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.