Back to Belize

Journal #24

Back to Belize

January 26, 2012

Back to Belize

The morning started late, I woke up at 7:00 and the girls both got up at 8:30. After we hurried and got ready, we headed down to town so we could get breakfast. We had walked past this cute little cafe and knew that we wanted to try it. It was called Paradise and everything was homemade. I ordered a bagel with cream cheese and a fruit bowl. After breakfast we walked back through town and stopped at some gift-shops and markets. We then headed back to the hotel and dropped all of our purchases off. We changed into our swimsuits and walked down to the ocean. It was really warm and sunny which was super nice for our last day in the water. After we were done swimming, we asked opinions for lunch places and decided that we wanted our last meal on the island to be delicious! We ended up eating at Bambooze, an outdoor restaurant where you eat on swings. I had bbq grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw. After lunch we went back to the hotel where we swam for a little bit in the pool, until our boat was scheduled to arrive. We headed down to the dock and waited for the ferry to arrive.... and, we waited.

Like this entire time in Belize, this too was not on time. When the boat did arrive, I started to get a little nervous- it was tiny, all enclosed, and there was no way were were all going to fit inside. We literally ended up sitting on other people and had to share what little leg room we did have. As soon as my feet hit the dock, I started to get sick. I ended up laying across Hannah and fell asleep to keep me from puking. Thankfully, Hannah and Damon took care of me the entire hour (that seemed like an entire day!)!

When I was on land, it took me a few minutes to feel stabilized. We met Dwight after a long walk to his bus, and he took us to dinner. We ate at Birds Isle, an outdoor restaurant right on the water. It was awesome to eat dinner where we could see the lights on the shore of Belize, see the lightening in the distance, and watch the boats and activities on the water. I had a pork chop, mashed potatoes, cole-slaw, and lime juice! I will sure miss the fresh lime juice when I return to Ohio.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel that we stayed at Sunday night, and I was excited to have warm water again! We had a communion service with the Senior Colloquium group as well as the business group. We were challenged to think about what we had given, and also what we have been given.

I do not even know where to start in reflecting on all that I have been given. I have learned so much from this experience and have a different view on relationships, material possessions, and so much more. I have not given this country near as much as it has given me. I know that the people of Belize are very appreciative of all that we have done and the prayers that will be said for them as we return home, too, but the gifts that I have given are not comparable to the gifts that I have been given.

We packed all of our things and went to bed.

Island

Journal #23

On the Island

January 25, 2012

On the Island

I started the day with eating breakfast at the hotel- watermelon and toast. I will for sure miss all of the fresh fruit when I return to the States! After breakfast, I grabbed my computer and backpack, and headed towards the High School with the rest of the group.

At the high school, we sat in the computer lab with our laptops and waited for the high schoolers to come in. One by one, they started to come in to check out what we were doing. I had the privilege of working with two boys that had come in. One of the boys had a computer at home, and the other one did not. It was fun to teach them both different things that we could do with my laptop and it was also fun to get to know them. Through teaching somebody, I feel that I had the opportunity to learn so much and have great discussions with both of the boys.

After we left the high school, we had the rest of the day until dinner to explore more of the island. Sarah, Amelia, and I decided that we wanted to do some window-shopping. We spent a bit of time looking at all of the little shops on the island. We then decided that we wanted some lunch, so we stopped at a restaurant that was on the side of the beach. The restaurant had swings instead of seats at the tables and the floor was sand. I ordered a Caribbean quesidilla which had chicken, pineapple, cheese, and sour cream.

When we finished lunch, we headed back to the hotel to change into our swim wear so that we could head down to the beach for our last day of swimming in the ocean. During our swim, we went out pretty far so I could find a star-fish for Amelia. I was very successful and found a large, very pretty star-fish. We took lots of pictures and got to feel the star-fish move around while we were holding it.

We then headed back to the hotel room again so we could get ready for dinner. Tonight we were going out to a fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant and we were super excited to get to eat some good food finally! Before dinner, we walked the streets of the town to see if anything fun was going on for the Chinese New Year. We found a parade with lots of drums and cymbals on one of the main roads. We then headed to meet the rest of the group at dinner. I had fettuccine with peas, mushrooms, and chicken. The meal was very filling, was served in a timely manner(!), and was delicious!

After dinner we quickly went back to the balcony of the hotel to have class. Tonight we had more presentations from students about issues related to their majors. It was awesome to have class with the warm ocean breeze, clear sky, and stars!

Water

Journal #22

A Day in the Water

January 24, 2012

A Day in the Water

We started out with having breakfast at the hotel which included toast, cereal, fruit, and juices.

After breakfast we walked down to the shore to meet the people that would be taking us snorkeling today. After being fitted for our gear, we walked out behind their hut and waited for the boats to arrive. Once the boats arrived, we loaded onto them and started out forty-five minute ride to our destination, Shark-Ray Alley. Here we would snorkel with sharks, fish, sting-rays, and much, much more. It was scary at first to jump into the water with lots of sharks swimming around, but it was super fun! I was able to touch both a shark and sting-ray multiple times, and all that I could think of was my two little guys (two boys that I babysit a lot at home) and how much they would LOVE this experience. After we left here, we headed to a location where we would get to see sea turtles and other tropical fish. Well, right before we headed to our second location, I could not fail myself- so I started getting boat-sick! This lasted the rest of the day while we were on the boat, but when I was in the water I felt fine. We then headed towards San Pedro, a little tourist-island where we would eat lunch. Brighton did not have anybody to sit with, so I sat and ate lunch with him- after waiting over an hour for our food- we received it right after the other 90% of the group had already finished dessert! After we left the island, we went to our third and final destination to snorkel, and here there was a lot of tropical fish and corals.

When we got back to Caye Caulker, I was excited to be on “land” and no longer on the boat! We had a few hours until dinner, so we swam in the pool for a few minutes and we then showered and got all of the small sea-weed pieces out of our hair. After showering and getting ready, we headed to town so we could do a few minutes of shopping and then find somewhere for dinner. Well, since this is Belize and there is no schedule: some places decided not to open at all tonight, some places did not open until half an hour after their posted times, and some places were closing early. That changed our dinner plans when we discovered that our restaurant that we wanted to eat at was not open. We also laughed as we walked by the place we ate last night, because it looked completely abandoned and we had just eaten their last night!

After dinner we stopped at a little gift shop for a few minutes and then headed back to the hotel so we could make it in time for class. I did my final presentation tonight, so I am COMPLETELY FINISHED with my Senior Colloquium class! A few of my other classmates also did their presentations tonight, and it was fun to learn about their interests that relate to their majors in their senior year of college.

I'm excited about tomorrow- we get to go to the high school and minister to the students there! There are 59 students that attend high school on the island, and the high school has only been there four years. Before the high school was built on the island, if students wanted to attend high school- they had to catch a boat to Belize, attend school for the day, and then catch the boat back home.

