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!

Perspective and Sponsorship

Perspectives change with our environment.  If our world we choose, our world we build around us never changes then I would say it's likely that our perspective won't either.  That is one of the reasons that God sends people out to do mission work.  His intention is to change our perspective, to change us as we spend time in a whole new environment.  Sure we have a job to do, sure we are here for the sake of others, for the sake of God's Kingdom.  But the whole thing doesn't happen until the perspective is correct.

  Please proceed with caution as I don't want to offend anyone.  And if offense is taken please know that my heart is now the possession of God.  I have given myself to God and his plan.  I am not arrogant in saying this, I wish more would.  However, I know that I have "put myself out there" for ridicule and gossip and even slander because I know that I am not perfect.  I know that I can, and often do make mistakes.  In stating that I have given myself over to God I am not saying that I have reached perfection.  Any one who knows me knows better!  I know who I am as a Christ Follower.  I believe what the bible says about me and I choose to walk in those definitions not the world's definitions.

So, on with what I really want to say.  This all started with a visit from the Hearts of Christ people to Buena Vista Govt. School.  The Hearts of Christ is the organization that connects sponsors to children in school.  The children need sponsorship for school supplies, uniforms and even tuition if they go to high school.  As we know in the states, with programs like the Back To School Bash at Greater Life Church in Tennessee, public school isn't exactly free.  I spent a little time with the founder of Hearts of Christ, Carla Jennings.  I found her to be the real thing. I watched her walk around talking to the kids and enjoying their company.  I was very impressed at the skill in which they handed out the school supplies and backpacks.  Carla is an organizational genius!

I watched her as she instructed the volunteers and as she chatted with the children she knows from past visits.  But then I started to look around the perimeter of all the activity.  For every happy child who received supplies there were at least two more standing there who had no sponsors.  A few of the moms who know me wanted to know if they were taking new students so I told them I would find out.  So I talked with Carla about how she organized students and sponsors.  She told me that every year they have to find out who drops out, who graduates, who moves away etc...Then they can see if more kids can be accepted for the sponsors that already exist.  She lets the families know when they can take more kids when anything comes up or if there are any new sponsors.  There is a local person who works closely with the schools and the families in getting the children new sponsors.

So after talking with Carla I have a better understanding how this all works.  Then I went back to the moms and told them that they would not be taking any new children until later in the year...Now this is the part that changes one's perspective.  I watched their faces as I told them that they would not have sponsors for their children.  They were standing there for over an hour hoping that someone would maybe say that they can take more kids now.  But that never happened.  As the few extra supplies were handed out to the kids without sponsors and the bus was being loaded up with the tables and chairs I watched as moms and children turned around and walked back home.  Most of these families struggle on a weekly, if not daily basis to get food on the table.  Now they walk away trying to figure out how to get uniforms, backpacks and supplies for their children for the next school year.

I wrote before about poverty and how "She" works to hold people in despair.  How She enjoys the feeling of humiliation that parents feel when they are not able to provide for their own children.  I felt Poverty there as I watched them walk away.  My heart hurt for one mom in particular.  I don't even know who she was, I didn't recognize her children.  But I actually saw her shoulders drop as she turned to walk home.  It was painful.

I grew up without much money.  I know that we didn't have much.  It is the same with Dennis and his family growing up.  But, I can honestly say that we never truly felt the sting of poverty.  I know there are many within my world who understand what it is like to be without things that we desire.  But lets get some more perspective here when it comes to living our lives within the worlds we create.  In America we live with blinders on to the rest of the world.  I am talking about myself here also.  I have been guilty of quickly changing the channel when that guy comes on showing starving children in Africa.  Sure, I have given to the Angel Tree and various charities but that is only when I feel my needs have been met.  But now my perspective has changed as I ask myself, "What do I really need?"
Do I need to have that yummy coffee drink at the fancy coffee shops?  Do I need a new pair of shoes for every outfit I buy, do I need a new outfit?  Do I need to go out to dinner as often as I do?  Do I really need a new car?  And the list of needs can go on and on.  But we know that most of these really aren't needs.

During a visit back home in Tennessee some wonderful friends took me out for my first pedicure.  I must say it was awesome as I sat there and had my toes painted while drinking one of those yummy coffee drinks.  Across the way was a little girl celebrating her tenth birthday.  She was happily telling me about all her gifts while her mother sat next to me and just beamed.  I could tell she was proud of her little girl.  Before they left the little girl did confide in me that she was a little sad because tonight was her last birthday party.  I asked her how many she had enjoyed up until tonight.  She smiled and said that this was her fourth party in the last week...Now, I know that is extreme.  Well, I hope that is extreme and not normal for most of us.  A few weeks later I was back in Buena Vista where most of the kids we know don't get to celebrate their birthdays.

I'm telling you, God has ways of changing us.  And my problem is that I want everyone to be changed like we have been.  One of the last things that Carla said as she was getting on the bus was that she wished more people could come down here to see first hand.  I agree.  I know that if you could come spend time with these children your perspective would change.  Your comfortable perspective might get a little disturbed by seeing what other perspectives are out there.  I am not denying that I still like the comfortable "American" way of life.  I am just wanting more of us to gain a perspective that may include others.  Maybe we can come to a place where we don't want so much comfort.  Maybe we can sacrifice just a little of our "needs" to improve the lives of others.

In order to sponsor a child in Buena Vista it will mean a sacrifice.  When Hearts of Christ accepts new sponsors they ask for $250.00 a year.  You will be connected with a child and stay with that child for as long as they are in the program.  The amount stays the same whether they are in Standard 1 or high school.  They only ask that you start them at a young age so that there is money for high school when they get to that point.

Yes, we are asking you to consider sponsoring a child's education in Buena Vista.  Currently there are only thirty students out of almost 200 who have sponsors at the school  We don't want you to make a decision like this without thinking about it and praying about it.  This is not a one time event. It is a long term commitment of $250.00 a year until the child is done with their education.  Your child will get to know you and depend on your sponsorship. You are developing a relationship with this child if you choose to.  Carla said that sometimes the sponsors are able to come down and meet their child.

Here is the link to see their webpage http://www.heartsofchrist.org/.  If you want the names of children that we know personally we can match you up with them.  I will contact Carla and let her know which one you are interested in.  We can tell you about some of them in an email or you can message us on Facebook.  We would have more information about the kids in Buena Vista than the Hearts of Christ people do.

Class of 2015,  Four of these students had sponsors which enabled them to go on to high school.

So, consider sponsoring a child through Hearts of Christ.  I can promise you that your perspective will be changed and you will change a life in the process.

Love you guys!

mrs.vickilu@gmail.com

Our Latest Adventure

My very sweet husband did some consulting work with the local electric company and earned enough money for us to go on a one night celebration of our 33rd Anniversary.  Yay!!!!  Our anniversary was actually on July 17th but we weren't able to get away because the Bronco was having issues.

So, anyway...We spent the night at Ian Anderson's Cave Branch Adventure Company & Jungle Lodge!  Click here to go to the website, it was so fun! www.cavesbranch.com
We wanted to repel into The Black Hole Drop but it wasn't available on the day we were there.  So, I decided to have an adventure in caving.  We went on the Cave Waterfall Expedition.  Our very kind hostess, Lisa told us how fun it was and said it was a five out of five on the strenuous scale.  But I decided that I wasn't getting any younger so we better go while we still can.  To be honest I don't remember even thinking that it would be too hard.  If other people could do it than I'm sure Dennis and I could.

Our mode of transportation to the trail.  We had to drive about five miles to the back of a citrus orchard.  At this point I should have caught a clue that Dennis and I were the oldest people there.

We hiked about 30 minutes to this cave entrance.  This was the first time I actually felt like I was in the jungles of Belize.

And what do we find in every cave in Belize??  Katie Sprayberry's favorite creatures in the world!

We hiked in for about an hour.  Sometimes the cave was huge and sometimes my claustrophobia had to be held in check as we squeezed through some little spots.  At one point we had to swim through a small space with just our heads above the water.   

These pools were formed throughout the cave.  This one looked like a little jacuzzi.

We spent a lot of time in the water.

Many of these pictures are surprising to me because we just had lights on our helmets.  Dennis had the flash on the camera which brought out some of these neat landscapes...or cavescapes.  These formations are about five feet tall.

I also may have missed some of the surrounding scenes because I wasn't paying attention.  My rock collection is growing!!  Much to my husbands dismay.

Dennis did not add any color to this.  Isn't it cool?!!!

At the halfway point we dropped our backpacks and put on our life vests and climbing harness.  Unfortunately, we had to leave the camera behind at this point.  We kept hiking in for another thirty minutes and arrived at a string of waterfalls.  We swam and climbed up three of them.  It was amazing and very scary.  The guides showed us where to step and where to hang on. We were actually in the waterfall.  There was a few times when I was doubtful of being able to pull myself up like they were instructing.  But I did it and I have the bruises on my knees to prove it!  I didn't even think about how we were going to get back until one of the girls said we had to jump off each waterfall to get back.  I thought she was kidding me and I laughed.  She said, "How else do you think we are getting back."  Like I previously stated I didn't think.  And we did exactly that, helmets, lights, glasses and all.  I loved it!  One of the girls couldn't make herself jump and she repelled back down on a rope, but we cheered for her anyways!  It was a blast!!!!

When we got back to the halfway point the guides set up a delicious lunch for us on a perfectly flat rock in the middle of the stream.  So we sat in a huge cave and enjoyed the food the guides had carried in.  Belize can be very a very adventurous place.

Now on to part two.  Ian Anderson's Cave Branch Lodge is like a horticulturists dream come true.  Besides a beautifully arranged botanical garden, the entire place is teaming with jungle plants and critters.  They pride themselves on being part of the jungle environment.  We saw many flowers and humming birds that we haven't seen until now.

A pair of Belizean Towel Birds were waiting for us on our bed.  Lisa told us that the staff had went on YouTube to learn how to do these.  YouTube saves the day again!!!

Dennis is standing by the door in this shot.  The bathroom, which was all tiled and beautiful is off to the right.  There is a set of chairs and a hammock on the deck outside.  No air conditioning anywhere but ceiling fans are running all the time.  We did not get overly hot here.  The jungle is just outside the door.

A yellow Shrimp Flower

Dennis's favorite flower shot.   I don't have the names of many of the these, sorry.

This was in the Botanical Garden section.   Orchids are crazy looking!

Not an orchid, I think it was a Bromelaid of some kind.

If you go to this link you will find Dennis's new photography page.  It is attached to my Facebook page and has many incredible photos from Belize and other places.  He is adding more to it all the time.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dennis-Lucas/811985168923008?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Dennis didn't want to take this one but I'm glad he did.

This is an orchid nursery.  All the tags are labels of varieties of orchids they are growing.

Close up of a huge leaf in the sun.

Cute little Belizean squirrel.  

There are two of these guarding the steps at the welcome center.  This guy is about five feet tall.

They make there own cheeses on the grounds and give tasting tours.  They also offer a Chocolate History Tasting Tour just down the road.  We had some of the cheese at dinner and it was very tasty.  Speaking of food...it was just what I wanted.  Yummy and a lot of it.  The dinner was a full four course meal!  I can't tell you how long it has been that I ate like this.  We had all three desserts!  A homemade cheesecake with berries, a Chocolate Banana Thingy and Homemade Coconut Ice Cream.  And the next morning there was a Breakfast Buffet.  The potatoes were exceptional and Dennis loved the homemade flour tortillas that he dipped in some awesome refried beans.  And of course there was always fresh local fruit available and coffee!!!

The staff was fun and very accommodating.  One of them even got me some seed pods from one of their flowering bushes.  A sweet young lady in the gift shop heard that we were missionaries and gave me a gift because her grandfather was a missionary also.  We drove away feeling refreshed and very blessed!

Love you guys!

P.S. We would recommend this place to everyone.  We hope to go back one more time before we leave Belize.  If anyone wants to stay there, let them know we sent you and we get rewards!