McKenzie Belize Adventure

Oh my goodness, I am so overdue on this blog! The main reason is that for some unknown reason we can no longer post pictures with the blog. So I will write a blog without pictures and hope that something is better than nothing. A couple of weeks ago we had a good friend from the states, Ginger, come and visit us here in Belize. Her first introduction to Belize began on a sour note because Customs confiscated her beef jerky. You would have thought they confiscated her first born child, she was so angry. Lol. She did loose 5 lbs while she was here, so maybe she really did need that jerky after all. Ginger jumped right into the work here teaching and working right along side us. You can see pictures of her in Belize if you go on my Facebook page. We had a very interesting spiritual encounter while she was here. Warning! This is not for the faint of heart. Consider yourself forewarned. On Ginger’s second to the last day here we decided to go the zoo. Our missionary friends from Gu

One of our churches in the village of Santa Rosa are putting the touches on their new church. The men of the church extended the platform. As you can see, it is now in the shape of a semi circle rather than just straight across as it originally was. This new design looks very attractive. Good job men! They have also added new outhouse toilets at the back of the property. I wish I had a picture of the inside. These outhouse toilets actually have Real toilet seats! This makes us girls happy I can tell you! I have also included some pictures of a recent church service at Santa Rosa. The young women standing in the forground has a baby in the white sling that is slung over her back. Some churches have nails on the back of the seats to “hang” the baby up. We were at one church that had a hook from the ceiling to hang the slings from. The babies are very content in their slings. When it’s time to go home, mom just hooks the sling knot over her head with the baby hanging down her

This is a story about God’s pursuit of man. A few weeks ago the power in our house went out. Since it was a hot day, I decided to do my bible reading out on our porch to try to catch a cooling breeze. As I was reading, I heard voices on the street below our house calling up to me. I looked over the railing and three women. They told me they were looking for  domestic work and did I know of anyone that was hiring. I told them I was sorry, but I did not. They smiled and started to walk away. As they began to leave, the Lord prompted me to invite them up to sit and rest and have something to drink. They gladly accepted my offer, as is common here. As we talked, they began to open up to me as to why they had to look for work outside their homes.  One women told me her husband had passed 3 years ago and that she was trying to raise  three children on her own. The other women, Pablos wife, shared with me that her husband was an alcoholic, and was therefore drinking the families money away.

There was a group from the states here that call themselves, “the Impact Junkies.” They go all over the world to do whatever is needed to improve the lives of God’s people. They came to Belize and built these chicken coups for 4 of our villages. One of the men brought his 14 year old son to help with this project. You know that young mans’ life will never be the same after this trip. Our hat is off to you dad.

These next pictures needs no explanation. Many people in the villages raise pigs 🐷 . And yet another tasty barbecue soon to be served up.

The hotel you see here is where we stayed the first night we arrived in Belize. It’s very close to the airport and we have stayed there many times since. It is owned by a very nice Taiwanese family. The rooms are very minimal, but they are clean and they serve a scrambled egg, toast and coffee breakfast all for $55 US dollars.

This next set of pictures were taken in a church service in Belize City. This is a Spanish speaking church. You can see Missionary Dwayne Abernathy preaching with the help of an interpreter. I love these pictures of  a little girl and a grandmother responding to the presence of God they felt in this service.

Below you will see a new children’s class started in Mango Creek by Carolyn. There are about 18 children that attend. It’s a challenge to teach this class, because while Carolyn is teaching 18 kids at the back of the church, Craig is teaching a pastors training session in the front of the church. The church is about 30 x 60 ft. The pastor and his family live right next to the church. This is a picture of their outdoor cooking area. The large black tank is their water storage tank. During the  rainy season they have lots of free water. During the dry season, they may have to purchase water to fill it.

Once every year the ministers in Belize, the missionaries and the Regional Director meet for their General Assembly.   The Assembly was hosted by the  church in the village of Mango Creek. Rev. David Swartz, the regional director for all of Central America and the Caribbean, and his wife were in attendance at this meeting. It was a privilege to meet and spend time with these great people.  The host church provided a meal for everyone. 

While we were in line to get our lunch between services, we saw this Gibnut in a cage. The Belizians love the meat of this animal. This one was destined to provide them with a tasty barbecue someday. I have not personally tired it, (to my knowledge) but I would, given the chance. The Gibnut is a very sought after animal to raise and eat.  We were told it is very expensive to purchase Gibnut meat in Belize.