Caye Caulker

Journal #21

Caye Caulker

January 23, 2012

Caye Caulker

The morning started with us packing all of our stuff, taking only one small bag and a carry-on. Our large suitcase had to stay in the hotel in a room until we return on Thursday. We loaded up the bus and headed towards the water-ferry.

After about half an hour on the bus, we made it to the port. While at the port, we bought our tickets and waited until our 9:00 departure time. Once on the boat, I realized that the feeling I was getting was all too familiar and I needed to move to a place that would allow me some air and a way to see out of the boat. I ended up moving to the back of the boat- and then to the top of the boat when a few of us asked if we could go up there. It was fun (and I didn't get sick) to see where we were going and to hear stories and information about the islands that we were passing. Damon (my buddy that takes care of me & I take care of him when he falls off of swinging vine) sat up top with me and kept me company on the ride. The ride was very relaxing and I am super glad that I was able to enjoy it. Here's to hoping that I will be able to sit up there on the way home, too...

Once we got to the island, we had the entire day (until after dinner) to explore the island. Sarah, Amelia, and I walked other places on the island and visited lots of little gift shops, markets, and we scoped out all of the good places to eat and get snacks! For lunch we went to The Sand Box where I had a chicken sandwich, coleslaw, and fries. The food was really good and the people were really nice. We met a family there who was from Canada and the man asked us if we were Buckeyes! This brought a smile to my face and he was excited to share with us that he had been to Columbus before.

After lunch we had more free time. Sarah, Amelia, and I took a hike with Dr.Skon through the jungle trails. We probably walked over four miles and were able to see the southern, more primitive part of the island of Caye Caulker. The walk ended up taking quite some time, but it was lots of fun... we may have gotten lost a few times (well at least four detours) throughout the trip, but we made it back in time to eat dinner.

Most of the dinner restaurants do not open until six, so we waited for a little bit and then headed down to the “town” to find something to eat. We ended up stopping at an outdoor restaurant that took over forty minutes to serve our food, but it was well worth it. I had grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, and a garden salad. After dinner we quickly walked back to the hotel to make it in time for class. Class was delayed a little bit due to everybody's food taking so long- but, it was awesome that we were able to have class outside, in the dark, and feel the warm breeze.

Church & Caves

Journal #20

Church & Caves

January 22, 2012

Church & Caves

This morning we had a continental breakfast at the hotel which consisted of an egg sandwich and orange juice. I CANNOT wait to get home and eat the amount of food that I normally eat! While I know that I eat more than I should, it really gets me feeling sick throughout the day if I don't have enough...

After breakfast we headed to a Cathedral in Belize City. It was an Anglican Church and it was the first time I had ever been to an Anglican service. It was a lot of fun, the church was pretty, and it was a completely different experience than I have ever had before. We had at least three different books that we had to keep referring to, and it was a challenge to figure out which book they were talking about or reading from. The sound system was not working, so it was hard to hear what they were saying, and not being familiar with such a church, there was lots of sitting and standing. As soon as we would stand up we would have to sit right back down, and because we were sitting at the back of the church, it seemed that by the time we sat down we had to stand back up!

After church we went to the Best Western Hotel because they had a restaurant there. There we went to the outside serving line and were able to choose lobster or chicken, rice and beans, mashed potatoes, cole-slaw, dinner rolls, and flan. The food was very good and we appreciated a good meal!

After lunch we hurried back to the hotel to change. We were to change into our swimsuits and grab a towel. We were picked up by a local tour company who drove us to go CAVE TUBING! This is something that I did not know much about, but I have been super excited for. We drove forty-six miles to get to our destination. Once there, we walked a little over two miles carrying our tube, life jacket, and head lamp. Once we reached the river, we jumped in and started down the river. It was lots of fun to go through giant caves with only the little light that the head-lamps put off. It was awesome to travel through a cave for minutes and minutes, then to come to the opening where we could see daylight and trees! It reminded me of John 8:12 that says, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Once we were finished cave-tubing, we loaded back onto the buses and headed back to the hotel.

After we had a chance to get cleaned up from cave-tubing, we walked about five minutes to get some pizza. There was a nice supermarket beside the pizza shop, so Sarah and I bought a few “side items” (chips and colby cheese!) to go with our pizza.

After dinner we packed what we would need for the next three days into tiny bags that will take the water-taxi with us tomorrow!

Ladyville

Journal #19

Ladyville

January 21, 2012

Ladyville

The morning started with a quick breakfast and then we loaded up the bus. We actually got moving at a decent time and were headed to Ladyville.

Well, not without problems...

After we filled up at the gas station and had a chance to stretch our legs and buy some snacks after two hours on the bus- the throttle cable broke on the bus- so we had no power for the bus to make it where we needed to go. We sat along side the road while Dwight and Damon fixed it well enough to get us to the museum. We stopped at a small museum and toured it, looking at pictures and artifacts. While there, the bus was fixed up (more correctly) and then, one of the students started feeling ill. We left the museum and headed towards lunch. On the way to lunch, the van (that the business majors and professor use) got a flat tire. We sat on the side of the road again, up the side of a mountain, waiting. When Dwight ensured their safety- we needed to move and get to a more safe location- not around the curves, hills, and less than one lane bridges of the road that we were on. Up the road we found a citrus farm and were able to park there until we got word from the van that they were on their way. We then headed towards Cheers, the outdoor restaurant that we have eaten at a few times, and thoroughly enjoy! By this time it was after 2:00pm, so Dr.Skon called Cheers and placed our orders of burritos for us.

Throughout the bus ride, we did have “mobile wi-fi!” Doug and Mary set it up and it traveled with us and was pretty accurate throughout the trip. This allowed many people to email, Facebook, or (maybe) work on homework. I am DONE with all of my homework, so I didn't need to use it- and I was also worried about getting bus-sick if I were to use it!

After lunch we were headed towards Ladyville, the town that the airport is in. It was a relief to get to Ladyville and know that we had the rest of the day to relax. It was super hot today, with showers on and off- and sitting on a bus (on the side of the road more than once) just wore us out!

After laying in a (real!) bed for about half an hour, we decided to get up and tour the town. There is a supermarket directly across the road, and not far from the supermarket is a little gathering of shops and stores. There is also a laundrymat and a bakery near the supermarket. I was pleasantly surprised to find the bakery and I was super stoked to get to check it out! I love anything from a bakery (well, anything without chocolate) and I knew that they would have some different things. I got a twisted doughnut type pastry with cinnamon sugar... it was $.50 Belize, so $.25US! They said that during the week they have more options, so we will definitely have to make a trip back there when we stay at this hotel again Thursday night.

Although the day handed us many problems and obstacles, it was awesome to drive so much of this country on such a pretty day. The colors and views would never get old, the smell of orange blossoms will never be a bad thing, and the smiles on the children's faces never anything but priceless! I have grown to love this country and appreciate all of it's beauty, not only the beauty of the land and scenery but also the beauty of the people and of the people's hearts!

