belize2008's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries TravelStream™ news feed for member belize2008 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/belize2008 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:29:07 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com The Last Day - by Sydney — Belize City, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215830280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215830280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215830280/tpod.html Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:29:07 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Belize City, Belize

After our day of snorkeling next on the agenda was visiting Mayan Ruins for the day. We woke up, packed our bags and went out for breakfast. After having breakfast Kate and Suzie had agreed to baptize Bri and I in the Carribean Ocean. We all walked down to the beach together and on the beach was a washed up and dead Portugese Manowar Jelly Fish. Bri got a little bit excited and ran over to it. "I want to pop it!" she said very excited. Of course, she was wearing flip flops. The jelly fish popped but as its last revenge the tentacles swung around and stung her foot. Then we waded into the water and Suzie and Kate baptized each of us. With the baptization of us Kate and Suzie has now officially baptized everyone on the Belize Missions Team. We then got on a water taxi and went to Belize City. Once arriving in Belize City we got on a bus and drove out to a boat launch. Once there we got on another water taxi and took and hour and a half boat ride up a river leading into the jungle. In the boat we passed a Menanite village where there were people in horse drawn carriges. We arrived at the Laminai site and started walking through the jungle to get to the Mayan Ruins. It's true when people say that everything is almost ten times bigger in the jungle. I've never seen mosqiuitoes that big in my entire life. The forest was buzzing with the sound of massive insects that we thankfully could not see. As we were walking through the jungle our tour guide was pointing out herbs and plants that the Mayans used. He showed us this one plant that had these tiny little balls on it. He pulled one off and told us that it naturally had novacaine in it. Sophie and I got really currious so we pulled one off and bit into it. Our tongues were completly numb for a good time after. We visited three Mayan Ruins: The Mask Temple, The High Temple, and the Jaguar Temple. The most impressive one was the High Temple. We climbed to the top of it and had a view that only birds would get to see. We stood there and looked out at the top of the jungle canopy and at the distant hills of Mexico. Climbing down was a bit of an adventure. The stairs were very small, extreamly steep and over all pretty terrifying; but it was well worth it. As we stood on top of the Jaguar Temple we heared a deep screaming very close to us in the trees. A band of howler monkeys were apparently not too impressed with our presence. If I had heared one of those in the night time I probably woud have peed my pants, they were so loud and menacing. As we walked back towards our boat Dougald found an innocent looking snake. He approached the snake with a stick and proceded to try and pick it up. Our tour guide, Stanley, took one look at the snake and jumped away very quickly. The innocent looking snake Dougald was bravely trying to tame was infact the seccond most venamous snake in the world with a striking range of up to 12 feet. If one was to be bitten by one of these vipers they could expect an hour left of life if medical attention was not immediately seeked. We were well over two hours away from the nearest hospital. So mustering up some courage Dougald grabbed a large rock and dropped it on the snake, decapitating it. Walking on the dock we ran into some more wild life. A red rumped tarantula was standing right in our path. It was easially three times bigger than the tarantula we had encountered earlier on in the week. As we speeded down the river on our way back we saw two crocodiles. One of them dove down in the water right in front of our boat and it was massive! We got back to the dock and all pilled into the bus. As Stanley tried to turn on the bus we all heared the engine pathetically sputter and then, die. We had no idea what was wrong with the bus so as they tried to repair it the team sat cathing small fish, skipping rocks on the water and chatting. After about two hours of no sucsess in fixing the bus a new one came to get us. We drove back and all went out for dinner at a Chinese restaraunt called Friendships. Once we got back to the hotel we all went swimming and had our final team de-brief. Then a tropical storm set in and we retired to inside to hide from the torrential down pour.Being in Belize was, I think, the most amazing experience for all of us girls that went. With the help of our amazing leaders, our two body gaurds and of course from Ma, Basil, Papsi, Darita, Dores, Delroy, and Big Bad Leroy Brown this trip will be one that will never be forgotton and always hold a special place in all of our hearts.
]]> Day 10 - by Sophie — Caye Caulker, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215571440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215571440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215571440/tpod.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:46:18 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Caye Caulker, Belize

