God is in the business of making our dreams come true. Since leaving my beloved Belize 7 years ago I have longed to return. God provided all that was needed for me to make the trip. I met up with a team out of Louisianna called Dos Amigos. A medical/dental team that goes to southern Belize every Easter for the past 19 years. Dr. Joe who is one of the founders of the group, I met when I was working there. We've kept in contact and that's how I got connected with this group.
We left for the jungle Apr.5th and arrived home Apr.15th. We set up clinics in 8 different villages in 6 days. We would arrive to the village, find a place to set up, usually in a school or some structure. There would be an area for medical check-up. One for dental where cavities would be filled but most likely pulled. A section for the people to find some glasses and a pharmacy. The most general perscriptions filled where vitamins, worm pills, tums, pain meds,antibiotics, lice, scabies and ointments for rashes.
The team consisted of a dentist, orthodontist, an oral surgeon, ER Dr., dermatologist and three nurses. The rest of us volunteered to fill in for the assistant positions, pharmacy, bouncers for the doors, playing with the kids, handing out glasses and taking names/info. There were 26 of us in total.
From all the villages we saw just under 1400 people.
We went to one village where drove 2 hours by bus on a dirt road then took a boat to complete the trip.
God showed Himself strong and miraculous. The most amazing oppritunity was to be apart of harvesting a soul for Christ. Her name is Anne and she was one of the nurses on our team. And this was her second trip with Dos Amigos.
When we thought that we wouldn't have enough worm pills for all the people, the jar didn't run empty until the last person was served. The stories go on....
I was able to meet with 5 of my former students from when i taught there. My heart was overflowing with joy to hear and see the ones that are following hard after God. Seeds that were sown are now bearing fruit.
Speaking of fruit, the best papaya, pineapple, bananas and cantalope you will ever taste...I was blessed to eat fresh every morning.
After all our hard work we headed off to San Pedro which is a penninsula off the coast of Belize city joining to Mexico. We stayed in cabanas by the caribbean sea. Got cooled off by the breeze, which we desperatly needed. We were in 112 degree weather with 90% humidity all week. What a great relief. So for two days I sat on the beach, listened to my ipod, took a nap in a hammock, went shopping, saw a wild crocodile and nesteld my toes in the sand. What a great way to begin processing all that occured on the trip.
Returning home has been more challenging than it was for me to go. Explaining your cultural experiences to people who have never gone into a third world country is impossible. A realistic perspective change is a great gift. Dicomfort brings contentment and joy. Allowing God to use you is the sweetest, most satisfying experience of all. It can be in the jungles of Belize or at home in my church. Serving my husband and planting the seeds in my own daughter with hope that one day she will accept Christ as her Lord and serve Him to make Him known in the world.
Be available and an open vessel to be used no matter what season of life you are in.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip....
