Keeping it Alive

You just spent a week in a foreign country sweating in 100 degree temperature and getting blisters as you perform more hard labor than you have ever done in your life...yet you want to do it again.  However, if you have been on any mission trip you know the awesome feeling and the desire to keep that joy in your heart forever.   Why?  Simple...you experienced a little piece of Heaven.  You experienced caring and unconditional love.  When you freely love and serve others with no expectations it is indeed and special experience and a deep feeling of joy for everyone involved.  Now don't get me wrong, not everyone have this amazing experience because we often go out and serve with wrong intentions in our hearts.  I admit that I have been on mission trips where my actions were driven more by my own personal pride ...but once we figure it out its the most amazing feeling and we understand what Jesus said in John 13:34  "As I loved you, so you must love one another".  Lets keep it alive until the next trip.

Our Final Day in Belize

Today was special.  We spent the day in San Pedro village a place that holds a special place in my heart.  Our Belizean partner, Mr Rafael Cob lives in San Pedro.  Six years ago Rafi and I met on a roof as we were replacing the zinc on his church building.  Rafi and I became instant friends during that week and since then we have worked side by side on projects for over six years.  We returned to San Pedro three more years and built three homes in the village.  We made many friends and forged some deep relationships.  While our work now takes us to many different villages we always....always come back to San Pedro on Sunday to worship and work side by side to show that love does not care where you are from or your status or your money.   Love is blind to all the things that often separate us...we are all the same people of God and together we can change the world!

Lesson Learned...God will Provide

I sat waiting for our group to put out our lunch on the very first day visiting Chunox.   All the kids had jumped on their bikes or walked home for "dinner" as they call it in Belize.  They eat the largest meal at noon in Belize and then a light snack in the evenings.  There were several kids still hanging around the school and talking with us so I asked our local social worker Mr. Rafael Cob why they were not going home.  He informed me that they did not have any food at home to eat.  He told me that over 5% of the children don't have nutritious meals at home because their family simply can not afford it.  So I asked...will they starve today and Mr. Cob quickly educated me that there is food to eat in the forest so they will survive.  Then as I paid more attention over the next few days I realized that God will provide.  The abundance of fruits on the trees in Belize provide sustenance for those who have nothing.  Mango trees are overflowing with fruit.  We see banana and plantain trees with large bunches.  Coconut trees are everywhere providing water.  There are many other fruit trees that are in everyones back yard...papaya, pineapples, kinep, melons, avocados, star fruit, even a type of apple.  Its Amazing the food that just grows in the wild.  It is nature's way of feeding the needy.  Those kids did not starve that day but everyday for them is a struggle.  We had a small impact but we will continue to do what we can to make a difference.  Thanks for all your help and donations because together we can change the world.

Day 6: Matinez Family and the Villamill Family

Today we had a change of pace...we went to the village of Xiebe and worked with two familes.  We got connected to the Martinez family through Carol Hanbury who came down with us last year and was touched by the daughter (Juanita) so much that she could not let go and felt the need to provide help.  Carol raised funds for the Martinez family over the year and worked with our partner in Belize (Rafael Cob) to get a small rice garden and other vegetables planted.  They are able to feed themselves and sell some to make money.  This family has absolutely nothing only a tin roof on a shack.  Our project was to build them a chicken coop to allow them to get fresh eggs and even start a small chicken farm.  What we did for the Martinez family will only have a very small impact but it will help.  They need so much more than we can provide.  We will continue to stay connected and help where we can.

The Villamill Family also lived in Xiebe village.  They lived in an nice cement three room home that was build by Horizon Church two years ago.  We swarmed their lovely home and painted the outside and the inside to put a personal touch and to bring life to their home.  We are grateful to Horizon for building this home...you could see how their lives were improved compared to the stick house which they still use as a kitchen.  This family had 16 children so we had lots of helping hands.  of course, many of the little kids were covered from head to toe in paint.  It was a great experience to work side by side with the Villamill's and to talk and get to know some people.  The sad story in this family is that Mr. Villamill was blinded in one eye from working in the papaya fields.  When the man of the house is unable to work the family will struggle.  The local church is also doing everything to help this large family.  We had a blast and it was a blessing to our team to have met all these wonderful people in Xiebe.

Day 5...R&R

I won't say much about today because it will only make you jealous.  Today was our day of rest.  We took the day off and took the entire team out to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.  Everyone had a lovely day snorkeling at Hol Chan a marine reserve and swimming at Shark-Ray Alley with the nurse sharks.  The team relaxed and rested as we are ready for two more days of work.  Back at it again tomorrow.

