Saint Anne's Belize Mission 2009

A Bit Of Belize

2009-03-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

Images of Holy Cross and San Mateo

2009-03-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last Day at Holy Cross

2009-03-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Ruby's treated us to a beautiful sunrise on our last morning in San Pedro.

It seems impossible that a week has gone by so quickly, but today was our last day with the kids of Holy Cross. We wrapped up lighting projects, read one last book in the classroom, taught one more lesson, nailed in just one more board and fixed one more desk.

Laura told just one more story:

(VIDEO COMING SOON!)

We ended our time there with a chapel service to bless and dedicate the Holy Cross Computer Center.

What an honor to have St. Anne's name appear on the plaque that now hangs on the Computer Center wall! And what a blessing to have been able to spend this time in this very special place, where angels appear, every day; where we are able to see God, in each other, just by looking; where laughter and love grow, strong and healthy. Thank you, Holy Cross.

Days Three and Four!

2009-03-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

We have been busy, working hard in the hot sun!

Floorboards have been installed in the walkways. Light fixtures have been replaced. Roof soffets are in place now. Teachers have been getting extra help in the classroom. There has even been a soccer game or two played. Lydia led three chapel services today for the students of Holy Cross and then taught religion classes to the upper level classes.

Our visit to the San Mateo neighborhood, where approximately 200 of the children who attend Holy Cross school live, reminded us today of how great the need is here and why we came. There is still no sewer, water or safe electricity. It is amazing that children who live in such poverty come to school every day, with clean uniforms and smiles on their faces. They are such incredible little spirits and it is such a blessing to be able to work for and with them.

We miss you!

Day Two

2009-03-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

The school was a bustling place today and we were busy! There were construction projects, special classroom presentations, computers to set up and a new teacher, added to the already high energy level at Holy Cross. We were right in the midst of it all and definitely felt we had put in a good day's work by the time we walked the mile from Holy Cross back to our hotel. We're all tired, but it is a good tired, and it is good to feel needed here.

Holy Cross: Day One

2009-03-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

After waiting out an early morning rain storm, we walked from our hotel to Holy Cross early this morning, excited to be a part of San Pedro as it woke up. We arrived at the school to eat breakfast as many of the Holy Cross children were having their breakfast as well. Holy Cross is the only school in Belize to feed their students free of charge and the breakfast crowd gathers early.

We arrived at the school not knowing what was next, but soon met with several school staff members to plan our week at Holy Cross. After hearing specifics about what needed to be done at the school, each person in our group spent some time trying to find their own niche. As the day unfolded, Bill and Mike found themselves fixing roof soffits, Mark and Gene laid flooring, Lydia worked on teacher training, Jennifer was reunited with some of the children she taught last year and Laura worked her storytelling magic in the classroom.

Our group grew by one today when Philip Brown arrived via Tropic Air. Hooray!

The school has made significant progress in the last year, but there is still much work to be done. We feel so blessed to be able to contribute what we can.

Arrival

2009-03-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

After a full day of airport security lines, connecting flights, baggage claim, customs officers and helpful taxi drivers, willing to transport the many bags we brought all the way from The Land of Snow, we arrived in Belize, safe and sound. Palm trees, sunny skies, brightly colored houses, and smiling faces welcomed us with open arms. Belize is undoubtedly one of the friendliest countries in the world.

We settled into the Chateau Caribbean, a one hundred year old former statesman's residence in Belize City, late Saturday afternoon and spent some time wandering around the hotel neighborhood on Saturday evening. After months of Minnesota winter, the balmy sea air was such a treat!

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist welcomed us at their service Sunday morning, led by The Rt. Rev. Philip Wright, Bishop of Belize. We were delighted to see a few familiar faces at the cathedral, and even more delighted to see that we were familiar faces to some church members there too.

Later Sunday morning we headed for Lamanai, an ancient Mayan ruin site. The one hour boat ride on the New River can be summed up in three words: birds, birds, birds!

The ruins were beautiful and provided us with quite a workout:

We took a water taxi out to San Pedro late Sunday afternoon, excited to get back to the island and to Holy Cross. The highlight (so far) of our trip was when we were walking from the water taxi to our hotel. Three children walking along the beach called out to us, "Hey! Are you going to Holy Cross?" Yes, we said, "We remember you!" they said to us. We've been smiling ever since.

Blessed, Commissioned...and Ready

2009-03-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

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Thank you, Pat, and St. Anne's, for such a beautiful send-off. We are so blessed to have all of your prayers and support traveling with us. We can't wait to be your loving arms in the world.

COMMISSIONING OF ST. ANNE’S BELIZE MISSION TEAM
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2009

As Christians, our mission is to make God known to all people. We hear this in Jesus’ words: “I give you a new commandment , that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

We celebrate you and your devotion to the work ahead of you in Belize. Through the gift of your service, you show others the love that God has for all people. This is both a privilege and a responsibility, and by standing here you are publicly affirming your commitment to this work.

