I just returned home from Belize last night. D’Aun and I led a group of about 10 people on a five-day four-night trip. We call these “vision trips” because they are designed to show people what PathLight does and why we do it. It was a great group of people who wanted to learn more about poverty, educational issues, and Belize. By the end of the trip we had done and saw so much….and I saw a few hearts molded by the experience. Thought I’d describe some of the trip here.
We arrived at Belize International Airport on Monday about 4 PM after a two hour flight from Houston, then we connected with others who had arrived earlier. A lot of the folks knew each other, but not all, so it was good to climb into the van and have 90-minutes to talk. This allowed for us to get to know each other a bit.
PathLight operates a mission and conference center on 700-acres of rainforest that is called Jaguar Creek. This is the base of operations for PathLight and is where we headed first. The drive to Jaguar Creek passes through the Belize countryside, past the capital city of Belmopan, and into the Maya Mountains. It was dark as we arrived and the skies began to dump a huge rainstorm. We unloaded our things and settled into our rooms with a minimum of fuss, although PathLight’s Executive Director Mark Parcher had to change clothes he was so soaked! After dinner in the lodge, Mark (now dry) gave us an overview of PathLight’s work in Belize and a few tips on life in the jungle. It had been a long day so many went to bed early. The next morning we found out that there was over four inches of rain in 24-hours!
Tuesday morning we headed to Belmopan Baptist High School to see where the PathLight Sponsorship Students attend. The principal, Norm Willacy, gave a brief overview about the high school and answered a few questions. A highlight was when some of the folks in our group met their sponsorship students!
From here we went to King’s Children’s Home, a program that D’Aun has supported for years. This wonderful little ministry is home for 45 kids who have been abandoned or orphaned, all in a tiny house. Although not officially a PathLight effort, we have strong ties to the director Leoni and it is often a highlight to visit.
Back to Jaguar Creek, where we had lunch, and then on to St. Margaret’s Village. This is a few miles south and has about 800-1000 residents. Most are refugees from Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, or children of those refugees. PathLight works with the school in St. Margaret’s and it was great to see smiling faces peek out from the windows as we walked around the school. The principal came out and shared the story of the school and the incredible academic turnaround they’ve experienced in the last few years.
Then back to Jaguar Creek for a short break before about 20 of the sponsorship students joined us for dinner. It was great fun talking to them and hearing their stories. Like kids everywhere, they loved to laugh and joke around. I’m continually amazed at how these students are growing in maturity and confidence as they progress through the PathLight program. They come into the program afraid to make eye contact and speaking so softly they can barely be heard. Over time they transform into confident, strong, proud youth with great hopes for the future. It’s just a joy to see this!
By the way, one couple who sponsors a student also met that student’s mother at this dinner. And after dinner went with them to see their home! At the home, both the mother and the father expressed their deep thanks for the sponsorship support. It was easily the highlight of the trip for these sponsors!
The next morning we left Jaguar Creek and visited Armenia Village, another nearby community where PathLight works. We briefly met the principal of the school and walked around to see the classrooms. Next stop was Las Flores, another village and another school. I was afraid that we might be overdoing it with principals and schools, but everybody loved it!
From here we drove to the University of Belize. It’s important for our guests to understand that high school is only part of the equation; eventually we hope to have students attending college as well. At UB we had a special surprise when we ran into Sarah, a young woman that my family supports in college. She’s studying to be a nurse and it was a joyful surprise to meet her in the common grounds area.
We rushed to San Ignacio next, where we stopped at Hode’s for lunch. Then over to Xunantunich, which is a great Mayan ruins site. The ferry that takes us across the river to Xunantunich is a hand cranked system that always fascinates me!
After a tour of the ruins, which are easily 2000 years old, we headed to Chaa Creek Resort for the night. The next day, Thursday, was a free day and most of us spent time hiking, reading, or enjoying Chaa Creek in other ways. Then the next day we headed home.
My highlight? Spending time with our new Belize Director, Fermin Olivera, and meeting his wife Leidy. Wow, what an incredible couple this is! More on them in our upcoming PathLight newsletter (which you can sign up for here).
It was a quick trip, but a great one. Our guest saw true poverty in the villages, met students and parents, discussed challenges with principals, saw the limited resources the teachers have, and caught a vision for transformation in the community. They even had time to be tourists!
Let me know if you want to go with me sometime. D’Aun and I usually do this kind of trip twice a year and we’d love to have you!
Oh, and by the way, my daughter has posted some pictures of the trip if you are curious. Here’s a sample:
