Belize children
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Heading Home details
We are scheduled to arrive at DFW at 7:50 and will take a shuttle back to the Student Ministry Building at McKinney. If you're picking someone up we'll have them contact you when we land and get through customs.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Making the most of the last day
Well today was our last day in Belize. Since yesterday was our last day to go to the school, today we all got to go into the city of Placencia to see what most tourists see when they visit Belize. The bus ride took only about 20 minutes and when we arrived, we all had the chance to walk around at all the touristy shops, and we even got to stop at a really good gelato shop. After spending more time shopping and walking around, we all went to enjoy a nice beach-front lunch at a different resort down in Placencia that included typical Belizian food-- rice and beans and chicken. After lunch we all returned to the resort where we had the rest of the day to relax and do whatever we wanted. Some slept, others chilled by the pool, some played volleyball and some participated in a mini-traithalon.
The triathlon consisted of a 150 yard swim, a beach run, and a kayak loop out to the reef barrier and back. Representing the guys were Curt and Peter, and representing the girls were Bonnie, Callie, and Amanda, plus Emily, Casey, and Stephanie joined in for the run portion. It was tons of fun and results are as follows: In first we had Curt (with age comes speed apparently), Peter (determined to pass Curt unsuccessfully), the beastly Bonnie, Callie, and Amanda.
In all, we just want to say thank you to everyone who supported us through prayer and all the other ways that made it possible to come on this trip. We'll see you when we get home tomorrow, and we'll have TONS of awesome God-stories to tell!!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Bittersweet Goodbyes
Today was our last day in the village. Honestly there are too many wonderful stories to share. It seemed like going in we were all anxious about how our goodbyes would go, but I think each one of us came away with life changing stories and experiences, friendships and memories from these children that we will never forget.
As usual we showed up in the village with our day planned, but as usual, God had other ideas in store for our schedule. We presented our praise/skit combo to the standard 4 class ( "standard 4" is a name that they give kids in about the 8th grade) in the morning and it went really well. I (Callie) gave my testimony, but was really nervous about how it would come out. But somehow God gave me the words and I think it went really well. The skit for the second time around went well today also. We'll try to post a video of it here, if we can get it to load. (It wouldn't load.)
Today seemed to go a lot faster than the previous days went yet at the same time I (Erin) felt like everything that was happening was happening in slow motion, whether it was simply walking hand in hand with a little kid, performing in the skit or just playing with the kids in general. The kids continued to practice their bible verses and were just as over-joyed to get a sticker for memorizing a verse as they had been on the previous days.
There were tears on both ends when good-byes came around-- both kids and those on the children's team shed a few tears (okay, maybe more than a few) as the reality that we may never see these kids again loomed. In general though, we all have so many wonderful memories to take away from this trip, and we have all changed, in a good way, as a result of this trip.
Oh, just a little factoid! The medical team working in the clinic on site at the school treated 1,147 patients in 4 days!!!! Is that not INCREDIBLE?! The medical team worked so hard and efficiently but everyone knew that it was because of God's grace and love that they were able to treat that many patients. It is also by the grace of God that we all survived the 105 degree heat today, too! God has such a huge heart for the Belizian people and that has been more than evident on this trip.
One last picture, we thought we should share is this one of Casey. We felt like it embodied his amazing heart for God serving and playing with the kids on this trip. Enjoy!
Before I forget to remind you all, NO ONE needs to pick up their kids/friends from the airport on Saturday-- we will be taking a bus from the airport to McKinney and you can pick up your kids/friends there :)
Today seemed to go a lot faster than the previous days went yet at the same time I (Erin) felt like everything that was happening was happening in slow motion, whether it was simply walking hand in hand with a little kid, performing in the skit or just playing with the kids in general. The kids continued to practice their bible verses and were just as over-joyed to get a sticker for memorizing a verse as they had been on the previous days.
There were tears on both ends when good-byes came around-- both kids and those on the children's team shed a few tears (okay, maybe more than a few) as the reality that we may never see these kids again loomed. In general though, we all have so many wonderful memories to take away from this trip, and we have all changed, in a good way, as a result of this trip.
Oh, just a little factoid! The medical team working in the clinic on site at the school treated 1,147 patients in 4 days!!!! Is that not INCREDIBLE?! The medical team worked so hard and efficiently but everyone knew that it was because of God's grace and love that they were able to treat that many patients. It is also by the grace of God that we all survived the 105 degree heat today, too! God has such a huge heart for the Belizian people and that has been more than evident on this trip.