It’s hard to believe this week marks our one year anniversary in Belize. Like everything else in life, it’s had its good times and bad times. I would say leaving my grandchildren was the most difficult emotional adjustment to make. I still miss them everyday. My sons are very good about keeping us all connected via FaceTime, which helps tremendously! What they are not good about is reading this blog. Lol. Since we have moved to Belize, we have lived in 3 different homes. The first one was the sweet little 300 sq ft cabana that sits on the missionaries property. Our next move was to the “tree house” in Maya Beach. That was only available for 8 mnts. We currently live in an Amish built wood home. This home has 500 sq ft. You can see the inside of it in the pictures below. Our landlord recently but up this nice new, lockable, gate for us. The pictures below are of the tourist village of Placencia. It’s about a 20 minute drive from our current home.  Here you see the “board

The Mayans enjoyed eating together.  In fact, nearly all the churches have a kitchen nearby where food is prepared and served.  Recently we visited the village of Trio and one of the elder church members commented that they appreciated that we would take time and eat with them. Chicken, rice, rice and coleslaw is often the meal of choice.

Recently we had eight people receive their diplomas from the Bible School.  There were ten who graduated and eight were able to attend the ceremony. The students completed the required two year study program and all worked very diligently.  As we started classes for 2018, we have 70 new students attending.  Most all of the classes are now extension classes throughout the southern and central districts of Belize. It is a very busy time for us in Belize.

I was able to get a short video clip inside the Mayan home that we were invited to have lunch with.  As I was attempted to go into the other side of the house the image got too dark, but it gives you a glimpse into their home.  A sewing machine, hammock tied onto the rafters and cooking inside the home.

After the service and baptism, we were invited to share a meal with some of the people from the church.  Typically, it consists of a bowl of chicken broth, greens and a piece of chicken.  In the middle of the table is a bowl of freshly baked tortillas.  In the large yellow container was coffee which you dished up with a bowl and poured it into a cup.  The people love for us to eat with them.

After the installation service of the new pastor in Santa Cruz, a young lady was baptized in the river just a short way behind the church.  It is always an exciting time ‘down at the river’.

Sunday, February 11, 2018 there was a new pastor installed at the church in the village of Santa Cruz.    In the photo is Missionary Dwayne Abernathy and his wife, Linda about to enter the church.  Also pictured is the nearby outhouse with the big STAR on it.  At least the door shuts.

We were traveling along the main road in the southwest part of Belize.  This road will take you to the Guatemalan border.  We were attending a pastor installation service in the village of Santa Cruz, which we have in another posting.  One of the villages we pass thru is San Antonio.  I have a short video clip from inside the missionary truck we use of the road we travel.  Come along for a ride......

I do not really believe in “Murphy’s Law”, but if I did, I should have never said. “Things are slowing down a bit.” Lol. My husband and I just returned from a Ministers Conference called, “Because of the Times,” in Louisiana and it was so amazing! There were 3,500 in attendance. If you would like to hear some of the preaching and or worship during those services, go to “POA, BOTT, 2018. We are in need of people to assist us in God’s work here in Belize. I had been praying about this before we attended BOTT (Because of the Times), and of course the Lord answered that prayer. To my amazement, God brought 5 people right to the chair I was sitting in that He has been speaking to about becoming involved with the work in Belize. We have never meet these people before. Except for God, what are the chances that out of 3,500 people we would connect with those 5 people? The work here in Belize is exploding! When we arrived there were 39 established UPCI churches and one Bible school in the

For now, things have slowed down a bit for us. Yesterday, Craig drove about an hour and a half to teach a Bible school training course. While he was gone, I took the opportunity to do some serious cleaning in our new place. I did a lot of yard cleaning and indoor house cleaning. I’m not sure why, but cleaning the house is easier when your spouse isn’t around. That is, until you need something heavy moved. :>).  Craig did some more Bible school training in the village of Mango Creek.  Mango Creek is about an hour south of where we live. Once these nationals are trained, they will be able to teach these Bible school lessons also. This will really help to stabilize and grow the work here in Belize. Tonight the Abernathys went to the village of Bladen, which is also about an hour south of our place. The church there is installing a new Ladies Leader in their church. We were not able to go unfortunately. By the time Craig got back from his teaching session, we would not have had  time

Sunday, 7 January was a bitter sweet day for the church here in Belize. We buried Rev. Tribio Coc, age 70. Rev. Coc was a dedicated church planter, preacher, mentor and great leader here in Belize. I believe he planted 18 churches. He was a highly esteemed and respected man of God. Below are some pictures of his “going home” service. Picture #1 is Rev. Diego Coc, Rev. Coc’s son. He is singing as he leads in the pallbearers and flag wavers. I did not recognize the song they were singing, but you could feel a beautiful spirit of praise and worship to God as they brought the casket up to the front of the church to begin the service. Picture #2 The church was packed to capacity and many had to stand outside. We estimate that there were about 500 people in attendance. Many people stood in the center aisle and along the walls of the church for the entire 3 hour service. Picture #3 This is Tim Steele speaking during the service. He was a great friend of Rev. Coc’s, and flew all the wa