The End

The work of loving is tiring, risky, and sometimes dangerous. It can seem to require super-human strength, and calls us to persist when we would rather give up. But no one ever walks away from a loving relationship without being transformed in some way that marks us as having encountered God.

- Emma Okoro, "At First Blush"

February 5

A perfect sunrise and a celebration of the Eucharist on the beach in San Pedro with friends from Holy Cross and from Water Missions International was a beautiful way to begin our last full day in Belize.





After the service we went to Holy Cross, for a tour of all of the changes that had been made since we were last there. There were many exciting improvements. The computer lab (its floor built by St. Annians 5 years ago!) is fully operational. The Holy Cross library is now the largest school library in all of Belize. There are now composting toilets and 24 stalls - a huge change from the 2 stalls that had previously served hundreds of children. There is a new playground going up and a preschool class started this fall. Though money remains tight, so tight that the breakfast program at the school was cut, Holy Cross is doing well. It was a joy to see that much of what had once been dreams, visions, hopes and prayers, is now reality. It is a joy to know that St. Anne's has been, and is, a part of making that happen.



We also toured the small neighborhood of San Mateo. San Mateo is located just adjacent to Holy Cross School, and is one of the areas on Ambergris Caye where people are in the most need.


San Mateo is a neighborhood built, literally, on swamp that has been filled in with garbage and sewage. Homes are built of found material - discarded boards and tin, nailed together. When we were last there, the neighborhood had no running water and very few homes had electricity. not very long ago, conditions there were so unhealthy that a 3 year old child died due to infection, after she fell into contaminated water.


Things are looking a little better now. Since our last visit, we found that the persistence of many caring people have resulted in some small but important changes that have made a difference. A gravel road had been installed, which allowed electricity to be connected to most of the homes in San Mateo. The road also allowed water pipes to be laid and many homes now have access to water. The lack of a sewer systems means the water still shows dangerous levels of contamination, but residents are being informed as to how to treat the water to make it safe.

The poverty is still overwhelming, by United States standards. It is still difficult to reconcile the these living conditions for children with the multi-million dollar vacation homes and resorts within walking distance. But there is change in San Mateo. And there is hope in San Mateo. There is love in San Mateo, and where there is love, there is life.



It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Belize!

February 4

On Saturday morning a small group took the water taxi from San Pedro back to Belize City to visit, again, the Dorothy Menzies Center. We met with Dorothy Menzies and her daughter Kay, who run the school, with several board members of the school, and with members of the Belize City Rotary Club, who will be working in conjunction with the West St. Paul Rotary Club to raise some much needed funds for the center.

We were both encouraged and saddened all over again, with our second visit to the center.

Encouraged because the adults directing the center are caring and capable, and determined. They are working so very hard for the children of the center and it seems they are making some progress in terms of finding new sources of funding for needed repairs and improvements. They are providing a safe place for children who have not known a safe place before in their lives. They offer hope and love to children who have not seen either before.

But we were also saddened all over again, as we toured the inner living quarters of the center. There is so much need. Food, clothing, daily hygiene supplies, books...

And 70 children living in a space built for 12 means there are not enough beds - some sleep on mattresses on the floor, some sleep on bunk beds with only wooden slats, no mattress at all, and some sleep two to a single bed. Boys and girls of all ages (toddler through 18 years old) are housed together.


There are certainly not adequate bathroom facilities. Of the three bathrooms in the facility, only 1 was functioning properly. The common space for the 70 children to gather when not in their rooms was the size of an average living room in the U.S.

For the safety of the children, we were not allowed to take their photos during our visit. But the images of those children, so badly in need of love and affection that many of them would grab us, begging to be hugged, sometimes physically placing our arms around them, will not leave our minds nor our hearts. A reminder of what true need is, a reminder of the determination of the human spirit, and a reminder that if we are to be the hands and feet of Christ, we have some work to do.

February 3, 2012

After recovering from The Great Flood Bus Adventure, we gathered ourselves together, packed up our bags, and headed for Punta Gorda, on the southeastern coast of Belize. The plan was to spend the day in Punta Gorda and then catch a flight to San Pedro Town, the location of Holy Cross Anglican School. Saint Anne's has been working in partnership with Holy Cross for approximately 5 years now, and we were all excited for the opportunity to visit old friends at the school, to meet the new director, and to see the improvements made since we were last there in 2010.


It was Market Day in Punta Gorda - a weekly event where farmers and fishermen and people selling goods of all sorts set up stands on Punta Gorda's sea-front "main drag". There is a lot of energy in town on Market Day and it was a lot of fun to be there to experience the sights, smells, and sounds.








