Headline News in Belize

Check this out:

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=12140

God is good!

Final letter

We have learned a lot during our stay in Belize. We have also been able to serve in many ways. Unfortunately, we have recently decided to leave Belize and go back to Texas. The decision was made for several reasons.
One, the school we were serving in was never prepared to have long-term interns. We were there to not only serve, but also to learn, be advised, and be encouraged by our supervisor. Unfortunately, we were unable to meet with our supervisor but only once a month. During our meetings, little instruction was given to us. Most of our time in Belize, we found our own place in and around the school to serve.
Secondly, living in another country as newlyweds has been very difficult. Our best friends on the island were Jehovah's Witnesses, but we really needed close Christian brothers and sisters beside us. We have definitely grown closer to each other during our time there, but the lack of other friends and outside Christian accountability has been tough.
Finally, we have been running low on funds. Even though we committed to eat Ramen noodles for a month, living in San Pedro has taken a toll on our wallets. And due to some unfortunate circumstances, some of our supporters have not been able to send us the amount of support they previously hoped to give us. And if anything were to happen in the future which would force us to come home early, we would not be able to take classes at Dallas Christian College, in order to be full-time students.
But during our three-month stay, we have been blessed and been a blessing. Many people were sad to see us go. The family in San Mateo who accepted Lindsey as a loved one will miss us. Sonya, the middle-aged, single parent, lunch lady, who we were able to constantly encourage and assist medically will miss us. Mr. Leland, the young lustful, lonely, yet very outgoing teacher, who we befriended and encouraged, will miss us. Rosa, the head cook, whose husband is cheating on her, who treated us like her own children, will miss us very much. The local thugs on the basketball courts will miss that strange white boy who smiled too much and had a good attitude and actually passed the ball to his teammates. Jose and Becky Alfaro, the Jehovah's Witness managers of the Conch Shell Inn, who thought that all Christians are hypocritical and mean and, therefore, wrong about God, but also who couldn't understand our sincerity, kindness, open-mindness, and love, and so desired our friendship. They will also miss us. The missionaries in Belize City whom we connected with will miss us. The hundreds of kids who would call us by name every day at school and all over San Pedro Island will miss us as well.
There is no doubt that we planted seeds all over the island of San Pedro. Many people will remember the love we showed and why we showed it. We will also miss the people, but we know that our time spent there has glorified God.
Before this final newsletter of ours can be complete, there is one more blessing of God to be spoken of. On Sunday morning, September 7th, at 9:20 a.m., on our way back to Belize City, and eventually back to America, our small plane went down. Due to engine failure, our plane was forced to make an emergency crash landing. Fortunately, no one on board died. We had just taken off from one airport in Belize City and were on our way to another. On the way up, about 1500 to 2000 feet in the air, the engine suddenly stopped, most likely over-heating. The pilot tried to land the plane on an abandoned dirt road, but because of the speed of impact, was unable to safely land it. The plane would crash of the side of the road, hitting a tree with its wing, sliding off the beach, before stopping about 20 to 30 feet off the beach in the ocean. It was extremely frightening but, thanks to a great amount of God, the grace of God, and a little bit of water, we are safe. Many witnesses claimed the plane was on fire while it was going down. The pilot claimed he was trying to land on the road. But it was our final destination, the ocean, that put out the fire, and kept us alive. Everyone on the plane appeared to be injured, including one man who was seriously injured, except for the both of us, who were kept free from harm. Because of the incident, we were able to talk about God and His goodness to hundreds of people in one day! Many people came to see us and said, "Thank God you're alive" and "God is good". We were able to share the message that God is good no matter what happened and no matter will happen. On that day, the Lord was greatly praised, and many people though on Him. So thank you all for your prayers, because they were needed. We know we accomplished much while in Belize. We also know that we have changed within ourselves as well. As in any tragedy, one usually develops a better appreciation of life. Well we already appreciated life, but we are definitely more appreciative of God and His willingness to use us in mighty ways for the purpose of bringing glory to His name. All praise and honor unto the Father, unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit. Amen

drive-by update

one week down.
we were given two bikes for free.
Praise God.
we are staying at a pretty good place ...but a little far from the school.
we have been blessed with food (breakfast and lunch on school days), so we will not go hungry.
thank God, also, for pupusas, which are these great little tortilla snacks filled with pork, beans, and cheese, and are only about 1 dollar each.
the week consisted of meeting everyone
and attempting to get to know the people and the place well.
a lot of our time was spent in the kitchen.
It was so tiring, but it was a great chance to get to know the ladies in the cafeteria.
The great thing about this school is that they feed the kids free breakfast, snack, and lunch.
and that means they feed us too! the food is so good... and free!
Thank God.
Friday was a big day because we got to spend most of the day with the kids in their classes. Lindsey was put in charge, for about 2 hours, of a 5 and 6-year-old class along with one other volunteer. This proved to be a little difficult being its the end of the year, the kids are tired, and they don't really know Lindsey yet.
Jonathan was put in charge, for most of the day, of an 8 and 9-year old class all by himself. This actually went very well. It especially went well at the end of the day during P.E. in which we played baseball.
when Saturday came we were relieved and rested.
sunday we headed out to find some chairs on the beach and have a little bible study. And then later in the afternoon we attended the very first ever graduation ceremony of our 8th graders. It was definitely a big deal. And now we're praying that all 22 of the kids are able to go on to get their high school diploma since, statistically, 50% of high school students drop out.
All in all, our week has been good.
One more week in the hotel we're at right now and then we will move into a room somewhere for free for one month, thanks to the missionaries here. Also, thanks to the missionaries' friends, we already have arranged to live in an apartment right on the beach and closer to the school for only $600 a month. So due to the free breakfast and lunch on weekdays, free place to stay in July, and cheap apartment we are staying in after that, we will have just enough money, from what has been donated to us, to survive.
anyways, never stop praying for us, and the people in san pedro. we love you.

jump

Its Almost three in the morning and were still up. Of course, procrastinators at their best. We have just finished packing and are brushing up on the last bits and pieces of things. We leave in a couple of hours for the airport. Our flight is at 9 this morning but we will need to get there like 3 hours earlier. What a pain.

This will be the beginning of a new adventure in our lives. And we are more than excited. And at some moments scared that a lot of unsuspected things will come out of nowhere, and we are not prepared. But then that is when I have to sit back and remember how good, and big our God is. Big enough to handle whatever comes our way. Even though it may come as a surprise to us, it’s not to him. Which is really a comfort to me.

But when I think about this trip I think about the word jump. A lot of this trip was built on the faith that God will pull through. And so, we jumped, into his hands, onto the road he set before us…

We are about to jump into a new way of life or something like that…

Pray for us.

Its always needed.

Your loved.