but when it came time to actually put it on, I was a bit nervous. How different was it going to make me look? That's exactly what I was feeling last night. I had to laugh. I was so nervous that I was going to poke my eye out with the mascara after not using it for 3 months. I'm happy to report that the mission was accomplished and I still have both of my eyes!!!
I arrived at the Biltmore just after 6:30 and as I entered the ballroom where the event was taking place, the Emcee announced my arrival. "We would like to welcome Deacon Chelsy Stevens presently Deacon in Charge at Independence and Placencia." Wasn't expecting that, and may have turned a bit red. Found out shortly after that they introduced all of the clergy that walked in as they walked in as well as the Governor General and the Prime Minister!
As I sat at my table I was overcome with joy to see a bunch of Steel Drums waiting to be played....I was so excited!! And as soon as the orchestra began to play I couldn't keep my eyes off of the them. This instrument has such a soft and welcoming sound to it, and you can't help but be over come with happiness when watching the musicians play as they move to the beat of the song they are playing. It's captivating. And I said to one of my parishioners....."I so wanna learn how to play that!" The Steel Drum Orchestra serenaded us over dinner. Dinner was followed by awareds to individuals who have offered of their time and talents to community, school and church in Belize. My good friend Sue Harris from Monkey River was one of the Honorees!!
After the awards were concluded, and the drum orchestra had cleaned up. The live band set up to get ready for the dance. This was the point of the evening that I had been dreading. I thought I was a good dancer, and maybe according to Canadian standards, I am, but I was convinced I wasn't going to meet the requirements of "Good Belizean Dancer." The music started and I slowly sipped on my glass of water as I watched the dance floor quickly fill up. Within a minute and a half of the music starting.....more then half of the assembly was up and dancing. Men, women, young and old, clergy, the Governor General and the Prime Minister were up shaking it. Sue came up to me after about 5 minutes and pulled me up to dance. And I didn't stop. It was awesome no one cared what you looked like and everyone was having a grand time. It was so much fun. And to my surpirse I didn't feel like a complete idiot...I may have looked like it but know one drew attention to it!!
By 11:00 I decided to call it a night as I needed to catch an 8am flight to Mango Creek to lead Sunday Service. I phoned Joe Sampson to pick me up. While I was waiting at the front entrance of the hotel, 2 members of the Cathedral who I've met in passing a few times came up to me and said, "You look like you were having fun out there!" I told them I had a blast. The man piped up and said, "You are a really great dancer!" I just about kissed, that made my night...I told him I had been so worried about looking like an idiot cause Canadian dancing is a bit different from Belizean dancing where hips and pelvises are used a lot! He replied, "Well, it's all in the hips baby, and you were definitley know how to work your hips!!" BooYah!!! It was a great night....and the couple laughed really hard when I told them that I was going to go back to Canada and teach people how to dance like a Belizean...they thought it was awesome!!! Looks like the few dancing lessons from Miss Lorna and the children in the village paid off!!
I'm heading over to Placencia this evening to lead an evening Eucharist service. I'll stay the night and then head back to Mango Creek tomorrow morning. This week is going to be pretty low key as I need to clean the rectory, work on a report for the internship and say good bye to people. We'll see how it goes!! Continue to keep the people of Belize in your prayers, particularly the south as the shortage of clergy is very noticeable...after I leave there will be 9 parishes without clergy and one clergy that is relatively close (between 40 minutes to a few hours drive away.)
Friday, July 25, 2008
Matthew 20:20 - 28
So yesterday I eavesdropped on a conversation by some North Americans who couldn't stop talking about money and how much of it they had. It was something that annoyed me and I realized it was something I needed to prepare myself for in my transition back to Canada in a couple of weeks. And I was praying about how I could do that. Then this morning I opened up my Forward Day by Day devotional and this was the appointed reading and reflection for the day:
"Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, "What do you want?? She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for thsoe for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
Matthew 20:20 - 28
In our culture, your worth is measured by what you can buy. We're encouraged to buy...and to buy and to buy! The culture says we are consumers, valued for what we own. The one who owns the most has the most prestige and the most power. Donald Trump is famous, but do we know the name of the homeless person sleeping beneath the bridge?
Jesus turns the world on its ear. He tells the name of Lazarus, the poor man who lies at the gate of the rich man (Luke 16:20ff), but doesn not name the rich man.
Money and power are things that our society teaches us matter. But to experience the kingdom of Jesus reveals, seek not money and power to serve. For in serving we come to know our Lord, we come to know our brothers and sisters and we're assured our name matters.
Forward Day by Day Reflection
I think this is a passage and a reflection that I'm going to use in the next few months during my transition back into N. American culture. Pretty decent answer to prayer if I do say so myself :)
"Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, "What do you want?? She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for thsoe for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
Matthew 20:20 - 28
In our culture, your worth is measured by what you can buy. We're encouraged to buy...and to buy and to buy! The culture says we are consumers, valued for what we own. The one who owns the most has the most prestige and the most power. Donald Trump is famous, but do we know the name of the homeless person sleeping beneath the bridge?
Jesus turns the world on its ear. He tells the name of Lazarus, the poor man who lies at the gate of the rich man (Luke 16:20ff), but doesn not name the rich man.
Money and power are things that our society teaches us matter. But to experience the kingdom of Jesus reveals, seek not money and power to serve. For in serving we come to know our Lord, we come to know our brothers and sisters and we're assured our name matters.
Forward Day by Day Reflection
I think this is a passage and a reflection that I'm going to use in the next few months during my transition back into N. American culture. Pretty decent answer to prayer if I do say so myself :)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Don't Worry Be Happy!!!
So I officially have one week until my internship is over. The last couple of have days have been a bit rough as I have been trying to prepare myself for next week when goodbyes will be the majority of my conversations. I went up to Dangriga yesterday to a funeral - I didn't have to do this one, I was just in attendance. I didn't know the woman that died, but I did know some of her family as they live in Mango Creek, so I went up to the city with Miss Lorna and some other members of the community to support their family. As the locals from Mango Creek hopped on the bus to make our way to the grave yard for the burial, I quickly checked my cell phone, and found that there were a number of voicemails from home with no message. It's not like family to phone that persistently and not leave a message so I figured something was up. So I called home asap. It turned out that my uncle Scottie (who is my great uncle and who my family has been quite close to) died suddenly on Tuesday evening from a massive heart attack. I didn't end up making it to the burial of the deceased person due to the shock of the news about my uncle Scottie, but instead I hung out at the sea. My family is really close, so this it's going to be hard for me to be down here and not in Alberta with family during the funeral. I know that this is where I need to be, it's just hard to be so far away. I was able to talk to my family and my aunt last night and just being able to tell them that I was thinking about them and praying for them helped me not to be super upset of the news.
I made my way over to the Peninsula this afternoon to book a hotel room for my parents for when they show up next week and while I was there grabbed a quick bite to eat. While I was sitting at the Hokey Pokey waiting to head across to the Peninsula I was presented with a bit of a reality check as to the culture that I'm about to head back into. Belize as you know is super laid back. I swear the song "Don't worry be happy" was actually written for Belize, and if it wasn't, it should have been. I've learned with time to embrace the laid back way of life, and must admit am loving it. I haven't felt stressed (much). And the one thing that has really been refreshing is the lack of talk about money. In Canada, it seems like everyone is out to make more money then the next person.....not everyone is like this but, we can be. Anyway, I was sitting at the water taxi attempting to read a book and a couple of tourists were sitting beside me. And all they talked about was money and how it just cost them $12,000 to buy something, and how house prices in California are over a million and so on and so forth. They talked about it for 30 minutes. Part of me wanted to get up and say "you know there's more to life then money!" But I held my tongue. But it definitely opened my eyes to potential conversations that I'm going to be moving into in North America. People in Belize don't talk money, and if they do, it's not for long. I didn't come to Belize with a lot of money, and I haven't worried about it all summer because I wasn't reminded of it all summer and I really like that. I like that people down here aren't set on competing with one another (or at least there not in Mango Creek) or maybe they are and I'm just completely oblivious to it. In any case, it's not the centre of peoples conversations, and I like that....and was a bit annoyed by the conversation that I couldn't get away from as these men flaunted their worth loudly in the middle of the Hokey Pokey. This is a feeling and an annoyance that I need to be aware of over the next month, because the topic is going to be something that is going to be discussed in Canada and it's a topic that I'm going to need to be thinking about in the near future. I just kind of wish I didn't have to think about it or be reminded of it.....I like not worrying about money.....I like not worrying about anything and just being happy!!
