From a Family letter, March 2013

Certainly the latest from here is returning from a 5 week visit to Belize about 5 days ago. I suppose the trip could be summed up as I did to a friend several weeks ago, “Belize is very beautiful, but very hard”.  Weather, the tropical greenery, and the tremendous welcome and greeting by so many people. Even in the last week as I walked the sidewalks or bicycled in town, I was frequently called out by name and often didn't even recognize the greeter when I looked around. On the other hand we had cool breezes over our faces at night the first night and the last week had temps of 90, which gave little motivation to do much. Most difficult was the constant pleading for a few dollars by persons we knew well and some we could not trust as having been sent by mothers. Compassion was not hard, but discernment of real needs was beyond human discernment at times . We didn't mind sharing but we hated deceptions which we caught a few times. But then we did have real conversations with children, youth, and mothers on the direction of their lives and found a lot of openness which we are asking God to followup on. Some are interested in church attendance that were not before. The church we always attended has only a few coming, but Hopkins church is thriving and the pastor received us warmly, although we used to wonder if he really likes a foreigner around. When I spoke there, I reminded them that there used to be only one lone street along the beach village, but now I had to have a guide to show us where or friends lived.

The house we lived in for about 20 years had stood empty for perhaps a year and so was vandalized some and left half remodeled. We cleaned it up inside and outside, and supervised replacing the septic top which was badly broken and also one cement pillar that needed replacement. The front door was taken away and we replaced that. The copper wiring was stripped out with the fuse box and meter. That still needs to been redone. The last weeks we prepared it for a young couple, Louwesa and Ryan to move in and we stayed a few days longer to help them move and settle in. This couple and her brother and partner were married in a double wedding just two years ago, shortly before we moved back They are Christians, very close friends, happily married with children, to us much like our own. (two in this marriage are siblings to the 4 we brought north and were adopted by our friends here.)

One of our biggest expenses in Belize was helping 5 families with their school expenses. Many did not have all their books for which they might be sent home until they have them. School fees and late fees for some. And just a host of smaller expenses, as well as replacement shoes and backpaks- almost an endless variety of necessities for schools. Schools seem to ignore that many are poor and can't afford all the many books and even “donations” that are required. Some students drop out because of expenses. It can easily cost $6-800US per high school student per year, a fortune for unemployed parents. [The wives of the two couples mentioned above are in night high school classes and highly motivated- even with Louswesa with 4 children!]

Well, back to IN. I mused last night how much nicer we have it here compared to the past 5 weeks in Belize. The bathroom is lighted, the floors are not cement, we have a refrig here, the cupboards are full of food as well as the refrig. We don't fear break-ins like we lost food 4-5 times in Belize. Kids aren't begging even for cold oatmeal about everyday.* We don't fear running out of money. We have TV, computer, much music, a cozy house equipped for comfort, yes a vehicle, and neighbors who bring food rather than request food and cash. But it can be lonely here, which we might wish for in Belize.

Forgive me for writing so much about our experiences. We did enjoy all your letters. We enjoy good health. We also had much dental work done in Belize which was the timing of our going. We likely saved some thousands with new dentures for me and several tooth caps and one pulling for Loretta.

We have known the dentist in Belize for years and he is very careful and throughal, and a friend- actually he gave me a hug when we first met.

We expect to go to NM for a wedding in June and are toying about going east for the Hoch. Reunion in PA as well as traveling more in the east. We suppose Zachary is getting married this year but we have not heard any date yet. We expect our first great grandchild later this year- Josh and Natalie. Rachel's Nate is in Malaysia presently to be with Alisha who is still waiting for her visa or papers. He teaches some at Notre Dame, and taught for another teacher who now will teach for him, giving each an extra week of spring vacation. Seems we have seen very little of our children and grandchildren since Christmas except some locals a little.

Joe, I don't think we could ever expect much spiritual direction from gov't leaders who reflect the mood of the country to a large extent, e.g. on gay marriage, militarism, etc. We are living in a culture where self interest prevails. They even talk of cutting back on foreign aid rather than stop the bloated military; They are still manufacturing nuclear weapons while destroying them also. How absurd!

Noah with Loretta

*When we first came to Belize I bought a small box of oatmeal. It was soon gone so I bought a big one. Later I bought two at a time. It was a common evening or anytime dish to pour “oats” in a bowl, add powder milk, and 3-4 teaspoons of sugar- if we didn't sugar it ourselves- and then enjoy it. Once in the late evening, I ask two teen fellows if they think many youth go to bed hungry sometimes. They nodded yes. Often one simple dish of food was consumes with satisfaction. Of course if a loaf of bread was on the table, that also would easily vanish! I understand there is considerable under-nourishment in Belize, although little starvation as in Haiti and other places. What do they do when we are not there?

Perhaps beg from extended families and friends who are less willing to help than we were, or wait until morning or whenever food appears.