Belize '09 Wednesday (sorry for the delay, no internet!)

Today we took the day off from the Dental Clinic, work projects and the Dental/Nutrition Education to go enjoy the local waters. Steve, Chad and Michael (Chew) left early this morning to scuba dive at Laughing Bird Caye. After a 2 hour bus ride, 15 minute water taxi ride, and a 45 minute boat ride they arrived at the Caye. The guys dove to about 95 feet and saw a huge tarpin, Moray eel, crab, shrimp, 100 pound grouper, and dolphins. The rest of the team headed to the West Snake Caye, which was absolutely gorgeous, to snorkel, swim, and swing in hammocks. We also saw dolphins, along with a huge lobster and a leopard ray, and our guide found us a boa constrictor to hold and take pictures with.
Returning to Punta Gorda early afternoon, we were off to Da Wata Fountin for a time of ministry with the local kids. Some of the team shared how their relationship with Jesus has given them hope and a renewed life. Maylin treated us to a delicious home cooked meal of chicken, biscuits, potato salad, rice & beans, and carrot cake. We finished off the evening with devotionals at the hotel, a round of Apples to Apples, and an early bedtime to rest for another day of work and ministry. Pray for us to be effective these last couple days, and that we would continue to seek God for our strength, understanding and endurance.

Belize '09 Update: Thursday

It's been a great Thanksgiving day. We all agreed that it was one of the most meaningful Thanksgivings we've ever experienced. The dental team worked their longest most demanding day so far. The education team spoke at yet another school and were received so well by teachers and students alike. And the construction team has nearly completed all their projects for the week.

We still spend a lot of our time with the same group of local children--Clayton, Keith, Shadeen, Jamilla, Jameeka, Mikey, Anthony, Christian, Trevonn, Eliela, Daniel, Josephine, Ralph, John (and others that come around occasionally). Some of their stories are heartbreaking but yet they just love being near us, and soaking up our attention. There have been numerous to pray for them and talk with them about the gospel. Please pray that God will soften their hearts to really seek him and desire him as their Savior!

We actually enjoyed a turkey dinner tonight! I found a local restaurant that was serving ham, turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, rice, and even pumpkin pie (all for $6.00 per person!). The restaurant was located right on the water and we enjoyed a cool breeze while we spent the evening devotion time sharing about all for which we have to give thanks--particularly as we spend this holiday in Belize. It was a memorable night and the team was very thankful for how we've bonded as a family (Rachel, Stephanie, and Kortney actually wrote a family tree of how we would all be related if we really were--it was quite humorous). God has been so good to us--we're blessed beyond measure.

Tim

Belize '09 :Tuesday

Our days start out with wonderful breakfasts at 'The Snack Shack,' a little thatched roof 'hut' about a block away from the Caribbean. Today we were served Belizian scrambled eggs, sausage, and biscuits. Cathy, Ed, and I did devotions for the group-our topic was 'encouragement' and everyone wrote two letters of encouragement to other team members. After a short, but meaningful discussion we all split up into our groups for our daily service assignments. The education group went to another elementary school that was behind the Forest Home Dental Clinic and was once again was able to visit all the classrooms. The dental team was, as always, very busy and working hard. The work group (my group) fixed old desks that were literally falling apart at one of the schools. We started constructing a HUGE picnic table that the school children are helping us build. I can’t wait--it’s going to be great and the kids at the school will really get a lot of use out of it.

After school Children's Ministry has been going smoothly and kids are memorizing verses from Bible stories. We promised them a special prize for the efforts that we'll give out on Friday. So far they have had the verses Luke 10:27 and Genesis 1:1. Tonight we went back to Marenco’s for good ol' hamburgers and ice cream. For devotions we shared something that we've done on this outreach that we'd never experience before. I shared about using a skill saw for the first time. Then, before going to bed, a group of us played an intense game of 'Spoons.' Tomorrow the team is going to take the day off for some snorkeling with turtles and sharks while Chad, Dad, and I are going scuba diving! Thanks for all your support and encouragement. Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Michael Chew

Some Pictures...

Making signs for Da Wata Fountin.

All dressed up for Chruch!

Darlene playing the violin at the Sunday church service we attended.

