Day 5 & 6

Day 5 & 6 & 7

These last two days have been so busy. As soon as the word got out, by us being seen in town and by going on campus, we now have a very full social calendar planned, up until we leave! The ladies that I used to pray with have hatched up a plan for a short retreat, the family who work at Machaca Outreach Center will be coming for a swim and dinner and the school has numerous projects for us to do on campus. We were told over and over again not to make plans before we came here, rather things would unfold for us each day. It is so true.

Yesterday Adam's girlfriend, Leslie and her family came in. After we picked them up, we drove back to the lodge and had a wonderful Belizian meal of stew chicken, rice, beans and tortillas. They were all very tired and beaten down from the humidity so everyone turned in early.

On Friday we had a tour of TCA, (Toledo Christian Academy). So many changes, yet much has stayed the same! Is that possible? The biggest and most amazing thing is that the school is totally run by Belizians. More specifically, husband and wife, Emerson and Julianna Mangar. I cannot even express how wonderful it was to hear their stories of the students and the changes that they have made.

After the tour we were treated to a wonderful meal at Julianna's parent's home. Both Jose and Justa have had strokes within the last three years. They are only in their fifties, which may attest to the harshness of the conditions and difficulties that they go through so often. When Justa had her stroke, Jose was the pastor of their village church as well as the overseer of TCA. Once his wife fell ill, he told us that as important as those things were, God reminded him of his first covenant that he made 40+ years ago to his wife. It was, "in sickness and in health." Pastor Jose talked about how much he loved his wife and how for months and months he has bathed her, dressed her, provided physical therapy for her as well as cooking, cleaning and farming. He is an unusual man. In his culture, it is unheard of for a man to humble themselves in this way. As a matter of fact, it is so unusual that people from distant villages have asked him why he is doing such a thing. Jose tells about the love that he has for God, which gives him the power to give love to his wife.

Their marriage is a picture of how God intended marriage to be, a reflection of Jesus and His love for his Bride. We are unable and needy, Jesus finds us, carries us and cares for all of our needs, both physical and spiritual. Unfortunately just as Justa was getting better, Jose has a small stroke too. He is almost fully recovered now.

After spending the afternoon with them both, we traveled down the Machaca Road and visited our Mayan friends. My friend Santa cried and told me that she has been reading my e-mails that the school secretary, Donna would pass along. She could not believe we would come to see them again. Natividad, the matriarch of the village was so funny and opened up her arms wide to hug all of our kids. We are going back for lunch next week. I would like to get back there by myself to spend an afternoon just talking and thanking them for teaching me so much.

The family that came from San Diego to visit us have been amazing. They LOVE the Maya and have been chatting it up with Emerson and Julianna. Emerson took Jamie, Sue's husband fishing after lunch yesterday. Jamie learned how to catch fish with only fishing string and a hook.

At the end of the evening, we decided to have a BBQ. The lady we are looking after wanted a burnt hot dog. I asked her if she wanted to venture over to sit in the lodge with us. She was hesitant as she has not been out of her bungalow for about 7 months. The last time she was out was when she fell and broke her hip...off to the hospital. I cannot imagine how that was for her. At dusk Kevin and Adam went across the bush and got her down the steps, into her wheelchair and they pushed her all the way over. She looked so lovely, she got dressed and had a beautiful ribbon in her hair. By the time she came in the lodge, Noel was beaming!

We had a houseful that night with Emerson, Julianna, and their son little Juan, our family and Leslie's family enjoying hamburgers and hot dogs. Noel had TWO burnt hot dogs. She sat at the table and talked politics, birding, religion when all of the sudden the wind began to blow. Kevin suggested that they get going back home. They were on their way until a huge crack of lightning and thunder erupted. We all looked at each other wondering what Noel was thinking. I asked her if she brought her pillow to sleep over. She just laughed. After the lighting died down, Kevin, Jamie and I gingerly started back across the bush. I am not making light of the situation but it was quite comical. Noel in her wheelchair under a huge umbrella while Kevin was trying to push her chair, hoping that he would not hit a rut and dump poor Noel in the mud. The hard path that he came over on was now a small lagoon. I kept asking Noel if she was OK, she just laughed. By the time we got her back into her bungalow, she told me that she was emotionally drained as she had not been around people in so long. She hugged me and thanked me and wondered what was for dinner tomorrow! I suggested Italian.....


The crew are off to Monkey River. I had to stay back. Have not mentioned or asked, but I would covet your prayers for my aching back. I hurt it before leaving. Each day here it has reminded me that I have not sufficiently rested. It is spasming terribly and I could not even consider sitting in a van driving for an hour and then in a boat for three. As much as I wanted to see the monkeys, a picture in a book will have to do. Pray for the safety of everyone. Most do not have long pant, but slathered on bug juice. The weather is beginning to cloud over, so not sure what it is like up river. The guide who came by today told them, you will get rained on!!!

Sending pictures in a separate post.