God is the star of this show

My apologies friends!!! I have been here over a month with no word of how things have been going. Well, it has been a hectic but sweet time of exploring our new country, town, and neighborhood. So much has happened in this month of living: riding buses and bikes, eating rice and beans, serving, meeting new people, eating rice and beans, sweating, walking, playing, trying new foods, laughing, and growing.

One fact permeates through each event, interaction, and hour we’ve been here; God has gone before us to make a way.

We meet a lot of people curious to our mission. I get so tied up in "We are doing... I am here to .... I'm a teacher so... etc." No. Rewind. That gives humans too much credit. God is here. God is working. In Philippians 1:6 Paul says says God who began the good work of restoring lives to himself will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I am only a shell, a vessel of His love and a witness to the heart change happening in Belize. 

I have been convicted of John 3:30 that "God must become greater; and I must become less."  This became so real to me on September 16, 2015. Our 'Kick-off' Bonfire in San Antonio Village.
Here's what went down..

"7 + 4, lets scoop the biggest in our brain
and count on to add the rest"

In August, our American team of 3 (Amber, Sarah, & Charles) spent a few days going house to house taking a census of school aged kids, introducing ourselves to parents and explaining our vision for the youth of this village. They were receptive to our program. Proceed through three weeks of homework help on crowded picnic tables, a loose discipline system, no devotionals for kids, no worship, no prayer, and no structured games. Just 2 hours of free for all hanging out with 20ish students each fighting for attention and many, many mosquitos. Utter chaos.

Enter Israel. Our 4th team member, native of San Antonio village, and newly resigned assistant to the Governor General of Belize. Now 31 years old, he has had a dream of restoring his village and spreading the gospel to his neighbors since he left when he was 18. EVERYONE knows Israel. People in small towns 5 hours from San Antonio know Israel. A good portion of the village is related to Israel. He radiates joy and humbles himself as a servant of God daily. Everyone knows his heart overflows with love for God and his energy is magnetic. Israel is a torch radiating the light of Christ in this village.

With our team complete, Israel spread the news of our Kick Off bonfire in the village to be held Tuesday (Sept 15). This would be huge. The soccer lights would be on (which is for occasions only), free marshmallows for roasting, and games with friends. This would be our chance to bring our A-game, show these kids and parents how fun and great we are.

But no. Charles had a previously scheduled soccer game in the next village so we postponed until Wednesday. The kids had gathered and cheered when Israel came riding up to San Antonio, only to disappoint them with the news of the bonfire pushed back to the next day.

BOOOO!

Wednesday night came. 6:30 was the time. Israel biked up on his own. The sun was setting. Charles was putting new strings on the guitar, which took longer than expected. My punctual American tendencies were getting anxious about the perception of the parents if we came too late. (even though Central America/Belize/Caribbean Island time is flexible)

BOOOOOO!

6:50 (20 min late) arrive at Mary's to get Taheed (13), Shimara (11), Nigel (8), Trevon (5), Fantasha (4). There was a miscommunication of the children not being able to join us and being on punishment for showing disrespect towards their mother. The girls were in nice dresses and very excited about this night. They rarely leave the neighborhood. I was crushed that they might not be able to join us in this festive treat. Back and forth discussion: Yes We can GO! No you CANT! Ugh come on team! Get it together we have to get to the village!

BOOOOOOOO!

7:15 (45 min late) After discussing with the aunt that was watching them all, everyone piled up on bikes. Sarah and I carrying 2 kids on our bike handlebars and frames. Taheed carrying Nigel on his handlebars. Charles with the guitar case. We took off to the store to buy marshmallows. Reloaded all of our passengers, and set off to the village, still about a 15 minute ride if traveling quickly. 30 yards from the store.. ELECTRICAL BLACKOUT.

The whole town was blanketed in darkness. A few alarmed residents, including myself, screamed at the sudden confusion and aloneness. I couldn't see where the rest of my team went, if the kids were okay, or if I was headed toward the drop off into the nasty creek. Going on to San Antonio in this condition would've been unsafe due to holes in the dirt roads that could jolt a kids back if they aren't braced for it and dangerous due to precarious folks thinking the cover of night would conceal identifies, enabling them to take our bikes or backpacks.

Turning back was our only option. I was fuming. Thinking 'there goes our credibility in the village. We'd be viewed as Americans breaking promises of fun to their children. The kids won't want to come hang out after school anymore.' and on and on.

During my pity party, God had been slowly twisting the dimmer switch on the stars to bright, brighter, brightest. There had to have been over a thousand stars right above me. It was surreal. The only comparative image I have of such a spectacle is a planetarium. Orrrr  Disney's The Lion King.

God got my heart's attention real fast. He said 'Amber stop, look at my beautiful works. Reset your mind and attitude to show my gifts of love. You'll get to the bonfire when you get there. Relax because I am near.' I was so wrapped up in our presentation and timeliness, that I forgot who I should be promoting. This is not the Amber show, nor the Belize Project show; This season for the village is a ongoing show of God's mighty hand that I am thrilled to watch unfold.

The rest of the night after that display and comforting feeling was much better. We biked home to retrieve our headlamps for a safer ride. As we were digging them from bags, the power came back on. What a relief! We arrived to the village at 7:45 (1 hr 15 min late) to anxious children sitting in a circle (which never happens) with Israel teaching them that God made everything. They were very excited for the marshmallows to arrive! We started helping the 4 and 5 year olds with roasting and called over each older group. We danced, played soccer, and hung out until 8:30 when parents came to walk them home. The children hugged and thanked us for the night and many said "See you tomorrow!"

I am so thankful to serve a God who 'brings light to the darkness.' Darkness of a busy self-centered mind, darkness of a town without electricity, and darkness of a world desperately needing the shining gift of Jesus Christ. 'Great are You, Lord!'