Belize

In the interests of acquiring new visas and car permit, we headed east to Belize. Last summer, John went to Guatemala for the car and found the experience filled with chaos, expectations of "mordidas" (bribes) and Spanish that even our Mexican attorney had difficulty understanding. So this time, we headed to Belize where they speak English....well, kinda.

Belize is the most unusual place we've visited. Because of it's historical ties to England, English is the official language. There are many people who speak Spanish too, and there are many ways in which this feels like an English/Mexican/Mayan/Island hybrid country. Unless there is no manufacturer operating in Belize (eg. soft drinks), they only sell Belizian products. That means you can buy Coke and Kellogg, but only Belizian coffee, purified water, beer and other products.

The country appears to be filled with many poor people but with a definite presence of wealthy folks capitalizing on opportunities for low-priced real estate, tax shelters, low wages for gardeners & maids, and for the island lifestyle. The poor travel by bicycles while the more affluent by car and motorcycles. There's also apparently a strong Mennonite presence here. I know about the Mennonites from my friends the Yoders and the Coppages in NC. They embrace aspects of the Brethren, Amish and Moravian traditions of simplicity and servanthood.

For our family, our visit to Belize has provided an opportunity simply for rest, exploration and achieving our goals for new documents. Holly & Maggie were glad for an opportunity to work on their tan (in bikinis, no doubt!). We've enjoyed the hospitality of an inexpensive but quite pleasant family-owned guesthouse along the Corazol/Chetumal Bay just a few miles from the Belize/Mexico border.

Please join us in praying for safe passage tomorrow back into Mexico complete with new documents that will carry us through the balance of our ministry. God has graced us thus far with green lights, friendly border guards and hassle-free inspections. We pray for more of the same tomorrow. We know that God has much more for us to do in Mexico in the coming months.