One last picture, we thought we should share is this one of Casey. We felt like it embodied his amazing heart for God serving and playing with the kids on this trip. Enjoy!
Before I forget to remind you all, NO ONE needs to pick up their kids/friends from the airport on Saturday-- we will be taking a bus from the airport to McKinney and you can pick up your kids/friends there :)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wow-- today was a great day! The past two days have been just as equally wonderful, but each day just seems to get a little bit better!
Today was a field day I guess you would call it for the school: a number of different soccer ("football") teams from surrounding schools and they had a series of tournamnets with the girls and boys teams. Because of this, we weren't able to jump into the lessons in the morning. Most of the older kids we were playing, so we simply jumped in on the fun and went along with it. We entertained the younger kids and got to watch some of the older kids in their games.
After lunch we headed back to the school and had our first worship session with the older kids, ages 10 to 12. We sang three songs with them which the entire class seemed to really enjoy and then they got to see the skit we had prepared for the older kids. The skit was to a song by the band Lifehouse, and was about a girl in a relationship with God who is then pulled away from God by a boy, drugs/alcohol, money, self image and then self-harm. Dont worry, the skit didnt end on a depressing note, in the end the girl fights against all of these sins and gets back into a relationship with God. After the skit, we broke into small groups and discussed the skit with the kids who really seemed interested in what the skit was about. Additionally, the kids had a lot of questions about how to deal with sins that people their age may face everyday and how to overcome them. Overall, a lot of the gruop felt that they were really able to share the gospel through the use of the skit and the discussion afterwards.
Thanks so much for all of you that are praying for us and sending us sweet messages! We really do all appreciate it and cannot wait for tomorrow!
Pastor's Post
The students will blog about the day in a few minutes, but I have to brag on them a bit. They are serving with incredible energy and amazing hearts! I wish each of you could be in my shoes and watch the way they love these kids and serve in the medical clinic and on the construction team. After 3 days in the heat and humidity, most people would be drained and ready for a break. These guys just keep going-I have to make them sit down and take a break!
There are 15 people on our team and a total of 73 people here serving together. Because of these students, the McKinney team is known by the others as the team to seek out if you need help with anything. So many times I have been told by others how great these students are, and what an encouragement they are to everyone.
Can I just tell you now, thank you for investing in them! If you're reading this, you've invested in one of these students in some way or another-maybe even indirectly, but thank you! We are seeing kids come to know Christ through their faithfulness in sharing the Gospel and loving these kids well. Thanks for your prayers and continuing to pray!
Curt
There are 15 people on our team and a total of 73 people here serving together. Because of these students, the McKinney team is known by the others as the team to seek out if you need help with anything. So many times I have been told by others how great these students are, and what an encouragement they are to everyone.
Can I just tell you now, thank you for investing in them! If you're reading this, you've invested in one of these students in some way or another-maybe even indirectly, but thank you! We are seeing kids come to know Christ through their faithfulness in sharing the Gospel and loving these kids well. Thanks for your prayers and continuing to pray!
Curt
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 2- More Hugs and Sweat
Day 2
Today was great-- things, in general, ran smoother and every individual on each team (construction, medical, children) knew what to expect and how the day was supposed to go. As far as the childrens team, we had a morning session and afternoon session with two different classes. The first group/class consisted of children around the ages of 6 and 7 and the second group/class consisted of children around the ages of 8, 9 and 10. We sang songs- "If you are happy and you know it," "Father Abraham," and "Open the Eyes of my Heart." The children seemed to love singing and dancing to the songs.
During the both the morning and afternoon sessions with the kids a group of the childrens team re-enacted the "Good Samaritan" skit but something super awesome happened this morning after the team did the skit-- the teacher of the class informed us that some of his class had done this skit at a previous Arts Fair that they had attended and needless to say, those 6 and 7 year olds hit the nail on the head, they narrated in perfect english and even added a little humor to the skit.
Lunch came around and we all ate a super delicious meal of bbq chicken, beans and rice, grilled cheese, home-made tortillas and fresh fruit. Yes, this meal was high in carbs but we all needed our energy! Although today's lunch was great, yesterday, some of the team had an opportunity to eat a REAL CHICKEN FINGER. Yes, it is exaclty what you are thinking, a real chickens foot. Apparantly chicken feet are a delicacy in Belize and Belizians will eat any meat they can find around the foot.
