What I Do

So I realized that I have not written on here for quite some time... I apologize.

Since the last update on here, I have found out what I am doing here, and have also been doing it. I am working at Western Christian Academy, which is a high school here in Ontario Village. I am a teacher and the school counselor. I teach health science, food & nutrition, biology, and physics. I am a substitute teacher for whoever is gone, so I have also taught Bible. I never imagined myself as a teacher, and honestly can't see myself doing it for the rest of my life, but for right now it is not too bad. This coming week is the last week of classes, followed by a week of final exams, and then Spiritual Emphasis Week, then school is done.

The dry season has ended now and the rainy season has come. It started raining yesterday afternoon and has continued steadily ever since, but it feels nice to have rain and it still be 80 degrees.

The church is going on an outing tomorrow... we are leaving at 3am and going to Chetumal Mexico. It's about a 2 hour drive from here, then we'll spend the day and come back tomorrow evening. We're taking a school bus full of people, so it'll be a great time for me to get to know more people... but maybe not so much on the drive there... I think I might sleep.

I have never considered myself a morning person, and I have always loved sleeping in, but I have yet to sleep past 6:30am, and that is without using an alarm.

Warmth

As you might have noticed... I put a Belize weather strip on just to the left of this post, directly above my picture. I'd like you all to know, that is the weather in Belize City, it is an hour away from where I live, and on the coast, meaning that it is generally 10-15 degrees F hotter here than there.

One thing I have learned before i traveled to any 3rd world country was to never drink the water and don't swim in fresh water (lakes, rivers etc..)... oops???

What do Belizeans do when it's hot out??? well... there is a river behind my back yard of trees full of coconuts and limes... then entire village goes for a swim when it's this warm :) it feels great:) everybody jumps in with all their clothes on... then instead of changing when they get out... you just wear the wet clothes, cause it keeps you much cooler!!!

This past weekend I had a "free weekend" so I hung out with the kids here at the home, where the kids have taught me lots of creole. Then today was supposed to be my first day of work (which I still don't know what I will exactly be doing), but it was a "teacher's day" which means there was no school... so I had the day off. I went with Miss Kristy (manager & house mother at the children's home) to pay a bill in Belmopan. Then she took me out for coffee and lunch, then later on in the afternoon we went to Spanish Lookout which is a Mennonite community.

But, tomorrow morning I will find out what I will be doing here officially, and actually do something besides hang out with a bunch of kids.

Estoy Aqui (I am here)

I have safely arrived at my destination!! :) I landed in Belize City a little after 3pm (Mountain Time) and was greeted by Pastor Tate, his wife Barbra, and 7 boys from the children's home I am living in.

When we got to the children's home I was greeted by another, larger welcoming committee, all with smiling faces. I felt famous... the van pulls up and all sorts of people run up to it and as the boys that were in the van already were getting out I hear "Amber's Here!" shouted by many different voices, then I didn't have to carry anything to my room because there were lots of little boys that just took it from me :)

This evening I went to a youth group meeting with Callin (a guy from the home) and got to hang out around a campfire with them for a while.

I'll post more when I have a little more time. Hope all is well!!

ps... please pray that I don't get TOO sick (if at all) from the water and getting acquainted with the Belizean lifestyle :)

Thanks!

I would first like to thank everyone who has already supported me with their prayers as well as supporting me financially. I REALLY appreciate it!!

I am leaving this Friday, May 16, at 10:00 am and will be arriving in Belize City just before 3:00pm. While I am in Belize, I do not know how often I will have internet access, but I will try to keep you updated on here with what is happening as much as possible and add some pictures as well:)

Feel free to e-mail me whenever and I will get back to you as soon as I can.