Day 7 - Thursday (Feb. 16) - Departure

For most of the team, it is our last day here. Some of the group already returned to the States, others already left for San Pedro Island, some will leave for San Pedro later today. But the majority of us are leaving today for the USA. We leave behind good memories, new friends, and the continuous music of Carrie Underwood & Adele at Tony's bar. It is amazing how many wonderful friendships were formed, how many new skills were developed, how many fears overcome, and how much fun was had with dancing, learning & playing new games and laughing together. Many have already expressed their interest in returning next year. Many have talked about plans on how they can help the Belize mission and the people here. I think everyone would say it was a wonderful experience where we gained as much, if not more, than we gave.

As we look back on the week, it is wonderful to see all that the Lord has accomplished through us.

And now it is time to pass the torch to the next church that is coming in to server the people of Belize.

Day 6 - Wednesday (Feb. 15) - Fun Day

Well… you guessed it… it was another gorgeous morning in Belize: beautiful sunrise, cool breeze, sunshine and warmth. Everyone got up just a little bit later than usual. And then we prepared for our "fun day". One group went to San Pedro Island, one group went on a river boat cruise/Mayan ruins trip, another group went on a cave tubing/zip line tour, and the final group went on a sugar cane factory tour.

The San Pedro Island group enjoyed a variety of activities including: shopping, sunning on the beach, snorkeling, snuba diving, and scuba diving. They had great food at a local restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed relaxing.

The river boat cruise/Mayan ruins group started out on the boat, enjoying the sun and river sites. We saw a variety of birds (including a flock of green parrots), symbiotic and parasitic plants growing out of plants (including devil's guts or snake plant), and a crocodile. After landing, our guide took us through several Mayan ruins including the Mask Temple, the Jaguar Temple, the Ball Court, Royal Quarters, and the High Temple. The High Temple was especially impressive as it is one of the tallest Mayan structures, especially for as early as it was built (around 100 BC). In fact, it could sort of be called one of the first skyscrapers as you can see far above the jungle canopy.

The cave tubing/zip line tour had an incredible time. Getting started proved to be enormously fun as one of the group members ended up accidentally pulling in the tour guide into the river. (He was helping her get into her tube and she kind of forgot to let go of him.) They floated in and out of caves, seeing many different (and unique) stalactite and stalagmite formations. After drying off, they traveled to the zip line adventure. After taking a trial run, they began zipping through the forest holding on by a wire. One of the crew was able to demonstrate great courage. Sharon was uncomfortable with heights and did not really want to do the zip line. However, she was able to overcome her fear. What an appropriate metaphor for the week.

A couple of the group went on a sugar cane factory tour. This was the first time we were able to do this. They donned hard hats and began the tour. They learned how efficient the factory is, literally every part of the cane is used, even the leftover waste is transformed into fertilizer for the fields.

Afterwards, all of the teams returned to Tony's for a hot meal and the final slide show. I have had a lot of fun gathering all of the pictures together and creating slide shows each night. In fact, that is what I post for each day's slideshow on the blog. I hope all of you have enjoyed it as well.

Day 5 - Tuesday (Feb. 14) - Surgical Team

The surgical team had fewer cases today but they also had two fewer operating rooms. The hospital was only able to provide two OR rooms. As a result, they were able to let a few of their team members join the Village Medical Clinic.

There were a total of 9 cases treated today that included: tattoo removal, bullet removal, jaw repair, tubes for ears, tonsillectomies, cleft palate repairs, fixing noses so that people can breath, removal of skin lesion and repairing a hole that formed from the nose to the palate. A more unusual case was excising an infection from a girl's thumb whose brother had bitten her. I'm sure there is an interesting story there along with some words for a sister to her brother.

Day 5 - Tuesday (Feb. 14) – Construction UPDATE

The construction crew had a phenomenal week. With such a large, experienced crew they were able to do far more than was initially planned. By the end of the week they had completed the following projects in San Victor:

1. Finished house #1 (windows, doors, and walls) for the Oba family of 4 (they were able to move out of a small hut with 12 people)


2. Finished house #2 (windows, doors, walls, stucco, and poured floor) for Awan family of 3 (they were able to move out of a small hut with 10 people)


3. Finished a new kitchen for the school (windows, doors) so that children who live too far away to walk home are able to get a good, healthy meal from village mothers who volunteer to cook. (Next year we plan on adding a second story for the computers the church purchased.)


