Belize'n It Up - Kristin Sterk

Belize City. I truly had no idea what to expect. In fact, this whole trip we didn’t know what to expect. In fact, in LIFE…I don’t know what to expect. That is a lesson God has been continually teaching me. Don’t expect – live in faith.

When we told people we were going to Belize, everyone right away thought “beaches.” (rightfully so!). Many thought we would be getting this great suntan, but that was the last reason as to why we were there. In fact, we never saw a beach, except from the air. For that I am thankful because I think it would’ve taken away from what we were there to do. I saw all this because the picture below is of Tourist Village.

If you have ever been to Belize, by cruiseship, this is probably where you went. I struggle with Tourist Village. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but I feel it is not a good representation of the location. Belizeans are not allowed on this “island” unless they work there. Granted I would think tourists can leave that area and walk around Belize City, but as I sat on the seawall, overlooking the village and watching boats drop people off, my eyes started to water. I kept thinking of those in Belize City, who were homeless. Who probably look at those ships and think “never.” I got really frustrated. I just wanted to shout over there “do you know the poverty that sits on the otherside of this island?” Dan reminded me that Kristin, vacations are okay. And he is so right. And who am I to judge those people getting off of the boats? For all I know, they are Jesus freaks who are just taking a break from their daily work. Who am I to judge? I see NOTHING wrong with taking a break – taking a vacation. I guess I just saw two worlds collide with such force and I didn’t know how to make heads or tails of it. It caused me to keep things in perspective and there are different “seasons” of life. Tourism is a huge money maker for the country (and it’s increasing). It is providing jobs for the Belizeans. It is bringing in revenue. So don’t go and think I’ve completely lost it :). It was just hard to see the poverty that we did and see these huge cruiseships come in at night.

Rain clouds on the horizon

One the best experiences of this trip was handing out beans and rice. I have worked at inner city homeless shelters, but never have I seen the poverty and need for food as great as I did in Belize City. I may be a little off in these prices, but I believe it cost around $115 for the 100lb. bag of beans and $60 for the 100lb. bag of rice (US prices). Yes, it may seem like a lot, but you think about what you get for that price, and I think it’s a pretty good price. Actually, forget the price – think of how many mouths these bags fed! I just look at those two bags and think of how God used these bags!

While filling the bags, Pastor Betson’s two grandchildren stood on the seawall throwing rocks – just too cute!

Filling up those bags!

Definitely takes a system

Karen tying up the bags…

View down the road of where we were staying (they were doing construction on it so it isn’t drivable yet). The government wanted to fix up the area (areas that were in viewing of Tourist Village) so they offered to paint the houses along this street for FREE – they could choose a color from a pallet of colors. Pastor Betson was so thankful because apparently it needed some updating, but couldn’t afford to paint it himself – what an answer to prayer! PLUS…workers came in and did it!

Tourist Village

Pastor Betson had told us that on Thursday morning he was going to a youth center to talk to troubled teens. Both Dan and I’s hearts leaped, but didn’t want to ask to go. Well, Pastor Betson said that morning that he would like 3-4 people to come if they could – Dan and I right away volunteered! On this trip, we really felt a huge desire to work with the kids and teens. What a great opportunity! We walked to the center (which is hard to explain b/c it was like a town center), and got to see what a typical morning looks like in Belize City. When we walked in, all of the teens were wearing the same thing – brown t-shirts (there were hooks for kids to leave their hats), while sitting in a u-shape, listening intently. I sat there wondering “these kids are troubled?” The whole time sitting there, I had to remind myself that these kids are here for a reason – I have sat in on other “troubled teen” groups and they were NEVER this well-behaved. Respecting elders in Belize is a big thing and it was obvious. Rarely did Pastor Betson have to stop and say “listen up.” It was impressive and made me think of how disrespectful we can be!

Pastor Betson was talking to them about their dreams. He asked them “what do you see yourself doing in 5 years? What are your dreams?” His next question was “how do you see yourself getting there? What will it take?”

