Well, I really don't remember what happened two weeks ago. Last week I did plan to update but then, life got very busy with the crusade. Still really busy, but I'm going to go ahead and blog. Where to begin. Oh, I remember some things that were two weeks ago. Wow, that's only been two weeks, not even. Well, I've been getting more and more involved with the students. It's really nice and I feel more appreciated and important to them too. I don't remember all details unfortunately, but I will talk about a Thursday. Not last Thursday but the Thursday before that. Oh, I'm remembering more. I'll even go earlier than that. I've been tutoring after school on Mondays and Wednesdays for those who want help in Math. On Tuesdays and Thursdays are sports so it's too late to tutor after that. I've been tutoring and it's nice to be more personable with the students and meet their needs. Like two students in my First Form Math class. They just sit in class and don't do anything. Sometimes they talk. That's pretty much it though, it's really frustrating because they don't even try. They were still around after school so I told them to come in and I started helping them. They were getting excited because it was making sense to them and they found out it isn't too hard. One even said, "This is easy. We just never pay attention." Why!?!?! It felt really good that day letting them know they can do it and it's not too difficult for them. Unfortunately they still don't seem to try. I've helped other students though and they have been improving. Also helping one of those two boys helped him on his test score. The tutoring has been adding to my busy-ness.
Then Thursday, after sports, a student named Judith stayed afterward and was playing with another teacher, Denny Cabanas, and I asked Kelly if he wanted to go play with them and he was down. We got changed and went over and played for a while. It was fun and got some exercise which is always nice. When we were done playing though I went to the staff room because I still had to write a test for the next day and Judith just sat in there and talked with me. I listened too, I wasn't just writing a test. She was sharing a lot and I really think crying out for attention. She plays the tough, cool kid, but she really listens to us teachers and respects us. She told me she started drinking when she was 5 years old. Her dad has always been into drugs and alcohol. Judith has had a tough life. We talked for a long time, well, more she talked and I listened but I did chime in every once and a while. It was really nice. That Sabbath she came to church too. We talked a little after church and I was able to give her a Steps to Christ. I'm not sure if she has finished reading it, but I know she likes to read. She use to read Nancy Drew books in class. She said she was going to go to church this week too, but I was out at another church promoting the school, but I'm sure she'll come again soon.
Last Sunday, before we began our crusade, we had a Health Expo. I helped set that up and then they needed someone to do the exercise portion, and so I was the man for the job. I had to take people's pulse, have them exercise, take their pulse again, have them rest, and take there pulse one more time. Now have about 50 or so people go through and keep track of all of them. It was crazy busy for me and I can't multitask well, I'm a man and all, makes it difficult. After my fun with touching people's wrists, I helped take down the place and move bricks, tables, whatever have you back to there places. I got home, had to bathe and eat, then go right back for the meetings. Ever since then, the crusade has been every night.
This last week was a busy busy week that has been very exhausting. I'll share some positive and encouraging parts though, then I need to get to bed. Earlier this last week, about 5 students came up to me and asked if they could start practicing and have me coach them for basketball for sports day. Now let me explain a little. Here in Belize there is 5 or 6 Adventist Highschools. They all get together in April, and have a sports day and compete against each other. I was a little surprised because it seems really early to me and I have a lot on my plate already, but I told them soon. Maybe next week we can start, after the crusade. They also invited me to play basketball in Belmopan on Sunday because they play there every week. Another encouraging thing is a student in my Homeroom, 3rd Form Class, Daniel, has gone to a couple of the meetings. He has always seemed to follow along in devotions and likes to sing the songs. It's nice knowing that God could be using me to get to him. It's sweet, he came again tonight too.
This weekend quite a bit happened too. We went out and promoted our school. We put on Sabbath School and Church Service for a place not too far away. It went well. Then since the boys invited me to play basketball on Sunday, I asked Denny if I could stay with him in Belmopan and he said sure. We were chilling in the afternoon and had nothing to do, so I asked if he minds going to a little park that I've always seen and haven't been able to go to and he was into it. We went there and I saw a lot of leaf cutting ants. Also got to see a lot of different trees and it was nice to walk out in nature like that. I've missed that for sure. Then in the morning I woke up early to play some ball, then none of the students showed up. I played anyways, I also got to meet the Belmopan pastor. They all said I can play good and invited me to come again. It was fun, I will most definitely play again if I can get a ride there and back. Actually, after I played basketball I hitched hiked back to Valley of Peace. It sounds dangerous, but it's honestly quite safe. I was at the gas station right next to the turn off to go to Valley of Peace and there's nothing else out there so if someone is going down that road, they're more than likely going to go all the way to Valley, so I hopped in the back of a truck with a old man in his 50s-60s, an old lady in here 40s-50s, and a young lady in her early 20s with a little child either 2 or 3 years old. All of us were strangers and it was really neat. I was enjoying it and taking it all in. The wind blowing through my hair, the sun was shining, all the beautiful bush and fields on the way to Valley. I was free and traveling and hitch hiking in Belize! I got back in time to talk to a bunch of my good friends too. It was amazing and really great. Anyways, I should probably get going and sorry everything is in too much detail. I hope you still enjoy it anyways. As I usually say, I'll try and blog more often, we'll see though. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I miss you all and love you.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Another Two Weeks
Alright, I'm sorry I didn't blog last weekend, unfortunately when I had time to use the internet, the internet was not working. But I do indeed plan on talking about what happened two weeks ago. Basically because a lot happened and was more interesting two weeks ago too. I wrote last on a Monday. That Monday I went to Belmopan, like the letter I got told me to, to pick up my work permit. There they told me I had to go to Belize, the letter is wrong. Oh when I say Belize, I mean Belize City, it's what we call it here. The principal and I decide that Monday is the best day let's go to Belize. We get there we show them the letter and the person at the desk gets the paper work out. Then they tell us it will be $1000! I'm a volunteer, that's ridiculous to have to pay $1000 for a permit. We told them that too. Apparently, whoever wrote the letter made a mistake and only wrote on the paper "Teacher" not "Volunteer Teacher" so instead of paying $100, we would now have to pay $1000, or we could go back to Belmopan and get that fixed. Let me say, Belize is about an hour to and hour and a half a way from Belmopan and Valley of Peace is 45 minutes away from Belmopan. We decide to go back to Belmopan and figure it out, because it would be cheaper to renew my visa each month than to pay the $1000 for the permit. We go back and see if they can fix the paper. Apparently they can't just print another paper and it will take a long time. It's frustrating and annoying, but life goes on. It really doesn't matter for me to stay here, it'll just cost a little extra.
Then that next day, someone from the Education Ministry from the government came. Asked each teacher some questions, what students we teached, and what books we used. She used up my lunch time so I had to teach 6 classes straight and be interviewed and have no lunch. Then on Wednesday, we had the Math Olympiad. Kelly and I took about 20 or so students to it, five were participants. Everything was last minute and we didn't get information about it until the week before and grades were do so we didn't prepare at all. This was the school's first time participating in it too. We got some points too! It was great, we beat three other schools. The students were really motivated and excited. They felt good about themselves and about being from Valley of Peace and felt better about our school. That they aren't the worst, they know this stuff and are just as good as the others if not better. It was really nice to see the students motivated and being excited. The ones that participated also got given nice new scientific calculators. The whole event was great and students we'll be more prepared for next year and will do better no doubt.
Then Friday, I went to Belmopan. I was hoping to have a package in the post office, but to my misfortune, there wasn't any. I was a little sad and was walking to the market, then someone asked me if I would like to buy some weed. I told the man no thank you and continued walking, but it made me smile and laugh to myself. He made my day, ha ha! Later that night we had small groups. We were singing in our small group and a drunk guy comes to the door and we invite him in. It was something. He was like a Pentecostal, Catholic, Adventist mix religion. He knew some hymns from the Adventist Hymnal, he was clapping and also doing the Father, Son, Holy Spirit crossing. It was fun. He spoke English so I could talk with him. His name is actually Matteo. He was crying and telling me he doesn't want to drink anymore and some other things. He also at the end said he would come back the next week; unfortunately he didn't show up this week. But it was still a great experience. It made me think of how the Pharisees asked Jesus why does he dine and in the company of the sinners and tax collectors. The healthy don't need the doctor, the sick do! Being in the presence of the drunk man and inviting him in to participate in our small group made me smile. Made me think this is how we should act to everyone, especially those looked down upon.
The Sabbath last week was "Fellowship Day" in Belmopan. The whole country of Adventists went to meet in Belmopan. They had the vice president of the GC there and they treated him like royalty! It was crazy. How they walked him in and how they had a banner that said welcome Lowell Cooper. I believe that's his name. It was something, it was also nice to experience something new.
This past week not much has happened. I have been teaching my classes and more talkative with students. Kelly and I played basketball with some students for a while after school last Thursday. There's also some students that have been wanting to play me one on one. I had time to play and one guy was asking me so I told him alright let's do it. I should have probably made it closer for his self esteem, but also want to show him whose boss and what's up. Long story short, playing by 1 point per basket, 21-5. Also, with some points taken away because of some comments he said and I didn't want him to have any excuses. The next day though he did ask for a rematch, so I'm excited ha ha. I know I shouldn't take this much pleasure in beating highschoolers at basketball, but it's so fun!
Last night we had a night of prayer. It was from 6pm to 12am. There were a lot of talks, and we prayed too. We had it for the up coming crusade. Oh, by the way we're going to have another crusade. It begins the 20th. It's going to be family talks and we'll have a Health Expo too. Anyways, probably the part I enjoyed the most last night was when Mr. Tun, a deacon in the church, came up to me and told me to hang on. Don't look and keep hanging on. It was nice and encouraging. Then he invited me to see his farm. He said he's astonished and truly blessed. Others have been complaining about their crops and his are flourishing. I believe he is truly blessed. He has been doing so much for the church this year and I believe God is blessing him. It reminds me a little bit of Abraham and how no one could claim to have made him rich, only God could because of his blessing. I've been going through Genesis recently too. Well that's what has happened and is going on here in Valley of Peace Belize. Now I am off to bed and starting another week. I miss you all and thank you for reading and your prayers. God bless!
