Poverty is Cruel

The following is from a blog I did over a year ago...

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Poverty is at work here.  She is cruel and heartless.  If Satan had a favorite mistress, she would be Poverty.  She steals dreams from mothers.  She creates desires that are unattainable for young people.  Then they give themselves over to her through addictions, prostitution, stealing, jealousy and many other immoral behaviors. Poverty eats away at fathers who are desperate to feed and protect their families.  Poverty takes the health of the elderly and the very lives of babies.  Poverty creates evil in the hearts of men who know they can gain what they want by manipulation of the hungry.

 And one of the worst things I have seen Poverty do is harden the hearts of families toward each other.  It is easier to not feel the pain.  Tenderness towards each other is a rare thing with these families.  There is an outside toughness that looks a lot like apathy towards each other, but it's not.  I don't doubt that they love each other but they must use toughness as a form of self-preservation.  They cannot spend the time and energy it takes to coddle children.  That would only make them susceptible to the influences of Poverty.

God is all about relationships.  Dennis and I came to Belize for this reason.  We love these people and we want them to know that there is hope.  We know what Jesus has done for us and we want people to know the hope that we have is available to them also.  Only the hope that Jesus provides can overcome the darkness of poverty.  Light will always overcome darkness.

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  Poverty can be so cruel, it can almost take your breath away as you watch it happen right in front of you.  I am only a witness as I watch events unfold before me.  Although I have felt the emotional sting of loss, I will never fully grasp the emotional toll that I see in the faces of those whom I have come to love. 

Recently I have noticed another weapon of the enemy.  The transient lifestyle of many who live in poverty.  When there is no work, when you have limited skills, when your education is almost nonexistent then your options become very limited for feeding your family.  We recently lost one of our favorite families from Buena Vista.  Our friends that we spent the summer with left over the weekend.  We had no warning.  We came to school on Monday and one of the students told us that they had packed all their things and left.  I thought they were kidding but when I asked one of their neighbors they told us it was true.

Dennis and I had spent many days with this family.  We had so much fun as we worked with them on their English skills.  We sang songs together, colored together, read stories together and when school was about to start we finished with a wonderful meal together.  The kids made us laugh and the mother made us feel so welcome in her home.  When school began all the kids were enrolled in school so we got to see them all the time.  A few weeks ago Dennis and I went to Mennonite Beach and there was the whole family enjoying the day together.  We ended up swimming with them and they shared their meal with us.  We had a good time as they kept trying to get me to say Spanish words and phrases.  We started laughing so hard that I had to give it up.  One of the boys found an awesome rock for me which I will keep forever.

But there is another family who left Buena Vista on the same weekend.  A young man that Dennis was feeling a real connection with is also gone.  He had an awesome personality and he was very smart.  You could say that he was one who could have made a difference.  We were told that there were some interesting developments with his mother and they had to leave quickly.  I am told that they went to Guatemala.  Just like that, he is gone.

Yesterday, I visited the home of a young lady who is moving away...we think.  Her circumstances are unknown to us and I don't think that the family who is taking care of her wants them to be known.  She and her two siblings have been living with this family because their mother did not want them any more and their father is in jail.  Recently I held this young lady in my arms as she cried about her mother.  She told me how unhappy she was and how she and her sister cry together sometimes.  We prayed.  We prayed for strength for all of them.  We prayed for her parents and the people who are taking care of them.  And we prayed for God's presence in her life.  That she would not be lonely because Jesus was always with her.  She said that she knew that Jesus was with her but her eyes said otherwise.  Maybe I will see her again, I don't know.  She is supposed to be headed for San Ignacio.  I got some phone numbers that I hope will work.

Three examples of how cruel "Poverty" can be.  She arranges for families to fall apart.  She steps in with desperation, sadness, stress and overwhelming odds and she creates a world where hope is nonexistent.  Relationships cannot flourish in this world and Poverty wants it that way.  Poverty counts the tears that fall as a victory.  She rejoices in the overwhelming sadness and depression that comes from never establishing positive relationships.  She does everything she can to keep the cycle going.  I hate Poverty.  God is allowing us to be involved in this world to make a difference, to be His light.  Dennis and I cannot fight Poverty with money because we have none.  But we can bring hope to them.  We can allow God's love to flow through us like a fountain.  We spend our days showering them with all the love we can give.  And we never run out because God is the one doing it, not us.  God hates Poverty more than we do.

Love you guys.