Columbia

Journal #18

Camp

January 20, 2012

Camp

The morning started with tortillas and eggs for breakfast. After breakfast we had class, where we talked about truth-telling and we also had a debate on affirmative action. We had a very involved discussion on racism- I think that today was the first day everybody had something to say about the issue.

For lunch we had sandwiches and fried potato chips. After lunch we finished class. It has been very, very sunny and humid- and then randomly rains throughout the day. After class we had free time, so four of us students and the professor walked to Columbia. We were told that the walk would only be twenty minutes and about two miles. The walk ended up being over fifty minutes each way, and I would guess total that we walked six miles. It was fun to see the houses and families that lived in Columbia. There were two little stores and we visited both of them. A few children were out playing in the yards, or climbing trees.

We spent much of the time today working on homework and filling our time talking with each other, as well as the local Belizean children and adults. I had a little boy sit beside me for about an hour and we looked at pictures of Monster Trucks online. It was so much fun to talk with him and show him pictures. He also wanted to see pictures of my family. There were a few girls who soon appeared because they too wanted to see pictures of my family. The girls were super cute and kept asking about the pronunciation of the names of everybody in my family.

Dinner was burritos and they were good, but I am excited about getting to eat pizza tomorrow! After dinner we watched a video and had to reflect on the video. We then packed everything up and prepared for tomorrow. We are leaving this camp and heading to Belize City. We should have transportation (and a driver) from here on out- so we should not be stuck at the camp anymore!

Be Still

Journal #17

PG

January 19, 2012

PG

The morning started with eggs and tortillas for breakfast. I wanted something different, so I had graham crackers and a Special K bar that I brought from home. After breakfast we had class. During class, the debate was on same-sex marriage and legalizing it or not.

The plan for the day, if it is possible to have a plan in Belize, is to have class, a break, lunch, and head to Punta Gorda. We are also to talk to some locals that speak cache. It was very warm, sunny, and humid- even early this morning.

Damon, one of the boys that I took care of yesterday, went to the hospital for x-rays, and they said that nothing is broken. The interesting thing about his visit is that the cost for his x-rays was $5.00Belize, which is $2.50US!

For lunch we had chicken, rice, and oranges. After lunch we had some time to work on classwork. I have finished everything, I just need to review and edit two papers and submit them.

After a quick, and much needed nap, we loaded up on the bus and headed towards Punta Gorda. There we stopped at a little ice-cream parlor, where I tried Western Dairy Crabroo ice-cream. I was told that Crabroo is some kind of yellow fruit but I have not heard of it any other time, so I have told myself that I do not want to know what it really is. We were able to look at some small shops in PG and also see the Gulf of Honduras from the pier.

Dinner was hamburgers and tortilla chips. After dinner we had a guest speaker, a volunteer from the States that help to facilitate Bible studies for people that English is not their primary language. She talked about her goals and ambitions for work for the local Belizean people. In addition, she shared much of her life story and what she had been doing in Belize for the last nine years.

The day was very slow and we were not able to do much because of lack of transportation, but tomorrow and Saturday should be more exciting days for us!

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Today was much different than yesterday, which was not a bad thing! I felt that after the day we ALL had yesterday, we needed a break today! Because our driver was taking one group to the hospital, we did not have transportation this morning- which left us at camp to have class.

During the day I have reflected on Psalm 46:10 which says: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” I believe that this was a very appropriate verse for today, we were all calm & still, and many of us reflected on what yesterday could have been and how the situations that we encountered could have been much more severe. I think that I can speak for everybody when I say that when we were in PG today at the pier, we were able to know that “He is God, He is exalted among the nations and is exalted in the earth.” Seeing the Gulf and the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, we were once again “still” and recognizing Him.

Here's the first half of the day... who knows what the rest of the day will be like...

Journal #16

Medical Missions?

January 18, 2012

Medical Missions?

The morning started with fry-jacks, eggs, and juice for breakfast. We packed up and headed towards some Mayan ruins. The drive there was not bad- there were some new sites that we could see. When we got to the end of the lane where we were supposed to be parking, our bus driver said “are you kidding me?” With all of the rain we have had the last week, it was a huge, muddy mess and there was a grass parking lot. They wanted the girls to head to the back of the bus and the boys to push- when the boys were not being successful in pushing- a few of us girls got off to help push... still stuck in the mud. We decided that we would go explore the ruins and the bus-driver would contact somebody to help with the bus. At the ruins I saw a boa-constrictor wrapped around one of the trees, which was cool! While we were looking at the ruins, a few of the local vendors came to set up their items. Sarah and I decided that we were done looking at the ruins and wanted to head back towards the bus so we could look at the items that the vendors had for sale. Not long after we got back to the bus, one of the other students, Mike, started yelling for us. He said “we need nursing, now!” This was the start of it all...

I knew that there was a first-aid kit on the bus, so I quickly opened it and started throwing out the things that I would not need- assessing what else I would need to find on the way there... no ace-wraps in the kit: no problem- we have sticks and clothes... no anti-anything in the kit: no problem: I have hand-wipes... and on and on I thought the entire run up to the ruins...

Mike told us that Kyle had fallen- we did not know any details, or what we would need. When we got there after running through the mud, up and down the hills, and through the ruins- we found Kyle and Damon with lots of “battle wounds.” Kyle seemed to be the worse, so we took care of him first- with some antibacterial wipes, tissues, water, and bandages. Next we turned to Damon to help him out... he had some deep cuts and was bleeding. Because we were out of gauze and tissues, I rinsed off his cuts with a water bottle, and used my shirt and applied pressure to his wounds. I checked pupils with a flash light and everything seemed fine, although Kyle felt that he was going to throw up- I told him to take small sips of water or Gatorade and head to the bus when he felt that he could. After I felt that they were taken care of, we started laughing about how Mike was going to hit Damon with a stick so that he would forget about the pain he was having in his hand and hip. Just as I turned to watch Mike, I saw Hannah doubled over leaning against the ruins, and super pale! I immediately ran over to her, helped her stand up straight, and helped her lean against the ruins a different way. We poured water down her back, put water on her face, and I asked if anybody had a piece of candy. Cassie had gum, so we quickly had her put two pieces of gum in her mouth... I had the professor run down to a girl that had Gatorade and bring that back. Amelia and I carried her to the other side of the ruins, in the shade. She ate a cliff bar and took small sips of Gatorade. Once I felt that she was stable, I ran down to check on the others that were at the bus now, but needed checked on.

Down at the bus, the boys seemed to be doing fine- so as soon as I thought I was done... I was called over to help one of the professors (the one I made get the Gatorade for Hannah) who was not feeling well. He is diabetic and started feeling “different.” I quickly ran through the mud to help him, gave him a granola bar, and offered him some mix-ins for his water. I also ensured that he was drinking enough water and told him to stay hydrated.