Punta Gorda brought some unwanted excitement when a member of our group had a little accident. Thanks to a loving and generous extended community of friends and some emergency care, the situation ended as well as it could, all things considered. A reminder for all of us that nothing in life is certain and that caring for each other is what we are here to do.




Off to San Pedro!

February 2nd - continued!

Now, where were we? Oh yes, the river was rising and the bridge was washed out...

Our options were limited. The initial attempt to get the bus across the creek before the water rose had not been accomplished and we were told it would be hours before the waters would recede. It appeared we would be staying the night at Tumul K'in - likely in the student dorms - a daunting possibility. It would be cold and dark and wet. Bathroom facilities were minimal. Food was likely also to be scarce.

Esther Sanchez Sho the Managing Director of Tumul K'in was our angel, that day. Though her husband and children had crossed the bridge before it went out, Esther did not cross with them. "I am not going to leave you", she said, and she waited with us, helping us to figure out our next course of action. And it was Esther who offered there was one other possibility for getting out of Tumul K'in that day - another path back to Punta Gorda over very bad roads that could also be flooded. It was a chance we decided to take. One of our group would need to drive the bus and Esther would ride with us. Fearless Doug Rude accepted the assignment of driver. Once behind the wheel Doug discovered that we had only 1/4 tank of gas to last the 3-4 hour trip home. Off we went.


It was, indeed, a long and difficult drive. The dirt roads were full of water and deep puddles that were tough to navigate. We had to cross several bridges that were so narrow, they had us just hoping we would make it across. There were several times we came across other vehicles in areas of the road that were so narrow and muddy it seemed there would be no way for two to pass. But, somehow, it all worked out. With Doug Rude behind the wheel, none of us were really that worried...well, ok, maybe we were that worried. But there were some positives too. We were able to pass through new villages, waving to all of the children who would come to the doors of their thatched-roof houses when they heard our bus coming down the road.


We picked up some young teachers who lived in an outer village but needed a ride into town in order to get to work. We sang songs to pass the time, and to keep our minds off of our hungry tummies. And nearly 4 hours after the river washed out the bridge, the bus running on fumes, we finally made it out of the jungle and back to town. A true Belizean adventure.

Thank you, Esther!!

p.s. It did not escape us that this was Groundhog's Day...

February 2, 2012

The internet at Tumul K'in yesterday was spotty and slow and it was difficult to update the blog. But we are in Punta Gorda today, a larger city in southeastern coast of Belize. Not only is there internet, but there is wifi. We are spoiled today!

Yesterday was our final day at Tumul K'in. We woke up full of plans. We had things! to! do! We had tasks! to! accomplish! We are trying to open ourselves to Belizean culture and the Belizean concept of time (things will get done when they get done and there is no need to create stress where none needs to exist) but clearly we are still Americans, and we did not want to leave without being able to check certain things off of our various lists.

Not only did it rain all day, but it poured rain all day. All day. And because it had also rained all week, things at Tumul K'in were extremely muddy and working conditions were difficult. So we adjusted our expectations and got to work, doing what we could. Amazingly, it "all" got done. Funny what happens, when expectations are adjusted.

Belize has many lessons to teach.




















Yesterday afternoon, a few of us went to Blue Creek Village school, which is a primary school that serves approximately 90 children from Blue Creek Village.



We shared letters that were written to them by the students at Somerset Elementary School in Minnesota. The letters contained information about themselves and questions about the students in Belize. The children at Blue Creek were very interested and spent time writing letters back to the students in Minnesota.




We conducted our now familiar video interviews with the students and staff at Blue Creek and, once again, were amazed at the joy of the students and the passion of the teachers.









Much of Blue Creek Village school then gathered into one classroom to watch the Somerset video we brought to share with them. Very exciting!

Just as our work was finishing, a bell was rung at the school and the children quickly packed their bags and ran out of the school...literally ran! The full day of rain had caused Blue Creek to suddenly rise up over the bridge, making it impossible cross. The children were running to get home before they became stranded at the school. Most did, but some were left behind, separated from their families. And our team...well, we, too, were on the wrong side of Blue Creek...










To be continued...

February 1, 2012

Greetings from the still-rainy rainforest!

Today is our 3rd day at Tumul K'in school and there is a lot going on.




Tumul K'in is a residential school where the students live at the school for 10 days and then go home for 5, repeating that cycle many times over. Today is Day 10 of a school session and it is Going Home day for the students. They were all very excited to go home for a few days of rest and family time. Some of the children live relatively close to the school, but for others, the trip home every 10 days means hours on a bus, or maybe several buses, traveling on their own without adult supervision, and then traveling back 5 days later. But all agree that the education offered at Tumul K'in outweighs the difficulties. The kids at Tumul K'in love their school.

