Cross Cultural Experiences

One thing that we love about Belize is the cross cultural experience that we enjoy from day to day. We have Mayan friends, Creole friends, German friends, deaf friends, Russian Mennonite friends, American friends, Canadian friends.. it is especially fun when we hold our weekly bible study where we have Russian Mennonites speaking in their lower German with one another on one side of the room.. and a Mennonite husband translating everything into Spanish for his Spanish speaking wife.. and then on the other side of the room is a friend who is interpreting in sign language for the deaf in attendance. Literally it is not unusual to have 4 different languages, sometimes five at one time! We love the exposure that our children are having to so many cultures and languages here.

On our anniversary (May 18th) Grady and I had a blessed time attending an Amish-type wedding in an old order community. I was good and did not bring my camera (they do not like having their photos taken!) But here are a few google images of some homes in the community. Very plain, with no electricity.. they rely on horse and buggy for transportation. Truly when we go to visit families within this community we feel as though we are in a Little House on the Prairie home. Not much has changed in this group's lifestyle for hundreds of years.

Horse & Buggy delivering a house!

 

 We have recently made friends with a family who once belonged to this specific church/community but no longer attend for various reasons. They do still live within the community and despite the recently installed solar panels and a few pull string light bulbs (instead of kerosene lanterns) they still live the old order lifestyle. It is amazing to spend time with them and watch how they work without electricity ( no refrigeration!) and none of the luxuries that I am certainly used to! They grow and raise 99% of their food. They can everything they grow and butcher and make all their clothing.. and possess hundreds of other amazing skills.

 

A few Sundays we have been able to join them in a Bible Study.

When the little girls get unruly during our Bible Study time the older children enjoy taking them  outside to roam around their lovely farm. On this particular day they got to take an oxen ride. Everyone (except for Grace who just *knew* they would flip over) had a great time!

Once in a while they are able to catch a ride into Spanish Lookout and come for a visit. Those have been very special days. Recently the lovely daughter in law and half of the family came to our house while she was in labor. We took her to the clinic when it was time and she delivered 15 minutes after our arrival! Praise the Lord! :-)

 

One day they asked if we could please travel with them to the beach. They had only been to a beach one other time, literally in their lives- even though they had lived in Belize, so close to such beautiful beaches! :-) It was a great day.. experiencing new things with them such as the boats and swimming in the ocean for the first time.

 

Their adult adopted son; who had been raised in the world, is personal friends with a couple who own a small resort at Hopkins Bay. He had contacted them to ask if we could use their beach, boats and gear for the day. They were so gracious to welcome us, free of charge.

 

Ryan, Grant and one of the sons get ready to head out~

 

Somethin' about watching your boys head out into the ocean with just 2 oars to help them along. Overprotective? Maybe. But that is our family culture and also as parents, our right! Right?! We get to overprotect until at least age 20! (right Mandy? ;-) )

Ok boys that looks like a good place to fish!

Uh hem! Out a bit far there boys, dontcha think? While they were out there a dolphin joined them!

We played in the sand with the girls, pretending we weren't worried about how far out the boys were. hee hee..

Gracie is not fearful of water any more and had a lovely time! Yay!

Sweet fellowship

P. tries his hand at Ryan's fishing pole.

Special Friends

This lovely boat appeared out of what seemed like no where!

Oh yay! Look whose back from the far distant horizon!

After the boys made it back to shore safely they took their turn with the surf boards

Rye, who did a lot of the rowing, cools off with a Ginger Fanta.. MMMM!

Catch-of-the-day! (Red Snapper I think?)

Time to head to the snack bar for some afternoon coffee and sodas!

 

There were some tired young folks on the way home! It is amazing how much being in the sun wears you out. And yes, two of our children, yea three were VERY burnt after this day! I wont tell you that the UV Ray alert was at a 10 from a scale of 1-10 and I will not mention that my three oldest children didn't use sunscreen ALL day!  It was just a few days of misery though.. and a lesson learned I guess!

 

We sure enjoy spending time with all of our sweet, truly multicultural friends here in Belize. We are so blessed that the Lord has allowed us to spend time in fellowship and in the Word hearing what Jesus has to say to us all. What a joy to have brothers and sisters in the Lord here.. from such varied cultures. It is one thing we LOVE about not only "Homeschooling " our children but rather "World Schooling" our children! :-) What a blessing.