Dwight had hitched a ride back to camp so he could pick up the van in order to pick us up. Dwight picked up the “ones that needed medical attention” and most of the girls. I rode in the van back so I could help take care of the wounds and get them cleaned up. We came back from the ruins to wait to see if the bus would be able to be pulled out from the mud with the backhoe. While waiting, we had class and I presented my debate. While doing my debate, the bus pulled in! We now have transportation!

So the day is just now half over- here's to wondering what the rest of the day will be like! Oh yeah, the man that lives beside the camp killed a bug that will kill you if it bites you. In addition to that exciting news, he also said that there was a jaguar here last night. I would love to see a jaguar... but would like to be inside- looking out a window when I do! :)

Camp Day!

Journal #15
Camp Day
January 17, 2012

Camp Day

The morning started very fast! A professor came running through the dorm saying, “guest speaker is starting in fifteen minutes.” The guest speaker was a pastor from Ohio that is training pastors in Belize. The guest speaker talked about ethical issues in Belize, and we did four case studies on ethical issues that have recently happened in Belize. While the guest speaker was talking- we had breakfast: pancakes.
Immediately after breakfast we were supposed to load on the bus to head for the school we were to spend the day at. When one of the men down here heard where we were going, he said that we should not go there because the bus would for sure tip over on the roads on the way there. The road that we are on is under construction, and farther down the road from our camp, it is not safe enough yet for a bus to pass. We are hoping that we will be able to find a school, orphanage, or something else to do today. The people of Belize are not much for making plans, which for me, is completely opposite than my personality! It is hard to have something planned and prepare for it and then it does not happen.
We had class and talked about Love & Justice, which will be a major point that I can include in my debate that I have tomorrow.
The weather today has gone from heavy rain to sunny, and everywhere in between. The bugs are getting worse and worse, even bug-spray is not helping at this point.
Because the day's activities were canceled, we were stuck at camp all day. We are not close to any town or any concentration of people, so the only Belizeans that we have been able to have contact with are the cooks and people that live right beside the camp.
I spent the afternoon working on my final debate that I have tomorrow.
For dinner we had tortillas, beef, beans, cheese, and salsa. Dinner was really good, and it was probably the first time I actually felt “full” for a week or so. After dinner I finished my debate for tomorrow!
Dwight, our amazing contact & bus driver, was the speaker for the evening. Because I had breakfast with him the other day, I was super excited to get to hear what he had to share. The verse that Dwight started with was Proverbs 22:1 which says, “a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” After hearing all that Dwight has been through, he definitely has kept a good name and always looked to love, rather than the riches and money that he could have. It was cool to hear how God has worked in this one person's life and how His purpose for his life has been apparent, but along the way there have been many ups and downs.
I am excited about tomorrow... we get to leave camp & do lots of things- hopefully we will be able to do some missions work, too!! :)

Columbia

Journal #14

Columbia

January 16, 2012

Columbia

The morning started late for us because the professors had to go to the store to buy food for the day. We were able to sleep in, which was a blessing for all of us! For breakfast we had eggs and fry-jacks. The food was good, the eggs had flavor and the fry-jacks tasted like elephant ears (I put cinnamon-sugar on mine!)!

We went to a local school, about twenty five minutes from camp. At the school we were able to talk to kids, play with them, and sing songs with them. The “computer people” worked on some of the technical issues at the school. The business group was promoting the “life-straws,” and since there was so much rain- they were able to show how they work to filter water from puddles to clean drinking water. The class that I was in, I played simon-says with the students, and they really loved that. In addition, we taught them O-H-I-O, and they continued to randomly yell that the rest of the afternoon. I was able to talk to two girls on a personal basis, and upon leaving, they expressed their appreciation. Life here is not much different for teenagers than that in the states- the girls seemed to face the same problems and struggles that I had during my teenage years. One of the main differences that many of the girls have talked to me about is dating and boys. I am hoping that I can make a positive difference for these girls and their futures.

For lunch we had chicken, and rice & beans. The entire afternoon was filled with rain, so we were not able to do much. After lunch we had class. During class, I had my debate- on euthanasia and its use in terminally ill patients. We also discussed many ethical issues that go along with euthanasia and making that decision.

Dinner was tortillas, eggs, and salsa. After dinner we headed to Punta Gorda, the local town. It was fun to explore the town and get to see the locals in their “community.” We were able to see the ocean & shore, the stars, and the “night-life” of the town. I am excited to get the opportunity to head back to Punta Gorda during the day and do more exploring of the town.

When we returned to camp, we were exhausted- and went to bed almost immediately after carrying in groceries. The bugs here are much worse than we have faced at the previous camps, but we have also had constant rain for the last few days.

Moving Camp

Journal #13

Moving Camp

January 15, 2012

Moving Camp

The morning started with fry-jacks, eggs, cheese, and papaya for breakfast. It has been raining the last two days, so the bugs are getting worse and the weather has not been quite as nice as it was the first week.

After church we will be moving camp, to Columbia- a more remote, rural area. I am excited about this opportunity and hope that we have lots of opportunities to minister to the people of Belize. In reflecting on what I have done so far, I am very surprised that many of the people I have talked to have been vacationers. I think that it is awesome I am in this place, able to minister to not only the locals, but also the people who are visiting. Yesterday I met a couple from New York and I was able to share what we were doing and how it was changing lives, as well as what we stand for and how we are trying to make a difference.

The church we attended was in San Ignacio, it was the Nazarene Church. The people there were awesome and they were so excited that we were there to worship with them today. Church here is so different- the people worship our God with the depths of their hearts. The congregations do not seem to care about what others think of them, or anything else- but they want to make sure that all of their hearts go to worshiping God.

After church we headed back to camp for lunch. We had grilled chicken, baked beans, and cole slaw. We quickly loaded up our bags and headed for Columbia. The drive was long, but we made two stops along the way- which broke it up some... except for the fact that the breaks were in the first hour of the trip- and the last (almost) three hours, we did not stop at all! It was not as bad as I had anticipated, but it did seem like a very long ride. I thought that sleeping would be a good option to pass the time, but once we started driving- I was too interested in the things that we saw along the way! It was so cool to see orange trees, growing wild and growing everywhere. We also passed lots of banana trees and those were cool to see in such large numbers.

We made it to our camp- which is a really long ways from anything! When we got here, there were kids around- kids of the cooks. For dinner we had fried chicken, tortillas, and beans. Tomorrow we are heading to a school in a local village. I am excited about the opportunities we will have here to meet people as well as to minister to these people.

Mountain Pine

Journal #12
Mountain Pine
January 14, 2012

Mountain Pine

The day started with Johnny Cakes and cantaloupe for breakfast. After breakfast we quickly packed for our adventures that we would have today. We were picked up by three tour buses and headed towards Mountain Pine Ridge. The two hours bus ride was full of crazy drivers, lots of holes, washed out roads, and very steep inclines. When we finally got to Mountain Pine it was a blessing to have fresh air and be able to get out of the bus for a while.