Before the students left, we had a Cultural Exchange program with them. They offered to us traditional music and dance demonstrations, and lessons on traditional Maya tools, clothing, and household items, which are still very commonly used today. It was wonderful. The pride these students have in their Maya culture is evident and beautiful to see.


For our part, we Minnesotans also presented a bit about ourselves to the students. We showed them our video from Somerset school, and talked to them a bit about school in Minnesota. We told them about our careers, our interests, and we talked to them about something very exotic to them....snow! We shared gifts of a Minnesota flag, a book containing beautiful photographs of "up North" Minnesota - explaining to them what "up North" means to us in the Twin Cities, and that Minnesota itself is a Northern state, then realizing that in Belize, ALL of the United States is "up North".

We brought some chocolates made to look like pebbles from a Minnesota lake or stream, and some "Snow To Go" - a white powder that when mixed up with water turns into "snow" - or something that resembles snow, but for being warm and dry! The gifts were all a huge hit. The children poured over the picture book, asking a lot of questions about Minnesota wildlife and the Minnesota landscape, they loved the chocolate, and it only took about 3 minutes for the boys to start throwing the "snow" at each other.

Children aren't very different, from place to place, after all.



Work at the radio station continues this afternoon. Mixing and pouring concrete in the rain is an interesting process (to say the least). We are very excited to share with you all of the progress being made. We have continued to paint signs and do small repairs as needed.






Sandy and Nancy are conducting a teachers' training session tomorrow morning.


Jeff is conducting a financial organization meeting as we speak.






A group is helping Tumul K'in to develop a gift shop to sell the honey and jam that is harvested and packaged here as part of the students' agricultural studies.


There is good work to do, good work being done. There is much gratitude on all sides, for this very special partnership.

Our old friend Jerry Enriquez met up with us at Tumul K'in today. After our work day was complete, we went with Jerry to the nearby town of San Antonio. Jerry's grandparents founded and ran the first school in San Antonio - a school that still exists today. Jerry had some amazing stories to tell.

Day 2

Hello from the rainy jungle! This is not actually Day 2, but it is Day 2 of our work at Tumul K'in.



We have had gentle rain on and off all day. Taking an outdoor shower while it is raining outside, is a new experience to add to the list now. The plants and birds definitely love this weather. The jungle is as green as can be and the birds are singing back and forth to each other quite loudly. Life in southern Belize is full of adventure.




Our very own St. Anne's Journalism Team spent time today conducting interviews with students and teachers at Tumul K'in as a continuation of the video project we began at Somerset School. It was a wonderful experience. The students at Tumul K'in are clearly passionate about studying their Maya culture and traditions. They are equally passionate about their future, as Maya people in the 21st century. The teachers and leaders at Tumul K'in have true vision, and hold every hope for Tumul K'in students. It is very exciting to watch this project come together!



Our work on the radio station is progressing very quickly. Yesterday was a wonderful example of a cultural exchange in terms of getting the job done. The task was daunting: how to get a cement mixer up a very steeply graded 1/4 mile gravel and sand road without a truck to pull it. While we stood around talking about the possibilities, a group of teenaged boys, students at Tumul K'in, placed large tree branches under the mixer so the branch stuck out on either side, and then lifted the branches to their shoulders and hauled the mixer up the road themselves. A group of our men joined them for the last 10 yards, just to say they had done it. :)

The rest of the afternoon was spent mixing cement and pouring footings for the base of the radio tower. One wheelbarrel of cement at a time, but put a group of St. Annians and a group of Tumul K'in leaders, students, and teachers together and anything is possible! It is so exciting to watch this project come together.










Meanwhile, back at the ranch, (or down in the open-air dining hall and meeting center), another group of us worked with the director of Tumul K'in on a public relations and communication project for the school. We cut and painted large wooden arrows naming different school buildings and areas, which will be staked on a wooden sign post at the school entrance. The signs read "Office", "Girl's Dorm", "Boy's Dorm", "Library", "Radio Station", etc. They are painted in traditional Maya colors - red, green, yellow, and black - and they add a lot to the school entrance.

We also made a sign that reads "St. Anne's, Minnesota" and points....north. :)
















It is difficult to convey in writing the experience of being here. It is difficult to convey the true need here. Difficult to convey how good it feels to give and to receive, here. Difficult to convey the gratitude that we feel from our friends in Belize, and the gratitude we feel toward our friends in Belize, for the true relationships that are continuing to develop and grow. We will post photos when we can, and of course will share stories (maybe more than you want to hear!) when we return. For now, we can only say that we live in a beautiful world, and it is an honor to be able to be a bridge between our corner of Minnesota and this corner of Belize - two particularly beautiful parts of it.

With love from southern Belize.

p.s. We are covered with bug bites!!