"Why not Jesus?"

Just wanted a photo to keep it interesting.

So, I asked the lady, "Why not Jesus?  Why not the cross?"  And she sat there stunned for a moment.  I am sure I took her by surprise.  And it wasn't exactly fair of me to ask such a profound question in a small waiting room overcrowded with people waiting for their turn at the Belize Immigration Department.

She had started the conversation with me while we were still outside waiting for the doors to open.  We were chatting about her life in Belize and how she just met a man.  She is probably in her early sixties and felt that she hit the "motherlode" when she found a nice Belizean man who was interested in her.  She told me that she had went into a Buddhist temple and after she lit the incense she had met this man.

She is in the business of natural healing.  She uses "eastern" philosophies and only natural herbs and such to heal others.  I think she does chiropractic work as well.  I asked her if her healing art included praying and she said no.  This surprised me a little because she told me a list of different religious symbols that she keeps around her when she is working; Buddha, Isis, American Indian totems, and a few more that I had never heard of.  When I asked if she had any Christian symbols she did say that she kept a Catholic rosary close by.  I couldn't even begin to imagine what all of this must look like in her "office" where she worked.  I kind of laughed, I said, "Have you ever seen the movie The Mummy, with Brendan Frasier?  And she had.  I continued, "This reminds me of when Benny was trying to keep the mummy from killing him by holding up as many different religious symbols as possible, until one worked.  I guess you figure one of your religious symbols will work if you keep trying long enough."  I thought I had gone too far and probably insulted her at this point, but she just laughed and said, "Yea, something like that."

As we were talking, the outside doors to Immigration opened and we all had to go find where we had to patiently wait next.  So, I didn't get a chance to ask many more questions.  I am sure she was probably relieved because we had started talking about her father, which obviously brought up a huge mess of sorrow and anger.  I had asked about how she was brought up in the states and she told me that she had attended an Adventist church only because she had an authoritative, fundamentalist for a father who had always used her as an example to the other kids of what not to do in life.  It was at this point that the doors opened and I felt both of us were happy to walk away from where that part of the conversation was going.

Dennis and I found ourselves a spot to sit and/or stand in while we waited for our number to be called.  I was blessed to get to play with a beautiful little baby for a few minutes.  All the while I kept thinking to myself.  "Why not Jesus?  Why didn't she share her environment and her thinking with Jesus?  She had just about every other religion covered except Jesus.  Catholicism was close but generally that is more about works than grace, more about atonement than relationship.

So, as Dennis was getting our paperwork looked at I just stood there wondering about the whole conversation.  It is kind of like when the Jewish people out in the dessert, told Aaron that they wanted something to worship.  They were tired of waiting for Moses to come down the mountain.  They really didn't want to hear from God anyway.  It was easier to make a golden image and fall down and worship it.  It was easier to do what they have always done.  They didn't want to open their hearts and change what was inside, that is far to painful, too much suffering and self sacrifice involved in that.  It has always been easier to worship idols than to turn to a living God who only wants to love you and make you into the best you ever.  I feel that was the road this lady had chosen.  It was easier for her to get into the false religions of the world than it was to open her heart to let the healing power of Jesus in.

I had to ask her.  I had to hear what she thought about Jesus.  Why wouldn't she include the Cross with all her other religious symbols?  I had a feeling what she would say and I was right.  We had to go through the waiting room in order to exit the building and I knew she would still be out there.  As we made our way through the quietly waiting crowd, I knelt in front of her and leaned in to ask her my question.  "Why not a cross?  Why not Jesus?"  You could see by her expression that she was taken by surprise.  I said, "You have all those other religions represented in your practice, but not the Cross.  I know that I am a complete stranger to you and you really don't even have to answer.  But I have been thinking of you this whole time. And I was just wondering what you thought about Jesus?"

The first thing she said is what many in the world want to believe.  "I believe there is more than one way to heaven."  Man....I knew that was coming.  So I just said, "I believe that the bible is the only place where we can find truth.  I understand that you believe there are many ways to find truth in this world." And she nodded.  "But, what about Jesus?"  I actually asked her again.  Her eyes got kind of glazed over as she looked up at the ceiling.  Then she looked at me,  " I just couldn't even begin to tell you."   I felt our conversation was over and realized that many were listening.  I stood up and smiled and told her maybe I would see her at the market sometime.