Our first stop was at a waterfall. To get there, we had to walk a ways, straight downhill! There were sometimes tree roots and stones that we could use for grip- but they were not always reliable. While at the bottom of the hill, we could see the waterfalls and enjoy the beauty of them- and then it started to downpour! I was worried about some of the people being able to make it back up the hill that we had just come down- but, we all did!

After we left the falls, we headed to a little lookout where we would have lunch. We had sandwiches and sodas. There was a Mennonite group there that was making lunch, playing games, and talking... and they were fun to watch and talk to.

We then headed to a cave. While entering the park where the cave was located- we had to check in with the guards. The first bus that was with us did not stop to check in, and they were chased down by the guards. The guards had to escort us to the cave because of some things that have happened in the past... there have been tourists robbed because the cave is really far away from anything or anybody, and the Guatemalans sneak over the border to steal plant leaves as well as harass tourists. The cave was absolutely amazing and was like nothing I had ever seen before- it was huge, with openings on both ends, a beach inside, and lots, lots more!

After the cave we headed to a spot where there were waterfalls and a section of the river that we could swim in. Because it was very cool and rainy, I decided that I did not want to swim in the chilly water. There is no warm water anywhere, so I felt like it would be hard to get warmed back up after diving in.

The ride home was a very bumpy, two hour bus ride. The scenery was very pretty, and the sky was finally turning blue for the day- right before it turned dark.

When we got back to camp, the cooks had dinner ready for us- chicken, rice & beans, salsa, and watermelon. We were all really hungry from only having sandwiches for lunch, so we ate lots! The food was excellent- and it was our last dinner meal here at the camp. Tomorrow we are leaving after lunch to head towards Columbia.

It is now pouring rain again, like it did all night last night, and cooling off even more. I am not sure what tomorrow holds, but I know that after church and lunch, we are in for a long bus ride to Columbia (4 hours they say!)!

Succotz

Journal #11

Succotz

January 13, 2012

Succotz

The morning started off with tortillas, oranges, bananas, and eggs for breakfast. I had cinnamon sugar on my tortilla which made it taste like an elephant ear. I sat with Dwight at breakfast and really enjoyed his company! Dwight is our bus-driver and our contact that we work everything for our trip through. Dwight is retired but has an amazing past work history- including a high governmental office, a school principal, and much, much more. We talked about everything from families to houses to jobs, and beyond.

Doug had the devotional and used Jeremiah 29:11, a verse that we all know very well... For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Class followed and we talked about Deliverance & Salvation. The debate for today was over the beginning of life and the termination of pregnancies. After class I finished most of my homework- in hopes that I will complete it all very soon and not have to worry about it the rest of the trip! :)

Lunch was very “American” and was cheeseburgers, french fries, and pineapple. After lunch I worked on more homework. Early this afternoon a group of us walked down to the highway, to the markets. At the vendor's market I did not buy anything, but it was fun to talk to the vendors. At the Chinese Supermarket, Sarah & I got Pineapple-Coconut ice cream in individual serving containers. The ice cream that they sell is from WD- the dairy that we visited last week. It is a lot of fun to buy things here and know that you are supporting very local businesses.

While waiting on the last few people to finish shopping, we sat down by the river. We saw iguanas in the tops of the trees. It was really cool that the iguanas were so high up in the trees and they were so huge!

The power has been going on and off today, so hopefully that will resolve itself. It seems like it is going to storm- it's becoming cooler and more breezy- with the sky looking dark in some places. The well broke yesterday but luckily has resolved itself and is working fine today! :)

I am very excited for these next few days- tomorrow we get to go on a trip and Sunday we move to a new camp. Next week we start at more schools and I feel like we will have a lot more mission opportunities there, too!

Dinner was chicken salad, tortilla chips, salsa, and papayas. After dinner we worked on more homework and then had a guest speaker. The speaker was Brian Watson, an amazing man with an amazing testimony. Words cannot even describe the way that God has used him, and spoke through him tonight...

Succotz

Journal #10

Succotz

January 12, 2012

Succotz

The morning started with fry-jacks (and cinnamon sugar for them, too!), eggs, bananas, and cantaloupe. Debates followed breakfast and today's debate was on The Death Penalty. During class we discussed Justice, and we discussed a lot from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 51:5 says, “my righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.” I reflected a lot on this verse and believe that God is faith in His promises to His people, we have the promise of salvation, He shall be the ultimate judge, and the distant lands should express a desire for religion & begin to acknowledge and worship the one true God. After contemplating on this verse I began to realize that this verse fits perfectly with the trip that I am on. The ministry that I can be part of to these people of Belize can help them to “wait in hope for His arm.” I hope that I can plant desire in the hearts of these people, a desire for religion and a desire to worship the one true God.

For lunch we had tortillas, chicken, cheese, and salsa to make our own tacos. We also had tortilla chips, queso, and watermelon. Because one of the girls that came with us got really sick, she needed to go home today. Our professor took her to the airport to try to find her a flight home so she could see the doctor there. For us that meant that we would spend the rest of the day at the campground. Sarah, Amelia, and I went down to the highway and shopped at the markets. We also went to the supermarket down there and bought some things- we've found that some of the items there are half price than what we can get them at the gift shops! :)

After we came back to the campground, we worked on homework and waited on Emily, a local girl who we ordered some custom products from (can't write about them because it's a surprise for Adam!)!

Pastor Potts, a well known Belizean, spoke to us about Belize and the culture here. It was interesting to hear the differences that he sees between Belize, the US, and Canada. Many of the same problems occur here as in the States, but the problems are not as prevalent. Many kids go to school hungry because of financial struggles in families, men are abusive to step-daughters, and children born out of wedlock are all common problems in Belize. Pastor Potts also spoke of the welfare system in the US and he talked about how Belize has nothing similar to help out families in need.

We had a delicious meal that consisted of: chicken & pasta, mashed potatoes, white cake, and pineapple. After dinner we had time to work on our debates and other homework that needs done. Dr. Skon returned from the airport and Ginny did get a plane seat to head back to the States, but we need to keep praying for her and her medical conditions, and also that her specialist in Florida can help her.

The Clinic

Journal #9
The Clinic
January 11, 2012

The Clinic

The sun was shining early and it was a very warm 85* this morning. The day started out with breakfast, which consisted of: pancakes, eggs, bananas, and oranges. After breakfast we had our ethics class for a few hours. Today started the series of debates that we are working on and will continue to work on for the next two weeks. The debate today was on War: Just War vs. War Pacifism, and when the debate was over- we discussed both sides as a class.

The ladies in the kitchen had mini-chicken tacos, salsa, pineapple, and tortillas for lunch. Lunch was very good, but we packed up quickly afterwards and headed to the Good Shepherd Clinic. There we were able to meet Nurse Margaret, who is by far one of the most encouraging nurses I have ever met. Nurse Margaret has a huge heart for Christ, and a huge heart for helping others. It was amazing to listen to her tell us the ways that she uses nursing as her ministry and the ways that she tries to model Christ. While we were unable to help out at the clinic, we were able to be encouraged by an amazing lady who has devoted over 50 years of her life to nursing.

After we left the clinic, we headed to the markets down by the river. There we were able to talk to the local people who were selling their products. On the way back to the campground we stopped by a guy's house where he made pottery and other clay items. We looked around at the products he had for sale, we asked him a few questions, and he then explained to us how he was processing the beans that he had dried out. Walking away we could not help but talk about how the people of Belize are so different in regards to being kind to complete strangers and always welcoming others into their homes.

It was fun walking back to the campground as the children were heading home from school because they are so much fun and are always willing to say “hello,” give a high-five, or do something silly. The smallest children seem shy at first, but as soon as I smile at them their faces light up. Many of the children ask us how we are doing, and many of them ask us where we are going. Because they just started school today they are very excited to know that we are staying at the campground right beside their school. Many of the children are in the dining hall right now working on crafts and activities that we have for them.

The biggest aspect of the culture that I have been reflecting on today is the fact that most of the people in Belize wish to live in the United States. The culture here in Belize is completely different than in the states, and there is much more of a positive atmosphere displayed here. To me, the people of Belize have so much more happiness than anywhere or anyone that I have ever seen. In addition, the families and friendships appear very strong and valued- time is spent with each other and not in front of televisions or other electronic devices. Most of these people have so little, yet they are so rich!

For dinner we had queso & chips, chicken, and tamales. After dinner we walked to town and went to Benny's, a local restaurant. After discussions and reflections at Benny's, we headed back to the campground to call it a night.

Adam Smith, PLEASE! (let me bring a child home!)

Duck Run Again!

This morning after a breakfast of breakfast burritos, bananas, and oranges- we headed back to the school at Duck Run. On the way there we had to stop and get some computer equipment from the Farmers Trading Center, which is a very large building with everything from food and drinks to housewares to toys and more. I kind of felt like the Farmers Trading Center was like our WalMart. Our purpose at Duck Run was to finish setting up the computer lab, which I stayed completely away from! I felt that I would be more assistance not being in the way, and playing with the kids instead. I was in all of the classes and either read to the kids, talked to them, or did crafts with them. The youngest children (equivalent to our K-1 grades) are just now learning English, so they were difficult to talk to at times. But, they were cute when they would try to keep repeating themselves louder- as if that was going to make me understand what they were saying.

We got diesel today at a local gas station- and I thought it was cool to compare the prices to what we pay in the States. Diesels was $10.19 Belize, so it would have been $5.095 per gallon US.

After we left Duck Run, we went to a local restaurant in San Ignasio. It was a really neat place where we ate outside and the food was delicious, and in very large servings- the restaurant was called Hode's. I had a quesidilla which came with cole-slaw and french-fries. Beside Hode's a few vendors were set up with things to sell us... there was a cruise ship who had just come in- so the vendors were there for the lunch hour. After we left Hode's, we had a few hours to tour San Ignasio, the second largest “city” in Belize, consisting of about 25,000 people. After returning to Hode's to meet Dwight- our bus driver- we got ice cream, which was from the local dairy- Western Dairies- the dairy that we visited yesterday.

On the way home from San Ignasio, we stopped at the Roman Catholic school that we will be at tomorrow setting up a computer lab. Now we are working on homework until dinner (fried chicken & french fries) is ready. Class is to follow dinner and then hopefully we will have an early night to bed.

Duck Run

Journal #7

Duck Run

January 9, 2012

Duck Run

The day started with a shower- which is not getting any warmer- I have only formulated a better plan of action when taking a shower. I have learned that washing one section of my body at a time, and never completely standing under the running water, is the way to shower without sending my body into shock! After I showered, we had breakfast: johnny cakes and bananas. The johnny cakes were much like a dinner roll, only much heavier, not near the airy texture that we are used to with dinner rolls at home. After breakfast we headed to Duck Run 3, a school in the Mennonite region of Belize. Duck Run is located in a very remote area and the houses are very far away from each other.

While at the school we were able to clean up the Principle's office, which is where the computer lab will be set up at. In addition, we were able to take over the classes and talk with the students as well as do projects with them. I talked to many of the girls that were 15-16 years old and they were very curious about college. Many of them have wanted to attend college to further their education, but they have not known anything about it or how it works. A few of the girls knew what classes they enjoyed but were not sure what they could do with a degree in those subjects- so I was able to talk to them about it. I also helped the students to make crafts with beads, and we then melted the beads so they stuck together and the students could have their piece of art. There were over sixty children that attended the school, and about equal numbers of boys and girls. The principle teaches two classes, and each classroom houses two different grades of children. When asked about the teachers and their personalities, the students agreed that the teachers are kind, funny, and make things fun. The children wore uniforms but many of them had on chucks, crocs, and other shoes like we wear.

After we left the school we headed to lunch. I was a little nervous about eating at a diner that was above a gas station- but it was actually very nice, and the food was great. Amelia and I ordered a pizza and fries and split everything. The pizza tasted very American and the mushrooms we got on it also tasted like we have in the States. Also, the gas station and diner was not only that- but much more... there was food, luggage, guns, and much much more! The prices here are much less than those in the states- a pair of sunglasses that I bought only cost $5.50 US. When I was looking for sunglasses before I came, they were at least four times that price. After we left the diner-station, we went to the local dairy, which I thought was really cool. The dairy had soft serve as well as hard serve ice cream for purchase, as well as cheese, milk, and yogurt. The prices were very reasonable, one giant dip was around $.70 US and two dips were around $1.00 US. The milkshakes were only $2.00 US, and were also very large. After we ate our ice cream, we headed back through San Ignastio and towards camp. After about half an hour we stopped at a produce market where our professor bought 100 oranges and 2 giant grapefruit for a grand total cost of $6.50 US. I wish that we had had time to explore the market on our own and see the produce that the locals sell at the market.

When we returned to camp we started class and talked about two chapters from the reading before the trip, the reading from the Ethics book. During class we talked about Mother Teresa and how our own life would change if we took Mother Teresa's ethic of love seriously and we also identified three personal areas of change and what they would look like in our lives.

Dinner followed class and was: either beef or pork, fried rice, pineapple, and salsa. The fried rice was very, very good- the flavor was great and the vegetables in it were fresh. For after dinner, the cooks made chocolate-covered bananas, but since I do not eat chocolate- I did not have any. Everybody else was super excited about them, though.

After dinner we finished the Mother Teresa video and I worked on my papers and assignments that are due this week.

