Belizean Blog Pt. 5

Deanna Smith wore several hats on this trip. She was a member of our group, but she also served as a guide and host as well. Deanna actually left the States a couple of days before we did. Being in Belize earlier and possessing a greater knowledge of the culture, Deanna was able to offer a different perspective on the trip than the rest of us:

Tuesday, May 13th

Well, I”m here in Belize! Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport and we bumped up the road for a while. It’s so good to see them and finally catch up on all the stuff that happened at college. I thought we were just going to go home and relax, but my job has already begun. I stopped by Lupe Pena’s house and had a long talk about everything: food, transportation, youth groups, churches, the youth rally, and money. By the time I actually got home I was exhausted from traveling all day and planning stuff. I wrote the Joshua Squad about some of the details, but I’m sure I can share the rest when they get here. I’m a bit overwhelmed with all the things I have to do before they get here, Lord, you have enough strength to help me. Prepare and excite the group’s heart to be here. Soy cansada, voy a dormir ahora!

Wednesday, May 14th

I’m so happy! Thank you, Lord, for the time to be able to help my mom. I got to clean the kitchen while she was away. She was very happy when she got back. After that I marched straight away to organizing a meal plan for the team. My head is spinning from trying to get everything straight. Lupe came by and we set the meal plans, and talked again about costs and such of the Lamanai trip. Later, my dad and I went around the village talking about the trip to the fish farm, food, and transportation. I even got to meet with Magdiel and Vicky about the youth rally and how they want to run rehearsals with the team. It was so good to be with them again. They mentioned that the youth group is really discouraged and have a lack of unity. Father, please use us in some way to be a blessing to them. Work in their and our hearts to be unified. Ahh! They are coming tomorrow. Finally, maybe some of them will understand where I’m coming from.

Thursday, May 15th

I woke up this morning to mom saying, “Sorry, the Joshua Squad isn’t coming today.” I was so disappointed. It didn’t help either that I had gotten only a few hours of sleep from being so excited, oh well! Instead I went grocery shopping with mom for the clinic, Joshua Squad and our family in Corozal. I have never been shopping for so much food in my life or gone to so many stores. Lupe, my mom, and I went to about six or seven schools asking what they would like us to do at the schools. I’m surprised at how many schools want us to teach. Now if only i can make an outline of what they want us to teach. I have redone the schedule four time already. Lord, give me the strength to keep going.

Reactions and Reflections from the Trip

I am very surprised at how this trip has turned out! Belizeans have gone out of their way to say they enjoyed it or want us to come again. Most of the time you can’t even get a reaction out of them. I know God is using us in a special way. I hope we have encouraged these churches, youth groups, schools, and individuals we have worked with. The team is really tired out. I get really irritated when they complain about the hot weather, and all the other things I can’t change. Like the Belizean culture for not planning ahead and trying to be flexible in all situations. I am trying my best to give them as comfortable and profitable time as I can. Lord, give me the patience I need to care for their needs. I really wish I had more time to spend with my youth group and friends. Some of them are struggling and I want to help but I feel so busy taking care of the Joshua Squad, that I don’t have anytime for them.

Now the trip is at an end. I think the Joshua Squad has learned a lot. If only we can apply it to our lives in the States. Part of me doesn’t want to go back to the States. It feels like I’m being thrown back into the sea so uncaring, too busy, people in the States. I don’t have friends in the states like I do here, not even on the Joshua Squad. Father, show me why I must return. There must be some reason. Thank you for at least letting me come back for two weeks. I will serve You wherever you want me to go.

The final will be forthcoming in the next couple of days, as I will post my own comments using my own words on my own site. But, hopefully, I won’t be on ‘my own’, because I’ll be accompanied by you, the reader. Hasta Luego! (as they say in Belize)