Photos from school

I brought a “friend” to Belize with me thanks to Lake Campbell WELCA.

Jean Gentry taught drawing lessons.

I always talk with my hands.

Sharing Chapel time with the students on Thursday afternoon.

photos of the office - still in progress

 

Look Close

One picture has the large pile of limestone under the old meal shelter. The other picture is from a few minutes ago. Elvis, Radolfo, “the boss man” and students moved the pile by wheelbarrow today during the rain.

EW, children and technology

Doc is smiling! He is showing the children how to play one of the brain quiz games. He can be a good teacher.

Still planting

Students and Mr. Raul Shish planted watermelon, cilantro (under the palm shade), radishes, and cucumbers. They prepared land with pick axes and shovels removing stumps and heavy roots. They carried 5 gallon buckets of water from a pond to water all the seeds. They are truly learning how to farm at a level for sustainable living as a family. The school will use all the produce to prepare meals for the students. This will reduce the cost for the families of the students.

PHun with Physics

Thanks to Bill Kees and 3M we had a great afternoon exploring simple machines and mechanical advantage. The students pictured are 4^th form (like our seniors). They did not have physics due to staffing and supply shortages. They were PHacinated with the with the large lever and discovering how a “small” mass could lift a “large” mass. The girls were impressed with being able to split wood. One student made the connection between the pulley system and the movement of the ferry across the river. Another great day teaching.

Getting ready for physics demos

Bill Kees donated supplies to demonstrate simple machines to a whole class. We did not transport the large wood pieces so EW reconstructed them here in Succotz. He is putting the finishing touches so the students can explore this afternoon.

Planting in the rain

It is raining here and the garden club students are outside planting watermelon seeds today with Mr. Raul Shish. Mr. Shish is a local farmer and horticulturist who walks to the school to help guide the students and the huge garden plot they have cleared behind the school.

Thursday Already!

I do not know where to start. Yesterday I spent ALL DAY trying to buy what was needed to put a door in Ms. Lavern’s office. Literally, ALL DAY. Every item you need you must go to a different store. He lumber yard only sells rough lumber – well they call it planed. A hardware store sells the screw, nails, and hinges. A different store sells the frame for the door which you have to install before you can order the door because nothing is a standard size. So the three piece frame was installed, measurements were made, door order phoned in and back to a Santa Elena to pick up the door. It was a 9-4 day. The is no such thing as a pre-hang door in western Belize. The molding for around the door is special order only. It is ordered and will be installed by the custodian. We built (again – obviously not me personally) two 8 foot tall and 4 foot wide shelving units for the office. Her office is not completed but all supplies are either here or ordered and a plan for the work  to be done is in place.

 

Today EW and Lon Moeller took Ricky Cunil to Spanish Lookout to purchase ag supplies. I do not have the exact list but I know a wheel barrow, hoes, shovels, rakes and SEEDS where purchased. Tomorrow the students will be planting watermelon. Several of the students worked the ground today in preparation for tomorrow. The highlight of this afternoons efforts was a young man climbing a coconut tree to give me a fresh coconut. The area farmer cut it open for me. The people here are very gracious.

Tuesday in Belizeother helped in the elementary school and 19 ran a

Another AMAZING day!

 

Last year when I first asked Ms. Lavern, the high school principal, what her top five needs would be, she replied: 1. A security fence so my children are safe 2. A security officer 3. A place for the children to be in the shade when on campus 4. A school counselor who BELIEVES 5. An office which is private. She has worked hard over the past year to secure the first 4 on the list. Here is a security fence around the school courtyard. There is a proposal in to the “police department” for a security officer. We are pouring the footings and columns for the meal shelter tomorrow. The counselor who was not a Believer chose to leave and they are currently looking for a replacement. Even though the school needs a place where the administration can hold confidential meetings her office was not being addressed. With support from Pastor Eric, George Houtman (our contractor guy), Robert Runge (our electrician guy) and many giving hands – we (no they – as I am writing this) are currently taping the sheetrock to Ms. Lavern’s sound proofed office! God works to bring the right people together at the right time! I cannot wait to see Ms. Lavern’s face in the morning.

 

Many worked to finish the rebar supports this morning, other helped in the elementary, 19 taught VBS this afternoon and I spent the day in the science classroom.

 

An AMAZING day!

Mayan ruin Xunantanich

Pastor Eric

Amanda this post is for you.

Tying the wires for the metal supports inside the concrete footings.

Construction Site

 

FW: Starting the Meal Shelter

The construction plans are to replace and enlarge the current meal shelter. We are busily making progress this Monday morning.

Starting the Meal Shelter

The construction plans are to replace and enlarge the current meal shelter. We are busily making progress this Monday morning.

Sunday School

 

Sunday School

 

                                                      

First Connection

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.   

Belize Mission is One Week Away

I am feeling the time crunch as our mission trip begins one week from tomorrow. In the morning, EW and I will be attending our final meeting in preparation for the mission to San Jose Succotz, Belize. I have been in contact with Mr. Bay Rivas, the science teacher, at Alvin Young High School. From a list of equipment still needed in the science classroom I decided to purchase several items here and transport them with me. The articulated skeleton and disarticulated skeleton arrived yesterday. I am also transporting an eye model, dissecting kits, stopwatches and a keyboard for a laptop. All of these supplies are being purchased from the donation given by LCLC WELCA! What a gift you have given to the students. I will be teaching or co-teaching 4 of the 5 school days. I am excited to mentor Mr. Rivas as he learns new teaching strategies. 
 
Through many people donating many items and working many hours the project goal for building a meal shelter at the high swchool has been met!  I will send photos as the construction in Succotz is underway.
 
A HUGE THANK YOU to the congregation of Lake Campbell for their generous donations in support of our mission. Due to the success of other fundraisers, EW and I were given permission to use the donations from Lake Campbell to fund further agriculture projects at the school. We are unsure of the exact plans. EW and I will be as thrifty as possible and do as much as we can to further the agricultural curriculum we began last year.
 
Some of you may be unaware of an offering collected during our VBS last summer. The children decided to fund a scholarship to the primary school in Succotz. Watch for updates about the scholarship.
 
Pray for EW and I that we are able to do good works in the name of our Father.
 
Sue