Then that next day, someone from the Education Ministry from the government came. Asked each teacher some questions, what students we teached, and what books we used. She used up my lunch time so I had to teach 6 classes straight and be interviewed and have no lunch. Then on Wednesday, we had the Math Olympiad. Kelly and I took about 20 or so students to it, five were participants. Everything was last minute and we didn't get information about it until the week before and grades were do so we didn't prepare at all. This was the school's first time participating in it too. We got some points too! It was great, we beat three other schools. The students were really motivated and excited. They felt good about themselves and about being from Valley of Peace and felt better about our school. That they aren't the worst, they know this stuff and are just as good as the others if not better. It was really nice to see the students motivated and being excited. The ones that participated also got given nice new scientific calculators. The whole event was great and students we'll be more prepared for next year and will do better no doubt.
Then Friday, I went to Belmopan. I was hoping to have a package in the post office, but to my misfortune, there wasn't any. I was a little sad and was walking to the market, then someone asked me if I would like to buy some weed. I told the man no thank you and continued walking, but it made me smile and laugh to myself. He made my day, ha ha! Later that night we had small groups. We were singing in our small group and a drunk guy comes to the door and we invite him in. It was something. He was like a Pentecostal, Catholic, Adventist mix religion. He knew some hymns from the Adventist Hymnal, he was clapping and also doing the Father, Son, Holy Spirit crossing. It was fun. He spoke English so I could talk with him. His name is actually Matteo. He was crying and telling me he doesn't want to drink anymore and some other things. He also at the end said he would come back the next week; unfortunately he didn't show up this week. But it was still a great experience. It made me think of how the Pharisees asked Jesus why does he dine and in the company of the sinners and tax collectors. The healthy don't need the doctor, the sick do! Being in the presence of the drunk man and inviting him in to participate in our small group made me smile. Made me think this is how we should act to everyone, especially those looked down upon.
The Sabbath last week was "Fellowship Day" in Belmopan. The whole country of Adventists went to meet in Belmopan. They had the vice president of the GC there and they treated him like royalty! It was crazy. How they walked him in and how they had a banner that said welcome Lowell Cooper. I believe that's his name. It was something, it was also nice to experience something new.
This past week not much has happened. I have been teaching my classes and more talkative with students. Kelly and I played basketball with some students for a while after school last Thursday. There's also some students that have been wanting to play me one on one. I had time to play and one guy was asking me so I told him alright let's do it. I should have probably made it closer for his self esteem, but also want to show him whose boss and what's up. Long story short, playing by 1 point per basket, 21-5. Also, with some points taken away because of some comments he said and I didn't want him to have any excuses. The next day though he did ask for a rematch, so I'm excited ha ha. I know I shouldn't take this much pleasure in beating highschoolers at basketball, but it's so fun!
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| Who stands out? My students are actually only on the first two rows. |
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| Four of the participants at their table. |
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| Participants, me, and Kelly getting our rewards. |
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| Behind the school near sunset. |
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| Sabbath evening with the Landeros. |
Monday, January 31, 2011
The New Year.....kinda =P
Alright, it's been waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy too long. I know, I'm sorry and I apologize. Lately blogging has been looked at as such a hassle. The date is a big motivation to me right now. I at least have to blog once every month. Let's see. Where to begin? Well, I went to Italy for break. Danielle and I decided that we should see each other and meet up in Italy. It's somewhat the middle for both of us and Danielle had some family friends there, so we could stay somewhere too. I don't feel like that's quite the missionary experience, but it was wonderful and really needed. Five months is a long time not seeing someone you truly love, but it's better than waiting 10 months! Now, if you want to know more about Italy, you'll have to ask me or Danielle, and I'm sure you can find photos on Facebook, but this blog I want to be more about being in Belize and my mission experience. Therefore, that's more what it is going to be about.
When I got back school was already in session. Because of the hurricanes and days off, they came a half week earlier than originally planned to make up for missed days. I came back and was not in the right mindset at all. It was rough coming back. It was a review week though and it was alright to not be completely back into the swing of things. It was review week because the next week was exam week. I was suppose to write 8, 2 hour long exams that first week. I didn't, I wrote like 1 and a half that week. So during Exam week I was busy writing exams and grading exams. That week there's not much to talk about besides I was a busy beaver pumping out exams and grading them just as fast. I graded all 150 or so exams that week! Then this past week was finishing up getting grades in order and starting the new semester.
I've made some new changes this new semester. I've been wanting to make changes and this is the perfect time too. First of all to help classroom management a little bit, the first class for all my classes was time to talk with the students of how to help our class. New rules, things that can help their learning that I can do, and that they can do, working together to make learning easier, and more fun. Now they're small changes and not too much, but makes them more aware and I have a better idea already what to do and it's working well. Improvements are already noticeable. It's been really enjoyable lately. I've also been focusing a lot more on here and putting a lot of effort into it. I've also been talking with the students a lot more and building relationships with them. Slowly but surely. I really think it helped being away from it all and coming back. To really see what needs to happen, what needs to change and what this year is for. I also think I've been trying to do too much too. Being so involved with the church takes me away from being here. Spending time with the students. Reaching out to them. To help them learn, and to be there for them. Hardly any of the students are Adventists. Now that's not my goal to make them Adventist, but to show them love and let them know that someone does care about them. Show them Jesus. That's more my goal for this semester. To live more, day by day. To stay up with grading and lesson plans and with the students too. Be more relational. I was also a little afraid at first to be there friend, because I need to hold the authority as teacher. Things are good though and getting better. I'm getting this thing down. Live and learn. That's what is going on right now in the life of Matthew in Belize. I miss you all and love you. I'll blog more often now. I have finally done the deed now for the new year and I'll continue to. Maybe I'll blog about my adventure today for trying to pick up my work permit. But that can wait until next time. I'm tired and should get to bed. Happy New Year to everyone!!!! Ha ha, a month late. But the same month none the less.
When I got back school was already in session. Because of the hurricanes and days off, they came a half week earlier than originally planned to make up for missed days. I came back and was not in the right mindset at all. It was rough coming back. It was a review week though and it was alright to not be completely back into the swing of things. It was review week because the next week was exam week. I was suppose to write 8, 2 hour long exams that first week. I didn't, I wrote like 1 and a half that week. So during Exam week I was busy writing exams and grading exams. That week there's not much to talk about besides I was a busy beaver pumping out exams and grading them just as fast. I graded all 150 or so exams that week! Then this past week was finishing up getting grades in order and starting the new semester.
I've made some new changes this new semester. I've been wanting to make changes and this is the perfect time too. First of all to help classroom management a little bit, the first class for all my classes was time to talk with the students of how to help our class. New rules, things that can help their learning that I can do, and that they can do, working together to make learning easier, and more fun. Now they're small changes and not too much, but makes them more aware and I have a better idea already what to do and it's working well. Improvements are already noticeable. It's been really enjoyable lately. I've also been focusing a lot more on here and putting a lot of effort into it. I've also been talking with the students a lot more and building relationships with them. Slowly but surely. I really think it helped being away from it all and coming back. To really see what needs to happen, what needs to change and what this year is for. I also think I've been trying to do too much too. Being so involved with the church takes me away from being here. Spending time with the students. Reaching out to them. To help them learn, and to be there for them. Hardly any of the students are Adventists. Now that's not my goal to make them Adventist, but to show them love and let them know that someone does care about them. Show them Jesus. That's more my goal for this semester. To live more, day by day. To stay up with grading and lesson plans and with the students too. Be more relational. I was also a little afraid at first to be there friend, because I need to hold the authority as teacher. Things are good though and getting better. I'm getting this thing down. Live and learn. That's what is going on right now in the life of Matthew in Belize. I miss you all and love you. I'll blog more often now. I have finally done the deed now for the new year and I'll continue to. Maybe I'll blog about my adventure today for trying to pick up my work permit. But that can wait until next time. I'm tired and should get to bed. Happy New Year to everyone!!!! Ha ha, a month late. But the same month none the less.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Out of Here!!
Wow, so much has happened. School is out and I'm on break. I've had my birthday since last time. And tomorrow I'm leaving! I can't wait I'm so excited!!!! I need to go pack but I thought I'd write something real quick before I leave and not be using the internet that much. Happy Holidays to all!! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year and God bless. Miss you and love you all! Adios
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Long Long Time.
Wow, it's been a really long time sense I last blogged. I meant to blog earlier, but I've been busy and tired. Where to begin? I don't really know, so how about a little summary of here and there. The field trip from last blog I mentioned was a dud, the ship didn't make it and they didn't call us, so the ship we went to see wasn't there, so there wasn't anything to see. We drove like 3 hours for nothing. But I enjoyed being able to see more of Belize and a break from school. Ha ha, which I could really use another break, a long one! And I will shortly. Then it was just the usually. School and being busy. Nothing really sticks out to me. Oh, we are playing sports now. There's four teams, there's the Blue House (mine and Mr. Cabanas' team), Red House (the Landeros' team), White House, and Green house. There's two teachers for each team. I made the schedule for the year and they play futbol (soccer), volleyball, basketball, and softball. This goes all they way 'til the end of March. Then we have a sports day in April to conclude it. Games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There's actually like 8 teams because we split up girls and guys. Then there's actually like 32 teams because there's 4 different sports being played. Yeah, its pretty crazy and will last a long time. I really don't feel like a "coach" but more of like a "ref" for the games because not too many teachers are interested in sports.
Last weekend was nice. I finally got my package from home!!!! It was so wonderful. Lots of goodies and delicacies of home. Like dried bananas and granola bars. =D Many more things too. OOHH!! Like my capo, thank you so much mum for the package, it was really nice and uplifting. Then later on that day, Friday, I made a quick thank you video for PUC, and I was going to send it to them for vespers, but they said they wouldn't be able to show it so I didn't send it. I'll try and make it better before I send it. But it was fun to make and it's quite funny if I do say so myself. I'll add a picture at the end so you can just get an idea. Then Sabbath School was nice, it's getting a lot better. I'm really excited about our youth group at the church, but I'll talk about that in a little bit.
This past week has been a little rough. I've just been so unmotivated. I'm so exhausted in every way. Physically, mentally, etc. I really don't feel like going into too much detail about it up here, but I'm so exhausted. I can really use a break. Praise God that one is almost here, but I have to make it there. One really fun thing that happened this week was Thursday night, some students invited Kelly and I to play futbol (soccer) with them against some older guys from the village and the village's field. We went and played for like an hour and a half! Oh my, I haven't ran that much in a long time. I played middle center so I had the whole field to run. I was impressed with how we did. These are older guys and we kept up. We ended it 2-2 as a tie, because people were starting to get upset and it had been long enough. It was a lot of fun and a good way to show the students that we care about them and to be known more in the community.
Sabbath yesterday was nice. It was children's day so the children led out the church service. It was cute and nice. We have a lot of kids here now. When I first got here there was only a children's Sabbath School Class, now there's the little ones, Juniors, and Youth!! I'm not taking credit for it at all, I'm just saying we got a lot of children since I've been here. Yesterday, in our Youth Class it was great. Kids are starting to talk more and ask for clarification and it's so great to see and hear. The church is growing and moving forward. It's so wonderful. Also, our Youth Class is going to lead out in the Sabbath School portion before quarterly review in the church. We're doing a little skit type thing and getting the kids involved. We gave positions yesterday and ran through it once. I'm excited, it was a lot of fun. I'm actually more excited about the Youth class than school right now. It's more what I've come here to do. Not teach about Math and Science, but God!! I like the freedom and variety that I can do with the Youth too. Well I should be going, got church in a few minutes. Sorry it's been a long time, I'll try and blog more often. Thanks for reading, your prayers, and cares. God Bless. Oh, and if you want to help in anyway let me know. Even if it's a nice little encouraging message. =P
Last weekend was nice. I finally got my package from home!!!! It was so wonderful. Lots of goodies and delicacies of home. Like dried bananas and granola bars. =D Many more things too. OOHH!! Like my capo, thank you so much mum for the package, it was really nice and uplifting. Then later on that day, Friday, I made a quick thank you video for PUC, and I was going to send it to them for vespers, but they said they wouldn't be able to show it so I didn't send it. I'll try and make it better before I send it. But it was fun to make and it's quite funny if I do say so myself. I'll add a picture at the end so you can just get an idea. Then Sabbath School was nice, it's getting a lot better. I'm really excited about our youth group at the church, but I'll talk about that in a little bit.
This past week has been a little rough. I've just been so unmotivated. I'm so exhausted in every way. Physically, mentally, etc. I really don't feel like going into too much detail about it up here, but I'm so exhausted. I can really use a break. Praise God that one is almost here, but I have to make it there. One really fun thing that happened this week was Thursday night, some students invited Kelly and I to play futbol (soccer) with them against some older guys from the village and the village's field. We went and played for like an hour and a half! Oh my, I haven't ran that much in a long time. I played middle center so I had the whole field to run. I was impressed with how we did. These are older guys and we kept up. We ended it 2-2 as a tie, because people were starting to get upset and it had been long enough. It was a lot of fun and a good way to show the students that we care about them and to be known more in the community.
Sabbath yesterday was nice. It was children's day so the children led out the church service. It was cute and nice. We have a lot of kids here now. When I first got here there was only a children's Sabbath School Class, now there's the little ones, Juniors, and Youth!! I'm not taking credit for it at all, I'm just saying we got a lot of children since I've been here. Yesterday, in our Youth Class it was great. Kids are starting to talk more and ask for clarification and it's so great to see and hear. The church is growing and moving forward. It's so wonderful. Also, our Youth Class is going to lead out in the Sabbath School portion before quarterly review in the church. We're doing a little skit type thing and getting the kids involved. We gave positions yesterday and ran through it once. I'm excited, it was a lot of fun. I'm actually more excited about the Youth class than school right now. It's more what I've come here to do. Not teach about Math and Science, but God!! I like the freedom and variety that I can do with the Youth too. Well I should be going, got church in a few minutes. Sorry it's been a long time, I'll try and blog more often. Thanks for reading, your prayers, and cares. God Bless. Oh, and if you want to help in anyway let me know. Even if it's a nice little encouraging message. =P
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Espanol and Chicken
Once again as usually, another week has passed. Its funny how that happens once a week. It was another good week. Where to begin? Well Monday I only teach two classes so I got a lot of planning and preparing for the week done. And not having the crusade gave me a lot of time and each night I got really prepared for my classes. Which made classes go really smooth this week. Plus I'm getting use to everything now and know what works better than other things, and its really coming along. It feels really nice.
On Tuesday Mr. Cabanas (the principal) was able to pick up my package for me at the post office in Belmopan. I didn't know who it was from and to my surprise it was from my old academy, Paradise Adventist Academy. It was really nice and quite a surprise. If any of you from PAA read this, thank you so much, it was a nice spirit lifter. There was a lot of post-it notes which I am thankful for, and paper clips, pencils, school stuff etc which is useful. They also gave an overhead transparency pen, and it made me totally think, why am I not using overheads. So I've set it up and I'm totally going to use overheads this next week in classes. I'm pretty excited for that actually.
Friday was a holiday here this past week which was nice too. But its not the same as back home where everyone is getting a week off for Thanksgiving, I miss the holiday seasons. No Thanksgiving for Matt =(, well I'll be thankful, just no feast. I really like food, so that will be a shame =P. Anyways, ADRA gave the church for the community two hundred pound bags of beans and people from the community have been coming for it. Thursday afternoon not many people came because it was raining. Friday morning was holiday so I slept in a little bit, until seven something and I went outside my house because I had to go to the restroom, and I see a man standing outside of the church. I figured he was there for beans, so I went to the restroom and went back into my house and put more clothes on and grabbed the keys to the building where the beans were. I came back out and met with him. He didn't speak English, and I speak very little espanol. In fact what I said, "No hablo mucho espanol." But I was able to use my little bit of Spanish I know and was able to communicate with him and give him some beans. It was a really nice way to start the day and to be able to serve someone and be used by God. It's nice to know that God gives us what we can handle. =)
Then later that night we had our small groups meeting that we have split our church into. We (Landeros and I) went to the Vasquez family's house. There house is small and its a dirt floor, and I believe there's 10 in there family. Then there was another small family. There was 19 of us in all. It was in Spanish too, so I spoke a little bit more. Then after the meeting they gave us food. Which was really nice of them and there's so many of them, I didn't want to be rude and tell them, I don't eat meat. They're new members and I don't want to offend them and I don't want to come across as I am better than you, so I ate it. Now today, I paid the price a little bit. I'm not sick, just a little upset. But it was worth it and I hope I did the right thing, and I have a funny story out of it now.
Yesterday the church was F to the ULL, super full! It was really nice to see. Oh, and my Sabbath School class is HUGE!!!! There's like 20 or so, and they really aren't youth age so I really need to change my planning. They're more, junior and early teen aged. I'll have to plan more for that next week. Sabbath was good as a whole, and I really enjoyed it. I really do enjoy life here. Now I miss everyone, but life is good. The church is growing, and I'm super busy with school and church, and that's honestly about it ha ha. It's really good though, I do have a purpose and that's to serve! Thank you everyone for reading and keeping me in your prayers. Thank you Thomas family for commented on my last post. It was nice and encouraging, I was really wondering if I should keep blogging. (hint hint others. Please comment!!!) Ha ha, well I shall share more eventually. Maybe sometime this week, or if not, as usually I'll post next weekend probably. Oh, tomorrow I have a field trip, so that will be an adventure. Alright take care and God Bless!! Offer still stands if anyone wants to help here. =P
On Tuesday Mr. Cabanas (the principal) was able to pick up my package for me at the post office in Belmopan. I didn't know who it was from and to my surprise it was from my old academy, Paradise Adventist Academy. It was really nice and quite a surprise. If any of you from PAA read this, thank you so much, it was a nice spirit lifter. There was a lot of post-it notes which I am thankful for, and paper clips, pencils, school stuff etc which is useful. They also gave an overhead transparency pen, and it made me totally think, why am I not using overheads. So I've set it up and I'm totally going to use overheads this next week in classes. I'm pretty excited for that actually.
Friday was a holiday here this past week which was nice too. But its not the same as back home where everyone is getting a week off for Thanksgiving, I miss the holiday seasons. No Thanksgiving for Matt =(, well I'll be thankful, just no feast. I really like food, so that will be a shame =P. Anyways, ADRA gave the church for the community two hundred pound bags of beans and people from the community have been coming for it. Thursday afternoon not many people came because it was raining. Friday morning was holiday so I slept in a little bit, until seven something and I went outside my house because I had to go to the restroom, and I see a man standing outside of the church. I figured he was there for beans, so I went to the restroom and went back into my house and put more clothes on and grabbed the keys to the building where the beans were. I came back out and met with him. He didn't speak English, and I speak very little espanol. In fact what I said, "No hablo mucho espanol." But I was able to use my little bit of Spanish I know and was able to communicate with him and give him some beans. It was a really nice way to start the day and to be able to serve someone and be used by God. It's nice to know that God gives us what we can handle. =)
Then later that night we had our small groups meeting that we have split our church into. We (Landeros and I) went to the Vasquez family's house. There house is small and its a dirt floor, and I believe there's 10 in there family. Then there was another small family. There was 19 of us in all. It was in Spanish too, so I spoke a little bit more. Then after the meeting they gave us food. Which was really nice of them and there's so many of them, I didn't want to be rude and tell them, I don't eat meat. They're new members and I don't want to offend them and I don't want to come across as I am better than you, so I ate it. Now today, I paid the price a little bit. I'm not sick, just a little upset. But it was worth it and I hope I did the right thing, and I have a funny story out of it now.
