Goodbye Belize (Sad face emoticon)

The ground swell from the ocean rolls underneath the boat with such ease and power it's better not to linger on our precariousness.  Ian and myself have once again found ourselves at sea, I suppose that makes us sea men by now.  This time out past the reef in a boat with 3 props, 3 captains, 1 customs agent, and about 25 strangers who have one thing in common with us.  Honduras.
We'll be on the boat for about 5 or 6 hours in total. I see the reflection of Belize in the water.  Like everything, like I knew it would, like I really didn't believe, Belize flew by like a warm summer day.  It's truly surreal to think that we're leaving what has became our home.  It's definitely sad to leave, even more so than I pictured it'd be at the start.
It seems as if the past few weeks has been filled with goodbyes.  Friends we made here were going home.  Ian's mom and Jodi, Keana, and Keo's visit came and went.  Not without it's highlights though (Including a beautiful picnic in the jungle, service in villages, cave tubing, zip lining, some great food, and being energized by the positive spirit of the visiting sisters).  Then we had to say goodbye to our roommate and friend Derrick who was going out preaching on the Cayes for 5 days (it's too soon to talk much about that). Then finally our last meeting came, and we said goodbyes there, not knowing when we will see some of them again.  Each goodbye had one thing in common, it came too soon.
In this entry I'd like to wrap up our experience in a neat little package that properly communicates the experience of being down here.  Unfortunately, if that is possible, I am not a good enough writer to accomplish such a feat.  So here's a pile of clippings spread across the floor of a Honduran hostel.

The people in Belize, if I had to sum up in a word, are superabundantlyfantasticallykindgenerouslovelylovely people.  We were privileged to see Alan's first part in the theocratic ministry school. Alan is the first Garifuna man from Seine Bight village to accept the truth.  We also got to go out in service with him, and another local brother Roger, their first times participating in the field ministry.  We also got to see Roger's wife Siripohn, one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet, out in service for the very first time just a few weeks ago.  We were at the baptism of two very established locals, Geno and Olga Leslie.  (Remind me to tell you about our ride to the baptism when I get back, classic Belize).  The small group in Placencia Village has had it's problems, but we were here at a time when we got to see Jehovah really blessing the group, and the locals stepping up regardless of attempts by Satan to discourage them.
We were privileged to spend time and associate with Steve and Telma, who've been in full time service in Belize for 30 years.  And yes after 30 years in Belize, they are definitely characters.  Presently Steve is the only elder in the group and they both serve as special pioneers, and I think they know about half of the people who live in Belize (that is a realistic estimate).
Tony (Big Tony) and Casey who've been in Placencia for 2 years are a huge stabilizing force to the group and have sacrificed much to come to Belize.  Losing to Tony one on four in volleyball was a humiliating experience though.  Then we even got to know our contacts from Colorado much better.  Keith who is a community staple always witnessing at his coffee cart and giving fine parts at the meeting, (just watch out for those hips when he's salsa dancing, they are dangerous).   And our buddy Derrick who I hope to serve where the need is great with again in the future.  We really couldn't of asked for a better roommate to have down here.

If the brothers and sisters were the only part of this trip it would of been more than enough. (there is so many other need greaters who I'll tell you about another time, i.e. Michigan girls, Team Oregon, the Brits, the other Brits, etc.)  But on top of that we had a productive, truly enjoyable ministry.  People here aren't in such a hurry for the next thing, they actually take the time for a real conversation and have a refreshing respect for the Bible.  Bible students and return visits that it broke my heart to tell them I wasn't going to be coming back, but one of my friends will.  Irma, a Mayan lady, who always excitedly got out two chairs for us, her books, and even when her boys came home for lunch she'd make them sit quietly until the study was over.  Rastine who always would take a break from selling jewelry to have a study and even the very first time asked me to say a prayer.  Conrad whose whole family would sit in on the study. Even his wife who understood very little English would sit and listen. 
On top of the enjoyable ministry, you can't forget about the after service and Monday afternoon volleyball games, Tommy's fried chicken with Marie Sharps and Ketchup (it's good trust me), snorkeling, spear fishing,  fish fry at Roger and Siripohn's, lunch with Geno,  fresh caught Tuna from Kevin, Gelato at Tutti Frutti, Siriphohn's Thai food Friday, Futbol with the Brits, afternoon tea with the other Brits, Snickers and Coca Cola never tasting so good, bonfires by the beach, hitching rides, riding your bike everywhere else, and etc. etc. etc.
To sum it up.  Yes man, it was real nice, for true.

I'll have more pictures soon hopefully.  My connection here is painfully slow, so it took forever just to load these three. 

Geno and Olga post baptism

Roger and Siripohn, with Roger's brother Ervin in the middle

The boys and Geno