Tomorrow I will be making my way out to Placencia again. Ruth and Malcolm Lambert, priests in Belmopan, who are hear for 3 years from England doing mission are coming to Mango Creek to visit. They haven't been to the Peninsula and have asked if I will show them around. I'm right excited. Saturday will be spent in Belize City enjoying a dinner with Miss Sonia from St. John's and then Sunday is my unofficial last service in Mango Creek and Placencia. Miss Sonia and Miss Lorna have asked if I would lead service on August 3 so as to have a celebration before I leave.
And because of the busyness of the weekend, I need to sermonize....right now!! :)
I made my way over to the Peninsula this afternoon to book a hotel room for my parents for when they show up next week and while I was there grabbed a quick bite to eat. While I was sitting at the Hokey Pokey waiting to head across to the Peninsula I was presented with a bit of a reality check as to the culture that I'm about to head back into. Belize as you know is super laid back. I swear the song "Don't worry be happy" was actually written for Belize, and if it wasn't, it should have been. I've learned with time to embrace the laid back way of life, and must admit am loving it. I haven't felt stressed (much). And the one thing that has really been refreshing is the lack of talk about money. In Canada, it seems like everyone is out to make more money then the next person.....not everyone is like this but, we can be. Anyway, I was sitting at the water taxi attempting to read a book and a couple of tourists were sitting beside me. And all they talked about was money and how it just cost them $12,000 to buy something, and how house prices in California are over a million and so on and so forth. They talked about it for 30 minutes. Part of me wanted to get up and say "you know there's more to life then money!" But I held my tongue. But it definitely opened my eyes to potential conversations that I'm going to be moving into in North America. People in Belize don't talk money, and if they do, it's not for long. I didn't come to Belize with a lot of money, and I haven't worried about it all summer because I wasn't reminded of it all summer and I really like that. I like that people down here aren't set on competing with one another (or at least there not in Mango Creek) or maybe they are and I'm just completely oblivious to it. In any case, it's not the centre of peoples conversations, and I like that....and was a bit annoyed by the conversation that I couldn't get away from as these men flaunted their worth loudly in the middle of the Hokey Pokey. This is a feeling and an annoyance that I need to be aware of over the next month, because the topic is going to be something that is going to be discussed in Canada and it's a topic that I'm going to need to be thinking about in the near future. I just kind of wish I didn't have to think about it or be reminded of it.....I like not worrying about money.....I like not worrying about anything and just being happy!!
Tomorrow I will be making my way out to Placencia again. Ruth and Malcolm Lambert, priests in Belmopan, who are hear for 3 years from England doing mission are coming to Mango Creek to visit. They haven't been to the Peninsula and have asked if I will show them around. I'm right excited. Saturday will be spent in Belize City enjoying a dinner with Miss Sonia from St. John's and then Sunday is my unofficial last service in Mango Creek and Placencia. Miss Sonia and Miss Lorna have asked if I would lead service on August 3 so as to have a celebration before I leave.
And because of the busyness of the weekend, I need to sermonize....right now!! :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Kriol Lessons - Day Two!
