I got fifty can I get sixty?

We went to our first auction here in Belize on Saturday.  It was held by the American Embassy.  There were home furnishings, tents, cars, computers and so much more up for grabs.  On several of the bedroom sets the bidding got quite intense. People wait all year for this sale and they came with cash on hand to spend.

We went the day before the auction to scout out the merchandise.  Several things caught our eyes as we wandered around the room.  Our needs were modest.  Tom was looking for an office chair to use in his art room while he paints and I was looking for a recliner to put in our bedroom for me to have my quiet times in.

We saw several lots with office chairs so Tom snapped a photo to remember which lot to bid on.

He also thought file cabinets would be good to have for the right price...

This box of photos was being sold for the frames so that went on our list

I was looking for a recliner for our bedroom

And we were curious about how much the computers would go for...

We got up early the next day and withdrew funds from the bank because it was a cash only sale.  We were surprised by the turnout.  Even with the rain Tom estimated about 400 people were there...some came and went.  Some came just to watch.

If you wanted to bid you had to sign in and pay 10 Belizean dollars for a paddle. 

When you turned the paddle in you got your money back.

The auctioneer was seated at the front of the room...

There were vehicles up for auction parked outside...

We were successful in our bid for the recliner and it is now in the corner of our bedroom! I enjoy reading there and feel even more at home with having a space that is mine.  Tom was not able to get the lot of office chairs.  However, a fellow missionary friend of ours was the top bidder on a different lot and he was willing to sell Tom one of the chairs.  Tom is so pleased.  It is in his art room and is much nicer than the ones he was bidding on!

Each moment yields precious gifts for which we may be grateful...

430. the group of missionaries that we are a part of here in the community.

431. and how those budding friendships led to Tom's new office chair.

432. a cozy space to read and meditate.

433. Butterfinger Cookie Pie

434. memories of past Christmas trees

Christmas 2009 in Russia

435.  finding old Christmas photos of the whole family

Christmas 1999 in Costa Mesa, California

Christmas 2005 Krasnodar, Russia

436.  finding the courage to speak out on an issue dear to my heart. 

437.  hearing that the decision by a Kentucky church to ban interracial couples was overturned!

438.  Tom and Spencer and their willingness to try new recipes.

439.  Christmas display on the lawn at the Mexican Embassy.

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behind the scenes...

On the Divaz set

 Jadine, Shasta, Andrea and Tom waiting for the show to start.

in the control room

school children on a tour of the station

Here are just a few of the photos I took a few weeks back when Tom appeared with Jadine on the talk show Divaz Next Door. CDF had been asked to come and talk about child abuse in light of several stories that had been in the news.  Tom and Jadine did the initial interview then Jadine and I did a follow up show a week later.

PlusTV is a Christian owned and operated station right here in Belmopan.  They have a variety of shows to offer to the community.  Everyone we met there is passionate about what they do and work hard on their programming. They are not afraid to tell a news story through a godly worldview.  PlusTV is not trying to be politically correct...just trying to do what they believe God wants them to do.

shocked, outraged and bitterly disappointed...

Stella Harville and her fiance', Ticha Chiuni, Nov 2010

Not long after Stella played the piano while Ticha sang 'I Surrender All'  a small church in Kentucky has voted to ban interracial couples from membership.

The statement said all people are welcome to attend the church, but that the congregation would not receive interracial couples as members, "nor will they be used in worship services" and other church functions, according to a copy supplied to the Herald-Leader by a church member.

 Seriously?!  This is 2011 for goodness sake.

 How is it possible for Christians to act this way?  

Stella's father had this to say about the decision of the church:

"It sure ain't Christian it ain't nothing but the old devil working"

Tom and I married on December 13, 1981.  

We faced this type of opposition back then.  Twenty nine years ago we went shopping at a mall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  A young blonde salesgirl asked Tom if she could help him with a pair of shoes.  After getting him settled she asked if she could help me as I wandered around looking for another pair for Tom to try on.  When I said "that's okay... we're together" she went into the stockroom and didn't come back out.   We were refused service at a restaurant in Missouri.  In Kansas, back in 1985, when our first child was stillborn someone asked our pastor if it was because we were being punished by God for being a biracial couple.  We moved to California in 1988 and left all of that behind.  There we found more couples like us and our children grew up feeling they were part of a normal typical family.

Spencer and Nathan

When our oldest, on the right, was asked at age 5 by a neighborhood kid why his mom was black he quickly answered "because God made her that way!"

I am shocked by this church's stance.  Outraged.  Bitterly disappointed.  Maybe these people have not read their Bibles.  Maybe they don't know that Moses was married to a Cushite (Ethiopian)?  Surely their Bibles include the book of Numbers.  Maybe they just haven't read chapter twelve?

My prayer is that Stella and Ticha can find a more loving congregation to be a part of.  I pray that they know that not all Christians think this way.  I pray that they will have a long and loving relationship and that this bigotry does not stand in the way of that.  And I pray that when they are counting down the days until their 30th anniversary this will be just a dim memory.

-------------------------

Update:  Pike church Reverses Ban

thought for today...

The unity of Spirit at this conference was sweet!

  May we experience unity in our homes and places of worship at all times.

joy, peace and blessings,

Alida

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tasty tuesday

It is getting cooler here...not cold but a little chilly.  Our fans are turned off and we are actually sleeping under a blanket.  I could be making soup but am thinking of one of these meals instead...

