Today marked the celebration of 33
years of independence for the country of Belize. So how did we, here at MOVE,
enjoy the festivities?
We started
by getting up early so that no time was wasted for this holiday. By 5 a.m. we
were on the road. We met up with the rest of the group down the road a ways.
Sigourney made some classic Belizian food for breakfast: Journey (pronounced
“Johnny”) Cakes and black beans made with coconut oil. When we finally arrived
to the village, we were greeted by many of our Belizian friends. This marked
the beginning of the celebration. Throughout the morning, there was laughter,
happiness, juice, games, and of course Rice and Beans! That is very Belize.
After leaving the village, we returned home to begin the beautifying of the
country to show our support of the aesthetic aspect of the nation. Supper
finished off the celebration with beans and tortillas.
Want to
know what really happened today? We went to church to pour the floor for the
new Sabbath School rooms. There have been many in the church here in Belize and
back in the United States who have worked hard and sacrificed in order to build
these classrooms. The children’s department will soon be expanding from one old
church building, a mango tree, and a thatch roof to a three-division classroom
building! How exciting to see the difference and not have to worry about
threatening rain. God has blessed this little project immensely.
In thinking
about today being a day of independence, I like to think more about the
independence I have in this life. I am free to be a missionary. I am free to
speak about Jesus to my local friends. I have the freedom to worship God on His
true Sabbath Day.
But there
is something that I have not been liberated from: my own sinful desires. I take
hope, though, because I know that although this will be a struggle for me, I
know and have felt the power of God working in me to help me continue on this
journey. This last week really slammed me, but every day I continued to pray
for God’s strength to be like Him even when I was completely exhausted. There
is not other power more invigorating than divine power.
I would
like to ask that you pray for this project, for the students, and for the staff
members. God has given us many opportunities to exercise our religious freedom
in this place, but Satan is always looking for a way to get in. Please pray that
God can unite us and give us the needed strength to go from one day to another.
Blessings,
Katie
