It's hard to believe I've been in Belize 2 weeks already. Wow. That went by super fast!
I thought I would do a Midway Highlights blog just to show what has stood out for me the most so far.
I didn't realize how hard that would be. There are way too many.
Starting with the first day.
I was blessed to meet Fr. Aric in person. Until then we had been meeting on Zoom for a year!
An unexpected treat was spending time with the Jesuit Priests in Belize City. That was not part of the original plan but I am glad God had His own plan for how that came to be.
It was such a good experience to spend the afternoon, evening and the next morning Mass with these wonderful men who are dedicating their lives to serving others.
Thank you to all of you for the wonderful work you are doing and especially for answering God's call.
The drive to Nazareth was nice. I got to know Fr Aric a little better and learn about Belize and especially about Toledo District where Fr Aric, and his brother Jesuit Priests who live in Punta Gorda, serve. It is also the District where the Pallotti Mission Sisters, that live in Nazareth, serve.
It has been truly amazing living with these wonderful Sisters. They are welcoming, generous, hard working and truly sincere in serving others. Not to mention they are so much fun.
We pray together, work together, serve others together, go swimming, go shopping, and share meals together. I feel like they have taken me in as one of their own. They are truly my sisters. This includes Magdalena who is not a religious sister but she is staying here while she finishes her studies.
I have nicknamed them as the "crazy ladies". LOL
Sometimes I am not hungry when it's meal time, but I go eat, even if it just a little, just to spend time with them. I don't want to miss any opportunity to do that.
I've also met some wonderful people who work with the sisters. Amalia is one of them. She helps out in the kitchen and she is a wonderful cook. I've learned a lot about Belize, the culture and even cooking from her. She has a beautiful smile and a sparkle in her eyes, even in the crazy heat.
The two men who work tending to the garden, chickens and overall maintenance of the facilities and grounds are also very friendly and hard working.
The ladies that help clean the retreat center and cook for the missionaries to spend time here, are also very nice ladies.
I was blessed to meet Ms. Olive who works at the St Claver Parish Office in Punta Gorda. So far I worked with her one day and spent some time with her getting to know her a little better and learning about the ministries and services provided to the people, schools and communities. I can honestly say, I feel like I have met a new friend who I am looking forward to getting to know better.
Then of course there are the children. They are all adorable and amazing. I just love being around them. They are so friendly and they are very inviting and willing to share. They are very generous and welcoming.
The day of reflection that Fr Aric was hoping to have me help with, did not happen due to time constraints.
But as God would have it, Sr. Esther is working on setting up a day retreat with high school students during the Easter break. How cool is that!? I am super excited about working with her and the students for this retreat. I'll share more on that one later.
Visiting the home-bound was a nice surprise. God willing I will be able to go again.
Participating in Sr Gabriella's women's group is also really good.
Daily Masses and prayer in the church has been great. Adoration on Sundays is amazing.
Just being able to go spend time with Jesus any time I want to is amazing.
Praying the Stations of the Cross with families has been a blessing.
Celebrating Mass with the local people has been amazing.
This list goes on and on.
What makes Belize a great place IS the people.
Now back to the day to day.
The sisters replaced the broken washing machine. Yay!!! Now we don't have to take a sweat bath to wash clothes. If we weren't having this heat wave it might not be so rough. But, we are grateful nonetheless.
As I went to wash clothes (the washer is in the same room as the sinks), I noticed this on the sink... ??? Feathers?
Yup, feathers. Amalia walks in with a pot and this is what is in it...
Guess what we had for lunch? Caldo and chicken with cabbage and some other local vegetables that I can't pronounce or spell. It looked like a feast! Very delicious and nutritious.
And fresh tortillas to boot! YUM!
Sr Catarina was making something in a dish. I asked what she was making. (That's me. Ms questions).
She called it, Saq'uy. It is made from corn flower. It's similar to our atole.
Sr Gabriela is making something like tamales. (picture below). It's meat in corn flour but a different shape.
I spent most of the morning working on things on the computer. Thank goodness for the internet right.
I worked on the SEAS Mayordomo schedule, and a few other things I've been keeping up with from here, online.
Plus working on the blogs.
I'm still skimming through emails and answering a few of the pertinent ones.
This came across an email and I thought I would share it.
Fr. Rocky has been doing some really short video clips that are very informative. If you follow the link below (click on the picture), you will be able to go to the previous clips as well if you are interested in learning a clip at a time.
This one is regarding the bells. I'd like to hear or see the ones he describes in the video clip that they do in Mexico. How cool right?!
I better go for now. Have laundry to take off the line. The sun has been out today so I imagine it's all dry by now.
Please feel free to ask questions or make suggestions if there is something else you would like to see in the blogs.
Have a great day!