Aarite!! So I learned a whole wack of Kriol Consonants and Vowels today :)
Single Kansananz:
baaboon/baboon
daag/dog
feda/feather
goat/goat
harikayn/hurricane
jekit/jacket
konks/conch
lag/log
mengo/mango
nots/nuts
pikni/children
riva or riba/river
son/sun
taiga/tiger
vegitabl/vegetable
winda/window
yam/yam
zipa/zipper
Kansanant Blenz:
chayn/chain
shobl/shovel
tweni/twenty
fren/friend
snayl/snail
graashapa/grasshopper
klak/clock
flowaz/flowers
kraab/crab
chree/tree
skol/skull
blakbod/blackbird
brij/bridge
glaasiz/glasses
wing/wing
playn/plane
prikl/prickle
slipaz/slippers
smoak/smoke
spoon/spoon
staar/star
swim/swim
Kansanant blenz in Kriol, bot no eena Inglish:
bw, gw, skr, nj, skw, jr, schr
bwai/boy
gwaava/guava
skrach/scratch
areenj/orange
skweril/squirrel
jrom/drum
schrecha/stretcher
Vowilz:
a = hat/hat
e = ketl/kettle
i = pig/pig
o = okro/ummm...I forget what this is in English :)
u = fut/foot
Vowil songz weh rait wid too letaz:
aa = waata/water
ai - fait/fight
ay = chayn/chain
ee = leef/leaf
oa = boan/bone
ow = hows/house
oo = soop/soup
Ada vowil blenz:
klaim/climb
naif/knife
tayl/tail
lait/light
rayn/rain
playt/plate
Single Kansananz:
baaboon/baboon
daag/dog
feda/feather
goat/goat
harikayn/hurricane
jekit/jacket
konks/conch
lag/log
mengo/mango
nots/nuts
pikni/children
riva or riba/river
son/sun
taiga/tiger
vegitabl/vegetable
winda/window
yam/yam
zipa/zipper
Kansanant Blenz:
chayn/chain
shobl/shovel
tweni/twenty
fren/friend
snayl/snail
graashapa/grasshopper
klak/clock
flowaz/flowers
kraab/crab
chree/tree
skol/skull
blakbod/blackbird
brij/bridge
glaasiz/glasses
wing/wing
playn/plane
prikl/prickle
slipaz/slippers
smoak/smoke
spoon/spoon
staar/star
swim/swim
Kansanant blenz in Kriol, bot no eena Inglish:
bw, gw, skr, nj, skw, jr, schr
bwai/boy
gwaava/guava
skrach/scratch
areenj/orange
skweril/squirrel
jrom/drum
schrecha/stretcher
Vowilz:
a = hat/hat
e = ketl/kettle
i = pig/pig
o = okro/ummm...I forget what this is in English :)
u = fut/foot
Vowil songz weh rait wid too letaz:
aa = waata/water
ai - fait/fight
ay = chayn/chain
ee = leef/leaf
oa = boan/bone
ow = hows/house
oo = soop/soup
Ada vowil blenz:
klaim/climb
naif/knife
tayl/tail
lait/light
rayn/rain
playt/plate
Monday, July 21, 2008
Kriol Lessons
Miss Lorna, who has been taking very good care of me this summer, has been asked to teach members from the Peace Corp living in Belize the Kriol Language. She starts teaching sometime in August. Leading up to her 8 week teaching session with the members she attends training in Belmopan and has been told she needs to find someone who doesn't know Kriol that she can practice teaching. It didn't take her long....only a couple moments after she returned from her first training session, to choose me as her guinea pig!! I just had my first Kriol Lesson, and will continue to meet with her for the next couple of days before she has to go back up to the city. The people in Belize have been very patient with me as I've tried to listen intently to conversations that Belizeans are having in Kriol. I'm no where near being a Kriol pro, but I have been able over the last few weeks to be able to understand what people ask me in Kriol without having to ask over and over for them to repeat what they said. I just can't speak it. If you were to ask me a question I can understand it, if you were to write what you're asking me in Kriol I can basically translate it, but I can't verbally communicate back in Kriol.
So Miss Lorna, transformed her little sun room into a classroom for me this morning and I spent an hour learning Kriol greetings and introductions as well as a song in Kriol (that I should have mastered by the end of the summer and can teach people when I get back). She taught the lesson as if she didn't know me. Introduced herself in English and then spoke Kriol the entire session...I'm proud to say that I understood most of what she was saying :) I wanted to share with you the stuff that I learned today. So the next little bit of the post is going to be in Kriol with a very, I repeat VERY rough English translation!! I hope you enjoy!!