Some of the answers were basketball player, football player, business owner, and work in the trades. The common theme that MOST of them said was to “work hard” to obtain those dreams. I just see these kids and wonder “what future do they have?” I see the gangs and how influential they are – I fear for them only because the gangs will lead them no where. Pastor Betson did SUCH a good job at relating to the kids – he told them his story of growing up in a large family and living in a house the size of our bedroom. The struggled he had to go through to get to where he is today. I looked around the room and Pastor Betson has those kids’ respect – those kids were listening so intently and you could see the wheels turning in their heads. My hope is that when they feel like turning down a deadend road, that they think about what Pastor Betson told them.

After Pastor Betson was done talking, he had asked us if we had anything we wanted to say. Dan raised his hand and that man went into youth pastor mode! It brought literal chills down my spine (in a hot room) to hear Dan give his testimony and relate to these kids. He had their ears and minds. Dan talked about how pride of thinking that “I can do this life on my own” can get in the way – how it’s not worth it – how he NEEDS someone else (Christ). He told the story of when I tell him to go ask for directions when we are lost and he doesn’t want to b/c he can figure it out. He doesn’t need to ask for help. Well, we end up getting more lost. Finally I tell him “fine, I will go in and ask for directions.” The kids all laughed because they realized Dan still didn’t want to say that he was “lost” because that would mean he couldn’t do it on his own. Dan said it’s the pride in him not asking for help, that gets him nowhere, but there IS Someone who offers help, who wants to help – Someone who cares – Christ. I just butchered how Dan told it, but he had those teens smiling, laughing, but serious too. Dan tied in and presented the gospel message in a way that was easy to understand – I was in AWE of how God was using Dan in that moment. To see Dan just stand up and talk about how Christ has changed his life – how he desires that for them too. It just confirms in me our calling to ministry. Dan is so gifted at speaking to teens (I have no doubt he could do it with adults too), but he has such a gift of speaking.

Well, then Pastor Betson whipped out the ping-pong table. The kids have never played before, so he wasn’t only teaching them the fundamentals, but the tricks too :). And still the best part, was being able to understand what everyone was saying b/c they spoke English

After the kids tried, no one else was volunteering, so Dan raised his hand to play against Pastor Betson. All I have to say is that when Pastor Betson took his paddle out of a carrying case, took the protective plastic off of both sides of his paddle, I knew this man meant serious business. Pastor Betson had some SERIOUS ping-pong skills! Dan ended up losing 8-11, but we all knew Pastor Betson was going a little easy on him in the beginning. He puts such a spin on the ball that sends it in who knows what direction! The kids LOVED it! They were hootin’ and hollarin’ for Dan to win, but were in awe of Pastor Betson’s skills.

You had to be SO quick!

Dan and I would’ve loved to have talked to the teens more – our hearts just missed youth ministry sitting there. Since being back home, Dan said it would be so awesome to lead a Bible study down in Belize. The people are SO HUNGRY for the Word and the Word is so life-changing. We just want to SHARE it! We were thinking of ways we could relate to the teens, the adults, whomever – to just sit and talk about how the Bible applies to our life – that is what we love!

Change of pace…

There were a few of these signs throughout the city – I chuckle at it every time only because I doubt the waters get THIS high where the person is drowning, unless there is a hurricane!

We got back to the house at noon and there sat all the cruise ships!

Another view of Tourist Village

You all know my obsession with Christian rap. Well, Alex was talking about a Christian rap song and Dan told him he had a few songs he had to listen to. They apparently were trying to also BE rappers.

I don’t have pictures of the rest of the day…but for lunch we went to Friendship Chicken again (still, the best fried chicken ever :)). For $5.00 US ($10 Belizean) you could get a HUGE plate of chicken and rice. Well, we would eat half of it and box up the rest. We would take our take-out boxes and find someone homeless and give them a warm meal. WHY HAVE I NEVER THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE? This is probably the most TANGIBLE thing I have ever done – to order just a little more of something (or just eat less), box it up, and find someone to give it to! Granted I think it is a little easier to find someone homeless in Belize City than it is where we live, but still. It’s the principle of the matter. This is probably one of the biggest take-home ideas I had learned!

