A Day in the Life

On a typical school day, I find myself getting up before the crack of dawn to go running. That's right; Nancy, Kathy and I have formed a "missionary running group" of sorts. We try for three times a week. It feels good to start my days off that way!

*None of these pictures were taken by me. My camera is broken, so I figured pics from the internet are the next best thing! Don't worry; I'm getting a new one.

After our run, I return home to spend time with Jesus and get ready for school. Kathy meets me at my house at 8:10. From there, we bike to work. Biking to school is a fulfillment of a dream for me! I love car-less commuting.

School starts at 8:30am. I am in kindergarten with Mrs. Yam (the teacher), Morine (the Deaf student) and twenty-some bright smiling faces. They call me, "Teacher Chelsea" even though I am not really a teacher. I love my title all the same because it is said with such love. In the mornings sometimes, the children will get warm milk and maybe bread from the kitchen. Morine is a slow eater and savors every bite, so she is usually the last one done. After this snack until break at 10am, Morine and I work together. I interpret what Mrs. Yam says into ASL. Usually, language arts happens during this time. I love it because we are using a British phonics curriculum. Maybe when I come back I will have a British accent (in addition to Kriol and Spanish)!Morine is fascinated with the speaking world and so tries to speak the word blends along with everyone else. On some of them, she does a good job!

During break the kids get about 15-20 minutes to be outside (rain or shine), buy snacks and play with friends. I think it is cool that our school has what I would call a, "concessions stand." You can buy anything from candy, oranges, chips, coke, and chocobananas to more substantial snacks like, hot dogs, garnaches and chips and dip. That is, when it is in stock. I have tried many things and I really like the chocobananas!

From 10:20 to 11:30, Mrs. Yam usually teaches math (which is pronounced, "mat" here). We have been learning about the greater than and less than crocodiles.

When the bell rings, it heralds in the lunch break. We have a super-long break (11:30-1) so the kids that live far have enough time to walk home, eat and then come back. Some days I bring my lunch. Other days I go out to each because there are so many little shops that sell lunch foods. I love that I can get a great lunch of tacos, tostadas, or burritos for under $4 USD.  Either way, I am eating my lunch with someone – Nancy, Kathy, Miss Mesh, Miss Karla, and/or Mrs. Yam. I am so blessed by my friends!

I'll admit after lunch class is a little slow. We have religion and either science, social studies, health or PE. I think the kids are sleepy from eating lunch and then being inside. So, some of them sleep! This is Morine's most distracted time. Because eyes are a muscle (and ears are not), I think her poor little self is done watching me wave my hands around. God has blessed me with a few inspirational moments, though. To this day, she still remembers one of our first science lessons about sources of heat.

The lower division (kindergarten and first grade) finish school at 2:30pm while the others finish at 3:30pm. I really enjoy this "extra" hour, though sometimes I spend it helping Mrs. Yam in evening classes. "Evening classes" happen from 2:30-3:30. It is a tutoring time for those children who are behind. I think it is special that I get to have one-on-one time with some of the hearing kids in class. During the school day, I cannot really pay attention to them. When Morine goes home, then my attention can turn to them.

I love the kids in my class! They are so sweet and funny. For example, Adrienne (Morine’s younger sister) was teaching me the Spanish words for animals. When she got to the sheep picture, she looked at me and then the card before exclaiming proudly, “El sheep-o!”* That one try to pull the wool over my eyes in a second! The other children will come up to me and start signing or gesturing. This is especially true of Carlos and Darrel. Both Mrs. Yam and I have told the class that I can hear, but it doesn’t make a difference. It is so cute, so I just sign back! There is a real reason for their behavior, though. Nancy who is Deaf, was working with Morine last semester. They got use to needing to sign and tap a person for attention (they “tap” really hard sometimes!).

I do my errands right after school finishes. Since I am already in town, it makes perfect sense. My errands consist mostly of grocery shopping now, but before my time was consumed with the work permit and teacher's license. Sometimes, I treat myself with a trip to the library before heading home.
At home, I take some time to sit with Mrs. Toledano (she became eighty on February 8th!). Every time, I spend time with her, I learn something new! Our conversations teach me a lot about Spanish. The Toledano's are so kind and generous. When I returned home the other day, they were eating coconut meat and drinking coconut water. They shared one with me. Together we sat around peeling the coconut out of its shell and sipping the water from the “young” coconuts.

It is usually very hot by this time of day, so I am ready to take my cold shower. I’m sure this sends shivers down your spine, but I really look forward to it now.

A few days a week, I also go walking with Miss Delila, Mrs. Toledano’s daughter. She said she has no one to go with her, so I volunteered. I am so thankful for the extra time to be outside and the chance to spend time with Miss Delila.

Immediately after my walk, I head over to Nancy’s house where the four of us (Nancy, Sulmi, Kathy and I) share the evening meal. We take turns cooking which is SO nice. I love all the gourmet meals everyone comes up with.

