Tom and I were able to enjoy our first large celebration here in Belmopan.  The crowd was huge, the music was lively, and the food was tasty.   

Pastor Joe and his family were there and as we were walking over to the field, about a five minute walk from our house, he called out to Tom with a smile.  Later, as we were walking around looking at all of the booths with food and crafts I heard someone call my name,  It was a little girl named Alina.  It felt so good to be recognized by people already in such a large crowd.  

I found an article on line about the celebration from Caribbean News Now!

BELMOPAN, Belize -- It is said that it was the largest crowd ever seen in Belmopan, Belize's capital, as no less than 8,000 people packed the Governor General’s playing field on Sunday evening to witness colourful cultural presentations from Belize, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Cuba also had an entertaining presentation.

The large crowd was mainly nationals from the six Central American countries and Mexico who now live in Belize.

The occasion marked the 200th independence anniversary of Mexico and the 100th anniversary of its revolution, as well as the 189th independence of the five Spanish speaking Central American countries.

Belize will celebrate its 29th independence anniversary from Britain on September 21.

The ambassadors of all the Central American countries were present and addressed the gathering in their native language -- Spanish. Belize Governor General, Sir Colville Young, was also present, but did not address the crowd, however Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Wilfred Elrington spoke on behalf of the Belize government.

He said, "This event provides a wonderful opportunity to bring everyone who now calls Belize their home closer together, thereby furthering the fusion of our people into the Belizean identity."

He added, "I see before me people of all colours and ethnic backgrounds, young and not so young alike, celebrating in harmony."

The crowd thoroughly enjoyed themselves and waved their national flags in appreciation, as their countrymen and women entertained the gathering with their rich cultural presentations.

It is understood that no less than 250 artistes came from Mexico and the six Central American countries for Sunday night's presentation.

Among the presentations were: The Belize Dance Company, The Traditional Ballet of Merida Mexico, the Wajshaquib Batz (which means Eight Threads or Eight Monkeys) of Guatemala, the Choreographic Group of El Salvador, and the Banda Cubana Group.

The evening's programme culminated with fireworks.

Pastor Joe's Birthday

Between all of the stops to pick everyone up for church who needed a ride (including Tom and I) Carla picked up a cake to celebrate Pastor Joe's 50th!

 The girls made sure everyone got something to drink and a piece of cake.

 Saskia with a bit of frosting on her fingers...

take time to smell the flowers...

First Sunday

The worship was great and we enjoyed getting to meet everyone.  It is going to take a while to put all the names with the faces but we are ready and willing to be a part of this church family!

time to unpack

Our street is named after a Mayan city... you can read about it here: http://www.southernbelize.com/lubaantun.html

We have two suitcases, a duffle bag and two back packs...

just taking a break after all of the running around we have been doing trying to get settled in here.

Time to fill up the closets and drawers in our bedroom!


We are so grateful to have a place to call home.  And we have two empty bedrooms ready and waiting for guests!!!

We have a house!

We chose this three bedroom, 2 bathroom house!  The owner, pictured, came down on her asking price by $200 a month just so that we could afford the rent.  God is so good!

Partial view of the front room... the livingroom/dining area/kitchen is one big open space.

View of the other side of the room.

kitchen area.. we have to get a stove and a fridge.



We  move in today and I will get more photos up when I can.  We won't have internet at the house for a while.  This is a three day holiday weekend here so not much will happen until Monday.  It is simply amazing how much we have accomplished this week.  We got here on Monday and already we have a place to truly call home.  And we are both excited that this morning will be the last one that we get dressed out of our suitcases!!

House hunting

This one was the first one we saw yesterday and I compared all of the others to it.  Originally we were told that the price would only be $400 a month.  However, because they are putting in a fence the price has now gone up to $500!

We will visit this house tomorrow. It is located not far from the University of Belize.  We are not yet sure if this is an asset or a liability!

This property is located about a 10 minute drive from the Belmopan in a village called Tea Kettle.  This is the veranda area where the caretakers of this 2 1/2 acre compound are living.  There is also a one bedroom house and a cement slab that could serve as the foundation for another home to be built on.

Here is a 3 bedroom 2bathroom house that is of interest to us as well. It has high ceilings which gives an open feel. It is also conveniently located in the city of Belmopan and in our price range. There is not as much property but is much closer to the church than the other two houses.

thought for today

There is nothing more refreshing than a tall glass of ice cold watermelon juice on a hot day!!

Looks like we made it!

We have been living out of suitcases and boxes since late February.  It is wonderful to arrive here in Belize and feel as if we have finally come home.

Our cab driver from the airport was very kind.  He chatted with Tom on the hour long drive from Belize city to Belmopan.  After he and Tom agreed on a price for the ride we went to the gas station for him to get enough for the trip before getting on the road!

We were going so fast all I could manage to snap were blurry photos of all the trees along the way.  The countryside is very green with small simple homes made of wood or cement, businesses and tourist attractions dotting the highway.

Tom got us checked in at the Bull Frog Inn and were pleased to find our room modest but comfortable, equipped with amenities we could appreciate namely air conditioning, WiFi and a clean bathroom!!

leaving for Belize

We leave today for Belize... I don't know how long it will be until we have internet access and I can start posting photos for you but as soon as I am able I will!!


Thanks so much to everyone who has hosted us and prayed for us and supported us throughout this journey.  We are truly grateful for each of you!

thought for today

Some folks are wise and some are otherwise. ~Tobias Smollett

where are our boxes?

just got a message from a friend.  The guy that was supposed to send out our boxes from Moscow to the US has been in the hospital for the past two weeks.  He was recently diagnosed with diabetes.  We have been told that our things should get shipped out on the 1st of September.  We'll see! 

Keep us in your prayers. 

made it to North Carolina

The next time we get on a plane, September 6th, we will be on our way to Belize!!  Counting down the days!!

thought for today

When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.” ~ W. Clement Stone

puppies!!

Sharon's dog Diamond Girl had her litter last night... 9 pups!  And they are soooo cute!

check them out here: http://www.rosehavengoldens.com/pics

Durango, Colorado

We are enjoying some down time here in CO.  We are staying in the home of a gal who was also a missionary in Russia for several years.  Her home is peaceful, yet filled with life. 

She has four golden retrievers and two cats.  We are enjoying being able to be loved on and give love to the dogs.  It has been three years since our family had a dog.  This dog therapy is well timed.  Next week we will begin our debriefing week at Missionary Training International.

On one hand I am excited about seeing some team mates of ours who will be there at the same time.  On the other hand I am dreading all of the emotions that are waiting to burst out of me from our five years in Russia.  I don't know how much is there... but I do know that I will be in a safe place to let it all out.

For now... I will just go back to petting Max.

thought for today

Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wind Farms in Western Kansas

As we were driving to Hays, Kansas on Friday we saw these wind farms on the way. How exciting to see this type of energy being tapped in to out in Western Kansas!

thought for today

People love to talk but hate to listen. Listening is not merely not talking, though even that is beyond most of our powers; it means taking a vigorous, human interest in what is being told us. You can listen like a blank wall or like a splendid auditorium where every sound comes back fuller and richer.

- Alice Duer Miller

customs...

We just heard news yesterday that our belongings have finally been released from customs in Moscow and should be getting shipped out to us soon.  It will be interesting to see what is in our boxes and what may have gotten "lost" in the process.

thought for today

A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.
Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh