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LA RUTA MAYA

It's a 3 day canoe race starting Cayo and ending in Belize city.  People come from all over the world to take part in it.  So we woke up really early one morning and walked down to the river.  We got there really early.  Plenty of time to find a good spot to watch the race.  Before long the river banks and bridges were full of people.

The race itse;f was exciting.  The people watching were really into it and were yelling and cheering on the people in the canoe.  No  one seemed to have a favorite.  Here are some pics of the race.

When they got to the low bridge a few canoes got stuck going though and apparently one fell over.
:(  sad.  We didn't see it from where we were standing, but I guess they just got right back in and kept going.

After that Maine Millie Tara and I went to Socutz to do some souvenir shopping.  One man was making the things he sells right in his shop.

The next day Millie and I took Tara to Belize city to catch her plane.  The bus was packed when we got on.  We had to climb in the back and I spent a good part of the time standing on the spare tire.  Thankfully I was able to keep my balance.  Meanwhile Crystal went to work on the Kingdom Hall.  They were painting in preparation for the Memorial.  And Maine was home sick.  :(  We all had some bad nachos...never again!

So anyhow, Tara went home...

A couple days later Millie came with us to preach in Guatemala.

It was Maine and my last time. :(

This is a study I went on with Lourey.

Both of the kids are hearing, but their mom and the aunt that they live with are both deaf.  They each study the Bible also.  But we studied with the little girl.  It was in Spanish so I wasn’t much help.
Here's everyone at lunch.

Later that week Millie also came with us for our last trip to Spanish Lookout.  It was really sad.  Tomasa and Rosita couldn't study but I got to say goodbye.  Tomasa gave me a really big hug and her eyes were watering.  It broke my heart.  She is so sweet.  She just has the kindest eyes.  I will really miss going there.

AFTER SERVICE SWIMMING

On a happier note, on the way home we drove through Bullet Tree and so we decided to stop for a little R&R.  Unfortunately we didn't have swimsuits with us, so the clothes we had on had to do.

At our last Saturday meeting I had a talk with Tanya.

We didn't plan on matching...

And fittingly Maine had the Public Talk on our last Sunday there.  (He also had the Public Talk on our first Sunday.)  He as always did excellent!

I'm getting ahead of myself...Saturday after the meeting was the start on Memorial Invitations.  So a large group met for preaching at 2.  Maine Millie and Myself got to go with a group to a village called San Antonio.  Now there are two San Antonios in Belize, one is WAY south.  We didn't go to that one. :)  The drive was beautiful!

Also saw this sign as we were going through a village.

In Belize they call the speed bumps sleeping policemen cause you still have to slow down.
This is the Kingdom Hall in San Antonio

Sunday after meeting a brother and sister had us over for dinner.  She made fry jacks!  They were so good.  And she gave me a tip for making them.  Hopefully one day I can get the knack for it.  The next night the same brother and sister had us over for a goodbye dinner for Maine and I.  The whole congregation was invited to that.  I can't believe how attached I felt to them all after only 2 ½ months.  It was a bittersweet evening.

LAST DAY

The next morning Maine got up to do some last minute errands.  Then at 11 we walked down to the gas station to wait for out shuttle.  A group of brothers and sisters that were out preaching saw us so they pulled over and waited with us too.  Crystal and Millie were already there waiting with us.  It was nice taking the shuttle to the airport instead of having to lug our bags onto the bus then off again at Belize and finding a cab...the shuttle took us right to the airport.  So here is our final pic in Belize.

Thanks to all for following our Belizian experience.  Can't wait to see everyone!

-Becky