Greetings from HOT and HUMID San Jose Succotz! This is our first opportunity to have internet connection.
SATURDAY:
We had safe travels with only one incident. One of our SDSU students had her passport denied in Houston. Mariah has been very committed to this mission and has donated much of her time to many of the fundraising efforts. It is a true shame she is unable to be with us. Blessing Mariah!
Most of the group left Brookings near midnight on Friday and we reached our camp about 6:00 PM Saturday evening. I will upload some photos of the group waiting to board the school bus at the Belize Airport. The bus stopped before it left Belize City for oil and stopped at least one other time to add coolant to the radiator. A hot, crowded, bumpy ride with all arriving safely. Dinner was rice, stewed chicken, and a vinegar based coleslaw. After dinner, Pastor Eric asked for 4 volunteers to teach Sunday school. Exhausted South Dakotans scavenged through our supplies to throw together a Sunday School lesson.
We give thanks to our Lord for our safe travels and this opportunity to serve him.
SUNDAY: God’s Special Day
Many of us began our day sharing the love of Jesus with the children at the Nazarene Church. We developed our lesson around John 10:14 “The Lord is the Good Shepherd; he knows his sheep and his sheep know him.” We acted out the story of the lost sheep, sang songs, created sheep and prayed. One young man, Kenrick, was so excited to his faith. He read the parable of the lost sheep to us in from his Spanish Bible. I do not know who was more excited to be in Sunday School – the children or the South Dakotans! I will be posting some videos.
We attended worship in Pastor Eric church. Much of the service is in Spanish, yet we all felt touched by the young people of the congregation who shared their faith during the service. The music and energy was moving. Pastor Nyla gave the sermon focusing on God’s call to each of us to be his child and to do good works in his name.
Libby wants her mom to know she climbed the highest point in Belize and stood right next to the edge! So did Sue and many of the rest. We traveled during the afternoon to the Mayan ruins of Xunantanich. To experience the beauty of God’s creation from the top of the tallest temple allowed us to see Belmopan River, the road dividing Belize and Guatemala, the black orchids in the trees, the plant and animal diversity, and the geological formations is humbling. We soon become centered in our world created by our Father.
