December 1st has come and gone and one could almost hear the collective Caribbean “hurrah” that marked the end of the official hurricane season. I certainly breathed a prayer of thanksgiving.
This is my third and last Christmas in Belize. We’ll be leaving on January 2 and returning to Vancouver on January 19.
I have been very content with quiet village life. Daily visits from as many as 15 children and their voices ringing out each morning and evening will always have a special corner of my heart.
The lack of traffic congestion and evenings free of committee meetings, the sweetness and aroma of freshly picked oranges, grapefruit and mangos, school assemblies which welcome Christian content, the sound of the bell on the postman’s bicycle announcing the arrival of mail, Miss Nacha’s fresh coconut tarts, conch soup and the early morning symphony of song birds are all treasured experiences of my time in Belize.
One of the many memorable events of the past year occurred as Canon Philip Wright, a 38-year old Belizean, was consecrated as the 14th Bishop of the Anglican Church in Belize.
I was asked to be one of two deacons to attend the Archbishop who presided over the rites. The other deacon, Wayne Curtain, who is a native Carib from Barbados, stands over 6 feet tall and has the build of a football quarterback. The Archbishop, also a native Carib, is a heavy set man of short stature. Add a tall slender white woman to the picture - and try not to smile at the contrasts!
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The Rev. Tess Meadows surrounded by friends in |
While I was in Belize City I went to the radio station to tape the last of my contributions for the daily morning devotions which are broadcast at 5:30 am. I’m always surprised at how many people stop me in the village to say they listen to those early devotions.
It was standing room only at St. Michael’s two weeks ago when four families brought small children to receive the sacrament of baptism. The present church building seats only 50 people and there were 38 children present for that particular service. The four who were baptized, two boys and two girls, ranged in ages from 5 to16 months. Two protested vigorously to the ministrations of water while the other two just smiled and wiggled. Small dark faces with deep dark eyes will forever bless my heart.
I’ve been reading weather reports on the Internet so know that Vancouver’s first snowfall came before the end of November and my prairie buddies snuggled into their woolies weeks ago. And this semi-tropical bird will be heading north just as all the snow birds head south! Could my compass be faulty?
May the peace and the promise of Christmas fill all of your hearts.
With my love and prayers,
Tess
The Rev. Tess Meadows, a deacon at St. John’s, North Vancouver, has been working as a Volunteer in Mission since November 2003.