Thursday down in Belize at Holy Cross Anglican School

 

On Thursday, Holy Cross Anglican School's students had the day off, because we were teaching their teachers how to make better use of their library.

Meanwhile the rest of the group kept themselves busy by....

 

Liz, Paloma, Mac, Julia, and Babs worked with the Sewing Sisters.

  

The guys dug posts to make palapa (which is a thatched covered shelter)...or they continued to build shutters for the school.

Mission Trip to Belize: Random notes up to Wed.

Random Notes From Belize

Monday: We had a great first day at Holy Cross Anglican School. Everyone was assigned to a specialized task, even Bill Orr, whose specialty is pushing a wheelbarrow along with Bill O'Connor. Mike&Mike rebelled and are now building a thatched palapa (like a pergola). (p.s. Mike, it's not a palanca). They are also repairing shutters.

Liz and Paloma worked with the sewing center ladies. Julia taught religion classes and explained deep mysteries of faith (Did Jesus own an Easter bunny?). Babette observed classes and consulted with classroom teachers about classroom management  strategies.. Linda and I worked in the library, and Mackenzie tutored.

Tuesday: Linda, Julia and I observed a library class and helped the students find info about Ghana. Our workshop on Thursday will help the teachers to make better use of the library. Today the construction guys were hauling sand. Bill Orr suggested an easier way, and Mr. Freddy (construction supervisor) said, "We do it the Mayan 2013 way."  Our other team members did everything from tutoring to sewing, counseling, and injecting knees (Dr. Dave from Christ and St. Luke).

Wednesday: We led 3 (lower, middle, and upper school) chapel services at the school today. Earlier this week Rev. Julia went to all the classrooms and taught a class on Lent. In chapel, Julia reinforced that Lent is a time to give up bad behavior or take on good behavior to improve your relationship with God and your neighbor. We used the Holy Cross Anglican School chapel program, which is similar to our Morning Prayer. Mike Emry and the mission team added a joyful noise.

We've all experienced challenges and rewards as we work with the teachers and children. We'll have many personal tales to tell when we return. The only challenge that we haven't been able to meet so far is finding the altar hanging. There are hardly any women selling their products on the beach. But we haven't given up yet! Liz and Paloma have some leads and aren't giving up.

Wednesday evening we held Holy Eucharist at our hotel. Damaris, our Cursillo group's scholarship girl, and her mom attended. Gail, a visiting Presbyterian pastor assisted Julia. It was a beautiful, simple service that really brought us together in community.

Diann and Julia

1st Full Day Down in Belize

The Emmanuel Mission Group has made it safely down to Belize.

Unpacking the donations to the school at Holy Cross Anglican School

Lent: On Giving Up and Taking On

Good for your Soul: Giving up and taking On

Give up complaining—focus on gratitude

Give up pessimism—become an optimist

Give up harsh judgments—think kindly thoughts

Give up pride—work toward humility

Give up worry—trust in Divine Providence

Give up discouragement—be full of hope

Give up bitterness—turn to forgiveness

Give up hatred—return goodness for evil

Give up negativism—be positive

Give up anger—be more patient

Give up pettiness—become mature

Give up gloom—enjoy the beauty that is around you

Give up gossiping—control your tongue

Give up jealousy—celebrate the gifts and successes of others

Give up giving up—hang in there

Give up sin—turn to virtue.

Emmanuel's Mission Trip returning to Belize

Emmanuel's Belize Mission Trip will return to Belize on Feb 17-24th. We will post some information/thoughts/pictures while we are down there on this blog. So be sure to check out this sight.
And while we are down there, we ask that you please keep us in prayer while we are down there!