“CU” in Belize

The second-longest work trip I can remember continued after I dropped off Lutheran South at the airport; I had two days until four faculty/staff from Concordia University in Seward, NE (CUNE), would arrive. I LOVE my job, but needless to say I needed some introvert time. 

Julie (far right), CUNE's Director of Global Opportunities, has supported the sending of numerous CUNE volunteers to LAC during my tenure; I've personally hosted students in the DR and Uruguay. The impetus behind this student-free trip was a grant she received to better equip colleagues as far as the planning and execution of study tours in their various areas. What better way to learn than to go through the motions? Julie hand-picked ten who embody the sought-after set of leadership characteristics, three of whom joined her for a 3-day plunge. I knew Hannah (2nd from L) from volunteering at the 2022 Youth Gathering. 

With such a short time on the ground, I crammed our days full of everything on Julie's wish list (worship, hands-on service, and culture) and more. Counting the Groth family, we had a 13 people in the 15-passenger van I'd kept from the week prior for a 2 1/2 road trip south to Sunday worship in Seine Bight. 

Day 2 began back in God's house, this time at chapel with the Little Lambs preschoolers in Valley of Peace. Following, the team taught a "Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers" object lesson. 

We quite literally stayed after class to organize the preschool's - and soon to be the community's - library by reading level. I couldn't have asked for four more qualified volunteers to tackle the project. We ran out of yellow and orange spine labeling stickers, so I ordered more and will try to wrap things up when I'm there again...in less than a week. 

I'd been to Xunantunich (one of the best preserved Mayan sites in Belize) before but never driven there myself until the morning of Day 3. All vehicles have to board a ferry across the Mopan River before making their way the last mile to the parking lot. 

Our tour guide was worth every penny. I'd also not previously seen spider monkeys (except at the Belize Zoo) or been introduced to cohune, a nut whose "meat" looks and tastes similar to coconut and is also used to extract an oil that can be used in cooking. 

Speaking of cooking...we rode out the first downpour of the rainy season that afternoon learning how to make a Salvadorian delicacy, pupusas. Cindy (L) sometimes makes upward of 200 in a day at the pupusería she runs with her sister. My frijoles con queso one is closest to me on the comal. Apparently, a little seepage is normal ;)

Our final activity was ESL with Markie Burch, who sacrifices her Tuesday nights to continue, on a small scale, the robust English outreach a former Belize missionary had been running. She involved the team members and I in a geography-based lesson about country names, demonyms, continents, and fun facts that had everyone talking. 

We headed to the airport mid-morning on Wednesday, but I wouldn't make it home until midday Thursday due to an [planned] overnight in Miami. What a joy to host these ladies, knowing the very purpose of their being on the ground means the likelihood of crossing paths again somewhere is strong!

Until next time, blessings in Christ!