Wow, the past two weeks have been busy. Within that timeframe, we have fused tight friendships with 36 former strangers as we embark upon our training sites across Belize. We have been exceptionally grateful for our wonderful host mother Delia, who has been teaching us Q’eqchi as frequently as she teaches us how to make our own tortillas (“wa”, pronounced “cwah” in Q’eqchi). She has been a wonderful host and we are grateful to live with her.
I have been awed by the humanity with which we have been received by the Belizeans. I have been reading excellent theses on humanity by Dr. Cornell West and James Martin, S.J., detailing working with the poor in conditions of duress. It is impressive to be working with so many committed individuals from the states and even more impressive still the treatment we have gotten from our host country. If we are to be promoters of compassion as citizens of the world (a group we are quickly discovering everyone truly belongs to), it is crucial that we practice compassion in our daily lives, including the work that we do. We are truly honored to be charged with this work and will continue to do so with love and diligence for the people of Belize as we represent our home community.
Even while living in a nation where the poverty is as oppressive as the equatorial heat and humidity, Belizeans find ways both large and small to show love and goodness to one another. It is truly remarkable that such a population exists in a place that can be, at times, so difficult to live a daily life. We consider it a great honor to serve the Q’eqchi people (an indigenous Mayan group) during our service in Belize.
I have promised my betrothed that I will be better about adding to our blog. More from me later.
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