Late Wednesday evening (Belize time)
Hello from Belize!
Welcome to another day's chronicle of our mission to strengthen the bonds of faith and community alongside the students, staff, and families of St. Hilda's Anglican School. Today marked the midway point in our all-too-brief visit with the children and teachers here, just as we have settled into a routine of morning preparation & reflection, a communal breakfast in the dining hall of the mission centre, and then a van ride over to St. Hilda's.
Morning classes run from 9am to 12noon, with a recess for outdoor play and snack between 10:15-10:30am. Lunch is an hour long, and then the classes go from 1-2:30pm (for Infant I & II), or until 3:30pm for the older children. Today classes ended at 3pm so that two of our missioners (Sue, a nurse, and Jane, a physiotherapist) could offer some first aid training to the staff. While there is a local clinic, and a trained nurse, facilities are sorely lacking. Part of this afternoon's session included brainstorming for alternative immediate treatments.
All through this week, we have been putting the literacy materials and training we got back in Canada to good use, inside and out of the classroom. Often times we take small groups out to the picnic tables crafted by the last Cathedral mission (centrally located, but nicely shaded as you can see above), so that we can play alphabet, word, and other educational games with the children, or read together. That has been very well received by both students and teachers, since it gives the opportunity for more intensive interaction and learning, all in a fun and stimulating way.
This afternoon the youngest schoolchildren, in Infant I & II (the age of our kindergarteners and grade one-ers back home) got a chance to play with the parachute we brought down. As you can see, it was as big a hit with them as it was with the older children! Miss Roan, Miss Kirsten, Miss Natalie, and I had lots of fun showing them how to play with the parachute and each other, but it tuckered us all out pretty quickly keeping up with their energy level and enthusiasm. Especially in the hot, hot sun - the earlier, unseasonably cool weather for Belize that was here earlier in the week is gone for good it seems.
Here you see the children of Infant I, who Miss Kirsten & I (Miss "Annie") have gotten to know so well in such a short time. They have been opening our eyes to the joys and challenges of growing up in Belize, and their faith and prayers have been an inspiration. We hope to watch them grow over the years, in body, and mind, and soul, enriched by the tools and training we've been able to bring to Belize through our mission. One day, one or more of them may move beyond the public school system, and aspire to higher education in high school or even university.
Miss Beverly and Mr. Doug (of the Cathedral Mission), and Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Armando (of St. Hilda's) have spent the last few days meeting with the students we sponsor at the high school level through the Cathedral, along with family members, to see how they are progressing, and how we might best encourage them in their endeavours. Please continue to keep these students in your prayers, as well as Mrs. Bennett as she volunteers as our liaison with the schools on our behalf and the students'.
Last, but certainly not least, the reason we all are here. In one way or another, God has called us to Belize, to build up each other in faith and prayer. The natural beauty of Belize surrounds us like another Eden, but the mark of human endeavour is found at every turn. We hope that our work here brings only good things to the people of Belize, that they may be lifted up in spirit, as we are in our work, by God's grace.
P.S. A very, very Happy Birthday to my beloved Gabriel, born seven years ago this morning! Much love to all our family and friends in Canada and beyond, as you think of us and pray for our success and safety here in beautiful Belize. <3 Anne Thornton (aka Mama, or aka Miss Annie)