Yesterday the church was F to the ULL, super full! It was really nice to see. Oh, and my Sabbath School class is HUGE!!!! There's like 20 or so, and they really aren't youth age so I really need to change my planning. They're more, junior and early teen aged. I'll have to plan more for that next week. Sabbath was good as a whole, and I really enjoyed it. I really do enjoy life here. Now I miss everyone, but life is good. The church is growing, and I'm super busy with school and church, and that's honestly about it ha ha. It's really good though, I do have a purpose and that's to serve! Thank you everyone for reading and keeping me in your prayers. Thank you Thomas family for commented on my last post. It was nice and encouraging, I was really wondering if I should keep blogging. (hint hint others. Please comment!!!) Ha ha, well I shall share more eventually. Maybe sometime this week, or if not, as usually I'll post next weekend probably. Oh, tomorrow I have a field trip, so that will be an adventure. Alright take care and God Bless!! Offer still stands if anyone wants to help here. =P
Sunday, November 14, 2010
3 months!
Oh my its been a long time! Its been two weeks now. A lot has happened. A whole crusade has gone by. I'll give you some highlights and some happenings of these past two weeks. It's been busy and has gone by super fast. Two weeks ago I went to the bush! We chopped down trees to use as poles for the tent we set up for the Crusade. We had to march, cut, and climb our through. Then we cut down some trees. Then the most fun part happened, we had to carry the trees out of the bush, climbing and maneuvering our way through. Honestly, it was fun. It was really tiring too but I'm happy I've done that and can say I have. We didn't go too terribly far into the bush either. Probably teen fifteen minutes into it. Oh, and we woke up at 5 in the morning to go, that's another thing I forgot to say. We got back around eight or so started setting up the tent. We didn't get everything finished until about one I believe.
I got to talk with a lot of people too which was nice. I miss all of you and its really nice to communicate. But its so hard to find time and it takes a lot of time. Especially these past two weeks. But yeah then I was exhausted the rest of the day and had to go to the crusade. The week went pretty well, nothing too extraordinary happened. But Thursday was a great day! In the afternoon, teaching was a lot of fun. I was able to joke and be serious at the same time and the students were paying attention and trying and understanding and that's so nice. It was encouraging. I was so tired at the end of that day though. It was raining so we had the Crusade in the tiny church, so I'm pretty much sitting right in front of the speaker, straight up in my chair, sleeping. Ha ha, I couldn't help it. I was out! Straight back and everything. That was funny to talk about and laugh about.
Friday I went to Calcuta, northern Belize. I went with Alondra's mom who helps with the kids during the week. We went right after school to catch the bus. We arrived just in time at Belmopan to catch the bus to Belize City. That bus ride was only about an hour long and it was a nice bus and we got seats. Then once again, right when we arrived in Belize City, we had to run to the next bus. It was packed! I got the last seat. Now it was a horrible spot, but I got the last seat. It was right where the wheel is so you don't have any leg room, and it was next to this HUGE lady. I was crammed in there, and the worse part about that was, sense we had to hurry up on each bus, I hadn't been able to go pee so my bladder was full! I was crammed, and ready to burst. The ride seemed to take forever. This bus would stop everywhere and like every 5 to 10 minutes to pick up more people. It took about 4 hours until we reached our destination! I quickly went to some trees and relieved. Then everything was better. There was a time were I was trying to tell myself, it'll be alright. This pain will be so worth it for how good it will feel when I get to use the restroom. Unfortunately that wasn't true. =P
I really didn't do much in Calcuta. I went to church then next day and ate and sat around a lot. The weekend was a lot of sitting which was unfortunate. I also ate some dairy. Which happened to activate some poison wood I apparently got when going into the bush the week before. Poison wood is similar to poison oak. That weekend it got really bad. It engulfed my body from the waist up, all the way to my face. Monday I went to the doctor and got a shot, some medicine, and some lotion. That was pretty miserable. Its pretty much gone now except its on my hands and my fingers. They itch and are rubbed a lot and irritated because they're my hands and when you handle things its going to happen. But I'm surviving and its going well.
Then something really special happened this past Friday. Friday November 12, 2010. Danielle and I have been dating for one year!! That's so crazy and amazing! Oh my, I've already written and said so much about it, not publicly, and its so wonderful. Especially how much we have grown as individuals, and together! How we are able to still be in our relationship, yet take a year off and serve others and be working for God. It's not easy, but its so worth it and so great! I am so grateful and so in love and I believe we are blessed so much and God is taking care of us. =D
Then another wonderful and special event happened yesterday! 41 people got baptized! Within the past 4 weeks 50 people have been baptized. Our church has more than doubled. Our church isn't big enough to hold everyone. That's an issue, a great issue to have, but we need to figure that out. Anyone want to donate money or know a church that could be a mother church and support us? That would be nice. But it's wonderful praise God!! We have so much work now added to our already full plates. Praise God! We are so exhausted. Praise God!!! We can't do it, we need help of God. Praise God!!! It's easy for me to get overwhelmed with everything that we have to do, but that's the problem. We don't have to do it, we only have to be willing to be used, God will do it. We are working, doing all this work, for credit, to be acknowledged. No, we are doing this for God! Yeah, sure I'm tired, exhausted, behind in everything, feeling incapable, but God isn't. That's why I'm here. Please continue to pray and support me, the church here, the school. We need it and if there's anything that you want to do personally feel welcomed. If you want to come and teach here from January on, feel free. One teacher is going to be leaving, plus we could use another teacher as is. If you want to support with money, WE NEED IT!!! We barely scrape by each month, if its coming and doing manual labor, WE NEED IT! We need new buildings, fix ups etc. If you want to preach or help train laity, or help give Bible studies, or give a crusade, WE NEED IT! If you want to pray, WE NEED IT!!! Thank you for everything. And another wonderful thing that I should share is, that PUC raised some money for the damages done during the hurricane and will be sending the funds soon hopefully. They said they raised over $350! So that's wonderful! These are some happenings of the past two weeks and my life. I miss you all and love and miss you again and would love to hear from you. So please comment, it's really encouraging and makes me feel loved and listened too. Please share it with other too. Thank you once again. Much love and prayers! Oh, and I've been here for 3 months now. Crazy!