Let us pray: Almighty God, look graciously upon these people whom we now commission for your service. Give them your spirit, enrich them with your grace, and strengthen them for the tasks which lie ahead. Amen.

We rejoice to recognize you as representatives of this Congregation and we thank God for your dedication and your willingness to serve. We send you to Belize with our prayers and our support, and, with you, we renew our commitment to service in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

- The Rev. Pat Markie

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Packing Up

2009-03-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

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Over the past few weeks, items have been making their way to St. Anne's and then waiting patiently to be packed up for the children of Holy Cross. Today was Pack Up Day! Saint Anne's parishioners donated 300 + pounds of supplies that will be hand delivered to Holy Cross Anglican School. Toys, shoes, soccer balls and uniforms, books, tools, vitamins, paper, school supplies, and more, were lovingly packed into suitcases, which were also donated. Three cheers for the generous hearts of the people of St. Anne's!

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Holy Cross Wish List

2009-02-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

What can you do? What is needed? We're so glad you asked!

Holy Cross Anglican School Wish List
Revised January 5, 2009

CONSTRUCTION TOOLS and MATERIALS:

100 circular saw blades – 7 and ¼ inches
1 heavy duty circular saw – Makita, model #5277NB
1 regular Makita circular saw
1 heavy duty Bosch hammer drill
Electric plainer – Makita model #N1900B
15 framing hammers – 18 ounce
10 – 3 way electrical splitters
PVC cutters
1 Makita screw gun
1 heavy duty grinder
Reciprocating saw blades for wood and for metal
1 – 300’ tape measure
Bosch jigsaw blades for wood and for metal
2 – 10” hand plainer
3 – 100’ electric extension cords
24 light sensors
20 – 4” Philips drill bits #2
5 chalk lines and powder
30 screwdriver bits – #2 Philips and standard
5 - #2 Philips head screwdrivers
5 – Screwdrivers: small flat
5 – Screwdrivers: medium flat
5 – Screwdrivers, large flat
2 – Channel lock pliers: large
2 – Channel lock pliers: small
5 – 25’ tape measures
5 - 5-in-1 tool
50 – Screwdriver bits for drill, #2philips
4 – C-clamps, 6”
4 - C-clamps, 4”
6 – ¾” pipe clamps
3 – Vice grips, small
2 – Cold chisel sets
1 Black and Decker Workmate 425
5 Utility knives and blades
1 Draw knife
1 Bench grinder
10 Belts for sander 3”x 18” – variety of grits
3 – 10” carbide table saw blades
50 paint brushes of each: 2”, 2 ½”, 3”, 3 ½”, and 4”
Wood chisels: ¼”, ½”, ¾”, and 1” – one dozen of each
5 pliers for cutting wire
5 long nose pliers
5 heavy duty staple guns and ¼” staples
Drill bits for wood and metal – 1/8”, ¼”, 3/8”, ½”, 5/8”, ¾”, 7/8”, and 1”
Snap switch for Bosch drill – model # 0-601-194-639

KITCHEN SUPPLIES:

Food Processor
3 heavy duty blenders
Pot holders – insulated
Dry towels – cotton
Heavy duty, 55 gallon trash bags
Heavy duty, 13 gallon trash bags
Quart zip lock bags
Gallon zip lock bags
Brillo pads
Steel scrubbing pads
Handiwipes
Plates- heavy duty plastic
Forks & Spoons

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

Canon X-25 cartridges for copy machine
HP 51A Laser jet print cartridges
15 CD players
Books: pre-reader to young adult
Dictionaries - all levels
Soccer balls
Read along books with cds
Tennis shoes – children sizes 9 to 13; adult sizes: 1 – 9
Dark gray pants: children sizes 5 to 12
Dark gray shorts: children sizes 5 to 12
Rolls of brown paper for covering books
Rolls of clear contact paper
Rolls of wide, clear tape
Copy Paper
Hand Sanitizer
Children's Flavored Chewable Multi Vitamins
5 Staple guns and Staples - 5/16" (8 mm)
Coloring Books
Two pocket folders
Bulletin Board materials especially boarders and religious themes
Red ink ball point pens
Permanent markers - all colors, wide tips

Lead Us To New Awareness

2009-02-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

As St. Anne's gets ready to send our 2009 mission team back to Belize and to Holy Cross Anglican School, please join us in prayer:

Lead us to a New Awareness

May the good Lord lead us from this place
and take us to where he is living;
May he lead us to a new awareness of the poor
and show us his home among them;
May he lead us to a new desire for justice
and give us a glimpse of the kingdom he is building;
May he fill our hearts with generosity
and anoint us to be bearers of good news;
May his blessing be upon us as it is upon the poor,
and may he show us what he wants us to do.

Amen.