Friday, July 08, 2005
Greetings From Belize
Greetings from Belize,
It is exciting to be in Belize. After months of preparing, it has finally happened. We left to drive across Mexico on June 9th .We took Brad and Shelly Lemons and their two children. Brad is a Spanish Teacher, and we really used him and his talents. The trip was a good one and went without any problems and little extra expense. We arrived in Belize. Charlie Joe was their to greet us. The house was cleaned by the ladies in the village. We were thankful for their work.
The house has not been lived in several years and needed extra cleaning and paint. Everyone pitched in to help. Bro Roy and Mary Ingram also came in to help paint. Thanks for their support and hard work. The living room was painted pink with pink curtains, bright blue sofas with silvers scrolls, the bathroom is yellow and blue, kitchen bright blue and rose, the bedroom is leopards and purple. Their were new rugs put down. The village loves it. Some call it the rainbow house. Do you think I have gone Belizean?
We have had a chance to go to two graduations. We are very impressed with the schools. San Lazaro goes to Standard 6, our 8th grade I think. It was a very large class all will go to college(our 9th-12th). That is a first here. Their were over 200 people that attended. Their was a large tent set up outside It was a special day for all of them. Sand Hill also had a great class. The school is very impressive. They get an excellent education, but also learn Drama and have daily Bible classes. I am very impressed.
Everyone has been very good to us. We feel like we have been here for al very long time and a part of their lives. They had annual conference at San Lazaro .This is the 3rd year they have had a conference. The people from the villages stayed at our house. The school that was down stairs has been moved leaving a lot of room for bedrooms and living room down their. We have prayed about August Pine Ridge Church and God's wisdom concerning the pastor there. The conf. decided that a new pastor was needed. The Lord worked in a mighty way. A young man from Guinna Grass surrendered to preach. His name is Manuel. He was given a license and sent to August Pine Ridge. God is so good. We had the privilege to see Donavan ordained. He is a special young man and also his wife. They are on fire for the Lord... I know he will be used greatly by the Lord. His wife and I will do a workshop on the 16th of July to get ready for the Blitz. It was also a pleasure to see Sally for a little while.
We have worked hard everyday getting ready for the Blitz their will be about 40 people coming. Their will be about 30 staying here. Arkansas will stay upstairs and Alabama downstairs. The men will stay in the school... Their has been painting, Don built a cabinet with a sink we brought from home, Moved beds in and built one. . It still needs work but there is still a few days left. Everything looks good to me. We are excited about the team coming. I know it will be a great week.
We have been to all the churches but Hattieville. We went to Firebun Sunday morning. Their was a good attendance. It was the first time we had heard Bro Daniel preach. He did an excellent job. Sunday night we went to Guinna Grass. We heard Bro Santos preach. H e was on fire for the Lord. Their was about 25 at the altar. Their was a full band, the house was packed. A lot of young men were taking apart. Elva, a lady we prayed for in January, stuck a knife in her foot it went all the was through. She is a diabetic she was unable to walk. But now she looks great and was at church. We had special prayer for her and God answered. However her husband has a different sickness. Don did find him and talked to him as he does every year. But the alcohol has claimed him as it does so many in these villages. We went to Sand Hill and sang at their inspiration night. Had a great time but the lights went out before we were done? That’s now unusual for Belize. Wednesday night we went to San Lazaro Church. Mariela preached. Don testified, and we sang "Sin will take you Farther". The spirit was in this church. As they shared what a blessing the song was,
We have really enjoyed Brad and Shelly and the children. They have been a lot of help to us. We learned all we could from Charlie Joe while he was here. It was sad seeing him depart. We wish him all of Gods Blessings. He let us keep his dog here. I guess he never had so much petting. A group of little boys were hovering around him as I watched out the window. He seems happy. But he misses Charlie Joe when the Rodeo pulls up. He is so excited he is beside himself.
I think of family and friends ever day. But the people have been very kind. I went to Orange Walk the other day. I drove and carried two women. I Praise the Lord the bicycles, people and the cars parted as they saw me coming! One lady that was sitting on the ice chest was dumped a little as a hit a large bump a little to hard; you have to pick your way! Everyone was laughing so hard. No one noticed that I was a bit nervous. We went to several stores and the market; in the end they treated me to some tacos’ from one of the stands. It was a good day
Yesterday was my birthday. Shelly cooked all day. She made Biscuits and Sausage gravy for breakfast. Then made my favorite cake coconut and pineapple. Yendy and Trenna gave me a bunny and some sweet cards. The neighbors came in and wished me a Happy Birthday and shared birthday Cake. Got a e-mail from Amelia my granddaughter, and a card from Gloria. It was a good day. They made me Queen for a day .I guess everyone needs to feel special sometimes.
We will go to church camp Sunday at King College. Pray for a special touch of His hand. It is very hot and a lot of mosquitoes. There is no ice water that I know of and it is hot, hot, hot .We will try to smuggle a fan. If it is seen, we may have a lot of company in our room. We are excited to see what the Lord is going to do.
Thanks again for all the Support you all have given Don and I. Continue to pray for us a we will be effective here. And Glorify His name. Don and Brad are working from morning to night so pray for strength and a chance to rest.
