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!!!
Monday, August 4, 2008
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
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