Church Day

Journal #6

Church Day

January 8, 2012

Church Day

The day started out with a delicious meal made by the cooks which consisted of fry-jacks, eggs, and water. After breakfast we hurried to get ready in order to make it to Sunday School on time, which did not end up happening, anyhow. We arrived at the church and sat down in the wooden pews, additional seats were added by setting up plastic porch seats.

Church service was very fun, and very upbeat. The service started with welcomes and a few of our professors also stood up and talked for a few minutes about us, and also thanked the congregation for allowing us to be there and worship with them. A few of the songs were in Spanish, so the gentleman beside us allowed us to borrow his Spanish Hymnal. A few of the songs that we did were in English, and the mood and excitement was so much different here than in the states. In between songs the youth minister talked and read some scripture. In addition, there were a few times during the service that we had what they called activities, which consisted of us moving around, singing, and shaking hands or hugging other people in the church. Church lasted at least two hours, which seemed like a long time in the sun and heat of the day.

After church we went home with a single mother who had two daughters, but only one still lived at home. We ate lunch with the family and asked them a lot of questions. We talked with the family about anything from Internet to school to shopping to hospitals. We were supposed to have chicken, but because she was not expecting us to have to be home so soon- the chicken was still frozen and we did not have it with lunch. For lunch we had salad, rice and beans, and orange juice. The food was great tasting and was not as spicy as I expected from an authentic Belizean family meal. The family was super nice and very hospitable, they want us to come back sometime this week before we leave. After lunch, they brought us back to the campground. Amelia, Sarah, and I really enjoyed our visit with them and were excited to learn that the youngest daughter, who will graduate high school next year, wants to come to the states and study nursing.

After they dropped us off at camp, we changed from our church clothes and changed into climbing clothes. We were heading to the Xunantunich site in Western Belize. The climb was much higher, but much easier than the climb we did this past week. The view from the top was awesome, and the top platform was much wider than the last platform we were on. To get to ruins, we went on a ferry where the person running the ferry had a hand crank and pulled the ferry along with at least one car, and numerous people standing on the outsides of where the car was parked.

After the visit to the ruins, we quickly visited the straw markets and then headed back to the campground. We worked on homework until dinner was ready. The cooks in the kitchen fixed us: homemade tortillas, chicken, coleslaw, and beans. We also had a choice of fanta pop, coke, water, or sprite. Dinner was really delicious, the chicken was grilled with charcoal, and the kids were excited that they were able to take a piece of cold charcoal and use it to make hop-scotch on the sidewalks.

After dinner we worked on more homework and continued researching for our debates. If I have time, I would love to walk down to town, but I think that I will spend my evening working on classwork.

In reflecting on poverty, families, justice, friendship, happiness, materialism, technology, Christianity, and defining self- I was able to dig deeper and form opinions more after the interactions that I had today with the people at church, the family I had lunch with, and the vendors at the straw markets. The family that we had lunch with was very well off, so I did not get to experience poverty from an inside view. Family was very important to them, the man had recently passed away, and the lady and her daughter lived with her parents. Friendship is an important aspect of the culture, but the family we had lunch with said that there are some corrupt people in Belize and they normally just stay away from everything. Materialism even in this wealthy family was nothing compared to the states, and the family seemed to just have what they needed, and not much more. Technology was readily available for the family, they had an Internet stick that allowed them Internet access as soon as they plugged it in. The daughter told us that almost everybody has cell phones, and most people have Internet access. Christianity was very prevalent to us today, but I feel that we also get treated differently because the people of Belize know that we are here with a Christian education group.

To The Zoo & A New Camp

Journal #5
January 7, 2012
To The Zoo & A New Camp

To The Zoo & A New Camp
Today started off with packing up our camp at Kindred Spirits. We had breakfast and then had some time to move our luggage to the central room. Afterwards, we were off to the zoo. The zoo in Belize has a much more natural beauty to it than the ones in the states. How can you compare to a zoo with such trees and flowers? The animals were in cages that were not much more than a chain-link fence, and some had chicken wire around them. Others were in boarded fence, much less than we use in the states for our livestock animals. The animals were very friendly and normally would be very close to the fence, right by the walkway. A lot of the animals were orphaned or born in the zoo, not captured or any other form.

After the zoo, we headed back to Cheers, the outdoor restaurant. At Cheers we had a burrito buffet where we were able to make our own food, we also had chips & salsa, as well as lemonade. After lunch we headed back to Kindred Spirits to grab our luggage and head to Succotz. When the trucks came to get the luggage, I was expecting full size pick up trucks, but instead it was two tiny Ford rangers to stuff all the luggage of over fifty people in! We took it very slowly to Succotz because we were following the luggage trucks, and we went even slower over the pedestrain walkways (ramps in the middle of the road for pedestrians to walk on). When we arrived to Succotz I was super excited because it is a town and there were so many people outside and on the streets. I am excited for the opportunity to interact with the people of Belize. In addition, there are many neat looking structures and buildings in Succotz.

We continued driving to our campground, where we passed many schools and churches. Our camp is right beside the high school and elementary school. Amelia, Sarah, and I are sleeping in the room off of the kitchen that has three beds, to make more room in the dorm room for the other girls. The bunks in there are three high and many girls were actually having to sleep on them. In addition, we volunteered to help out in the kitchen as much as we are needed- and I am excited for that opportunity- not only to cook, but also to interact with the cooks.

After we unpacked and settled in, the cooks had dinner ready for us. Our meal consisted of chicken, rice and beans, fresh pineapple, potatoes, and plantains. Dinner was super delicious and was authentic Belizean food.

After dinner we headed back to our room to pack so we could walk to the city. The walk took about ten minutes and the roads had very loose stones, which made me nervous for some of the people to be walking on, but everybody made it there and back safely. While in the town, we went to Benny's Restaurant where we ordered ice-cream. I had a banana milkshake and it was very good. The milkshake was a little different than I expected because it was more like a smoothie, but I think that because it was a fruit shake, it did not make a difference. Beside Benny's is a little store that literally has everything from washers and dryers to fresh baked bread, and everything in between.

In reflecting on poverty, families, justice, friendship, happiness, materialism, technology, Christianity, and defining self- I feel like the contact that I had today helped me to start forming some thoughts. Poverty is definitely a common thing in Belize, but poverty does not seem to affect friendship, happiness, or many other characteristics about the people of Belize. Almost every single person that we passed today while walking, from ages (approximately) two years to (approximately) sixty years, had something to say to us, a smile to give to us, or a wave to show give to us.

At The Camp

Kaitlin Bosh

Journal January 6, 2012

At The Camp

At The Camp

The day started with a refreshing (aka FREEZING) cold shower. Breakfast followed and consisted of french toast, cereal, and juice. After breakfast we started class. The sun was shining and the morning temperatures were much cooler than I expected. We talked about the Virtues of Kingdom People, and specifically Matthew 5: 3-12. It was interesting to hear everybody's opinions and thoughts about mercy and forgiveness, something that God had and has so much of and something that we struggle so much with.