That afternoon, we walked around the Burial Grounds, just spreading the gospel. Ah, tears flow as I type this. My friends, I have never spread the gospel in this type of way before. It took both Dan and I out of our comfort zone in a tremendous way, but it was incredibly life-changing. I have a hard time putting it into words. Actually…sorry, that is a teaser…I am going to do another blog post about that afternoon b/c it’s a whole blog post in and of itself.

Yesterday I talked about Charles, the man in a wheelchair. This is a pic of Dan and I, with Charles and his bride-to-be Bernadine. They are one of the most beautiful couples I have met, both inside and out. They both just GLOW with the love of Christ. They are not married yet because Charles is praying for a miracle. He is praying that one day God will heal him so that he can walk Bernadine down the aisle. I know, wipe the tears from your cheeks. I pray that for him too. In Belize they basically have “common law” where after 2 years I think you are considered married, but they refuse to be. Though, Bernadine wants to so bad :). They are such a great example of Christian love and devotion. She was there when he was shot, turning him every HALF HOUR. He doesn’t need that much care anymore, but she is always there. She works at the National Museum in Belize City and next time Dan and I go to Belize (Lord-willing) we are going to that museum! She was telling us such intriguing stories that made us feel like we were standing in the museum. She is GOOD at what she does! And their faith. Their faith brings tears to my eyes (again) because I see how faithful they are. Yes, Charles wishes he could walk – that he wouldn’t be confined to his motorized wheelchair. But he also said he wouldn’t trade the lessons God has taught him. Talk about hitting us right in the heart. Here this man sits in a wheelchair, proclaiming how Christ has changed his life. You can’t talk to him for 5 minutes, without him bringing up a Bible story, or a verse he had read, and was challenged by. He was telling us about Jonah and how while in the belly of the whale, he was praising God. He didn’t wait til after he got out – he did it while in. Charles was saying what would life look like if we ALL did that? Again, THIS IS COMING FROM A MAN IN A WHEELCHAIR, WHO WAS CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE. I am so thankful for the internet that I can keep in touch with them – I am blessed to know them. I am blessed to call them friends. I just wish everyone had the chance to meet Charles and Bernadine.

This is Keron. Keron is 17 and lives in the Burial Grounds. Thursday night (our last night there) we took Charles, Bernadine, and Keron out to dinner. Keron is someone Scott had met when Keron was 12. Since then, everytime Scott goes back, he tries to see Keron (how awesome is that?) So 5 years ago, Scott was handing out beans and rice to the homeless. Keron stopped by and Scott gave him some. Well, by the end, Keron had given HIS beans and rice away. Scott right then and there, knew this man was special. And he is. Keron has not had an easy life – he has already gotten in trouble with the law, but word on the street is that he is currently staying out of trouble. He is working hard selling products (I think bagged milk – I know, sounds wierd, but it’s so good!). The gangs are really trying to work on him, trying to get him to commit, but as far as we know, he hasn’t, praise God! In fact (side story), while we were at the school on Wednesday, there was this man that came into the school grounds where Keron was and the teachers said that man didn’t belong here. They were going to call the police because of what he might do. But he ended up leaving. The people said he was after Keron. Don’t know if it’s true, but the teachers/parents know who belongs on the school grounds and who doesn’t, so who knows. Our prayer for him is that God introduces him to a mentor – a man who walks with God, who shows Keron how. We pray for his life and his faith. And we hope to one day see him again in Belize!

This is the basketball court by the restaurant we ate at. This is a LEGIT original wood floor! It looks like barn siding, all nailed together – it was BEAUTIFUL! So when they talk about the “hardwood,” they aren’t joking!

I could just keep going on and on about this trip! I have one more day to go…and more stories. Hope you are able to get just a glimpse of what life in Belize looks like!