Truly celebrating

After returning from the EMM retreat, we had a meeting Friday night for Bible Study and planning of our annual Resurrection day service. What I love is that others are willing to contribute and make food! We bring the van, drinks and paper products.

The spot at Honeycamp lagoon

Friday night after Bible Study, Nathanael got a text. The private beach we had planned to go to at Honey camp Lagoon wouldn't be available for us to us. Nathanael scrambled with Misael out to the Lagoon on Saturday and secured a different spot. It was unexpected but we are thankful the pieces fell into place!

Alva and her 2 children Josue and Keily

Sunday we were ready bright and early. It is always a bit strange to me picking people up. Nathanael does this job. I am the one who stays at church to clean or stay at the house on Friday to finish making dinner.  We had a full van but not as full as last year.

we found a way that everyone fit in the van!

It was awesome celebrating Resurrection Day as a church. Elizaine led 2 worship songs she had practiced. To that end, April 22 after much discussion Elmer, her boyfriend also gave his life to the Lord.  What an awesome thing to rejoice over!  We hope and pray that the discipleship process will lead them to desire marriage for them and for their new little one that is coming in July.

Elmer and Elizanie in February when Todd Miller came

After our Easter service, we shared a meal, had an egg hunt, and enjoyed the time at the lagoon.  What a blessing to celebrate in this way.

Kids lined up for an Easter egg hunt

enjoying the swim in the lagoon

Had anyone noticed the extra non-Belizean in the group?  TJ Groff was with us for the weekend so he could practice the dances for Abigail's quinceanera. It was a delight to have him with us. Please lift us up in prayer as the pieces fall together to celebrate Abigail. The event is May 18, a week and a half away.  

Celebrating Resurrection Day

As a child I attended Perkasie Mennonite Church.  It was a tradition to go to a Sunris service. After the service, there was always a meal. I admit mostly I remember is a meal. Our conservative Mennonite friends asked if we would be doing a sunrise service. Nathanael quipped "If I had a sunrise service, I would be the only one there"

We did not choose to have one!  

We remembered that Easter is traditional for going swimming.  We knew if we attempted to have church in a "normal" way we were likely to have a very small/if any attendance.

We decided to have a service at Honey-camp Lagoon.  One of the families who attends church has a grandfather who owns land along the lagoon. He allowed us to use the lagoon free of charge. 

The next blessing was a huge one. Upon hearing our plans the women in church took it upon themselves to bring the food. They said they realized that I put a lot of work into making meals.  We thought about bringing food "just in case" but decided against it.

It really felt like we chose well. The van was so full of people, food, and a small table. Nathanael tried to capture it, the picture does not do it justice. Even sitting in the front seat, I had 2 kids on my lap (don't tell the car seat police)

Nathanael had a small service at the lake. We did some worship songs, and he told the story of the Resurrection.

After the service, we had a great time! We ate and swam. (there was enough food!!) Abigail even spent some time learning to fish like the locals, with a line, a hook and some dough at the end. She says she didn't catch anything but the process was fun.

I hope your Resurrection day was as blessed as ours was!

Some misc fun pictures/Thanksgiving

We had a small thanksgiving celebration as a family.  It was good to simply not have the pressures to "do or be".  The kids enjoyed relaxing, we played some games and watched a family movie. 

We also had the joy of spending time with Nancy and Sulmi on Saturday.  Weren't we lucky two thanksgiving meals!! (In one week) now to go on a diet... ;)

Here are some pictures of our recent weeks experiences.  

There are many rainbows here! So beautiful

We enjoy the tacos/tostadas on the street.

Selena had her baby about 2 months ago.  Everyone in church loves to hold him.

Zephaniah Celebrated his birthday in style!!

What an awesome day at the local thrift shop!  New games.  I used the money a friend gave us to buy a few.  We had missed playing games!

Second game of clue since we got it on Saturday

This is a really interesting video on the emotions that TCK's go through when thinking about what "home" is.. I liked it in light of my other post :) 

 

 

 

Fun with curlers

Nathanael joined some men in cooling off Sunday afternoon

and finally Hopewell does their church announcements through video. This past Sunday,  we had the privilege of doing the announcements.  This is just a video of the announcements.. nothing exciting, but we thought people who didn't see them may enjoy a small glimpse of what our environment looks like on a daily basis.  

 

Nathanael worked very hard on the captions and signs so please watch :) Captioned for Deaf signed for Deaf:

 

Corozal visit

yesterday we went to Corozal, about an hour bus ride from Orange Walk.  We visited with the midwife who I (Spring) would like to work with.  We still have to figure out logistics of this.. mainly who will watch the kids when I am away.

Corozal is beautiful and right by the bay.  Gail has a pool which is also a huge plus! We enjoyed our day.

Nathanael also met with Brenda, a woman who came to Belize to be involved in Deaf ministry.  She was so welcoming and helpful.  We were all so tired from swimming/the bus trip, that we neglected to take pictures. (oops)

Fleurette was able to speak with Gail, Brenda and Gail's husband about her plans.  It was so nice to have her come along with us1 

the restaurant we ate at had turtles in a tank.  We were the only ones eating (it isn't tourist season).  The waitress brought out lettuce that she let the kids feed to the turtles.