Exploring other cultures

the sand-fly bites have just started to heal. They ceased being itchy. This is a good thing.

When I first asked Julie Groff what was the most difficult about her move to Belize. She said sandflies. After spending an extra 4 days in Stann Creek District, a week and a day in total, I can understand where she is coming from. I also have less patience with bug bites than she does. They got itchy and I couldn't stop scratching them.  They got bloody and swollen.

We stayed longer in Stann Creek? Why yes we did. Tim Groff suggested that since his parents would be in Guatemala, we could make use of their house for a few days. We were able to go to church with them, hike, enjoy Hopkins, and shop in Spanish Lookout on the way home.

One of the most interesting things we did last wednesday was have two cultural experiences. Tim had a friend cook us a traditional Garifuna meal.

As we pulled up, he was mashing the Hudut.  It was neat to see him in action!

Nathanael and the kids also tried their hand at it.  Mashing required strength and skill. We were told a hungry Garifuna could make it in less than 15 min!

The children were given rice and beans.  

Nathanael, Tim and I ate hudut. Here is a video of me trying it: 

It was a lovely meal with just as lovely people. It was wonderful learning a little about Garifuna culture.  

That evening we spent time with our Nigerian friends. It was another cultural experience.  The food was wonderful as was the company. We learned a little about Nigerian culture. Through our eyes, they appeared even more "warm culture" than Belizeans. I went home with a full satisfied stomac and heart.  

What a blessing it is to be on this journey in Belize!  

If you would like to learn more about the Garifuna people of Belize here's a website  you can visit

I am hoping to finish the newsletter and have it to you in the next two weeks.  Hope you have a great day

Spring

A short visit and mission trip

I know I said a while ago that I am adjusting to the difference of schedule here. In Belize I personally was very busy at home. It was mostly that the housework was more demanding. Here it has been activities demanding our time. Sometimes it still feels like we are "finding our feet".

Recently, I started counting "one, two, tree" Why you ask? My mom and I did a quick 6 day trip to Belize 2 weeks ago. That's right I am behind.

We left from the Allentown airport. What an experience it was to arrive early at the airport, and not have anyone behind the checkout counter. The flights went well and we arrived in Belize city at about 12pm local time. Our friend picked us up from the airport and drove us to Orange Walk (about an hour). Getting in the car and driving was my mother's first cross cultural experience. I will let her relate the details to you!

Our time in Orange Walk was limited to less than 24 hours. We spent the time as wisely as we could. We ate meals with friends, walked around town a little, and met for breakfast with Nancy before we left.  People wished we could have stayed longer. I did as well. When our meeting with Nancy was completed, we were driven to the airport.  We few from Belize City to Dangriga, the first time I've done that as a flight rather than a bus trip. (we just didn't have the time for the bus)

The next 4 days were a blur of being at Kids Konnect's camp Legacy and serving with them. This was the first time that I worked in the pharmacy. I knew that it was one of the most intense jobs. I was unaware of what exactly it involved until mom and I did it. I was stretched.

The job involved checking medications before they were given to patients. I also gave instructions to the patients. It was especially challenging to note that in practice I've mostly worked with pediatrics. We give a lot of diabetic and blood pressure medications. 

I did a lot of praying as I gave medications. 

Here is my mom working at Red Cross in Dangriga

The final day which is always at a church (Light of the Valley) I was allowed to go back to triage. It was nice to be in my comfort zone again. I also felt like I had more one on one time with the patients. Both jobs are integral to being a part of Kids Konnect. It was a good thing to get out of my comfort zone, and go where the need was.  

I loved that my mom was able to experience Belize with me. She was a trooper and took things as they came. I also loved that she got to meet some of the people who were important to us over the last year. I also working beside her, something I have never done. 

This being my third trip with Kids Konnect, some things felt comfortable and familiar. It was good to see the same patients, pray with them and connect. I honor what Kids Konnect 4 Jesus does in Dangriga and surrounding areas. It is a privilege to work with them. I just love meeting patients, as well as the people who come to serve. It was also a challenge getting out of my comfort zone and serving in a different way.