I have never had a conversation like this before.  I know that God was using me to open the hearts of those who were listening.  I get no credit here, it was the Holy Spirit working through me.  After all, are we not supposed to representatives of Jesus on this earth?  Are we not, as Pastor David Moore recently stated, "Agents of Change?'

Final words.  I have not always been a voice for God.  I know that I am "putting myself out there" when I make statements like this.  But, there is no shame.  I give myself willingly, for a much worthier cause than myself.  In my flawed way, I give myself to God to do with me what he will.  He always has better plans than we do.  Think about it...

Love you guys!

Belize Independence Day Parade 2015

September 18th was the big Rally at Buena Vista Government School!  This is the third one we have attended.  This one was a bigger parade than last year.  This time some more of the community came out and participated.  The weather cooperated and we didn't get rain.  But of course, that means that we did get plenty of hot sun.  The kids didn't hardly notice it, they just like to have fun.

The kids who have bikes decorate them in red, white and blue.

This is Jaory, she didn't realize that her flag was upside down!

That is Arles!

This little guy came running up in the back.  He had stopped to get a coke at one of the shops.

Hard to make them smile sometimes, but they are having fun!

Our smallest biker!

Marisela, Mauda, and Dayrin.  The pom poms are made out of plastic store bags.

The parade always has bikers, dancers and queens.  The littlest ones usually make their own flags.

The entire school marches a circle around Buena Vista.

Some of the classes have a competition for their Queens.  Whoever brings in the most money is it.  These girls averaged around $5.00 each.

Brian is waving, Jason behind him and Alex is looking all cool.

These two little guys came out to watch.  The one in red never did smile for me.

This was the first time we had all the vehicles and music.

Carol, Kayla, and Karla

Hernan and Memo!!!

Mr. Mefi enjoyed driving the tractor.

Usually when I hand one of the kids the camera I don't get the best photos.  These kids are awesome!  Elvis, Onelda and Dimas are next to me, can't remember the names of the other two.

This is the beginning of our third school year.  I believe the children are benefiting from the extra reading and phonics.  Mrs. Betty believes there is improvement here.  Dennis and I love them all like our own grand children.  We have officially lost our notoriety here.  Now we are just another member of the school.  This is what we wanted.  We are holding Men of Honor and Ladies of Honor classes every Thursday and it has been very interesting to see the responses of the students to what we are saying.  Dennis and I are blessed and very happy to be doing what we are doing.  Thank you Lord for having us be a part of all of this!

Love you guys!

Part of My Summer Vacation 2015

All around the world school is starting up again.  The 180 day race begins most everywhere in August and September.  There are numerous parents who are happy to send the kids off to school.  There are many teachers who are excited to get the new year started.  As a tradition, some teachers begin the year by having their students reflect on their summer vacation in a writing assignment.  So this blog is dedicated to that tradition.

Alberto

Michael

We spent time with some awesome students during our summer reading program.

Alberto, Pricila, Michael, and Briselda

These kids are all cousins.  Their houses are on a hill on the edge of Buena Vista.  They would come running when they heard the Bronco coming.  Very good students!

Joseline is the oldest sister in the gray shirt.  She is very intelligent and in full control of her brothers.  Revecca , in the red, is sweet and quiet.  Patricia, next to Dennis, is our helper of the utmost importance.  She is our interpreter for the whole group.  Memo and Dani are at the bottom. Sometimes they were not in class because they were getting paid to chop.  We would see them walking home with their machetes.  (Can you imagine the American child labor laws that are broken here on a daily basis?)

We would go visit this house, which is right in the middle of Buena Vista.  We started out with about five students but then some days there was up to eleven.  We would never know who would show up.

Daisy made a batter out of corn mushy stuff, then she would oil a banana leaf and place a layer of batter on it.  She would fold the leaf over the top and place the whole thing on the big chunk of iron over the fire.  It took me a minute to realize that she was making a form of pancake using corn.

On our last day the family made us a special meal.  Everything we had was made from corn.  Daisy is the mother of most of these kids.  She is always smiling and making sure that the kids are paying attention during class.  Sometimes she would sit across the room and read her bible during class.  That really blessed Dennis and I.

They set up a little table in the house and served us.  We were very honored.

These are the end result of Daisy cooking out in the hot sun.  They were very close to a regular flour based pancake but with a whole lot more flavor.  We put margarine on them.  The kids tried to tell us the names of all the food but I couldn't ever figure it out.  It was all delicious. I think Dennys should add these to their menu! 