In the evening, I come home and crash into bed. Sometimes, I will watch part of a movie or TV Show. Other times I will read. Then its lights out and off to dreamland.

And that’s a day in the life of this Belizean missionary.

*For those of you who are wondering, oveja is actually the correct word for sheep.

“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Home Sweet Homes

New Apartment!

As I mentioned in my Christmas newsletter, I got to move into the apartment! I said “finally,” because what Nancy and I had originally envisioned did not come to pass. Instead of the apartment being finished in August before the interpreters arrived, the project shifted to Belize time (but slow and steady wins the race, right?). We got to learn about the patience required in construction projects. All in all it is so beautiful, that I know it was worth the wait. Thank you, Nancy for persevering when everything seemed to turn against the project!

The Toledano's House!

From there, I moved in with the Toledano Family upon returning from Christmas break. Why did I move? The reasoning was simple: Kathy needs the space away from Sulmi. Though that may sound strange, it’s true. Think of it this way: would you want to walk in on your middle school teacher brushing their teeth in your house? Absence makes the heart grow fonder. At the same time, Kathy renting another apartment in town seemed isolating. The happy medium placed her in the apartment. That was the thought, but God had bigger plans than that. Renting from the Toledano family was the answer to a mutual need. On my end, it is a blessing because I am still close to Nancy, Kathy and Sulmi (three houses a part). Yet, I have my own space to recharge. On top of that, I cannot tell you how honored I am to be welcomed into another Belizean home. For the Toledano family there are blessings too. I am living with an elderly couple, Mr. Brigido Toledano (BT or “the old man” as called by his wife) and Mrs. Egudelia Toledano (which can be shortened to Ms. “Goody”). Their children are immensely relieved to have someone nearby to look in on their parents. God definitely works in ways, I don’t understand, but His plans are always good.

I used this quote before. Even still I think it is true, though I have been living far above the ground.

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Doctor Visit

See? I'm smiling. It wasn't so bad.

After witnessing what Edgar suffered in the hospital, I am apprehensive about doctors. Alas, God gave me a chance to conquer that fear. I got an ear infection. At least, that is what my self-diagnosis on Web MD led me to believe. My ear was sensitive to the touch, mildly painful, red, hot and itchy on the inside. The question was: what to do? Nancy gave me my choices. I could go to the pharmacy and get ear drops or double-check with the doctor. It seemed safer to get a second opinion. So, off to the doctor I went! Surprisingly, the office visit was nothing I hadn’t experienced before. Since we dropped in, we had to wait about an hour for our turn. I filled out paperwork. They wanted to know my religion which I thought was interesting. Do they ask for that in the states? I can’t remember…The waiting room was filled with your run-of-the-mill Belizeans (just like a doctor's office in the US would be filled with run-of-the-mill Americans). When it was my turn, Nancy and I went back with the doctor. He was very friendly. Upon looking in my ears, he said they were blocked and needed to be flushed. That caused us both Nancy and I some worry, but the doctor was very skilled at his job. I have had nurses before who were not as kind. Then he prescribed some ear drops and off we went. The entire visit did not amount to the wait we had. Apparently, that is typical of any doctor, regardless of country. My conclusion is this: I like and trust Belizean doctor offices, but I am in no way ready to try out the hospitals here! As of right now, my ear feels fine. The ear drops worked!

“May the hair on your toes never fall out!”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Ode to My Work Permit

A pile of papers you were to me

Full of strife and misery.

Your requirements were strange

And led me all over Orange…Walk.

To doctors, Immigration and the Treasury

From Income Tax, Belmopan and much more did I see.

Patiently, did I bear this burden

Making friends along the way, I am certain.

Yet despite it all,

Red tape was ready to cause my fall.  

Months of waiting and paying

Lasted longer than is worth saying.

And God was faithful the whole time,

Keeping me from a life of crime :-) 

In the end, a lesson did I learn:

Humility is cross-cultural and not to be spurned.

Still now that you, work permit, are done

I can celebrate in the sun.

Instead of a Hobbit quote, here is a video which is a humorous way to look at my experiences. My apologies for the captioning; it is lousy! 

The place that sends you mad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtEkUmYecnk

The 5 Senses in Belize

As the year draws to a close, this is what I have seen, heard, felt, smelled and tasted while in Belize.

Sight
A picture is worth a thousand words, which is good because I have seen far too many things to describe them all! Some highlights are below.

A mini Independence Day celebrator

This bush is in our yard and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

View of the sunset from the roof

Banquitas House of Culture (it is like a museum)

The mountains of Mexico, across a field of sugar cane

Blackened Soup

Taste
I am sorry that the internet is not advanced enough to provide samples for taste testing. My only solution: come and visit. Then you can experience it for yourself! My favorite Belizean meal so far is tostadas. I also love how Belizeans eat their fruit. Here is a recipe which you can try at home!

cut up fruit (pineapple chunks, papaya, orange slices, or plums)
chili pepper
salt

Mix salt and chili pepper together in whatever consistency you can handle. Sprinkle over fruit. Enjoy! The salt brings out the sweetness of the fruit. I especially enjoy it with oranges.
 