Keeping it simple sounds good to me.

Black Bean and Corn Topped Potatoes

Pizza Puffs

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Click on the link under each photo for the recipe.

What's cooking at your house?

Monday morning...and 1000 gifts

It is a dreary rainy Monday morning here in Belize.  But, even so we have much to be grateful today.  

On Wednesday:

The memory card on my camera is faulty so I had to use Tom's cell phone to take these pictures.  He is seated next to Rev Canon Flowers, the head of the Council of Churches, and to the far left is Rev Crawford, the head of the Evangelical Association.  They were speaking at another Family Focus Forum this one was held in Belize City at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  

On Friday:

We enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with about 80 people...not all are pictured.  Some are missionaries, some are locals, some are Americans who have retired here in Belize and a few who work at the American Embassy.  It was an evening of great food, great fellowship and great fun!

On Sunday:

We attended a Harvest celebration at Bethel Disciples Church.  It is a multi-ethnic church and I think every ethnic group found here in Belize was represented.  For those Chinese speakers in the audience there was translation provided.  I kept trying to understand the translation and had to remind myself several times that she was speaking Chinese and not Russian!

as I reflect this morning on all that last week held I am grateful for:

415.  health
416.  meeting new people
417.  visiting a new church
418.  trying new foods....there were a few dishes at both celebrations that were new to me!
419.  traditional Thanksgiving food.  Both Tom and I were grateful for dishes that reminded us of our childhood Thanksgivings.  A taste of home away from home.
420.  the opportunity to be involved in the community and the people we have worked with along the way.
421.  those who support us in prayer and with finances...we could not do anything without them!
422.  the pain and joys that the past year here in Belize have brought us.
423.  the counseling clients who trust us.
424.  the people who refer us to those in need.
425.  our dvd player that allows us to watch Christmas movies.
426.  experiencing a slice of heaven with seeing so many different people groups worshiping together.
427.  Chinese print on worship slides along with the English words
428.  children of all shapes, sizes, and colors running around playing together before and after the service.
429.  noticing that siblings treat each other the same no matter what ethnic group they belong to!

Each  moment, each breath, each daily event, be it large or small, 
 yields precious gifts for which we can give thanks.  
May we remember thanksgiving as an action...
and not just as a noun.


joy & blessings,
Alida

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Thanksgiving in Belize

Yesterday we took the day off from the counseling office and had a quiet day at home.  

We ate at The Wing Stop just like last year.

Spencer and Tom had the Spicy Mango wings and I feasted on Lemon Pepper flavored wings.

We also watched Source Code and Red Riding Hood to keep up our movie watching tradition on holidays.  

Today we are sharing a traditional Thanksgiving meal out at the Baptist Training Center in Camolote with other expats and missionaries in the area.  Since Thanksgiving is not a holiday here in Belize many people had to work yesterday and children had to attend school.  A Friday dinner just seemed to be the best time to get everyone together.

Enjoy your holiday weekend...I know we plan to enjoy ours!!

1 Chronicles 16:34

thought for today...

I am grateful to everyone who takes the time to read this blog. 

 My prayer is that you have a blessed holiday... and may every day be an occasion for giving thanks.

joy & blessings to you,

Alida


linking up with:

Tasty Tuesday

Last night we were discussing what type of salads to make for a Thanksgiving potluck on Friday.

I was thinking of doing something Russian and found a few recipes on line.  This cole slaw sounds yummy. 

 Although I would probably use red cabbage for color.

Creamy Apple Cole Slaw

recipe

Spencer wants a traditional Russian favorite that we had on every holiday...

we may do this one on Thanksgiving day for us.

Olivier Salad

recipe

Tom put in his request for one of his favorites as well....

Crab Salad

recipe

It may come down to what ingredients we find in the market this week.  

Something simple sounds good to me.

Carrot Salad

recipe

It has been at least seven years since our last Thanksgiving in the states.

  So we have gotten away from a traditional menu.  

What about you?  What side dishes are you planning to go with your turkey?

One thousand gifts...

Looking forward to Thanksgiving and continuing to count the gifts from Him...

401. our special day is fast approaching

402.  attending the Legacy Youth Conference with 200 youth...

402.  that He watches over us (Psalm 121)

403.  the opportunity to teach at a Bible study for expat women.

404.  a reliable vehicle allowing to provide transport for others when needed.

405.  encouraging text messages from a friend.

406.  being asked to record a video message for a friend in Russia to celebrate her 50th birthday.

407.  lemon cake.

408.  time to crochet.

409.  seeing the youth so energized at the Legacy Conference.

410.  the spirit of unity among the youth and the leaders.

411.  feeling relaxed and not harried and weary after a long busy weekend.

412.  learning the back way to the YWAM base instead of  leaving the car outside the campus and having to walk across the bridge.

413.  spending time with Andrea, Dion and their kids this weekend and getting to know them better.

414.  a quiet morning in the office before appointments begin in the afternoon.

May we remind ourselves each day that every breath is a gift from God.

 Every bite of food, every friendship, the laughter of our children,

 all of the beauty around us is a treasure entrusted to us by God. 

When we heighten our sensitivity to God’s love and grace,

 which is constantly all around us, touching us,

 we will begin to recognize gift after gift from Him.

~Alida Sharp

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