Greeting:
Lorna: Gud maanin./Good morning.
Chelsy: Gud maanin da how yu du?/Good morning, how are you?
Lorna: Ah di du aarite an yu?/I'm doing alright and you?
Chelsy: Noh tu gud gyal. Mi belli de hat mi./Not too good gal. My belly is hurting me.
Lorna: Ah sarri fu yer dat gyal./Sorry to hear that gal.
Chelsy: Tenk you Lorna./Thank you Lorna
Introductions:
Chelsy: Da weh yu nayhn aah?/What's your name?
Lorna: Mee nayhn Lorna. Ahn yu, da weh yu nayhn?/My name is Lorna. And you, what's your name?
Chelsy: A nayhn Chelsy. Pleez fu meet yu Lorna./My names Chelsy. Please to meet you Lorna.
Lorna: Same yah gyal./Same to you gal.
Kriol Song - FuFu:
Ah mi gaan da mi riba benk
Fi go pik me kalalu
Fi go mek me peppapat
Fufu di faas da mi troat
KORAS:
Mek wi noh halla? ----Rispans: Wy? Wy?
Mek wi noh baal?-----Rispans: Wy? Wy?
Mek wi noh scream?--Rispans: Wy? Wy?
Fufu di faas da mi troat.
So that's just the first part of the song, I'll post more as I learn it. And will post the translation later on as well!!
The one thing I noticed as I practiced the introduction and greeting with Miss Lorna, is that it is impossible to speak Kriol quietly. It doesn't matter how hard you try to be quiet when speaking it, you can't. While sitting in Miss Lorna's sun room practicing with the door open, all of a sudden her son who was across 2 back yards at his place shouted something to me in Kriol. I didn't catch it cause I was so focused on learning what Miss Lorna had prepared....but it made me very aware of how loud I was if David was able to hear me across 2 back yards. It's so much fun. I'm not going to be fluent in Kriol, but I just found a Kriol-Inglish Dikshinari that I plan on purchasing to bring home with me. Maybe that way when I come back to Belize to visit I can dialogue a bit more with the people here!!
I have 10 more days of my internship left which is blowing my mind. My parents arrive on July 31 for 9 days. I'm super pumped, it will be wonderful to share my experiences of Belize with them. The locals have been watching the weather network with a close eye as Tropical Storm Dolly is making her way up toward the Belize, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts in Belize, southern Mexico and into the Gulf of Mexico, however, if it shifts, it will inevitably hit all of the country of Belize. So far no rain or fast wind, so I think we're in the clear. But what do I know. I will be heading up to Belize City on Saturday morning with a member from the congregation in Placencia. We are going to a fundraiser for one of the Anglican Schools in the city. The congregation decided to buy me a ticket as a going away gift for them. I'm excited, it's a fancy dinner which means I get to dress up, and make myself look pretty. My only worry is that I think I may have forgotten how to do my hair, I've had the same do all summer - ponytail/bun, I can't stand my hair on my neck when it's this hot. We'll see what happens. My last day is officially the 31st, but St. Michael's and St. John's have asked if I would be willing to lead one final service on August 3 for them. St. John's members have asked if they can join St. Michael's on that day in Mango Creek and then celebrate with a pot luck afterwards. It's going to be great as my parents will be here and that will give them the chance to meet all of the people who have been such a wonderful part of my experience here!!
I'm realizing that the next couple of weeks are going to go by fast, and they are going to be hard. I love the community here, I love the culture, and I'm sad to have to say good-bye, but I know I have to. Please pray that you will provide me and those who I have formed wonderful relationships with, with strength as we part. And continue to pray for guidance for St. Michael's as they await to hear what is in store for them "clergy-wise" after I leave. In my opinion I think it's incredibly important that someone be placed here long term in order to develop a vision for the church and to work with them in accomplishing the vision within the wider community....but that's just my opinion!! Please continue to pray for the ministry that St. Michael's offers and the dedicated people that have worked so hard at keeping it alive!!
