Cruisin'...

Tourism (Turismo) is Belize's number one industry.

In this case, we often see visitors to our place off of cruise ships.

Tahitian Princess

We just had our first visitors of the year come in on Wednesday, January 2nd. They were, Rev. & Mrs. Crawford Coon, (Jena, LA) & Rev. & Mrs. Jeff Sangl. (Greensburg, IN) The Sangl's had some saints/relatives from their church with them. Bro. & Sis. Tony George and Bro. & Sis. Doug Ellerman. Thank y'all for coming to visit. It was an honor!

Pastor & Mrs. Jeff Sangl

Elder & Mrs. Crawford Coon
P.S. Those things on the plate are Empanades!

Bro. & Sis. Doug Ellerman

Bro. & Sis. Tony George

A typical day like this would consist of:

One of us going to get people from the port, in Belize City, at around 8am.

Then driving back to the Headquarters church in Guinea Grass. This trip would usually take around 1 & 1/2 hours one way. (It took a little longer this time, because the tires on the van, that was large enough to carry 8 people, were bad. It took around 2 or more hours each way.)

Once they get here, we treat our company like royalty!

L-R Missionary Tim Joiner, Elder Crawford Coon, & Pastor Jeff Sangl in the church. 

Giving the royal tour of the grounds, where they'll see the church, male/female dormitory, pastor's home & office, school, fellowship hall & church kitchen, my apartment, a few other sleeping quarters, and across the street you'll see my brother, Mark's house! A LOT, huh?!!!

After this, we'll take them to Pastor Joiner's home and make a bunch of snacks. It could get you anything from Empanades, (a meat filled, fried corn tortilla, with cabbage on top) to Piña Colada's, or Tacos and a Banana Shake!

Me making Piña Coladas, with Josey wanting one!

Piña (Pineapple) Colada

1/2 Cup Pineapple Squash (or pineapple concentrate)

1/4 Cup Cream of Coconut

Ice 

Blend in as much, or as little ice as you would like. We like ours thick, so we put a lot!
*optional garnishes, I like to make my drinks look cutesy!

strawberry syrup drizzled on inside of cup and on top of drink. pineapple chunks, whipped topping and a cherry.

Finished Piña Colada

Then, if they have time to spare, we'll take them to the Mennonite village of Shipyard to see the ways of their lives.

After all of this, it's back to the port for around a 2 or 3pm take off to the cruise ship.

Have you ever considered cruising? Where? Would you consider coming to Belize and seeing the Work of The Lord?

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ship's are built for. John A. Shedd

http://www.touristytravels1.globaltravel.com/

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Continuation...In The Life Of A 15 Year Old

I told you in one of my previous posts that if someone in the U.S. had offered me a ticket and a home to live in, I would have gladly accepted. It never happened and today, I am thankful for that.

And now.... Here's the rest of the story.

After 2 years of only learning a few songs in Spanish and how to say Dios Les Bendiga (God Bless You) and Come estas (How are You), I was still miserable.

My dad would travel back and forth to the U.S. to raise funds for the work here. While he was away, our services would only be in Spanish. I would go home crying because I didn't understand most of the services.

During the years up until around 2007 or 2008, I struggled spiritually. It was a heavy weight in me. I was in a country where I had no friends and could not understand, nor speak, the language of the village where we had church, Guinea Grass. Through much prayer and travels to the U.S. for church conference and youth camps, I became stronger in the Lord. I'm thankful The Lord had mercy on me and I was blessed to feel Him touch me again!

Near the end of 2002, we had 14 year old Guatemalan girl, Lupita Mayén, come live with us. She knew NO English. That's where starting to learn Spanish (for me) and learning English (for her) became critical. We would point at things and say it in our native tongue. It was a slow process for both of us. I still didn't understand the services and what we were teaching each other did not pertain to church.

Then, a young man came to church. I thought he was cute, but he didn't have the Holy Ghost--a BIG no, no for me! He would come to our services and be so close to to getting the Holy Ghost. But EVERY time, his younger sister would distract him. UGH! So, on a Friday, I prayed and fasted for him to get the Holy Ghost. He got it that night!

He would see me crying from not understanding the services, so he decided he would teach me Spanish. He gave me a list of 30 words in Spanish and told me to write sentences for these words. From there, I started picking up Spanish. It took a while but now I speak it pretty fluently!

Anyway, Jose, that amazing guy became the love of my life. We dated off and on for 7 years. He asked me to marry him and on July 18, 2009, we became husband and wife. I married my best friend! 

On July 22, 2010, the Lord blessed us with a beautiful, healthy baby girl! Her name is Josey Madelynn Hernandez. She lights up our life!

Now, 12 years later, I love the country of Belize and I love the Belizean people! The Lord is moving and we are being used by Him! My husband and I are the youth leaders at the headquarters church in Guinea Grass. God is opening up more doors for us throughout the Northern Region. Please pray that as we endeavor to do His will, He'll send a mighty revival!

“It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.” E.E. Cummings

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"