Sunday in Belize

Hello,
   It warmed up today, so we have many warm faces:)  The good news is that the cold showers were more appreciated by many as an escape from the heat.  Tonight in devos we talked about 4 things (how was our Church experience different in Belize than home, where have we seen God's amazing creation, how we can strengthen how we act out your faith upon returning home, and where have we seen God's hand in helping us through out trip).  Students recognize that we have been blessed with seamless transitions, great weather, and remarkably, no major sickness.  We haven't lost a child yet to an upset stomach or heat exhaustion.  This is amazing given that we have 55 travelers.  In many of your notes to your children you mention that your prayers are with them.  The kids tonight recognized the power of your prayers in so many facets of this trip. Thank you so so so much.

Today we had a late breakfast (7:30) and then dressed up and walked to the city wide Church service.  The service was supposed to start at 9:00 and when we arrived at 8:55, we were the 1st people there.  By 9:30, there were approximately 500 people in attendance People were waving flags, dancing, shouting amen, and clearly on fire for Jesus.  1 song's chorus was so much fun.  It was, "for the lord is on my side, it's already betta" (supposed to be better).  I think the song might be called "It's raining all Around Me".  We sang, prayed with several passionate pastors, and heard a sermon that challenged us to be hurricanes, act out our faith, find ways to pray and worship in large groups, not to be passive, and to practice Unity.  Scripture focused on Deuteronomy 20 and Phillipians 2:4. 

We wrapped up the Church service listening to 4 singers sing the gospels.  The male singer was the bass singer and had an incredible voice. We snuck out of the 6 hour long service after 2:15 as we had to rush for lunch and then prepare for our journey to the Mayan ruins.  The 1.5 hour drive to the Guatemalan border was a hot 1, but the kids had a good energy.  We boarded a small ferry and hiked 1 mile up a mountain to get to the Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich (this would be a great word for a scrabble match).  The kids had a blast hiking the ruins and taking pics.  We got a great pic of the entire group in the shape of a "U".  So much fun. We spent 2 hours at the ruins and then hiked back down and had some fun bartering with the locals over souvenirs.  Believe or not, our students tell me that they are all amazing barterers.  The smiles on the locals lead me to believe otherwise:) We then went to a restaurant called "Hodes" in San Ignacio.  It took some time to serve all 55 people, but the students demonstrated exceptional patience and spent their extra time trying an assortment of Belizian ice creams:) Student feedback was that they loved the restaurant.

We arrived back to camp around 8:00. Students de-sweated in the showers and the we spent time reflecting on the Church services and where we can be challenged as people and as a school to demonstrate and act out our faith.  Teams also prayed with their small group leaders.

The kids are already off to bed.  They recognize the last 2 days were wonderful experiences but tomorrow is diving back into the trenches of serving.  We are up early tomorrow (breakfast is at 6:15) and will spend the morning and early afternoon constructing, running sports camps at Cayo Christian School, and preparing a hot dog feast for 400 at Cayo Christian School.  We will then come back to camp to get prepared to spend the late afternoon at "the King's Childrens Home" orphanage.  It is another jam packed day, but the focus on relationships should provide another transformational experience for your children.  Keep praying, we are certainly feeling them. 

Also, I am loving reading the messages that you leave.  Please keep them coming.

Blessings

MC