So Miss Lorna, transformed her little sun room into a classroom for me this morning and I spent an hour learning Kriol greetings and introductions as well as a song in Kriol (that I should have mastered by the end of the summer and can teach people when I get back). She taught the lesson as if she didn't know me. Introduced herself in English and then spoke Kriol the entire session...I'm proud to say that I understood most of what she was saying :) I wanted to share with you the stuff that I learned today. So the next little bit of the post is going to be in Kriol with a very, I repeat VERY rough English translation!! I hope you enjoy!!
Greeting:
Lorna: Gud maanin./Good morning.
Chelsy: Gud maanin da how yu du?/Good morning, how are you?
Lorna: Ah di du aarite an yu?/I'm doing alright and you?
Chelsy: Noh tu gud gyal. Mi belli de hat mi./Not too good gal. My belly is hurting me.
Lorna: Ah sarri fu yer dat gyal./Sorry to hear that gal.
Chelsy: Tenk you Lorna./Thank you Lorna
Introductions:
Chelsy: Da weh yu nayhn aah?/What's your name?
Lorna: Mee nayhn Lorna. Ahn yu, da weh yu nayhn?/My name is Lorna. And you, what's your name?
Chelsy: A nayhn Chelsy. Pleez fu meet yu Lorna./My names Chelsy. Please to meet you Lorna.
Lorna: Same yah gyal./Same to you gal.
Kriol Song - FuFu:
Ah mi gaan da mi riba benk
Fi go pik me kalalu
Fi go mek me peppapat
Fufu di faas da mi troat
KORAS:
Mek wi noh halla? ----Rispans: Wy? Wy?
Mek wi noh baal?-----Rispans: Wy? Wy?
Mek wi noh scream?--Rispans: Wy? Wy?
Fufu di faas da mi troat.
So that's just the first part of the song, I'll post more as I learn it. And will post the translation later on as well!!
The one thing I noticed as I practiced the introduction and greeting with Miss Lorna, is that it is impossible to speak Kriol quietly. It doesn't matter how hard you try to be quiet when speaking it, you can't. While sitting in Miss Lorna's sun room practicing with the door open, all of a sudden her son who was across 2 back yards at his place shouted something to me in Kriol. I didn't catch it cause I was so focused on learning what Miss Lorna had prepared....but it made me very aware of how loud I was if David was able to hear me across 2 back yards. It's so much fun. I'm not going to be fluent in Kriol, but I just found a Kriol-Inglish Dikshinari that I plan on purchasing to bring home with me. Maybe that way when I come back to Belize to visit I can dialogue a bit more with the people here!!
I have 10 more days of my internship left which is blowing my mind. My parents arrive on July 31 for 9 days. I'm super pumped, it will be wonderful to share my experiences of Belize with them. The locals have been watching the weather network with a close eye as Tropical Storm Dolly is making her way up toward the Belize, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts in Belize, southern Mexico and into the Gulf of Mexico, however, if it shifts, it will inevitably hit all of the country of Belize. So far no rain or fast wind, so I think we're in the clear. But what do I know. I will be heading up to Belize City on Saturday morning with a member from the congregation in Placencia. We are going to a fundraiser for one of the Anglican Schools in the city. The congregation decided to buy me a ticket as a going away gift for them. I'm excited, it's a fancy dinner which means I get to dress up, and make myself look pretty. My only worry is that I think I may have forgotten how to do my hair, I've had the same do all summer - ponytail/bun, I can't stand my hair on my neck when it's this hot. We'll see what happens. My last day is officially the 31st, but St. Michael's and St. John's have asked if I would be willing to lead one final service on August 3 for them. St. John's members have asked if they can join St. Michael's on that day in Mango Creek and then celebrate with a pot luck afterwards. It's going to be great as my parents will be here and that will give them the chance to meet all of the people who have been such a wonderful part of my experience here!!