As a family we continue to adjust to being in the US, and work on our fundraising focus. We would love for opportunities to share our vision with you. 

Nathanael and I were both on missions trips in the past 2 months. We wanted to be clear that the money for our trips came out of our personal offerings. We did not use the funding for our long term time in Belize. 

Thank you again for your prayers and walking with us on this journey! 

The Davis Family

Kids Konnect 4 Jesus trip

Wednesday found us at 3:15am, awake scrounging around.  Of course I had to try at least to finish washing dishes before leaving the house.  The kids woke up with much complaining and we walked to the bus stop.  The busses that miss going to Belize city save us 2 hours of travel however they come at 4:00 and 4:30am.  We try to catch the 4am bus so that we have a better chance at seats.

 We had an uneventful trip to Dangriga.  8:30am found us in the local ice cream shop (which also sold good coffee).  Galen and Phyllis picked us up and we "crashed" for a while.  After a lovely lunch of barley and rice we went to the Kids Konnect camp.  Phyllis took the little ones out to the river to play a bit.















Wednesday evening was spent organizing and meeting people.  We were unsure of how our sleeping arrangements were to be made.  Dr Ed generously let us stay in his cabana for the time.  It was such an unexpected blessing!  We have stayed in the dorms every other time so were surprised at this! Abigail and Selah enjoyed having their own room together.  Zion and Zephaniah stayed with Galen and Phyllis for the days we worked.

Thursday morning after a time of worship, eating and devotions we headed out to do clinics.  I continued my job of nursing.  This time I was privileged to work with a local nurse.  She is originally from Nigeria but has lived in Dangriga for 6 years now.  It was her only day off and she came to serve!

Nathanael and the older girls had a good time.  All of the doctors were in a big room so much of their time was spent interacting.  Both Nathanael and the girls did entertaining.  Nathanael helped "people move" by directing them to their locations.  Abigail and Selah shared about Jesus and played with kids.

Friday was my birthday  Galen and Phyllis arrived with a wonderful tres leches cake to share.

This pattern continued into Saturday. Saturday is a big day with Kids Konnect. They head further from Dangriga to a church called Light of the Valley.  There our patient load about doubled.  I triaged at least half of my patient load in Spanish.  I did some interpreting although this isn't my expertise. It was good to remember what I used to do at Esperanza!  (Just as a side note although I triaged 40-50 people a day; in order to protect their privacy we are not allowed to show people's faces)

Really what makes an impact on me is the humility of the people we've worked with.  The doctors don't have any qualms with "getting dirty" and are humble.  It is a community I enjoy and that truly loves Jesus. We like talking with the "fresh" people who come for the trips and the long term people who are settled in the Stann Creek area. 

Today the people from the US actually took their bus from Dangriga.  This allowed us to get home quicker. We had only one bus to catch from Belize City which was nice.

We arrived home and have crashed!  It was a long 5 days and we are exhausted.  We are so thankful to Kids Konnect for welcoming them as part of their family, and allowing us to serve alongside of them.  It was truly an honor.

Big Annoucment/Joel and Heidi visit part 2

Sunday morning came. Nathanael preached and I taught Sunday school. Joel sat in the preaching. Nancy interpreted.  Heidi attended Sunday school.

After church we packed up our bags. The original plan was to meet our supervisors closer to the middle of the country.  Unfortunately the place we were going to stay at suddenly became occupied.  Instead we ended up traveling to right outside the town where they live.  We got to stay at the same camp I had been at 2 weeks ago with my mission trip.

On our way to the camp we stopped with Joel and Heidi at Altun Ha, the same Maya(n) ruins that we had visited with Lucianna.

