Just Pictures

Haven't had much time to post! Headed to the island and can't wait to tell all about it!

Coconut Man

Yesterday was awesome. So awesome that I was too tired to write last night so I am doing it now. We started the day with a walking tour of Dangriga. We went and saw all the schools we will be working in, a bunch of grocery stores, the markets with the BEST BANANAS, and pretty much everything else in the entire city. Everyone is so nice here, it is nothing like the states. Every single time you see someone they wave or say goodmorning or hello and it's a very comforting feeling knowing we are appreciated and welcome here. After our long tour we ate lunch at a restaurant called Alexi's; also delicious. We then broke up into groups and had to handout flyers about of business sessions around the city, meaning we had to walk around it..again... A group of six of us were walking along the ocean towards the main street and we met so many people who were genuinely interested in what we are trying to do here. Some of their ideas were so great but they just do not seem to have the resources to make their ideas a reality. One man said to me that politics overlook what the community actually wants and that really stuck with me. It is their community. They should have the say, not us or politics or anything else. As we moved along we met our favorite person here so far, Stephen the Coconut Man. We were just walking around and Stephen came up asking what we were handing out and the next thing we know he is climbing up a palm tree... barefoot. He insisted on getting us fresh coconuts and he through all six of us a coconut. We smashed them on the ground and got to drink authentic fresh coconut milk!! It was the coolest thing ever. After handing out flyers we had a pretty free schedule so naturally, we go to the beach. The rest of the day we just hungout on the beach or the rooftop and made our way to dinner together, which we got to eat on the beach. The food is DELICIOUS. Which is somewhat disappointing cause I thought I would lose weight here.. not going to happen. After dinner the entire business group went to the store to get some drinks. I was standing outside the store waiting for the last few people and all of the sudden the entire town goes pitch dark. I of course freak out and grab everyone around me to make sure we were all together, but it ended up being hilarious. That was only the first of many blackouts. After being traumatized we all went up to the rooftop to hangout. I feel so incredibly blessed to be with this group of people. I love every single one of them. We laughed and laughed and laughed. We played games and had a few drinks and just spent more time getting to know each other. Then all of the sudden, a big bang and  half the city is black again, including the other student hotel. Two transformers blew just in the time we were on the roof!!! I don't understand why that is a thing here. We met some awesome people yesterday, ate great food, had memorable experiences, and had so much fun together. In fact, we are the only group that really sticks together and I think now everyone wants to be in business :) Stephen said to us "never forget the coconut man" and I definitely will never forget that day. 

Mom and Dad, I'm not coming home. 

WE MADE IT

Today has been a longgggg day. I was at the airport in Fayetteville at 7:30 this morning, had a layover in Dallas (which was sad), landed in Belize City around 5:00pm and had a three hour bus ride to Dangriga. I immediately regretted overpacking. Its definitely safe to say that I packed the most out of all 100 people here, but honestly is that surprising? I was told to not have high expectations when I stepped off the plane in Belize. It is not a luxurious, rich country and I knew that, but I was shocked at what I saw. It is the most beautiful scenery I have EVER seen, and that I was not expecting. We loaded all our luggage and people into an old rugged school bus with no air conditioning and headed to Dangriga. We had no connection to reality. With the windows down the temperature was perfect and the weather was beautiful. For over three hours all we did was sit and enjoy getting to know each other while admiring Gods immaculate creation. Peaceful is the best way I can describe it. It honestly felt like a movie. I have never seen a more breathtaking view than on my bus ride today and pictures just couldn't do it justice. I find it so saddening that when people come to visit a country like this, most of them just go to the touristy places and miss the true beauty of the place. We watched the sunset over the rain forest and mountains and at one point my friend Emily and I both gasped and grabbed each others arm at the same time; simply in awe of the beauty. Such girls lol. Once it became dark, our delirium set in. We spent the last half of the trip in tears from laughter. Once we arrived in Dangriga around 8:30 we got to eat our first Belizean meal. It was terrifying. We then got to our rooms and discovered some critters but after we settled in we went to the rooftop and enjoyed our first of many Belizean beers! We sat there looking at the ocean and listening to the waves and once again all I could think of was peaceful. The beauty I witnessed today in Belize and in the people I am serving with these next few weeks is truly indescribable. Finally, its time for bed.... Thank the Lord.