I'm realizing that the next couple of weeks are going to go by fast, and they are going to be hard. I love the community here, I love the culture, and I'm sad to have to say good-bye, but I know I have to. Please pray that you will provide me and those who I have formed wonderful relationships with, with strength as we part. And continue to pray for guidance for St. Michael's as they await to hear what is in store for them "clergy-wise" after I leave. In my opinion I think it's incredibly important that someone be placed here long term in order to develop a vision for the church and to work with them in accomplishing the vision within the wider community....but that's just my opinion!! Please continue to pray for the ministry that St. Michael's offers and the dedicated people that have worked so hard at keeping it alive!!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Funeral at St. Stephen's, Monkey River
The last week has been a little bit of a roller coaster for me. This time last week, I received a phone call telling me that I would baptizing an 18 month old at St. John 's. Yesterday I received a phone call asking me to come and do a funeral for 3 year old who had just died from Leukemia.
Miss Lorna had told me at the beginning of my time here that I would probably experience a little bit of everything while I'm here (re: baptisms, communion, the sick, funerals etc.) But I had convinced myself that I wouldn't experience a Belizean Funeral this summer, and I certainly wasn't expecting to be asked to do one for an infant.
I must admit, I was scared. How was I going to hold myself together? A lot of my work here this summer has been with the children here. Children that have brought so much joy to my life. I can be having the worst day ever and all I need to cheer me up is to hear them calling my name and running toward me for a hug. I didn't know the child, but the thought of seeing a child, like the other children who have touched my life in a casket, scared me completely. I wanted to be strong and was scared that I wasn't going to be able to hold myself together. I honestly didn't think I could do it.
So after getting over the initial shock after I was told about the funeral, I tried to hammer out a sermon and familiarize myself with the Rite Two funeral service. And then I prayed....all I could think of was "how am I going to get through this?" So I prayed for comfort and strength over and over and over again. I didn't sleep much as I was up thinking about the family of the infant. I woke up.....prayed some more...got myself ready and headed to Monkey River with one of the locals. In Belize it's important to know that the family usually holds a reception before and after the service. So after being boated across the river by a local, he invited me to a house that had a bar on the main floor where a lot of men who knew the family had gathered. I accepted the invitation and sat with them for about 15 minutes. The bar was under the elevated house, and I sat and chatted with the boy's uncles. It wasn't until just before I left that I realized, I had been sitting beside the casket of the little boy the entire time and hadn't even noticed it. Everyone was socializing and having great conversations. It didn't seem like the place to have the casket sitting. It took 3 women who came to view the body for me to notice it. I felt awful and is if I had been disrespectful. Before I left, I walked past the casket, viewed the body and headed to the church to be there for when the men brought the little boy to the church.
I was told that the funeral was going to start at about 1:00, which translated in Belize means about 2:00. I was blessed to have been able to sit with the Administrator and Principal of the Anglican School, who had been trying to figure out what they were going to do for the service, (they hadn't been told that I was coming). We had some tea and allowed members of the family and friends to view the body in the church and sit in the church with the body. I was also told that one of the family members was bringing an order of service which I would need to quickly study just before the service started. So it was unlikely I would need to use the Rite in the book, but had it there for the prayers etc. I was grateful for Carl and Sue who chatted with me and reflected with me as I prepared for the service...it was a blessing. I'm not being very articulate, I'm still trying to debrief it....I figured if I wrote it, the reflection would come but it's not.
Anyway, the service began at about 2:15 after the Order of Service arrived. It was a very simple service and an informal service, which I must admit was absolutely perfect. As I walked up to the front of the church and stood off to the side of the casket I couldn't help but feel an absolute calm over me that lasted the entire service. God provided me with the strength and peace that I needed to lead the service and comfort the family. One observation that I made during the service was the lack of men present. Aside from the step-father of the boy, the principal of the school and missionary in the village, I didn't see any of the men that I had met at the reception.
After the service we gathered to process across the village to the graveyard. There is a tropical storm that has situated itself over Honduras and Guatemala, and the northern part of it hit Monkey River last night leaving the grass roads full of water and mud. The procession made our way through the water and mud to the graveyard that is about 200 feet away from the Carib Sea. The congregation stayed as the grave diggers covered the hole with cement, and then we made our way back to the reception for lunch.
