Moving Day

Good Morning. It is bright and early this morning here in Belize. Actually it is still dark. That is how our life has been. We are exhausted and go to bed so early…at least by 10, and are awake at 5.

I wrote a blog yesterday morning and was so sad because the internet at our apartment is horrible. It comes on strong and then disappears completely, never to return. So, I am typing in a document and will save it and then send it when we can get to good internet.

The internet is the ONLY disappointment of yesterday.

It seems for a week, we have looked at things, researched possibilities, always to go to bed full of uncertainties. Always lots to pray about, asking God for direction.

Yesterday was a day full of answers, decisions, and plans for our future. Very refreshing. We have things to do here, but just getting settled is so much work. Not to mention being in a foreign land, with a foreign culture and dragging three children everywhere we go…without a car!!!

Tuesday, we awoke early to move out of the hotel. It was so expensive and we had to eat every meal out because we did not even have a fridge in the room. We have found a few cars, and it was down to two…neither choice I could embrace, for one reason or another…so we prayed. Then Lee called to set up for a taxi to take us to the apt. This was no easy task. You see, elevators, they are few and far between here. So what goes upstairs, has to come back down stairs. We stationed one older child in the room, the other in the lobby and Lee and I began hauling 7 large suitcases, carryons, laundry bags, carseat down. We totally packed out that little minivan, but it just fit. Thank you Jesus. Then were dropped off with all our stuff, with the threat of rain once again, and no owner to be found. Finally he came and unlocked the gate and the wonderful men working for him carried all of our suitcases up two flights of very steep stairs to the most beautiful place we will call home for the next month.

I am so thankful, and feel spoiled for you to even see where our first home is. But we are paying one months rent what we were paying for one week at the hotel. We are so thankful to now have a laundry room out on the porch, and one bedroom, and a kitchen to try to learn to cook here We were going to try to buy bunk beds for the girls and let Josh have the couch and the owner said he had said twin mattresses. Perfect. So the girls have somewhere comfy to sleep at night, and we pick them up during the day.

After just beginning to get settled, one of the men helping us find a car, brought a Toyota Camry over for us. This is a very old car, reminds me of one I drove for drivers ed 20 yrs ago. But it has air, an engine, and they installed seatbelts at our request, because the back seat did not have them. We drive with pride that the Lord has provided our legs transportation. And just in time, as the apt is a bit further from walking everywhere like the hotel was. It is actually in the neighborhood where our good friends who are helping us so much live.

So, an apartment, a car, so many things accomplished. Lee went and got insurance, and the title transferred over and put in some gas, and we were ready to go.

All this by lunch. So we still had no food and 3 very hungry children as it was 1:00 and they had only had cereal bars. My children are hungrier here too and I think it is because they are so much more physically active. We already have a favorite restaurant, yep fast food, just across from UB. It is cheap and pretty good. We have met a couple that works there who is so excited for us to start the church. They were both there yesterday. They are so precious. They have a 4 yr old boy and just found out they are expecting.

After lunch and more errands, we saw the Pastor we first ministered with many years ago when Josh was just 5. He is now in Belmopan. It is amazing how we have met people over the years and now once again, they are here in the same city we are called to minister at this time. We are thankful for connections in a time of feeling so disconnected from everything familiar.

Our first grocery trip came next. OOOOO, that is going to be challenging and expensive. Many things are not labeled, prices are high, selection is low, and there are many things they just don’t have. My new friend Sarita, said she will take me to Market this weekend and help me get produce. Of course trying to set up a household and our first trip, I felt I spent so much, but got so little. Tori and Josh were such a help though, because Erika had fallen asleep in the car, so Lee needed to stay with her. The kids were great at helping check on prices, and try to find things, but I left with so many things I could never even find. The store was small and limited on supplies. So last night for dinner, we had eggs, toast, yummy yogurt and Tang. Nice start, huh? Today, Tori and I will make black beans with a little ham and white rice for dinner. She is eager to help me cook. I am eager to have her help me. We are all thankful to have a kitchen now.

We rushed to put things away, wash our faces, and feet, yes feet…our feet get so dirty if we don’t have tennis shoes on. And we were heading to the Tawainese family’s home, which means no shoes inside

The meeting with the family once again went well. We still cannot believe it, but took care of many details yesterday. The girls were home from school and just awesome. The oldest has 3 months left of school, but has chosen to move in with a friend. Tori and Erika will take her room. The 17 yr old that will live with us, was so kind. Her English was perfect, as if she had been raised in the US. She seemed to connect with us and was excited to have an American family live with her. She is planning to becoming a nurse, but not sure if she will immediately go to the US to study or stay in Belmopan the first year. I can tell she is going to be a blessing to our family. She is very mature, yet still a kid. The older sister is very energetic so Erika had a blast playing with her. The family is selling everything they have, we came with no furniture. So, they prepared a discounted price list for us. God is so good even here. We are buying the things we want, they will sell the rest to others. We do not have to haul furniture and neither do they. We are basically buying their appliances and main furnishings: couches, beds, closets, dressers, all matching and very beautiful. They are selling them for less then they are worth and these things are nicer than we would have purchased. They are all fairly new furnishings and just perfect for the house. We discussed having Promise inside. The girl was excited. The dad just wanted to make sure he will not tear up things. We assured that he wouldn’t and agreed to repair if he did. A few hours later, when we returned to sign the contract, Lee asked if we could pray as our two families were signing all of this. It was really neat. It is an emotional thing. We feel that God has used this family to greatly bless ours. And they are entrusting their daughter to our care. We want them to be blessed as well.

Last evening, I cried as I took in the day. Took in the blessings. I was so fearful to come here a year and half ago. I was so fearful of how we would live, what kind of home, who our neighbors would be, if I would have any friends. In just one short week, God, in the intimate way He does things, has blessed us more than I could ever imagine. We have a vehicle temporarily until we can get what we need for ministry, we have a home, furnishings, and already some people in our life. My heart is full.



I know this post is long. I wanted to share a few more things. We are supposed to have internet here at the apt, and it is not working well. We do not want to complain, as the owners are so precious, so our connection may be limited until we get in our home the first of March. We will go and get internet as we can. The kids are doing great. Their attitude is wonderful. They love the apt, but cannot wait to get to the house. There is even a tilapia pond and the man said he would leave his pole so Josh could sometimes catch fish for dinner. The yard is full of fruit trees and a vegetable garden that he has really babied. He said we don’t have to keep the garden, but better take care of those trees Avacadoes, limes, and much more. Pray our vehicle runs smoothly as long as we need it. It is very small especially to add one more, but we just have to do what we have to until we get the van. It is an automatic, so I could drive if I wanted to.

This morning we will check in with the US embassy and attempt to buy more food. Probably try to get some schooling done with the kids.

The home we are moving to is so wonderful. I cannot wait. But am so thankful for this time here, as well.

Pineapple: two older kids ran through rain to buy
Drawing: by the sweetest 4 yr old ever
Words: from a computer translation sight
Priceless:  look on the face of the lady who cleaned our room all week at hotel when Erika ran to give it to her.  She loved Erika.  Don't know what God will do with this connection, but maybe even just a seed.

YAY:  a kitchen....eating out with 5 gets expensive

our home for the next month

Josh helping me get laundry going...he is a great kid.  I love him.

reminder of God's beauty, only have to step on back patio for a second









Our new ride...we even had to ask for seatbelts to be installed in the back...think I drove something like this 20 years ago.  So thankful for a car.  Thankful for things we would not be in the States here.



Three great Jesus loving kids who traded it all and God blessed us because of it.