A boy at the restaurant was delighted to play dominoes with us while we waited for food: 

Joel and Heidi got some fresh coconut water: 

The trip to Dangriga took a little longer in the dark than we expected and once it got dark it was difficult to drive!  Nathanael navigated well and the kids had their fill when we pulled up to the camp at about 9:30.  Miriam, the cook for the camp left us some delicious chicken for dinner.  I saw her and her husband get baptized last week.

Joel and Heidi shared the Men's dorm and our family slept in the womens'. We all enjoyed the HOT showers! The next day our kids woke up and RAN to get in them! :) We also appreciated the huge fan which provided some white noise: 

That afternoon we met with Galen and Phyllis, Joel and Heidi

.  Dangriga is a town right next to the ocean (unlike Orange Walk) It made for some beautiful pictures.  The restaurant where we ate at has a small beach.  The kids loved playing in the sand for the first time since we've arrived.

We had a good honest talk with all of us together.  At this point you are probably wondering what the big news is.  It was part of the reason we had our meeting.  After discussing with Galen and Phyllis, our MST (including Joel and Heidi) our children and Nancy; we are excited to announce that: 

We have committed to another term in Belize!  

It was good to process details and discuss.  After our time at the restaurant, we spent some time back at Galen and Phyllis's house where we prayed and talked some more.  Galen and Phyllis live right next to the playground.  Our children had playmates.  

After sleeping at the camp a second night (and another round of warm showers) we drove Joel and Heidi to the airport.  We are very thankful to them for their visit!  Thank you to all of you for investing in our lives and ministry. You play a huge part in our work here.  

Special trip

This past week I(Spring) went on a mission trip.  Nathanael stayed home with the children.  It feels funny to say I went on a mission trip since we are constantly on one.

This is the camp where we stayed at night

I was able to meet some people from Kids Konnect for Jesus.  There are 3 different couples in southern Belize doing different things in missions here.  One couple has a family with 2 children.  It was so nice to speak with other missionaries!

One of the trailers that carried the medical supplies.  All of the supplies needed to be loaded off and on the trailer each night

The bulk of our time however was spent doing clinics in different locations in the villages.  There is little access to doctors and medicine.  People come every 90 days from different locations in the US to help run these clinics, along with the long term missionaries that also play a big part in how the clinics are run.  The people from the US also bring as much medicines and medical equipment as they are able to.  

A Cocao tree.  These fruit are what produce chocolate.  

Here I am triaging a patient before they will see the doctor

I worked with an awesome team of over 40 people. There were medical doctors, a chiropractor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, nurses paramedics, a pharmacist, registration people, and many other volunteers.  These people have the job down to a science. They run efficiently to provide the best care to those who need it.

I liken my experience as to being similar to when I was working at Esperanza.  It was so neat to come together with other Christians towards a common goal.  The focus is on both the physical and spiritual. I was able to pray for people and ask they questions about their faith. Did they know Jesus personally, did they want to know more about him? Due to my experience with pediatrics and ability to speak Spanish, I often had plenty of work.

  It was more frustrating than Esperanza though because there is simply a lack of medicine and supplies. There are not neb machines to give out.  Type 2 diabetics are plentiful.  There is a lack of strips to help people check their sugars, a lack of machines as well.  This is not due to the team, it is about medical care and supplies in the country.  As someone who has only done medical care in the US, it was difficult to feel that lack of ability to give them what they needed.

a church in the village where we did a clinic

The gastroenterologist who came with the team saw a 2 year old.  He knew immediately that there was a serious issue with her.  Her lips were blue and she was asleep. By listening to her and getting data, he recognized that she has a heart defect.  Other than doing some referrals, there was nothing we could do for her physically and immediately.  What a dilemma.  She needs surgery! 

a picture of the whole team

Overall I am so thankful for the experience I had. I didn't know anyone personally prior to coming, yet  I was welcomed as one of the team.  Although I've been a nurse for almost 14 years, and have gone on various missions trips; this was really my first medical mission trip.  What an adventure!

on Sunday I got to watch a number of people get baptized. What a neat experience!