McKenzie Belize Adventure

Every Sunday after service as we drive out of the village we wave goodbye to a family that lives in a wooden shack and a few chickens. The shower is an outdoor "building" made up of old boards, old advertising signs and bits of plastic. Sometimes you see the little ones dart across the yard in their birthday suits.  So cute----so sad. Well guess who was in Sunday School today!? Four little kids and their mom came walking up the path to the church after we had already started church. We welcomed the kids into class and told the mom to go into the building for the adult class. These were all nicely dressed people, by Myan standards. Clean and neatly groomed. It wasn't until we were driving out of the village that we looked over to wave at the family we always wave goodbye to that we realized our new quests were our "naked children" village family. The mom and children all responded to the altar call. The mother told us    that she would be attending regularly...

It's getting hotter and hotter. It was pretty miserable today. The thermometer read 90 degrees in the house. It's the humidity that makes this heat so uncomfortable. The really hot season is fast approaching and we are looking forward to getting our air conditioner in a week or so. Not a moment too soon in my book. Craig and Dwayne were supposed to go the San Jose village tomorrow, but the pastor they were supposed to meet had to reschedule. It would have been a 2 hour trip one way, with 45 minutes of that on  brutal back roads.  So Craig got to stay home and broil with me. This coming weekend is going to very busy. On Friday Craig, Dwayne and Linda are going to a place called Spanish Lookout. It's where most of the Amish/Mennonite community live. They are just like you see in the states with the buggies and traditional Amish clothing. Though there is nothing touristy about it. It's a good place to get supplies that you can not get easily near us. I'm not go...

I thought some of you might like to hear the feminine viewpoint of our journey. First of all I want to tell you about our bobcat. We are not sure if he really is half bobcat or just a wild cat with his tail bobbed off and really big feet. Our landlords began feeding him about 2 mnts ago when he was still with his mother. They would put food out for him outside and then they would have to go upstairs for him to be comfortable enough to eat. They kept working with him and asked us to keep feeding him when they went home to Canada. Bit by bit he got so comfortable with us that he will now take food from my hand and Loves to be petted. Sometimes he does a summersault when I pet him because he loves it so much. He even let me put a few collar on him and has not tried to take it off. That surprised me.  He is appropriately named "Bobby". This is my kitchen sink. The sink itself is a tiny bar size sink. I fill up a small pan with soapy water and wash the dishes in that and then ...

Saturday, April 22nd there was a Ladies Meeting in the Stann Creek District at the Bella Vista Church.  It was both well attended and very profitable.  Both Carolyn and Linda ministered to the Ladies.  They will be meeting against month as well.

Saturday, April 22nd we visited the Trio Village church.  A new Pastor and his family came about six months ago and they are experiencing tremendous growth.  Recently, their new building was completed and they are already filling it up.

Photo of Carolyn with some of the young girls from the Trio Village church.  We are making life changing connections with the Mayan children in Belize.

Saturday, April 22nd we had the opportunity to be with the Pastor and his family from the Trio village.  Recently their church completed a new construction project.  Their support came from a church in Tennessee which will be coming next in May to dedicate the new church.

Another church building project is underway in the village of Santa Rosa.  The contractor estimates that it will be six weeks and the project will be done. There are three additional building projects to be started soon.

When we first arrived into Belize, we needed to drive on a make shift road thru brush to get to the Cowpen church. Recently the village leaders contracted with a bulldozer owner to make a new road thru the village which would get us access to the church.  The photo is the completed 'road', still a little rough and will be a real challenge when the rainy season comes. It costs the church $50 for the new road.

We are getting settled into our new residence which is on the lagoon side of the Placencia peninsula.  The photo is from the upper level outdoor porch of the lagoon.  There is a canal alongside our lot which leads into the lagoon.

With many of our Mayan churches in areas without access to electricity, generators are used to provide it.  Recently two generators were purchased and sent to churches.  One went to the village of Medina Bank which Craig delivered. The other generator is going to a church in the most southern village in Belize.  It generally takes 3+ hours on foot from the main road thru the rainforest to get there. In talking with our village Pastors, it appears we'll need to 'hire a horse' to get it to them. The village Mayans will arrange and accompany the generator when it is delivered.

We recently began using 'Messenger' thru Facebook which allows us to talk in real time with others.  It also has video chat capabilities.  We've used it a few time already and are finding it a cost effective way to keep in touch. Looking forward to talking with 'you all' soon.