Sound
By far this was the most overwhelming part of Belize for me. Now that I have been here a while, it is also my favorite. The din around me was so loud and prevalent when I first arrived. At first, it was difficult to sleep with the all commotion! The only reason I have discovered for this is everyone keeps their windows wide open (who would want to suffer in a stuffy house otherwise??). Therefore the cacophony is transmitted and received quite clearly. No one seems to mind either. We all listen to the loudest sounds: a neighbor's radio, drum practice, the various vendors parading their wares up and down the street, birds (one of which makes a kissing-noise!), barking dogs, crowing roosters (at ALL hours), children playing, rain, vehicles driving by, and people partying. I have yet to hear one person complain about "the noise." Now that I have been here awhile, I am adjusting and beginning to find beauty in this new kind of symphony. I really like that kissing bird! 

Smell
The pungent smell of smoke is always present. People burn their trash regularly. As it is Autumn, I feel this is an appropriate smell for this time of year. I always associate bonfires with the Fall and Winter seasons. In fact, we had a fall cookout ourselves where we roasted hot dogs. If only the temperature would cooperate a bit... Of course in town, the tantalizing odor of Belizean cooking fills the air. Yum! 

Touch
Now that I have been here so long, I find it hard to remember a world without humidity. The air used to feel very heavy and oppressive, like a sweater or heavy blanket.  Now I cannot even tell it's there!

Potholes are another sensation. You cannot travel anywhere in Belize without diving into or lurching over a crater or speed bump. On some roads, I feel like I'm on a roller coaster!
The sun's warmth feels very different here. It is more like being the ant under a microscope, than a gentle caress. I'm guessing this is because we are so close to the equator.
My clothes have a new feel. It is because of the downy softener. Without it, our line-dried clothes would be so stiff they could probably walk to school themselves!
The wind never changes- no matter where you go. The wind I have experienced in Belize is always cool. It is a welcome relief, an old friend. Most days, the wind doesn't blow. When it does, it becomes the literal "breath of fresh air," cleaning out the smoke, and providing relief from the sun.
Wet pavement becomes slippery. Who would have guessed I would have to worry about slipping on something other than ice??

“please don't cook me, kind sirs! I am a good cook myself, and cook better than I cook, if you see what I mean.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

My little friends

As I have said before, there are many geckos in my house. I see them scurrying around every so often. They are always high up because as Nancy says they're avoiding the cats and dog! While this might seem creepy to live with mice-sized creatures that can scale walls, I infinitely prefer their guardian angel-like presence to the other options. They are keeping the monstrous, and possibly poisonous, insects at bay! I can deal with the geckos. In fact, I am very thankful to the geckos. Not only do they protect, but they also serve as a reminder for me. God works in our lives in ways that are behind the scenes. We might snatch glimpses of His work, but rarely do we realize how much He does for us (like the gecko). I am thankful these little guys can remind me how present my God really is!

“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

My Ministry...?

I haven't written in a while because I haven't known what to say. I'm sure many of your are curious about the intricate aspects of my ministry and how it is developing. Me too. From my point of view, I see my daily life, but I can't see how God is working. I have no doubt He is doing amazing things right under my nose.

From what I can see, I have two ministries.

My primary ministry is the obvious reason I was called here: to interpret. It isn't what I expected, so it has taken me a LOOOONG time to adjust (longer than I would have given myself grace for). I have had to jump into middle school interpreting headfirst. For those of you who don't know classroom interpreting, each grade level has its own distinct challenges. And I was expecting kindergarten...Yep, that's a big difference! It has taken awhile for me to gain Sulmi's trust, figure out her personality and signing style, then to match that with the interpretation, all the while interpreting content I haven't thought of in 10 years (am I really that old??). On top of that, the classroom discourse, content, and language (at times) are all new for me. At times, I feel so inept because there is SO much I don't know. How can I be a relay-er of information when I don't even understand what is being said?? What gives me hope is God's promise that He uses my weaknesses to magnify His glory. I'm glad someone is benefiting from all my mistakes!!

My second ministry is to build relationship with anyone and everyone I meet. God will determine the depth of the connection. I need to be available (which is hard to do!). Some people need to hear a kind word. Others are hungry for the gospel. I have to be ready to shine the light of Christ in my every word and action. I was only given 10 months to make an impact on Belize. In that amount of time, I cannot revolutionize the country. However, I can make a difference in one person's life, maybe more. I'll make myself available and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."~ 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

So really my ministry is no different than yours. God is using my weaknesses and strengths and relationships. I am just living it out in a different country. I encourage you to be brave and do the same! Live out your mission where God has called you to be. I am excited to hear how God is using your influence as well!

“Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit