Belize 2012

Belize was absolutely amazing! I cannot even begin to describe the fulfillment and wonderfulness that I came home with.  We worked four out of the seven days while we were there.  The ladies painted and stained while the men built a 40' x 22' pergola.  It was ginormous! The built this thing in 4 days!  This was part of the start of it! 

They guys worked so hard! You can see the parsonage off to the right.  The preschool is off to the left with the red roof.  The people in Belize are wonderfully kind and humble.  They are so appreciative of what they have and never complain.  It makes you realize what you have and how we take it for granted.  We had one day off in the middle of the week to do something fun! The group split into two groups.  One group went to the Mayan ruins and Kayaking (which we did) and the other we to the coast and went snorkeling/scuba diving.

Here are part of the ruins.  They were amazing.  They were very large and we were able to walk all the way to the top of them.  It was terrifying and freeing all at the same time. We weren't able to take any pictures of the Kayaking part of it due to our cameras would have drown.  It was challenging and scary because we were in class 2 rapids.  I pretty much ate it on every single rapid, all but 2 or 3.  Justin did really well, but had a pretty bad crash on the last rapid that had a 3 foot drop.  He almost had to get rescued, but everything turned out okay.

Here is the finished product! The second team week 2, built the support beams on top of the building as well as the lunch tables that are underneath of the pergola.  It is amazing.  There is lighting for night time events and everything! Another project was the pastor's bathroom was finally finished! no more wobbly bath tub to take showers in.  So much great work happened.

Here is a picture that was taken by our fellow team member, Sid.  It looks like it was taken from the air plane......this is what heaven looks like.  its just the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

We want to go back next year.  We want to see what God will do and continue to do in Cotton tree, Belize.  Wee miss the people and the relationships we formed with the people there deeply.  We continue to pray for them and pray that God will richly bless their homes and bring more people to Him.

To God be the Glory.

Belize

As many of you know, me and the hubs are heading out on a Mission's Trip on the 11th of February! We are so very excited and cannot wait to share this experience together.  I have to say though, my heart is a little heavy going into it.  I know we are not going into the most impoverishment part of Africa or India, but I think I'm still not prepared for what I will experience there.  Knowing the fact that I have never been anywhere besides Canada and Ensenada, Mexico (Honeymoon).   My mom went on this exact trip last year, and I know she came back a different person from it.  I'm just not prepared for poverty and the bad things that come along with that.  I'm actually not sure what to expect.  Despite everything, I know i have a soft heart and a tendency to get emotional over the smallest stuff.

I guess my prayer is that God will use me somehow while we are there.  I think it's safe to say that I need to be stretched in my faith and I really need to be jarred back to God.  Lately I have felt so distant from Him and that is my own fault.  God is always there.  He never leaves US.  Me not feeling connected with Him, lacks alot of things that I have always struggled with in my walk with my Father.   I feel that way about my relationships as well.  I fall short when it comes to being a good friend, wife, daughter.  I'm not sure what it is that holds me back and makes me bottle up.   I definitely have hobbit tenancies.   If that makes any sense.

This is what I think of when I think Jungle...

..But, I'm pretty sure that will be much different! I will post pictures when we get back of what we saw!

We are also going here, On our day of excursions!

Yup, we get to go see Mayan ruins. I am actually stoked about that part! And then we will kayak down a river! How cool! I just hope i'm in good enough shape for this! ugh! slacking......

I know this will be an amazing experience that will fly by too fast.  Being out of the country alone, makes me nervous.  But, I know this is where God wants me.  I want Him to guide my life, not me guiding my life.   It's hard getting caught up in the day to day monotonousness mess of life.  It becomes this pattern that you can't break free from.  I pray that I spend more time with Him, and more time reading His word.