Our Present Relationships with Belizeans

No doubt the most meaningful period of our life has been our years of serving in Belize. While the early time of teaching in the churches was very meaningful, the time later in which we related to some of the poorer persons in Belize was even more intense and concentrated. Children and youth with little home support beyond a bed came to our house a lot, and sometimes mothers came for a little help in food or cash to sustain their families even at a minimum. [Often for money for rice and chicken necks and backs.] Some dozens of children stayed at our house anywhere from several weeks to several years. Several have been adopted by Christian families. Of one family of 8 children, two are now married to Christian partners and 4 are growing up securely in Christian homes. A number of youth are in high school, and college, including the two Christian married women who also have children. Yet the wage scale of many is still on the poverty level if they can even have job; like $100.00 per week. But cost of living is hardly less than in the US.

We retired from Belize about 2 and a half years ago in our early 70's. It seemed the right time even though we knew moving back would be leaving a most interesting, challenging, and purposeful life. We knew we could never retire in Belize because the needs of people would always confront us. At one time we used the rubric, “Noah's Ark Children's Ministry”, to cover our work. But coming back to the US could not fully mean that Belize was left behind, either in our minds, and even less in the minds of the many who had been ministered to in their basic needs. We had lived with them and experienced the difficulties of their lives with them. Consequently we have continued in touch with about six families especially, and have sent them funds frequently for basic needs such as school costs, emergency medical needs as well as other common needs of daily life where jobs were insufficient for healthy survival. Since we have some real estate as rentals as well as our home in the US, we did not mind using some of that equity in our ministry, rather than leaving it all in a will. So then now some equity loans have built up to the limit of our sense of reasonable debt- a bit like for a reverse mortgage for the needy.

It has always been a concern of ours to help people in the most meaningful and practical way. Giving cash for survival may be a must, but long range answers are much preferred. It has been a consistent matter of prayer for us to to give wisely and not perpetuate their poverty by dependency. Sharing the gospel is imperative since sin is a great cause of poverty, e.g. drugs, sex, and despair. Education is to help qualify for jobs and better jobs. Creating jobs is one of the greatest challenges in Belize just as in the US. Currently we are still helping 6 persons in high school and several in primary school, as well as helping some children with persistent health problems, such as sickle cell anemia. The children have to eat to be well, whether or not the mothers or fathers have adequate jobs. All this becomes a burden beyond our resources. Our assistance is not to random persons but those we have known personally for years; who have motivation to help themselves to a better life. Our home church has been helpful in sorting out the best way to meet needs as well with a small regular support. But more is needed than we have, to meet even basic needs of some.

For more information how you may help if you are interested, email us for details of needs to our address at lornoah@comcast.net; or call at 574 333 2575.