The afternoon session went well with the older kids, who were starting to really understand the things we were talking about. After the skit, we went over the salvation story with the kids and had them memorize short Bible verses for prizes. It was really neat to see them get so excited over getting a verse right. (I especially had the opportunity to witness to one boy whom it seemed to hit home with.)
We did quite a bit of "skipping rope" as they call it, and they taught us how to spin the little home made tops they play with. They enjoy the bubbles and the chalk especially and the coloring activities. Such little artists!
When the day was coming to a close, we had the opportunity to go inside one of the grass huts across the street- a typical living area for most of the kids and families we see at the clinics. It's amazing to me how they live in these constructions! It's basically a cement slab with walls put up around it. They nail carboard up around the inside to section off rooms, as well as insulation I suppose? The roofs are made from palm leaves that they overlay and they say at best these huts last for about 7 years. It's funny though, because you see these rustic houses, but then at the same time you see an electrical wire running into it, and go inside to see an electric outlet in the cardboard wall (fire hazard!) with a TV plugged into it!
Thanks to all of you that have been checking the blog and keeping us in your prayers! If you wouldnt mind, would you just pray that we really continue to "hit it home" with some of the kids so that they may come to know Christ and that he died for our sins. All of these kids are so genuinly happy and loving and they have so little. If you could just keep them in your prayers that would be wonderful!
Today was great-- things, in general, ran smoother and every individual on each team (construction, medical, children) knew what to expect and how the day was supposed to go. As far as the childrens team, we had a morning session and afternoon session with two different classes. The first group/class consisted of children around the ages of 6 and 7 and the second group/class consisted of children around the ages of 8, 9 and 10. We sang songs- "If you are happy and you know it," "Father Abraham," and "Open the Eyes of my Heart." The children seemed to love singing and dancing to the songs.
During the both the morning and afternoon sessions with the kids a group of the childrens team re-enacted the "Good Samaritan" skit but something super awesome happened this morning after the team did the skit-- the teacher of the class informed us that some of his class had done this skit at a previous Arts Fair that they had attended and needless to say, those 6 and 7 year olds hit the nail on the head, they narrated in perfect english and even added a little humor to the skit.
Lunch came around and we all ate a super delicious meal of bbq chicken, beans and rice, grilled cheese, home-made tortillas and fresh fruit. Yes, this meal was high in carbs but we all needed our energy! Although today's lunch was great, yesterday, some of the team had an opportunity to eat a REAL CHICKEN FINGER. Yes, it is exaclty what you are thinking, a real chickens foot. Apparantly chicken feet are a delicacy in Belize and Belizians will eat any meat they can find around the foot.
The afternoon session went well with the older kids, who were starting to really understand the things we were talking about. After the skit, we went over the salvation story with the kids and had them memorize short Bible verses for prizes. It was really neat to see them get so excited over getting a verse right. (I especially had the opportunity to witness to one boy whom it seemed to hit home with.)
We did quite a bit of "skipping rope" as they call it, and they taught us how to spin the little home made tops they play with. They enjoy the bubbles and the chalk especially and the coloring activities. Such little artists!
When the day was coming to a close, we had the opportunity to go inside one of the grass huts across the street- a typical living area for most of the kids and families we see at the clinics. It's amazing to me how they live in these constructions! It's basically a cement slab with walls put up around it. They nail carboard up around the inside to section off rooms, as well as insulation I suppose? The roofs are made from palm leaves that they overlay and they say at best these huts last for about 7 years. It's funny though, because you see these rustic houses, but then at the same time you see an electrical wire running into it, and go inside to see an electric outlet in the cardboard wall (fire hazard!) with a TV plugged into it!
Thanks to all of you that have been checking the blog and keeping us in your prayers! If you wouldnt mind, would you just pray that we really continue to "hit it home" with some of the kids so that they may come to know Christ and that he died for our sins. All of these kids are so genuinly happy and loving and they have so little. If you could just keep them in your prayers that would be wonderful!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 1- Getting in the Groove
Hello all!
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for the comments that people left... we really appreciate all of the support and prayer that we are getting!
7:30 a.m. came quickly this morning but everyone, although tired after our long (3 hour) bus ride yesterday from the airport to the beautiful hotel, arrived on the dock where the tables were set for breakfast and the smell of coffee began to wake everyone up. After breakfast, everyone loaded up onto the buses that took us on a 30 minute ride to the village and school where we worked. Once we arrived, the medical, construction and children's teams took some team pictures and then split up to begin their days.