Like I said this is still something I'm trying to debrief and let sink in. Right now the only way I can explain how I'm feeling is.......numb. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but that's the only way I can describe it. This is probably one of the most unarticulate posts I've written, and need to keep reflecting on this for the next couple of weeks in order for this to process some more!
Miss Lorna had told me at the beginning of my time here that I would probably experience a little bit of everything while I'm here (re: baptisms, communion, the sick, funerals etc.) But I had convinced myself that I wouldn't experience a Belizean Funeral this summer, and I certainly wasn't expecting to be asked to do one for an infant.
I must admit, I was scared. How was I going to hold myself together? A lot of my work here this summer has been with the children here. Children that have brought so much joy to my life. I can be having the worst day ever and all I need to cheer me up is to hear them calling my name and running toward me for a hug. I didn't know the child, but the thought of seeing a child, like the other children who have touched my life in a casket, scared me completely. I wanted to be strong and was scared that I wasn't going to be able to hold myself together. I honestly didn't think I could do it.
So after getting over the initial shock after I was told about the funeral, I tried to hammer out a sermon and familiarize myself with the Rite Two funeral service. And then I prayed....all I could think of was "how am I going to get through this?" So I prayed for comfort and strength over and over and over again. I didn't sleep much as I was up thinking about the family of the infant. I woke up.....prayed some more...got myself ready and headed to Monkey River with one of the locals. In Belize it's important to know that the family usually holds a reception before and after the service. So after being boated across the river by a local, he invited me to a house that had a bar on the main floor where a lot of men who knew the family had gathered. I accepted the invitation and sat with them for about 15 minutes. The bar was under the elevated house, and I sat and chatted with the boy's uncles. It wasn't until just before I left that I realized, I had been sitting beside the casket of the little boy the entire time and hadn't even noticed it. Everyone was socializing and having great conversations. It didn't seem like the place to have the casket sitting. It took 3 women who came to view the body for me to notice it. I felt awful and is if I had been disrespectful. Before I left, I walked past the casket, viewed the body and headed to the church to be there for when the men brought the little boy to the church.
I was told that the funeral was going to start at about 1:00, which translated in Belize means about 2:00. I was blessed to have been able to sit with the Administrator and Principal of the Anglican School, who had been trying to figure out what they were going to do for the service, (they hadn't been told that I was coming). We had some tea and allowed members of the family and friends to view the body in the church and sit in the church with the body. I was also told that one of the family members was bringing an order of service which I would need to quickly study just before the service started. So it was unlikely I would need to use the Rite in the book, but had it there for the prayers etc. I was grateful for Carl and Sue who chatted with me and reflected with me as I prepared for the service...it was a blessing. I'm not being very articulate, I'm still trying to debrief it....I figured if I wrote it, the reflection would come but it's not.
Anyway, the service began at about 2:15 after the Order of Service arrived. It was a very simple service and an informal service, which I must admit was absolutely perfect. As I walked up to the front of the church and stood off to the side of the casket I couldn't help but feel an absolute calm over me that lasted the entire service. God provided me with the strength and peace that I needed to lead the service and comfort the family. One observation that I made during the service was the lack of men present. Aside from the step-father of the boy, the principal of the school and missionary in the village, I didn't see any of the men that I had met at the reception.
After the service we gathered to process across the village to the graveyard. There is a tropical storm that has situated itself over Honduras and Guatemala, and the northern part of it hit Monkey River last night leaving the grass roads full of water and mud. The procession made our way through the water and mud to the graveyard that is about 200 feet away from the Carib Sea. The congregation stayed as the grave diggers covered the hole with cement, and then we made our way back to the reception for lunch.
Like I said this is still something I'm trying to debrief and let sink in. Right now the only way I can explain how I'm feeling is.......numb. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but that's the only way I can describe it. This is probably one of the most unarticulate posts I've written, and need to keep reflecting on this for the next couple of weeks in order for this to process some more!
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