This was a sweet hot drink, alot like hot chocolate.  It was very thick and yummy.  We both burned our mouths with the first sip.  Again, they did something with corn to make it.  Very good!  I would like to have it again in the middle of a snow day back in Tennessee.

We had a great meal to celebrate the work accomplished over the summer.  Dennis and I ate alot this day.  We are given fruits and treats often by the mothers and grandmothers of our students.  We never knew that you can do so much with corn.

We celebrated with another family by visiting their ranch/milpa.  It is a farm that they cut out of the bush located off the road way out in the middle of nowhere.

This is Wendy and Noel's mother. She came with us and we had a little cookout in the cornfield.  She is showing us a sweet potato that they had planted.

The kids started a little campfire and picked some corn.  Mom and Dennis and Nataly stayed by the fire to cook and the other kids took me further into the bush to a lime tree.  We walked and chatted and laughed.  They climbed the tree and dropped down a whole bunch of limes.

We put the limes in Justin's shirt and carried them back to the cookout.

Dennis enjoyed his corn.  The kids were quite gracious and took good care of us.  They enjoyed talking about their family and the farm.  Wendy, Dennis, Nataly, Noel and Justin.  Nataly has a water balloon.  They brought them out to play with and to cool off with.

They would just throw the corn that is still on the stalk into the fire and roast it.  We picked up the stalk and waved it back and forth until it cooled enough to take the corn out of the husk.  Then we put salt and lime juice on them.  It is the best way to prepare corn on the cob!

On the way back to the Bronco Nataly made sure I saw this wasp next built under a banana leaf.

I wish you could see how this road really was.  We had a great time driving in and out.  The people have to make their own roads to the farms.  This was an alternate route because the original handmade bridge was broken.

This is the road between Buena Vista and La Gracia.

We had a very memorable day.  After we got back to Buena Vista we sat in the shade and drank Orange Fanta and ate a pastery thing.  We had a great time visiting with Pastor Juan Baptista.  He is the grandfather to these, and many other kids.  He was one of the first people in Buena Vista over twenty years ago.  Dennis had helped Pastor Juan with a spider bite a few months ago and he seemed to be just about done with it.  He took us on a little walk to show us a plant called Scorpian's Tail.  It has some strong medicinal abilities.  They told us that is cures the flesh eating bacteria that some people get here.  Thank you Lord that you provide a cure that is so readily available!

We have been so blessed to be able to share in the lives of so many great people here in Belize.  We are constantly amazed at how God works.  God is always moving forward in all he is doing.  We are observing and learning so much and it hasn't slowed down a bit.  I think through our obedience to God that we are on the adventure of a life time and he is allowing us to get glimpses of His work in the world.  We pray daily that we are doing all that He wants us to do.  We pray that we are His reflection in the world.  We know that God will give us all we need to get His work accomplished. 

I John 4:13-16

We know that we live in him and he in us, 

because he has given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son

to be the Savior of the world.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,

God lives in him and he in God.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

Love you guys!

Bubbles

Dennis and I spent July and August with some families in Buena Vista on a summer reading program.  We spent time with them at their homes and worked on different reading skills.  These pictures are from our "End of the Summer" celebration.  Doesn't take much to have a good time with these kids.  A little dish soap and home made bubble wands made for a great morning!

Memo developed quite a skill for the big bubbles.  That is Elvis in the red shirt.

Patricia was our official Bubble Catcher!

This is Denis.  He is a great little guy!  At first he didn't want to come because the kids told him about Bear the watch dog.

We love this picture of Dani and the bubble.

We are all watching Henry blow a huge bubble that is right in front of me.  But, over on the right is Memo with his own giant bubble and no one is looking!

Creative picture of Dalila.

Joshua and Revecca

Dalila and Lucy are hermanas.  

Dani, Memo and Henry with some excellent bubbles.  It looks like Lucy and Denis are surrounded.

Lucy in her cute blue dress.

Memo is a fun kid.  He figured out that he didn't need a bubble wand.  He makes us laugh often.

Dalila and the others found out that Mr. John has a Craboo tree.  They love these little fruits.  They are interesting, not very sweet and kind of starchy but the kids eat them when ever they can pick them.

These are kids from three different families.  We had such a great time with them as they worked on their reading.  Some of these kids barely speak English.  That was a new challenge for Dennis and I.  We appreciate their inquisitive nature and their dedication to learning English.  I still think that Dennis and I are being blessed more than we are blessing!

Love you guys!