It is exciting to be in Belize. After months of preparing, it has finally happened. We left to drive across Mexico on June 9th .We took Brad and Shelly Lemons and their two children. Brad is a Spanish Teacher, and we really used him and his talents. The trip was a good one and went without any problems and little extra expense. We arrived in Belize. Charlie Joe was their to greet us. The house was cleaned by the ladies in the village. We were thankful for their work.
The house has not been lived in several years and needed extra cleaning and paint. Everyone pitched in to help. Bro Roy and Mary Ingram also came in to help paint. Thanks for their support and hard work. The living room was painted pink with pink curtains, bright blue sofas with silvers scrolls, the bathroom is yellow and blue, kitchen bright blue and rose, the bedroom is leopards and purple. Their were new rugs put down. The village loves it. Some call it the rainbow house. Do you think I have gone Belizean?
We have had a chance to go to two graduations. We are very impressed with the schools. San Lazaro goes to Standard 6, our 8th grade I think. It was a very large class all will go to college(our 9th-12th). That is a first here. Their were over 200 people that attended. Their was a large tent set up outside It was a special day for all of them. Sand Hill also had a great class. The school is very impressive. They get an excellent education, but also learn Drama and have daily Bible classes. I am very impressed.
Everyone has been very good to us. We feel like we have been here for al very long time and a part of their lives. They had annual conference at San Lazaro .This is the 3rd year they have had a conference. The people from the villages stayed at our house. The school that was down stairs has been moved leaving a lot of room for bedrooms and living room down their. We have prayed about August Pine Ridge Church and God's wisdom concerning the pastor there. The conf. decided that a new pastor was needed. The Lord worked in a mighty way. A young man from Guinna Grass surrendered to preach. His name is Manuel. He was given a license and sent to August Pine Ridge. God is so good. We had the privilege to see Donavan ordained. He is a special young man and also his wife. They are on fire for the Lord... I know he will be used greatly by the Lord. His wife and I will do a workshop on the 16th of July to get ready for the Blitz. It was also a pleasure to see Sally for a little while.
We have worked hard everyday getting ready for the Blitz their will be about 40 people coming. Their will be about 30 staying here. Arkansas will stay upstairs and Alabama downstairs. The men will stay in the school... Their has been painting, Don built a cabinet with a sink we brought from home, Moved beds in and built one. . It still needs work but there is still a few days left. Everything looks good to me. We are excited about the team coming. I know it will be a great week.
We have been to all the churches but Hattieville. We went to Firebun Sunday morning. Their was a good attendance. It was the first time we had heard Bro Daniel preach. He did an excellent job. Sunday night we went to Guinna Grass. We heard Bro Santos preach. H e was on fire for the Lord. Their was about 25 at the altar. Their was a full band, the house was packed. A lot of young men were taking apart. Elva, a lady we prayed for in January, stuck a knife in her foot it went all the was through. She is a diabetic she was unable to walk. But now she looks great and was at church. We had special prayer for her and God answered. However her husband has a different sickness. Don did find him and talked to him as he does every year. But the alcohol has claimed him as it does so many in these villages. We went to Sand Hill and sang at their inspiration night. Had a great time but the lights went out before we were done? That’s now unusual for Belize. Wednesday night we went to San Lazaro Church. Mariela preached. Don testified, and we sang "Sin will take you Farther". The spirit was in this church. As they shared what a blessing the song was,
We have really enjoyed Brad and Shelly and the children. They have been a lot of help to us. We learned all we could from Charlie Joe while he was here. It was sad seeing him depart. We wish him all of Gods Blessings. He let us keep his dog here. I guess he never had so much petting. A group of little boys were hovering around him as I watched out the window. He seems happy. But he misses Charlie Joe when the Rodeo pulls up. He is so excited he is beside himself.
I think of family and friends ever day. But the people have been very kind. I went to Orange Walk the other day. I drove and carried two women. I Praise the Lord the bicycles, people and the cars parted as they saw me coming! One lady that was sitting on the ice chest was dumped a little as a hit a large bump a little to hard; you have to pick your way! Everyone was laughing so hard. No one noticed that I was a bit nervous. We went to several stores and the market; in the end they treated me to some tacos’ from one of the stands. It was a good day
Yesterday was my birthday. Shelly cooked all day. She made Biscuits and Sausage gravy for breakfast. Then made my favorite cake coconut and pineapple. Yendy and Trenna gave me a bunny and some sweet cards. The neighbors came in and wished me a Happy Birthday and shared birthday Cake. Got a e-mail from Amelia my granddaughter, and a card from Gloria. It was a good day. They made me Queen for a day .I guess everyone needs to feel special sometimes.
We will go to church camp Sunday at King College. Pray for a special touch of His hand. It is very hot and a lot of mosquitoes. There is no ice water that I know of and it is hot, hot, hot .We will try to smuggle a fan. If it is seen, we may have a lot of company in our room. We are excited to see what the Lord is going to do.
Thanks again for all the Support you all have given Don and I. Continue to pray for us a we will be effective here. And Glorify His name. Don and Brad are working from morning to night so pray for strength and a chance to rest.
# posted by Don & Pat @ 8:25 PM 
