Ministering to Children

 Standard Six Students

     There are 26 students in Standard 6 at St. Peter's Anglican School.  The students range in age from 11-16.   The goal this year is to review as much information as possible in preparation to take and pass the PSE (Primary School Assessment).  The first half of the PSE will be in April with the second half in May.  The students will graduate (receive a certificate) in June with the hope that all the students will be able to get into a high school.  The reality is that some of the 26 students in Sulmi's class will not attend a high school making this year their last year of formal education.
   

Working on yet another practice test.

      I am struggling with the realization that next year, instead of sitting in a high school classroom, some  will be working in sugar cane fields, in the market or on the street.  There is no hope for becoming an engineer, doctor, nurse, computer programmer or teacher.  When I ask some of the students where they want to go to high school, I either get "I want to go to....." or they shrug their shoulders.  I am finding, as I get to know the students, the ones that shrug their shoulders most likely will not be able to afford to go to high school.  Unless they find a sponsor, their formal education will end in June.

Irieni, Sulmi and Kimberly

There is no such thing as a free education in Belize.  While St. Peter's is a school that accepts students that cannot pay the tuition, I am told it is very different for high school.  If a student cannot pay for their education, they will be unable to attend high school.  It is hard to believe for some of these students, instead of choosing a high school, they will be trying to find a job.

The boys learning Origami

      Recently, we have been having representatives from the local high schools presenting information about their schools.  This is a recruiting process that leads to an application process similar to the college application process in the states.  On Friday, the students attended a business fair at Bishop Martin High School.  This is the high school Sulmi wants to attend.  It was a good opportunity to get on campus and learn a little about the school. 

 At the Bishop Martin High School Business Fair, we saw a Japanese environmental teacher who is in Belize for six months.  His job is to go to all of the schools to help the students become more aware of environmental issues and introduce them to the idea of recycling.  We have had the honor of this gentleman teaching in our classroom twice.  He will come every two weeks until May to teach an environmental lesson.  The students look forward to his lessons not only because it means a break in the PSE practice, but also because he is a very good teacher and makes the learning fun.  He always takes time to teach some Japanese and last week, he introduced the kid's to Origami. 

Physical Education

     We have PE class every Thursday for one hour.  It takes place in an open field next to the school.  This is an area that has trash and broken bottles.  This does not stop some of the kid's from playing football/soccer without shoes or socks.  The girls and boys play separate  games and it is not unusual for people to walk through the games one their way to the open air market, bus depot or the center of town.

Orange Walk Bus Depot

 This is a view of the Orange Walk Bus Depot.    Each bus you see goes to a particular village.  This is how many people in Belize travel to and from Orange walk for school and or work.  There are only a few designated bus stops.  If you need to take the bus, you look for the one with the destination you want posted on a sign in the front window.  If it is the bus you want, you flag it down and the bus stops.  You let the bus driver know where you want to get off and he will stop at that location. 




    The open air market is on the other side of the buses.  This is a great place to pick up local fruits and vegetables.  To the right of the market is St. Peters Anglican school and Church.  I took these photos during our PE class.  The tudents were playing football/soccer in the field between the school and the bus depot.

St Peter's Anglican School and Church

Sulmi Turns 15

Sulmi celebrating her birthday with her deaf friends at school

      Sulmi turned 15 on February 14.  We went out to a local Mayan restaurant to celebrate.  Sulmi did not want an Quinenera.  We will visit San Pedro over Easter Break to further celebrate this special milestone in her life.
     

 My Other Ministry
    During Friday Night Women's Bible Study and Sunday Worship Service, Chelsea and I are blessed to be able to work with the children and siblings of the deaf moms.  We play, read books, and also teach some sign language so they can better communicate with their moms. 

The PSE and Coping With Stress

                                                                    The PSE

    What is the PSE?  The PSE is the Primary School Assessment given to Standard Six students in Belize.  Students in Belize must take the PSE in order to get into a high school.  My primary mission in Belize is to interpret for Sulmi in her regular classroom.  I also provide extra teaching/tutoring in order to help her be as prepared as possible for the PSE.
     Each day brings more practice problems in Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.  At times the amount of vocabulary, and the fast pace at which the information is being presented, can be overwhelming.

Mr. Valdez explaining information on the worksheet.

From the door looking into the classroom.

My corner of the room.  

                                                                   Coping With Stress

     Having an hour and a half lunch break every day gives me a chance to get away from the stress of the classroom.  Most days Feronia and I head home for lunch and then back to school for the rest of the day.  Feronia has been a good companion as we travel around town together.  She has had some health issues.  I had to replace one of her pedals and one of her tire tubes but she helps me get some freedom and exercise at the same time.

Feronia, my traveling companion

     Over the past two years, running has become a part of my life.  I have never seen myself as a runner.  I did not enjoy running.  Over the past two years I have enjoyed the many friendships I have made, and the many races, bagel runs and challenge runs I have participated in.  I did not think that I would be able to run in Belize but I have been blessed with some amazing women who are willing to wake up early a couple of days a week, and start their day with a run/walk. 

This is the beginning of our .6 mile loop.

Running/Walking Partner Nancy

Running/Walking Partner Chelsea

     The beauty of God's creation that Belize has to offer has taken my breath away on several occasions.  One day I was surprised when I walked out my front door.  I looked up and was awed by the vibrant colors of a double rainbow.  I have also been blown away by the beauty of the sunrises/sunsets.

      Chelsea and I took a day trip to Corozal.   We found a much needed oasis at Blue's Restaurant.  We were able to have a nice quiet lunch, enjoy the view of the Caribbean, walk around the lush gardens enjoying the many varieties of plants and flowers and even took a short nap on the swing/glider.  We were each "reading a book" and fell asleep for a short time.

This flower came from one bud.

Reading before the nap

     This week, One of my friends on facebook posted a link that introduced me to Michael Pollack, a 19 year old student at Vanderbilt University.  He is an amazing artist and I was wowed by his talent.  Michael wrote the following song titled "Chances Are" :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiy8yUpNIBA.    It really resonated with me and what God has asked me to do with my life for the next six months.  The Chorus is as follows:   You may be alive but are you living? I promise you the two are not the same.  Never hesitate to take what's given, cause chances are this chance won't come again.                                                                                                                                                                              

     At the end of the song, Michael sings that "you have to find the strength somehow."  The opportunity for me to come to Belize was the chance I felt God was giving me to serve Him.  God gave me the strength I needed to make the decision to come.  I followed in faith believing God would take are of all of my needs and worries.  God is good...All the time.  I am excited to find out all God has in store for me and for the people I am blessed to meet and work with during my time in Belize.