The medical team set up their supplies in the clinic while lines of patients began to form outside while the childrens team got their supplies ready to use and the construction team got to work building.
It was a busy day- basically as soon as we stepped off the bus we were surrounded by a sea of children, hugging us, asking us to take their picture, and hanging on our arms. It's funny because as the mission team, I feel like we see ourselves as the "love-bearers" to these kids, but to be honest, I think they showed us just as much love (if not more) as we showed them. I don't think I saw a single kid frown the entire day, or a single one (unlike some us us, myself included) complain about the heat. They were just happy to see us, happy that we were here to see them. They kept running around saying "Miss, miss!" with the biggest smiles you'd ever seen.
As the day came to an end and the children began to get on the buses to go home, swarms of children ran up to us and asked us if they would see us tomorrow. With a smile, we were able to reply "yes" and as a result got to see their faces light up once again. Never have we seen so much joy in children who have so little-- a true indicator of how the love of Christ can truly make someone genuinly happy.
We are anxious to see what all God has in store for this trip, as much as we have to teach them as they have to show us. We'll blog again as soon as we can to keep all of you updated on God's work here in Belize.
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for the comments that people left... we really appreciate all of the support and prayer that we are getting!
7:30 a.m. came quickly this morning but everyone, although tired after our long (3 hour) bus ride yesterday from the airport to the beautiful hotel, arrived on the dock where the tables were set for breakfast and the smell of coffee began to wake everyone up. After breakfast, everyone loaded up onto the buses that took us on a 30 minute ride to the village and school where we worked. Once we arrived, the medical, construction and children's teams took some team pictures and then split up to begin their days.
The medical team set up their supplies in the clinic while lines of patients began to form outside while the childrens team got their supplies ready to use and the construction team got to work building.
It was a busy day- basically as soon as we stepped off the bus we were surrounded by a sea of children, hugging us, asking us to take their picture, and hanging on our arms. It's funny because as the mission team, I feel like we see ourselves as the "love-bearers" to these kids, but to be honest, I think they showed us just as much love (if not more) as we showed them. I don't think I saw a single kid frown the entire day, or a single one (unlike some us us, myself included) complain about the heat. They were just happy to see us, happy that we were here to see them. They kept running around saying "Miss, miss!" with the biggest smiles you'd ever seen.
As the day came to an end and the children began to get on the buses to go home, swarms of children ran up to us and asked us if they would see us tomorrow. With a smile, we were able to reply "yes" and as a result got to see their faces light up once again. Never have we seen so much joy in children who have so little-- a true indicator of how the love of Christ can truly make someone genuinly happy.
We are anxious to see what all God has in store for this trip, as much as we have to teach them as they have to show us. We'll blog again as soon as we can to keep all of you updated on God's work here in Belize.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
We're Here!
We are here and have settled in after a long day of travel. A short 2 hour flight, and a long 3 hour bus ride. Everyone is doing great-just ready for bed! We're off to sleep and will update you tomorrow on how the first day goes!
In the Green Room
Ok, well the room at the SMB isn't actually green, but it's a theatre term that comes to mind. We're waiting for the bus, waiting to take our first step onto the stage God has prepared for us. Everyone is chatting, the bags are packed, and we munch on muffins.
I'm sitting here thinking: "Is everyone else as nervous as I am?" Judging from the chatter, I would assume they are. It's an excited kind of nervous, because honestly, even if once we get there, everything goes against every plan we've made- God's still the one in control. He got us all here this morning, he'll get us safely there, and once there, he'll show us exactly what he would have us do.
Well, it sounds like the bus just pulled up. Time to take that leap of faith and watch the curtain rise on an amazing God-filled week. Goodbye Texas, we'll blog you when next we have a chance.
Belize, here we come!
I'm sitting here thinking: "Is everyone else as nervous as I am?" Judging from the chatter, I would assume they are. It's an excited kind of nervous, because honestly, even if once we get there, everything goes against every plan we've made- God's still the one in control. He got us all here this morning, he'll get us safely there, and once there, he'll show us exactly what he would have us do.
Well, it sounds like the bus just pulled up. Time to take that leap of faith and watch the curtain rise on an amazing God-filled week. Goodbye Texas, we'll blog you when next we have a chance.
Belize, here we come!
We're off!
We are headed out now!! Flight leaves soon... at 12:50. Pray for a safe flight and we will update the blog tonight when we get checked into the hotel. :)
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