March 28, 2011 - Missionary Work Continues in Belize

This past Monday we invited the Ruano family over for home evening.  They are a cute little family newly moved here from Guatemala.  Brad is the facilities manager for the Church in Belize.  They have moved in just two houses away from us.  They both speak fair English, but their little boy, Bradley, only speaks Spanish.  He just started school here, and only English (and Creole) is spoken at school.  He will probably be speaking pretty good English by the end of the semester.  At least that is the way it usually seems to work for young childen in this situation. 

L. to R.: Natalie, Bradley, and Brad Ruano

Elder Pattee takes the zone leaders out for driving lessons from time to time.  There is only one of the zone leaders that is designated to drive the mission van.  Elder Choc is a good driver, but will be going home in about 4 weeks, so Elder Lunt has had to learn how to drive a standard shift.  The first time out, Elder Pattee only gave him a 4 (on a scale of 1-10).  The next time he got an 8, which was remarkable.  By the time Elder Choc goes home the end of April, Elder Lund should be doing nicely and will be able to be the designated driver.  We have fine missionaries laboring here. 

Zone Leaders - Elders Choc and Lunt

 

We also visited Kim Vernon and her little son, Kimar at her home.   She has 5 children and has been a member about 3 years.  She had hoped her husband would join.  He showed interest at first, but doesn't seem to want anything to do with the Church these days.  Kim has been to the temple and longs for an eternal family.

Many people here feel that to be a Mormon requires too many rules and too many restrictions in their life styles.  If they only realized that it is through following the Lord's commandments that we gain greater freedom and greater blessings. 

Our mission president, President Lopez, gave us a projector a couple of months ago.  One day this week, Sister Pattee spent quite some time trying to figure out how to use it, as she was in charge of setting up for the showing of the DVD "Emma Smith" for the Belize City Branch relief society birthday celebration. 

"Hope this is the right cable."

We have never had to use our projector before, and weren't even sure if all the connections were there. 

The activity was to take place in the cultural hall, and we needed to run the DVD off our laptop.  We even purchased some small speakers.  Fortunately our chapel does have a video screen we could hang on the wall.  With the help of the elders, who were in the building getting ready for 2 baptisms, everything went off without a hitch.  In the process Sister Pattee learned how to do something new, which is always good for a sixty something.

We had a very nice birthday celebration and enjoyed learning more about our relief society's very first president--Emma Smith.

This delicious cake was made by a member, Sister Munoz.

We had about 40 women attend the birthday celebration, which is a good group for a relief society activity in Belize City Branch.  We are working to get more participation.   

We also attended a funeral a few days ago.  It was in our chapel  for a woman that was 34 years old.  She was baptized a member some years ago, but has not been attending church.  She was the niece of our Belize District young women's president.  It was sad to see how distraught some of people attending were.  Especially the mother and a brother who were literally wailing for their daughter and sister.  When the service was over, the mother had fainted and was lying on the floor.  At times like this, members of the Church can be forever grateful for the comfort the gospel can bring.

The coconut palm tree grows everywhere here.  The Belizeans like to use the coconuts when they are green as you see on this tree.  They cut them open and drink the juice and eat the soft white meat.   Our landlady, Sheila, brought us some fresh coconut milk and the soft meat.  It was very "interesting".  An aquired  taste is probably needed.  We have seen workers slice off the tops of the green coconuts with their machetes and drink the juice just like water.  It is very healthy, we are told.  The juice is also used in making rice and beans--the national food. 

We both really like this little tree.  It is just outside the gate to our house.  We call it a "cactus tree".  We enjoy seeing the many trees, plants, and flowers that grow here.  So different from home.  All for this week.