Friday - Fun In the Sun!

What a beautiful morning! God has blessed us with perfect weather for every day’s adventure! The sun burst through the sky across the bay this morning and it was beautiful. Daniel led the devotion reading from Acts 8:26-40 about Philip responding to the call of God along the road to witness to the Eunuch which in turn spread to all the Ethiopian church. He really encouraged us to know that our work is not complete – while in Belize or after we leave – because “along the road” God may call us to share – and we may never know what our response to His call to just one person could mean eternally. It was great! We looked at a few more comments in Mark Batterson’s book which included “the most important choice you make every day is your attitude.” “Your internal attitudes are far more important than your external circumstances. Joy is mind over matter.” “Worship is forgetting about what’s wrong with you and remembering what is right with God.”
The excited 15 member mission team headed out with driver’s Dr. Brown and Omar for Orangewalk Belize. We drove an hour to get to the New River for a river tour heading to the Lamania Ruins. It is the hottest day we have experienced – unbelievable heat and humidity. We all got on a 26 foot boat – and it did not take long before the adventure began. We saw 2 iguana, lots of birds, a man floating down the river with a bunch of orchids he had just cut, lily pads, a bird that ran on water, hawks, and a variety of wildlife. The highlight was the driver pulling up a tree and handing a couple of kids bananas – a monkey jumped into the boat and took it from them! Another monkey – a little shy – came to the edge of the boat to get his banana. All of the students had so much fun – they were even able to pet them.
We continued down the river – we wanted to see a jaguar or crocodile – but had not luck. After we arrived at Lamania, we had lunch, and then began the tour. It was amazing! These ruins date back to prior to the life of Christ. They included parts of royal homes, many places of worship, god heads – you will see in the photo. We climbed & climbed & climbed to the top of all of the tall ones – the tallest was 115 feet high. There was a rope on the stairs to help you climb similar to a mountain. It was intensely hot! But we had a blast! I truly stood in awe at the bottom of one of the huge monuments in amazement at the lengths they went to worship idols. Then, I felt convicted – we are so similar – we create our own idols – things we place before the One and Only God – and pour so much time, money, and energy into them. Humbling thought.
The trail walk was beautiful. We saw a tarantula wrapped around her eggs – it was in a hole in the ground – there is a picture. It was wild!
After exploring all the ruins, we had the most fun on the dock. The kids all jumped repeatedly off the high dock – everyone went! We swam for a long time – and it was great! We laughed at everyone’s attempt to out do the other. Then, the entire group tried to take a jumping picture. Lawrence kept jumping out of the photo – it was hilarious.
The ride back was beautiful. The New River is a winding river with gorgeous vegetation on both sides. Again, I truly was in awe of our Creator – that he could speak this world with all it’s uniqueness into existence. We serve an awesome God!
We came back and had supper with Lupe and his family. They have been so kind to prepare all of our meals. We have eaten a lot of chicken, rice & beans, and so many tortillas. It has been really good. Then the boys worked out again with their water bottles.
Humor for the day included Lawrence’s daily description of swallowing a pill, Zeb chasing a lizard in the girls room and trapping it in a hole in the wall, Hunter's failed attempt to prove a knife was dull, learning a new way to open a coke bottle, Sara buying a machete, climbing the high rock formations and hyperventilating coming down, Hunter throwing water on Stephen & Stephen's revenge, climbing to the top and forgetting a camera and Lawrence sprinting to tbe bottom and back, and truly enjoying each other’s company.
We had our final evening team meeting. Gary and Sara led the devotion. They talked about unanswered prayer. They read Luke 17:6 which says, “He replied, If you have faith as small We as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey you.” Faith is “trusting God’s heart, and trusting God’s power.” God knows what is best for us – and sometimes what we ask is not best. Other problems may be that the timing is not in line with God. Yet we must remember, God’s answers are wiser than our prayers. They did a great job.
Then, Dr. Brown read Luke 22:15-20 and discussed the sacraments of communion and baptism. Once again, the discussion with the students was wonderful! He charged the students to guard all that they have learned over the last 18 years and share it. He read out of Exodus 20 about not having idols – and I shared with them my thoughts about the lengths we go to worship idols. The kids discussed things we put before our time and relationship with God. I told them that several times this week, as I have looked at the extreme poverty, I have thought how blessed we are to live in the US. However, God really convicted my heart one day as we were riding. The reality is – they are truly blessed. We have so much that distracts us from our relationship with Him. All the possessions and quests for self pleasure – distract us from our time with the only God worthy of worship. Their lack of distraction gives them riches and blessings as they seek Him, lean upon Him, have trust in His provision, care, and love. What a week! We have all been exposed to so much – God has been so good to us!
We ended the night reflecting on the trip and then Dr. Brown charged the students to pray for DCS as alumni. We closed the night praying for the school, staff, teachers, coaches, spiritual growth, strong leaders to step up in the rising senior class, and many more things. We also prayed for the students – God has given all of the seniors – here and in Dillon a unique sphere of influence. We prayed for them to be strong, passionate leaders and to stand firm on God’s promises. We prayed for their priority focus to always be on Him.
We have an early wake up in the morning – all day in the airport. Keep us in your prayers! Love to you all!