...Sorry there arn't many, the internet is really slow & it takes forever to upload anything, but I tried. :)

Belize '09 Update: Sunday

The early crew had breakfast at 7:15 and the late crew at 7:45am at April's Snack Shack. The ham and bean burritos had a fresh thick tortilla - even Chad has his fill. The team walked over to the Methodist Church and joined them for worship. Tim had the opportunity to share a few words of thanks and Darlene played her violin. The dental team drove out to Forest Home and brought some of the Walk About Children with them. The education team went to the new location for Da Wata Fountin. They removed debris in the back yard to open a space for the kids to enjoy patio and painted signs to advertise the new Wata Fountain location. Everyone was so excited to be reunited with the same children we enjoyed from previous trips. With his shades on, Tim was like a movie star with kids throwing themselves at him to shouts of TIM-OH-THY echoing down the street The rest of us were greeted with slightly less enthusiasm. Even without his cape, Tim had a fabulous day saving small children from drowning in the ocean, pushing ladies out of the way of oncoming buses and arranging dinner for our group of 22. We were all awed as Tim downed a bottle of Marie Sharp's hot sauce with his fried chicken, beans & rice, plantains and coleslaw. We grabbed some ice cream, took a walk along the water front and had our evening vespers. - Kim Chew

Belize '09 Update: Saturday

Belize '09

Today the rest of the group woke up at two to drive the San Francisco International Airport--the Nannini’s and Chad went on their own flights. We got at the airport safely and we were off! We arrived at Houston around noon and caught our connecting fight a half an hour later. We got to Belize International Airport around five and got through immigration and customs smoothly-yes with all that dental supplies. We boarded the small twelve passenger propeller airplane. After flying over the mountainous landscape, accompanied by the beautiful sunset to the west, we landed in the lit up town of Punta Gorda, Belize. Most of our bags made it-one is coming tomorrow morning-and were able to check in the Charleston Inn shortly after our arrival. The kids and Mailin and Gideon Richards met us there. After unpacking our bags we headed to dinner at Marenco’s. We had fried chicken, stewed chicken, beans and rice, plantains, coleslaw, and potato salad. After a satisfying dinner we took a tour of the town with our Belizean friends along the vast Caribbean with Puerto Barrios lighting the sky. We settled down and had our vespers without any music-just our BEAUTIFUL voices. Now, off to bed for tomorrow--church and our first day of the clinic and service projects. Keep praying and we’ll update y’all ASAP. Michael Chew

Another great day in Belize!

Hello again! We're still having a great time! Thanks for all the comments, they were encouraging. Since we wrote last we have done lots of new things. Yesterday, we went on a chocolate tour to see how the chocolate is made here(all by hand!). We swam in the Caribbean with the children, and got attacked by shrimp and had to make a quick escape to the dock. Later that night we went to Da Wata Fountin and cataloged hundreds of books! We woke up bright and early this morning to get a good start on the day, ate some yummy breakfast. Bought some paint and wood to make signs for Da Wata Fountin and painted them. While we were waiting for them to dry, we headed to the Saturday street market for a bit. Later today we will be going to a Futbol game, searching for the best supermarkets, and greeting the rest of the team at the "airport". Thanks again for all the prayers. We would love to read comments from you!
Note to Howden Family: Please don't cut down a Christmas tree without me!! :)

The Methodist School where we'll be doing Dental Hygiene Education.

Mikey.

The Kids after we went swimming, trying to warm up on the dock.

All the boxes of books we cataloged.

Punta Gorda at night.

Painting our hands yellow, a BIG mistake.

Some of the fresh fruit at the market.

:)

Belize Outreach 2009

Here we are (Jill, Kortney and Rachel) if you didn't already know, we headed to Punta Gorda a few days ahead of the rest of the team. The flight was smooth, and we arrived late afternoon on Wednesday. Within an hour of landing in town we saw our favorite kids, and we went running to them, as they came running to us. We attended bible study at Da Wata Fountin, got some tasty Belizean food, and headed to bed early. Thursday was Garifuna Day, where they celebrate the arrival of the Garifuna people in Punta Gorda. We woke up at 5:30 AM to see the re-enactment of the landing of the Garifuna people; followed by much dancing, drumming, chanting, parades, and other festivities throughout the day. It is safe to say the town is hoppin. We spent the morning at a missionary's house helping them put together goodie bags to celebrate Jesus' Birthday. She needs to put together over a thousand bags for children in the Mayan villages, we were glad to serve her, and make a dent in the enormous amount of work she had to do. Later, we walked around the town, hung out with the kids, and did some exploring. Today, we are planning on making some signs for Da Wata Fountin, and doing whatever other work God leads us to do. The rest of the team arrives tomorrow, and we are so excited for them to join us. Belize is feeling more and more like home. We are having so much fun, and loving every minute of it. Thanks for all the prayers, we have been blessed so far. We miss you guys! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy! :)

So excited to be on our way to Belize, in the SFO airport.

View of the Carribean from the plane.

View of Punta Gorda, from the small airplane.

Playing with the kids at the futbol field.

Garifuna Day!!

Tracing, cutting, hole punching, tying for the goodie bags.

Keity and Mikey.

Who doesn't love jumping pictures?

Breakfast! :)