Tubes, Zips, Tarantulas, and Fires

Instead of writing late last night, I am up early this morning writing in my Wi-Fi field. Above me, two green parrots are screaming at the top of their lungs. It is the first time I have seen parrots in Belize. It is hard to tell who is winning the one hour long argument between these two parrots as they are not speaking english like the parrots I have met in Canada.  Santi from the base says that they are speaking in tongues. Before 7:00am, five of our students and two chaperones are also up, doing some bonus work on repairing the bridge.

Today was a day to play and experience creation in new ways.  We were able to have breakfast at 8:00am and we then departed for our Cave Tubing/Zip-lining adventure just before 9:00.  In typically Belize fashion, I was informed at 8:45am that we were going to try a new company for the adventure and they were expecting us there at 9:30am.  My only problem was that I was driving and it was a 1 hour and 15-minute drive.  We did end up being 30 minutes late, but in classic Belize fashion, this is also never a problem. 

Having done the trip numerous times, Mark Huberts and I are able to prepare the kids and chaperones well for the adventures each day.  Small curveballs such as changing venues can throw everyone for a bit of a loop.  However, the new company was very organized, the cave system was longer, lunch was fantastic (jerk chicken and rice and beans), and the zip lining launched from higher points than our previous venue.  We certainly have a new company to work with.  As a footnote, we were able to negotiate the cost per child at only 7% of the cost that the cruise ships pay. Just give me a shout if you cruise through Belize and I am certain I can get you in for freeJ

Our students loved the adventures.  Aside from our Belizean YWAM friend L.J., nobody showed any fear.  The scenery was amazing.  Even walking to the river and first zip, we passed Hibiscus trees that are 40 feet tall, mahogany tress, a toddler aged tarantula, and a dense jungle.

On the way home, we saw a large amount of smoke in the distance.  As we drove along the hummingbird highway, we narrowed the gap on this smoke.  At the bottom of a hill, we looked up and felt that the fire was right on the highway. Cars, busses, and unidentifiable types of vehicles were still moving in both directions so we pushed forward.  As we went up the hill, we closed all of our windows.  At the top of the hill, we entered smoke as dense as smoked pea soup.  We were able to see large flames along the highway through the dense smoke.  The bus pushed through and we were able to re-open the windows about 500 meters later.  It was not a dangerous experience, but it was unique.  I did picture a Globe and Mail news headline that read, “bus driven by Unity Christian principal drives 26 students into fire in Belize”.  Because Belize is essentially free of seasons, they name their seasons, hurricane season and burning season. We are clearly in burning season, there have been small brush fires along the roads in many places.  These fires don’t appear to be of major concern to the locals.

When we got back to camp, the students were eager to keep connecting.  A handful of students hung out at camp to spend time with the kids from the camp.  Jeff Vermette did some more work on the bridge. The rest of our students went down the road from camp to play basketball and volleyball with our Belizean friends.  Our student team defeated the Belizean/Canadian adult team 66-65 on a bank shot at the buzzer by Dylan Both.  It was so much fun doing something that we love while serving.  We did spend time talking about using our gifts, talents, and passions as a vessel to connect and serve.  The soccer ministry at the YWAM base is a fantastic example of this.

Tonight was bonfire night.  The flames were massive and it took about an hour before they were low enough to fry up some dogs.  We sat around the flames with the YWAM staff and family and enjoyed good conversation. One group of students had a long discussion about the need to transfer their faith that they demonstrate in Belize to the halls of Unity Christian School.  During devotions they spoke to this and all students felt convicted to be more open to sharing and praising when we are back on our home soil.  Pray for our students as they take on this massive yet awesome challenge.

Our students enjoyed hot dogs, chips and queso, marshmallows, and Sundays that were prepared by some of the high school boys at YWAM that want to go on their own missions trip to Argentina.  Nearly every one of our students bought the Sundays with all proceeds going to the trip. Many of our students gave more money that the Sundays cost.  I thought it was awesome that our students were giving in the same way people gave to them to go on the trip.

After a small tarantula hunt that uncovered a behemoth tarantula (legend has it that it was the size of breadbox), we entered our devotional time, led by Coral’s group.  Our grade 5 friends Zyaland, Tractor, and Reed were noble tarantula hunters (this would be a great reality show).  During devotions, the girls focused on Galatians and encouraged people to share new things they have learned about their peers on the trip.  Every student was given multiple affirmations by multiple people around the circle.  A lot of the affirmations centered around the demonstration of faith.  It was a powerful hour of sharing.   The girls opened with 2 songs.  In the closing prayer, the theme of the trip has been to hold hands in a circle to pray together.  The girls followed last night’s group and did just this.  For the kids and for me, this is also a vulnerable way of praying.  It is becoming normal for all of us.  After prayer, the devotions were over, but the entire group asked if they could sing more.  We stood, we clapped, and we sang Blessed be Your Name.  We sung loud.  This is atypical for any high school group I have worked with.  Zyland joined us as well. It was fantastic.

Santi, our friend and director at the base commented that he is amazed at how Unity consistently brings amazing teams down to Belize.  He said that every one of our groups has connected, worked, rejoiced, and praised more than most groups.  He said he can tell that something is special at Unity.  To any alumni reading this, thank you, your stamp on Belize is still visibleJ

Today we enjoy the Sabbath with a morning of enjoying parrots and sleeping tarantulas. We will dress up and head to Living Waters Church at 10:00am. After this, we will quickly load up in the bus and drive to San Ignacio to visit the Mayan Site (Mayan Ruins is no longer the proper term), and have dinner at Hodies in San Ignacio. 

Please do keep sending us your messagesJ