Day 4: Long travel but definately worth the effort

Today we travelled over 2 hours to cover less than 50 miles to get to Sarteneja village...I hope you get the picture that the roads and the two ferry made our travel a bit challenging.  We spent the day in Sarteneja. a small fishing village (1500 people) located along the Caribbean sea.  The name Sarteneja means "water between the rocks," referring to a massive piece of stone within the village that provides natural water through a well.  Many amazing things happened today but the one that most of us will remember is our lunch with the families.  As we approached lunch time we were told that we would each individually go have lunch with a local family in their home.  This is somewhat different from what we typically experience which is to have lunch catered in.  19 little boys and girls lined up with excitement  and they each took one of us home....it was amazing to watch everyone walking home with a school kid.  We had a chance to meet and interact with a family.  Everyone had a slightly different experience...what a powerful way to have an impact... because together we can change the world.

Day 2: Slow start to Chunox Village

Our first day was a little slow to start as our group did not leave the hotel until after 9:30...which is over an hour later than planned.  Things don't always go as planned but in the end it always works out.  The journey to our first village of Chunox was an adventure just getting there.  We had to cross two small ferry's just to get there and bounce around on rocky roads for over an hour.  As expected we encountered some challenges...but nothing major that we could not overcome.  Computer lab and fun games with the kids were the highlight of the projects.  Tomorrow we are going to Buena Vista village. 

Day 1 ...Successful First Day...everyone made it through the 18 hours of travel

The Cincinnati Team arrived this morning and everyone is now settled at Tony's Inn in Corozal Town... after 18 hours of travel.  Everyone is tired but excited and ready to work tomorrow.  We have several new people on the trip and they are all trying the national drink...Belikin beer and trying the taste of ceviche.   We brought in 79 laptop computers all in big plastic buckets.  Thirty computers are going to get installed in the schools and the rest are being brought in for an organization that distributes them to teachers.     It's a good start to the week...tomorrow we will go to Chunox village.  Our project include installing a computer lab, VBS with the kids at the school and we have light construction projects doing painting, screening and other projects.  We will rest tonight and start early for our long journey to Chunox.

Advanced Team has Landed in Belize

The Advanced Team arrived in Belize on Thursday to start setting up the preparations for Belize.   Well...okay, the advanced team is just me!  I arrived in Belize on Thursday and started to pave the way for the team arriving on Monday.  We were worried about getting the paperwork from the Belize government but it all came through ...we have an exemption to bring in over 50 laptop computers.  The team will bring all the computers and printers in the plane...17 large tubs of luggage!  The way is paved and we are ready to start our work next week. 

Kich Pan HanaTortilla Factory

Let me tell you the story about the ladies of Kich Pan Hana.   Last year when we visited the village of Cristo Rey we had the opportunity to meet Gayla Missett, Peace Corp Volunteer who was working with various groups in the village.  Gayla introduced us to eight ladies who had formed a corporation called Kich Pan Hana which means "Beautiful Women".  These ladies organized themselves and voted Flora Che as President of the Kich Pan Hana team.  The combined their resources and were able to get government funding to start up a Tortilla factory in the village.  For the past two years they have had a very successful and growing business.  They purchased a motorcycle to deliver tortillas around the village.  When I met Flora last year I was impressed by her passion for making the group successful.  She was proud of the fact that they had hired someone from the village to sell tortillas from the motorcycle.  She said to me..."I am creating jobs".  Its this passion that makes me want to help.  They have asked for funding to purchase a car so they can increase their deliveries and reach even further. 

 Gayla Missett, Peace Corps Volunteer, Corozal District, comments on Kich Pan Hana
“What really pulls at my heart strings is the relationship I have with the women’s group, Kich Pan Hana Tortilla Factory, in my village. It has been an amazing experience to watch this group of eight women take wings and fly. I have never seen such hard working, dedicated and enthusiastic women. Their desire to learn and improve their business and lifestyle has been nothing short of incredible. They have been tireless in their efforts and think nothing of working seven days a week.  Of course, I put a halt to that and told them that in my country that is illegal. They have been an invaluable support system. Their hard work has paid off with higher profits, better transparency, a work schedule that allows time for family and the possibility to expand the business to include a restaurant as well.”

Grameen Mirco-loans

I have been reading a book by the Grameen Micro-financing group.  Its pretty amazing what they have accomplished around the world helping the poorest people get access to the right information and access to funds to start up small businesses.  What I learned is that most of the loans they give out (and they have given out millions of small loans) are small amounts as low as $5-$100.  I also learned that most of their loans are to women.  Its amazing how access to financial funding and business advice and support can allow a mother of five children in India or Peru or wherever to earn a living by producing and selling crafts that are unique and hand made.  Connecting people together to drive commerce.