4. Built a gate on the church to keep the dogs out during services (The doors have to be left open to maintain a breeze in the stifling heat and the dogs were running in and disturbing church activities.)


5. Added a lever handle to Ishmel's front door to make it easier for him


6. Repaired the plumbing at the local medical building


7. Replaced some rotted siding on a house/hut for the school principal


8. Replaced two front doors in the village that were rotten and where water came in during the rain. One of the doors was for Howard Storm's home (which is also used to house people who have no place to stay).


9. Fixed a leak in the school roof where water came in during the rain


10. Painted a church in Orangewalk and repaired leak at the church, as well.


11. Repaired windows and doors at a Pentecostal church in San Victor


12. Re-laid tile in the church and re-grouted the entire floor


13. Distributed 600 pounds of food (some of the recipients were literally starving)


14. Bought new cloths and furniture for a number of the poor families


15. Provided guitar lessons for two boys that wanted to learn


16. Spent endless hours with the many wonderful children of the village

In addition to these projects, a few of the team members purchased (out of their own pockets) materials for a concrete floor for a man whose need was apparent but he did not even ask for assistance.

Day 5 - Tuesday (Feb. 14) – Construction

The construction crew had a phenomenal week. With such a large, experienced crew they were able to do far more than was initially planned. By the end of the week they had built a home for the Oba family. This family of 4 had been living with 12 people in a small wooden hut. They also built a home for the Awan family. This family of 3 had been living with their parents, also a total of 12 people, in a small hut. They built a kitchen for the school so that children who live too far away to walk home can get a good, healthy meal. They replaced the door on Howard Storm's home (which is also used to house people who have no place to stay). They put siding on another man's home. They purchased (out of their own pockets) materials for a concrete floor. And other stuff... that I will tell when I get back to Cincinnati. We are now leaving for the airport and they are yelling at me. So good bye.

Day 5 - Tuesday (Feb. 14) – Village Medical Clinic

The VMC traveled to San Victor today along with the construction crew. A few of the surgical team were able to join us for a field experience. San Victor is the village that Howard Storm introduced us to many years ago and Horizon has been investing in these peoples lives for years. It is exciting to see the fruit of our efforts (through the power of Jesus) impacting their lives. There was a time when this village was considered one of the poorest, most desperate villages in the region. However, through the building of a church, school rooms, homes and now even a school kitchen God has encouraged these people and many have attended high school, college, and even traveled to the USA and Europe. It is especially exciting to meet those who return and are giving back to their village. Howard introduced us to one young man Monday evening after dinner, who attended college and is now a high school teacher and supporting his brothers and sisters to further their education, as well.

The VMC worked hard to transform the church into nursing stations, doctor offices and a pharmacy. We treated 210 people. Over 500 pharmaceutical scripts were filled for antibiotics, blood pressure, diabetes, GI, vitamins, pain killers, and other medicines. The very first person to be helped today was one of the school teachers who was experiencing eye issues. There were many familiar faces for those who have come to this village year after year and we saw many warm hugs and greetings.

The Ear Wash station was very busy and helped over 90 people even though Kim did not feel well and had to leave early.

The eye wear station was swamped with children and everyone had lots of fun. They were able to give away many reading glasses, sunglasses and 24 Spanish Bibles.

Day 5 - Tuesday (Feb. 14)

Happy Valentine's Day! We had one team member score some big points when Bill had a Valentine's Day gift ready to present to Chelsey in the morning at breakfast. I think some of the husbands who have wives on the team might have been scrambling after that.

We had another gorgeous morning (yes, it does seem to be the theme of this week's weather). And we enjoyed eggs, pancakes and bananas for breakfast. Every breakfast has been wonderful here, especially since we can sit out on the porch and relax in the morning sun with a light breeze while we eat. Sure we have long, hard days but what a great way to get started!

After morning devotions the teams left to go to our respective sites: Orange Walk/Northern Regional Hospital for the surgical team and San Victor for both the construction crew and the Village Medical Clinic. Several of the surgical team members were able to join the VMC to get an experience out in the field. Later today, we hope the medical team will be able to join everyone else at San Victor where we will dedicate our newly built homes.