Because the bus was still not fully functional (or able to go as fast as we did the first day) because of the tire troubles, Dwight took it to his mechanic and we were stuck at the camp all day with no transportation. I cannot wait until tomorrow when we are able to experience more of Belize and the culture here, as we pack up and head towards Succotz. I am especially anxious to meet the children and have the opportunity to talk to them- seeing them on the sides of the roads- I have been waiting for the opportunity to try to somehow minister to them.

Lunch followed class and consisted of deli sandwiches, bananas, chips, and cheese. During lunch we found some information on an orphanage, so one of the adults called and told us we would leave in twenty minutes. That gave me enough time to change into a long skirt, fill up my water bottle, and get in the van.

Going in, I had no idea of what to expect. I often see orphanages on television, or on movies- but I was not sure how realistic my expectations of such an orphanage would be like. We traveled about five miles to Belmopan, the city where the orphanage, King's Children's Home, was located.

I am still not sure how to reflect on my experience at the orphanage. I could not have loved it any more than I did. I walked in and around back I saw some kids gathered. One little boy under the table caught my eye and he looked at me and said, “hi.” This was all it took for me to fall in love with him. Nobody at the orphanage was sure of his age, but it was guestimated between one and two years old. Developmentally, he seemed like an eight to twelve month old. Not long after playing with him and talking to him, he reached his arms up and wanted held. I talked with him, we took pictures (and he loved seeing himself on the screen), and I played with him. He had a doll and a very small piece of play-doh that he was playing with, so I was soon required to hold the baby doll for him, and feed the small piece of play-doh to the baby doll, too. In addition to the little boy, Moses, that I have described- all of the kids at the orphanage were amazing. The ages ranged from about three months to teenagers, and everywhere in between. All of the children seemed to have a lot of respect for adults and were genuinely thrilled that we were there. To one kid a smile was all they needed and to others they just wanted a hug, or to touch my arm while talking to me.

Before leaving, many of the children asked me when I would be back, and I sadly had to tell them that I would not be back. I left reassured, knowing that I was able to be with them for a while and love them while I was there- so now I have the opportunity to pray for them.

Dinner was spaghetti and tortilla chips with salsa. After dinner we had class and watched a video on Mother Teresa and had a write an essay on changing our life if we took Mother Teresa's ethic of love seriously, as well as identify three areas of change and what they would look like.

After the video we are packing because tomorrow we are going to move camp to Succotz!

In reflecting on poverty, families, justice, friendship, happiness, materialism, technology, Christianity and defining self, I was able to observe some at the orphanage. The orphanage was run down and looked like it was very full of poverty, and children that came from poverty. At the orphanage it was one big family where all activities were done in the family group. The children and adults were very friendly not only to each other, but also to us. Everybody that I came in contact with was super happy, which to me was so surprising because they had so little. Materialism is nothing compared to the states, the orphanage does not have much space or contents to fill the space. There was limited technology that was only to be used by the staff and for business purposes only. The orphanage was Christian based and taught about Jesus.

Gone All Day

Kaitlin Bosh

Journal January 5, 2012

Gone All Day

Gone All Day

The day started out waking up to the same wild animal noises- birds, insects, and monkeys. Breakfast consisted of toast, cereal, and juice. Immediately following breakfast we were supposed to leave to travel towards our boat tour. Departure time was pushed back due to some bus problems, but soon we were on our way. I laughed and had to take a picture that before Dwight started the bus he had to lift the hood and do something. The bus ride was very, very long- but much of the scenery was new to me.

After arriving at the boat tour location, we unloaded and waited for instructions from our professors, adults, and the tour guides. We loaded the boat and were on our way. Lunch was in coolers in the middle of the boat and I had a jacket on hand, so when we reached speeds of 30 knots I would be able to tolerate the “cooler” temperatures (that are still much warmer than Ohio today!). The boat ride was twenty-five miles each way and was about as winding and curving as the roads. Not far at all into the boat ride, we saw a baby crocodile that was sunbathing on log- and not far from it was an iguana blended in with the tree branches it was on. After the first twenty-five miles on the boat, we stopped at a dock where we would do some exploring. The coolers full of lunch came off of the boat and we had a lunch under the shelter. Lunch consisted of rice & beans, chicken, tortilla chips, potato salad, coleslaw, and plantains. The food was delicious and had much more flavor than I expected. In the States, it would be hard to find rice with such flavor. A lady I met at the airport told me that they use coconut milk in their rice- and I think that that one ingredient made such a difference. The potato salad had a little bit of a “spicy bite” to it, but it was also delicious. In addition, the potato salad had some kind of papaya fruit or something cut up and in it. Speaking of papayas, I tried papaya juice and was not a fan! The 80*F, super pulpy, taste like none other drink had a bit to be desired in my judgment. After I finished the papaya juice, I opted for a much more delicious Lime juice, which had a very sweet taste to it, not sour at all like I expected.

After lunch, we had time to tour the three little gift shops that were near the lunch shelter. Afterwards, we would start our hike through the jungle and to the Mayan Ruins. At the beginning of the hike, we hear a jaguar that sounded to be pretty close by. Our tour guide was trying to walk us closer to the sound, and we found lots of monkeys- big and small- in the trees. The monkeys were fun to watch as they were swinging through the trees and “howling.” We then continued toward the Mayan Ruins. The first ruin that I climbed was about half of the size of the larger one that I climbed. It was such a rewarding experience once I got to the top and was above the trees and could see for literally miles. Now, coming back down was a different story. The steps were so steep that unless you were at the edge of the first step, you could not see the others. A rope was needed to make the journey down the side of the ruin- it felt much like a repelling experience.

After climbing the ruins we were headed back to the boat to travel another twenty-five plus miles. This time on the boat we would see a large crocodile sunbathing. We boated a little past the dock where we got on and went towards the sugar-cane plants where monkeys often are found. After coaxing a monkey into the boat- we were all to hide the bananas we had to feed them and let them walk around us. On the way to the back of the boat, one of the monkeys grabbed onto my leg and used me for support while climbing over the coolers, backpacks, and coats. After eating a few bananas, the monkey decided he wanted to walk the edge of the boat and he climbed right up me to get there. When we walked away from the boat dock- a Belizean was set up with a few handmade items and tried selling them to us... a few students bought products from him and they were able to bargain with him.

Again, we only interacted with a few of the native Belizeans so characteristics such as families, justice, friend, happiness, materialism, technology, Christianity, and defining self are hard to understand. Through driving around the country for many, many hours today I was able to see some of the poverty that the people of Belize face on a daily basis. Sanitation is lacking, homes- even the nicest homes- are much less than what we have in the States. Seeing people walking on the sides of the roads, I guess that I assume they do not have cars or other forms of transportation. Public buses seem to be very common and many bus stops can be found around the entire country. Hopefully very soon we will have more interaction with the people of Belize and be able to understand their life in a better way.