Abner's Trip to Belize Pt.1

Good morning, good evening, whenever you're reading this - hello! Abner writing here. Years have passed since the first time that Beth asked me to write for this blog. I'm finally here doing it! 
A couple weeks ago I took a trip to Belize. Bethany asked me if I would like to tell the story of my trip and I said yes - it'd be a pleasure to do so. 

From the beginning I was so excited to go on this trip. Because of spring break I had a week off from work. I'd recently acquired a passport and wanted to visit a different country. I chose Belize because I have family there and they live on a beautiful island that I wanted to see for myself.

On Sunday, April 9th, I flew to Chetumal, Mexico. Chetumal is about 20 minutes from the border of Belize.

Stepping off the plane in Chetumal, Mexico

From this moment an adventure began that at the time was very frustrating, but I look back now and think it is funny.

When I got out of the airport, I got a taxi. I told the chauffeur to take me to the bus terminal that goes to Belize, however, after going back and forth with him, he convinced me that it'd be better to go straight to the Mexico border. He said it'd be quicker that way - he turned out to be correct. When I arrived at the border, I wasn't allowed to take pictures for reasons of security. It was so much harder to leave my own country of Mexico than to get into the country of Belize! The man at Mexican immigration asked me a million questions. Finally he stamped my passport and let me go.

The river that divides Mexico and Belize

From there I took a motorcycle-taxi that drove me to the entrance of Belize.

I felt so good when I saw that flag! Finally I'd arrived in Belize!

 I have family in Belize and thank God, one of my cousins is an immigration agent. He got me through quickly and into Belize.

My cousin, the man who helped get me through with no issues.

When I first decided to go to Belize, my plan was just to go on vacation to the island of San Pedro, Belize. However, when the Wakefield family heard about my plans, they helped get me in contact with the missionaries there. I had the opportunity to preach there two times - actually, I was supposed to preach three times but ran into some problems...

When I crossed the border, everything immediately changed for me. Everyone was speaking English!! (I don't speak a ton of English - the reason this is all written perfectly is because Bethany is translating this for me. Thank you, Beth!)

Even though they speak English in Belize, everyone speaks and understands Spanish. So after figuring out what I needed to do to get to Orange Walk, I got a bus and we started the drive there. The church that I was to be preaching at is located in Orange Walk - remember, I was traveling on a Sunday and was scheduled to preach that night. I was in a big rush! The bus driver told me Orange Walk was about 45 minutes away and I thought, "Perfect! I'll be right on time for the service."

 The first city we went through was Corozal, a very small, but beautiful city. I'd been told to be careful, that the people in Belize are dangerous, but my experience with them was the complete opposite. The people we so kind, humble, and good.

We passed village after village. It was getting darker by the minute and I still hadn't arrived at my destination. At one point a lady got on the bus and sat next to me. When she got settled, she turned and gazed quizzically at me. I turned to her and said hello. She gave me a huge smile and returned my greeting in Spanish. I asked her, "How long until we arrive in Orange Walk? I was told it'd be about 45 minutes and I've been on this bus for an hour and a half!" The lady replied that we still had about an hour to go. I exclaimed, "Are you serious?!??"
That day, I learned that Belizians have a problem with time.

After finding this out, this lady and I began to chat. She asked me if I was a pastor. I replied that no, I was just a preacher. She replied, "Yeah...I could tell by the way you are dressed."

I'd long since realized that I wouldn't make it to church to preach so I decided instead to preach on the bus. I started talking and testifying to the lady next to me. She seemed really enthralled and all of a sudden she turns to everyone behind us on the bus, "This man is from Mexico and he is a pastor! He's here to preach in Orange Walk!" When she said that, everyone got very excited and that made me nervous.

After about two and a half hours, I arrived in Orange Walk. When I stepped off the bus my fellow passengers all leaned out the windows and began yelling with so much joy and enthusiasm, "Bye, Pastor! Bye, Pastor!!!"
Honestly, they got a one or two tears out of me for that.

Finally I arrived at the church! I got there late and didn't end up preaching, but in my heart I felt peace.

The beautiful church building in Belize

I was honored to meet these two great men, Bro. Harris and Bro. Joiner. I had a good time with them.

It was getting late and I was exhausted. Bro. Mark Joiner showed me to my room and when I walked in, I saw this basket. The Joiner family treated me incredibly well.

The next morning, we got up early and Bro. Harris and Bro. Joiner took me to the city of Corozal. From there I was to take a boat to the beautiful island. 

The sunrise

The dock from where the boats leave for the island

We traveled for two and a half hours in the middle of the ocean. This was amazing! I couldn't believe I was there. 

I was so excited when we disembarked and I finally stepped foot on the island!

Up until this moment, the weather had been perfect. The weather on the island was hotter, but tolerable.

 The fun began after greeting my family. They took me to see the tourist parts of the island.

Central Park

Everyone on the island drives golf carts

Apparently I wasn't the only Apostolic on the island - I also ran into the apostle Peter.

 I was stunned at the clarity of the water. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to dive in and swim.

 

It was heating up as the day passed by...what better thing to help you cool down than a cold capuchino?

 

That moment when you forget your flip flops...

The house of the director of Coca Cola in Belize

Inside these shells live tiny crabs

 The fun was barely beginning. My uncles are divers and set me up with all the diving equipment I needed to go snorkeling in the open sea.

 We got in a boat and went out to the middle of the ocean. I couldn't even imagine what all I'd end up seeing there. Fish of all kinds, sharks, turtles, sting ray, dolphins. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of all of this. 
I was really moved by this marvelous experience. 

I'll be back next time with part two of my trip...

- Abner