I got to talk with a lot of people too which was nice. I miss all of you and its really nice to communicate. But its so hard to find time and it takes a lot of time. Especially these past two weeks. But yeah then I was exhausted the rest of the day and had to go to the crusade. The week went pretty well, nothing too extraordinary happened. But Thursday was a great day! In the afternoon, teaching was a lot of fun. I was able to joke and be serious at the same time and the students were paying attention and trying and understanding and that's so nice. It was encouraging. I was so tired at the end of that day though. It was raining so we had the Crusade in the tiny church, so I'm pretty much sitting right in front of the speaker, straight up in my chair, sleeping. Ha ha, I couldn't help it. I was out! Straight back and everything. That was funny to talk about and laugh about.
Friday I went to Calcuta, northern Belize. I went with Alondra's mom who helps with the kids during the week. We went right after school to catch the bus. We arrived just in time at Belmopan to catch the bus to Belize City. That bus ride was only about an hour long and it was a nice bus and we got seats. Then once again, right when we arrived in Belize City, we had to run to the next bus. It was packed! I got the last seat. Now it was a horrible spot, but I got the last seat. It was right where the wheel is so you don't have any leg room, and it was next to this HUGE lady. I was crammed in there, and the worse part about that was, sense we had to hurry up on each bus, I hadn't been able to go pee so my bladder was full! I was crammed, and ready to burst. The ride seemed to take forever. This bus would stop everywhere and like every 5 to 10 minutes to pick up more people. It took about 4 hours until we reached our destination! I quickly went to some trees and relieved. Then everything was better. There was a time were I was trying to tell myself, it'll be alright. This pain will be so worth it for how good it will feel when I get to use the restroom. Unfortunately that wasn't true. =P
I really didn't do much in Calcuta. I went to church then next day and ate and sat around a lot. The weekend was a lot of sitting which was unfortunate. I also ate some dairy. Which happened to activate some poison wood I apparently got when going into the bush the week before. Poison wood is similar to poison oak. That weekend it got really bad. It engulfed my body from the waist up, all the way to my face. Monday I went to the doctor and got a shot, some medicine, and some lotion. That was pretty miserable. Its pretty much gone now except its on my hands and my fingers. They itch and are rubbed a lot and irritated because they're my hands and when you handle things its going to happen. But I'm surviving and its going well.
Then something really special happened this past Friday. Friday November 12, 2010. Danielle and I have been dating for one year!! That's so crazy and amazing! Oh my, I've already written and said so much about it, not publicly, and its so wonderful. Especially how much we have grown as individuals, and together! How we are able to still be in our relationship, yet take a year off and serve others and be working for God. It's not easy, but its so worth it and so great! I am so grateful and so in love and I believe we are blessed so much and God is taking care of us. =D
Then another wonderful and special event happened yesterday! 41 people got baptized! Within the past 4 weeks 50 people have been baptized. Our church has more than doubled. Our church isn't big enough to hold everyone. That's an issue, a great issue to have, but we need to figure that out. Anyone want to donate money or know a church that could be a mother church and support us? That would be nice. But it's wonderful praise God!! We have so much work now added to our already full plates. Praise God! We are so exhausted. Praise God!!! We can't do it, we need help of God. Praise God!!! It's easy for me to get overwhelmed with everything that we have to do, but that's the problem. We don't have to do it, we only have to be willing to be used, God will do it. We are working, doing all this work, for credit, to be acknowledged. No, we are doing this for God! Yeah, sure I'm tired, exhausted, behind in everything, feeling incapable, but God isn't. That's why I'm here. Please continue to pray and support me, the church here, the school. We need it and if there's anything that you want to do personally feel welcomed. If you want to come and teach here from January on, feel free. One teacher is going to be leaving, plus we could use another teacher as is. If you want to support with money, WE NEED IT!!! We barely scrape by each month, if its coming and doing manual labor, WE NEED IT! We need new buildings, fix ups etc. If you want to preach or help train laity, or help give Bible studies, or give a crusade, WE NEED IT! If you want to pray, WE NEED IT!!! Thank you for everything. And another wonderful thing that I should share is, that PUC raised some money for the damages done during the hurricane and will be sending the funds soon hopefully. They said they raised over $350! So that's wonderful! These are some happenings of the past two weeks and my life. I miss you all and love and miss you again and would love to hear from you. So please comment, it's really encouraging and makes me feel loved and listened too. Please share it with other too. Thank you once again. Much love and prayers! Oh, and I've been here for 3 months now. Crazy!
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