Hey Bloggers!Sophie here. Chillen in the internet cafe in Caye Caulker, Belize. It's been one rad day. I am so stoked to be the one blogging.So the day started off as a sad goodbye. Packing up the last of our belongings from the Cabanas we called home, saying our farewells to the staff, and taking our last looks at the base. I miss it already. But instead of our departure being quick, the water taxi decided to breakdown on its way over. We ended up spending three hours waiting in the sun. Doen't sound half bad, right? Well earlier on, I agreed with you. We spent the time bathing in the sunlight- trying to make up for the shorts and t-shirts tans we have baked into out skin from the week before. But all that time in the sizzling belizian sunlight with no sunscreen can only do one thing- burn. And that it did. It wasn't until this afternoon we realized we were being so stupid.  Finally when the replacement boat arrived we all piled our luggage and ourselves into the tiny boat and set out. The waves were REDICULOUSLY choppy. We sped through Caribbean ocean on a metal dingy, with no life jackets, in waves as big as the boat. hahaha. Great adventure, right? Yeah. But we can only say that because no one died. (Thank goodness.)When we finally got to Belize City, we got on yet another boat to the island we're on now, Caye Caulker.We loaded our bags into our hotel rooms and set off on our snorkelling adventure. IT WAS WICKED BY THE WAY.We swam in a swarm of Mantarays, held starfish, and BEST OF ALL we swam with a Manatee!Our team goal for this trip was to see one- and there we were swimming with it. Apparently it is super rare to see them on the tour we went on, and we got to! It was super wicked.All of this has been amazing. The best week of my life. I have learned more about myself, the world, and God than  I have ever known before.I miss the village though- and all the people I met there. I will never forget a single face.I better run though, I miss you all so so much.Love,SophiexoxoPs. Sorry no pictures, paying for time.
]]> Day 9 - by Rachel — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215477480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215477480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215477480/tpod.html Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:45:14 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

Day 9 started much too early, as usual. For breakfast we ate beans, eggs, and fried jacks- which are deep-fried doughy things that Suzi helped make, and they were delicious! After that we headed out to the village to do work projects. After a jolting van ride and salty boat ride we made it to the village to be greeted by some of the village kids that were waiting for us on the dock- it's so touching that they're always so excited to see us! Today we were extra stoked to see them, as it was the last day we spent in the village. So we let them crawl all over our laps as we did devotions in the church. It was my day and I talked on Matthew, and after we were done we split into two groups to do raking and cleaning up lawns. I was in Kate's group, and we headed down the roadside to clean up garbage, dead palm leaves, decaying wood, and rotting coconuts and pile them in heaps for incineration. Might I add that expired coconut milk smells like outhouse. It was the most unpleasant working experience of my life, because we all got munched on by bugs the entire time. We were hauling things around in tall grass, and with bare legs we got swarmed by mosquitos. There were also big termites in the wood, blue centipedes, and fire ants to add to our adventures. The only enjoyable part was when we took a break to pick some ripe coconuts from a nearby tree and get one of the villagers the maschete it open. By the time we headed back to Gentle's "cool spot oasis" (-Bart) restaurant we were all sick or sore or both. But yummy rice and chicken/fish/beef, and 1/2 Litre of pop each cured us of our ailments and we headed back to the church. For the next hour or so we played with kids, ate coconut crisps and dried mangos, and just spent time with the villagers. It was a bit emotional when we realized we had to leave. We all hugged the kids tight and tears were shed as we shoved off and waved a final goodbye to the village. We will miss them alot!When we got back we were all exhausted and dirty and the team disbanded to find relief in swimming, sleeping, washing, or spending time some time alone. I was in the ocean as soon as I could change into my suit to get the sweat and muck off me! Whilst in the ocean, Danielle got stung by a jellyfish- and we all left the ocean pretty quickly. Don't worry parents!- She's completely fine. It was only a tiny sting and she can't even feel it anymore. The rest of the time before dinner was spent in me and Mel's cabana. It started out with Sophie and Syd, then somehow the entire team was in our room and we all chilled out in our cramped little room! We danced and sang to various Shania Twain and Taylor Swift songs, and just relaxed.Dinner was delicious, but not long after Suzi ordered us to go pack our bags up and clean our disgustingly dirty rooms and bathrooms. We then reconviened in the main room to play dutch blitz, a favourite card game of the week, and cranium, eat birthday cake and sing to Jude- who is a part of the discipleship program in the village.So tomorrow we set out to Caye Caulker for a snorkling adventure. I think the general feel of the group is that we're sad to be leaving the base and the village. We all love it here at Vera and Basil's place; we'll miss it alot! We'll miss all the people we've met in the village and all the ridiculous crocodile-filled jungle rides to get there! We'll miss the ocean swims and playing cards in the main room, and we'll miss the puppies Cheeko and Puma, and the parrot, and the meal bell that informs us of a delicious meal awaiting us. Me, I feel like we've been here for months but at the same time not nearly long enough! So tomorrow we leave, tear, but we're all excited to embark on our adventure trips and relax!Note from the Leaders: Rachel 'bout summed that up.
]]> Day 8 - by Melissa — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215390960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215390960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215390960/tpod.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:11:19 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

Hi Friends!!  Thanks for all your prayers and comments, and for following along with our adventures! I have some exciting updates for you!  Last night was definitly an adventure.  I was getting ready for bed in my cabanna, and had just tucked in my mosquito net when I heard screams and hysterics coming from next door.  Of course, achel and I get up and go see what is up.  No one would really give me a straight answer, so I just barged into Suzi, Leah, Jori and Krystels room and almost stepped on the TARANTULA that had just crawled out from under Suzi's bag.  Leah is deathly afraid of spiders, and the tarantula sent her over the edge.  There were four girls on top of the two beds,which were now broken, Leah was huddling on top of a toilet, and syd comes barging in with a cup and fearlessly traps the giant animal as it made a break for the bathroom. Of course, our fearless bodyguard Dugald came running in then, after hearing our screams from across the base, disposed of the beast.  Syd is now our nightguard, and killer of the creepers.  It was a slow start this morning after such an eventful night, but we were awake enough to glimpse TWO crocs on our way to the boat for church this morning.  Luckily, the roads have dried a bit and we saw them from the safety of our 20-passenger van.  Sunday school is different here, it happens before the regular service, and then all the kids go home and some adults come. It was evident that we were missed yesterday when we didn't go into the village at all, because there were about 10 kids on the dock waiting for our boat,  and the church was completly packed with kids, excited to see us, and sing the same songs we have been singing all week.  Church was really cool, we sang, and our dance team and some of the older girls from the village showed of the dance they created, to show different forms of worship.  Then Jude, the intern here at Belize Missions and Retreat, shared a bit of Hebrews.  After church we went for lunch at Alice's Restraunt, which is really just a house and a kitchen full of rice, beans, chicken and plantain! Alice is a fantastic cook!  When we finished lunch, we headed down to Emmith and Jill's to get drum lessons from an internationaly-known drummer! ( Check your lonely planet on Belize, Emmith is in there!)  It was so cool, but turns out we white girls have no rhythm! Or at least I don't, the rest of the team was pretty great.  We headed back to the base after our lessons, with sore hands and full stomachs from Jills homemade milkshakes.  As usual, we swam and played Dutch Blitz before dinner, which as usual was delicous!  The staff here are such blessings, and their kids that live here are adorable!  After dinner we traded worship songs with the girls in the discipleship training program Vera started in the village.  They have been here all weekend, and are just starting to understand our craziness and chaos.  We did some devos, and now, everyone is heading to bed.  We are all still exhausted after that sleepover, and it is going to be a long day in the sun, doing work projects and cleaning up the village.  We all miss you, and please keep us in your prayers, especially for health and energy in the last few days of our trip.Lots of love!!!MelPS. After reading this, Leah wanted me to add that there was a chicken foot in the stew Alice made us, which we all avoided
]]> Day 7 - by Leah — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215295860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215295860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215295860/tpod.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:08:43 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

 hello friends,I miss you all!!!!!! Ok so today was pretty chill, not much to say but i shall try to write a full paragraph :PFirstly, last night was the girls sleep over at the mission base. Well about 25 came and we played silly games and talked about boys and stayed up 'till about 5 am, however after running around all day doing VBS and sports camp i was exausted and feeling rather sick so i ended up ging to bed early. Then this morning we watched one of the village girls Una get baptised. Woot!!! After that the girls left and the team had the whole mornig to catch up on some sleep. After lunch we re-covered chairs, cleaned the common room in the lodge, cleaned the chappel and did a grounds clean up. I was re-covering chairs. I used a staple gun hee hee heee! Don't worry mum i didnt hurt myself :) This eavening we  did some yoga! Dr. Delroy the yoga man, who works at the base on weekends, teaches yoga and he showed us his moves. Kate, Sophie, and my dad all tryed and failed to copy him. But Rachel showed him up and busted some moves of her own! :D  Now we are just hanging out and playing some cards. Thats all for now. Miss you all! All my love, Leah <3Note from the Leaders:The girls are exhausted after running three days of VBS and Sports Camp, on top of having an all-nighter with the local older girls (10 +). But the sleepover was really a blessing for the girls, to get out of the village and get to just be girls. We are all tired, but moral is good in the group. They are all really excited to go to church tomorrow and also go to  drum lesson with an internationally famous drummer, Emmeth, who lives in the village. The group is growing closer every day, as they share the trials and tribulations of the mission field - exhaustion, body oder, dirt, bug bites, and being in a constant state of looking out for others (an attribute we hope they will apply to their daily lives). They are growing and stretching and its amazing to watch! Jesus is amongst them all day long, and they know it and love it and are learning to live it. Keep praying!
]]> Day 6 - Leaders Update — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215228480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215228480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215228480/tpod.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:06:06 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

We are still alive and well. And well fed. Currently the girls are having a sleepover with around 25 girls from the village, and are eating popcorn and watching a movie. Already tonight we have had a make-over competition, a marshmellow eating contest, and a dance-off. It's been a fun night, and its probably only just beginning.Today in the village was our last day running VBS and Sports Camp. The VBS was amazing: all the kids were singing with us and even knew some actions, as well as dancing around and being genuinely involved. The girls loved seeing the kids learning the actions and words, and actually singing the words out. The crafts and games went much more smoothly as well, so the girls were really happy with the results.Sports camp also went well. We sent the older kids to play "real" soccer across the field, while half of us played red rover and "dog and the bone" with the younger kids. Then we got out buckets of water and sponges and played "over/under" for all of 5 seconds before a waterfight broke out. Quickly we brought out the two hundred some water balloons we filled up over lunch and Dugald lead the way to a pretty epic waterfight. We had the younger kids attack the older kids, before attacking the team, before ripping into the bags to get to all the other balloons and attacking anything in sight.we came home, swam in the ocean, ate and got ready for the girls. the girls are spent but most of them are holding up for the sake of making our girls feel special, which is inspiring. Go Girls!- the leaders
]]> Day 5 - by Jori — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215127380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215127380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215127380/tpod.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:47:00 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

Woot!! today we woke up and guess what?? We are all still sweaty, bug bitten and feeling amazing about being here! SO, breakfast was pancakes and pinapple. I did a morning devotion for the group afterwards, and then we headed to the village for our second day of VBS and sports camp. We started out VBS with some songs and then split into groups. The theme was being "princesses" and "princes" of God. So for the craft we decorated burger king crowns and at music center we taught the song royalty from NSAC'S summer vbs. And the last station made balloon animals, which went great, but all the kids wanted to pop them.Lunch was at Gentle's restaurant and it was amazing. Rice, beans, and stewed chicken with some sort of potato salad...yum...haha and during lunch, sophie, leah, krystal and myself all got our hair braided by some of the women in the village.Sports camps consisted of relays including a shaving cream fight, races and skipping competitions. It was a complete success in addition to yesterday's soccer game and stella stella ola hand games. Coming back to base, we dove into the water to get refreshed after a long dayDinner was pretty much the same as lunch and we ended this day with debrief :)- JoriNote from the Leaders: Today we finally did laundry. Everyone still smells terrible. But we love each other. It's cool to see the girls continuing in the relationships they began yesterday, feeling even more comfortable around the kids. They are really getting into the culture of Belize, the food and talk and weather. Please pray for continued energy and for the weather to keep holding up - it's been perfect!
]]> Day 4 - by Danielle — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215047280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215047280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1215047280/tpod.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:50:21 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

Today was day 4, our first day of vbs and sports camp in the village. It was an absolutely amazing day. We started off with our daily trek through the jungle, wading through almost knee deep water all the way there. When we made it to the village, some of us drove through in the van, picking up kids to bring back to the church. We started up, and throughout the morning almost all of us met our prayer children! It was so exciting seeing the bonding that went on between our team and all the kids we met. The morning was fabulous, but the kids in the village seem to have an endless supply of energy, and by lunch we were exhausted. We were so blessed by a couple in the village who made us an awesome lunch that kept us going through the afternoon. During lunchtime we hung out with the kids and some of the other villagers selling jewellry and things across the road. Rejuvenated, we headed off to the school field with the kids for sports camp. Some of us played a huge game of soccer and others played games with the smaller kids. So many more friendships were made just by hanging out and playing with them.When we got back to the base, we all headed straight into the ocean. We swam around, bodysurfing and jumping into the waves until we had to get ready for dinner. Showering was a pretty great experience...we even felt clean for a few minutes before spraying ourselves all over with Off again. After dinner we went back to the village for bible study in the evening. Worshipping with the villagers was an awesome experience. We broke off into boy and girl bible studies, and while we were talking, the rain started. By the time we were ready to leave, it was absolutely pouring. Not the vancouver definition of pouring either - it was about twice as intense as any rain ive ever seen. Me and Jori were the only ones without raincoats and we were soaked to the skin in under a minute. Crossing the lagoon in our little boat was an unbelievable adventure, mostly because it was pouring, lightninging (suzis new word), and pitch black...finding the dock at the other shore was somehow successful, and we began our trek through the jungle in the same conditions. Through alot of worship (and disney) song singing, we made it back unscathed, but very wet and dirty. We prayed some praise for such an exciting, adventure filled day, popped some benadryl to deal with the itching bug bites, and now were headed to bed.Love you all and thanks for the prayersdanielle  Note from the Leaders:Parents: your girls are fantastic. We simply couldn't ask for a better team. They have taken everything with grace and patience and see it all as an adventure. Complaining is non-existance amongst our team, which is priceless. Today with the children they were simply wonderful - each had a child (or two) scooped up in her arms all day long, chasing them around and loving on them non-stop. Their energy is a beautiful thing.
]]> Day 3 - By Brianne — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1214963400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1214963400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1214963400/tpod.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:12:15 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

So today was our second day in Belize and our first day in the village! We walked from our missionary base to the lagoon and most of the road was flooded with strangley coloured water. once we were in the village (which was amazing), we loaded 19 mattresses into a van and dilivered them throughout the village.  It was so very humid and hot, but all the villagers were really friendly and we instantly fell in love. =) Melissa found her prayer child Kenard and the look on her face when she introduced us was priceless! I don't think I have seen anyone so happy.While driving through the village most of the Belizian children started to walk with us or jump on the van. Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming, and we are all so excted to go back tomorrow and start our VBS. When all of us returned from the village most of us decided to learn how to play Dutch Blitz. I had never heard of it but it's pretty much Suzi's favorite game. She made up these crazy names for our teams; Super Juice (Jori and Syd), Sugar Bananas (Suzi and Bri), Merciful Duck (Mel and Danielle), and my personal fav. Lieutenant Rodent (Leah and Rachel). After dinner we prepared for our VBS and now we are all just hanging out having excellent times. We miss you all!!!- BrianneSide Note from the Leaders: The girls really did fantastic today. They slowly, but surely, became more and more comfortable with the kids who were following us and started giving high fives and making friends. By the end of the hour, most of them had a child in their arms or holding their hand. We were eaten alive by mosqitoes but the girls have barely complained, they are true stars for this. Last night at this time, there were sound asleep and most of them slept more than 12 hours overnight. Tonight they are up, playing some serious card games with the staff at our centre. While headaches ran rampant from the sun, heat, and probably dehydration, their spirits are high and they are in good health. God is starting some amazing things in their midst, and we are so blessed to be a part of it.
]]> Settling into Gales Point — Gales Point, Belize http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1214872980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1214872980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/belize2008/1/1214872980/tpod.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:50:55 -0400 Belize Outreach 2008
Gales Point, Belize

We arrived by boat with all our luggage, stopping for lunch in Old Belize to avoid the torrential downpours of rain. The girls all got hot dogs, while the leaders dabbled in some belizean food - mmmmmmmmmmmm.Anyway - the boat. We piled on and the rain stopped and we enjoyed a lovely one hour boat ride down the coast of belize. We pulled into Turtles Shores and leapt into the Carribean sea in our clothing, hauling our bags and supplies and other boxes of things Gales Point needed. The mosquitoes were ready for us. We were attacked upon arrival by droves of hungry beasties. We slathered on the wonderful chemical Deet, which helped, and then hauled all our stuff up to our cabanas. The girls were divided randomly by Basil and Vera, and we moved in. After washing up, changing, hanging up our soaking clothes and jumping around with joy, we sat for our orientation. As of now, most of the girls are asleep and napping, and dinner is in two hours.We made it! Our bags made it! Everyone is safe, happy, healthy and tired!
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