Blue Creek Belize

   After finding out Monday morning that I had been invited to spend a couple of days in Blue Creek Belize (which is a couple hours north of San Ignacio), Tuesday morning I found myself on a small plane headed to Blue Creek. I was flown in there in a small 4 passenger plane, as it is obviously way faster than driving. I had never been in a plane that small before. I was such an amazing experience to look out the window at the world below. So thankful that I didn't get motion sickness, as that is sometimes happens. In Blue Creek I was invited to stay at the home of Dave and Daphne Dyck, and their kids Julian and Keri Anne. It was definitely an adventure going somewhere I had never been before to stay with people I had never met before. Only knew who they were, as they are the family of someone my parents work with back home.

Taking Off!

I believe that is Spanish Lookout

It looked like a carpet of trees. It was so beautiful

   So flying seems to be a big thing in Blue Creek, especially where I was staying. So I spent some time on Wednesday at the airport watching some flying, something I had never been around before. In the afternoon I got a tour of Blue Creek, and what would you know, Blue Creek is another beautiful part of Belize :). In the evening we had a bunch of Julian's friends came over that I got to meet. We had supper of wings and fries and then we went out for a bonfire. It reminded me of home and spending time with my friends around the bonfire, and the other times spent with them, Although it was a bit overwhelming all the people and names :)

   New Years Eve!! The day was pretty slow and quiet, which was ok. I did get to drink coconut water right out of a coconut, which was the best coconut water I have tasted yet. I also tried some of the meat, I think is what they called it, but I didn't like that as much. In the evening I went to the New Year's Eve service at their church. It was a time of singing and sharing, and some short devotionals. It was a time that I wished I knew German. My parents and grandparents can speak it, but I never learned. I guess it's another language that I will have to add to my list of languages to learn. :) Anyways a good chunk of the service was in German, but I guess that just adds to the whole experience. Also after the service I was able to meet a little boy that Margaret had once fostered and had been adopted and is now living in Blue Creek. For the rest of the evening the youth go to the park and that is where they celebrate New Years. They had lots and lots of fireworks/firecrackers. We also sent off Chinese lanterns. The was really cool and pretty. It was definitely different than the ways I have celebrated New Years in the past, but I'm glad I got to experience it.

A coconut tree!

   Happy New Year!! It was a pretty quiet morning :) In the afternoon a group of us went to see some Mayan Ruins. Something I have been wanting to go see, but hadn't taken the time to go see yet. It was about an hours drive, and we went there in what I'm calling Belizean style. There was about 19 of us that went and we took 3 trucks. So some of us rode on the back of the pick up trucks :) That is something that you would not get away with in Canada :) The ruins were amazing and totally worth the climb to the top. The views were spectacular, and it was a clear day so you could see for miles. In the evening they had a family gathering, so I got to meet some of their family.

Mayan Ruin #1

And the View from the top!

From up here it sure looks like a long way down!!

And the biggest ruin!

But a spectacular view from the top!!

And another view from the top!!

   Saturday morning I flew back. It are was an adventure, but that was part of what I wanted in coming to Belize. I am so thankful that I had this opportunity. I enjoyed getting to know and hang out with more people my age.

The plane that we took! 

On the way back I even got to wear a head set :)

   These last 24 of hours have felt like a roller coaster of emotions. I found out last night that my grandpa fell and broke his knee cap, and my grandparents are supposed to be coming out in less than 2 weeks. Nothing will for sure be decided until after his surgery tomorrow, but things are definitely looking grim. With this news there has come a feeling of disappointment and sadness. But the bigger question I have is why and what. Why did my grandpa fall and break his knee cap, and what is the bigger picture. What is God doing in all of this. Question that I don't have the answer to, but someday I hope I will be able to answer those question. I know that God works everything out according to his will even when we don't understand it. And right now I don't understand it. Right now I am trusting that everything will work out according to his will and that I will have peace with that. And things to come that I will also find joy and strength.