April 2020                                                                                                      

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14) 

There is so much going on all around the world. This is an update on what is happening in our lives here in Belize. 

March 20^th the schools were closed until further notice. Children were sent home with schoolwork to be done in the coming two weeks. They normally get two weeks of vacation for Easter. 

We have had our first death from the virus and seeing this is not a big country, they have closed the borders and want everyone to stay home. I am the only one who leaves the yard to get groceries when needed. I have started a daily routine of doing some math and reading/spelling with Jeffrey (8) and Jessica (10).  

Cory is doing well in his walk with the Lord. He has made a more serious commitment to the Lord this past year and is now leading worship in church. He has also been asked to teach on youth nights. His goal is to help the youth develop a closer relationship with Christ and the importance of it.  

The country of Belize relies on tourism and with all the borders closed, tourists are not allowed to come in. The families that really suffer are those who live day to day from what they go out and earn. I have thought of buying extra bags of rice and beans so I could hand them out when there is a need around us. Also, it is predicted that Belize will be in another drought this year, worse than last year. I am not sure what will happen if the farmers cannot harvest and provide food for the country.  

Jessica has been part of a worship dance group. This has been wonderful for her coordination, and it is building confidence in herself. She loves life and learning in school as well. 

Jeffrey loves his LEGOs and is very creative in his building. He is also very good with spending time with little ones who come for a day or two. 

Tino is in his second year of pre-school and I am amazed at how well the children have taken to him. They see he is different; but yet, they want to help him when they can. Tino is six now and keeps growing and doing well. Yes, he is getting heavy to carry, I pray for the Lord to give me strength for each day.

Thank you so much for your love, prayers and support. 

December 2019

Every year my intention is to send out an end of year letter but often my December becomes way too busy and I do not get it done. 

December 2018 Jeffrey and Jessica joined our family. Jeffrey was with us for three weeks in 2017 and was reunited with a grandfather at the time. This time his sister Jessica came with him. Jeffrey completed 8 years in July and Jessica will be 10 in November. They are doing well in school and truly enjoy making new friends.

January, Cory and I were blessed to have the opportunity once again to attend Calvary Chapel missions conference in Murietta Hot Springs, California. This is a time of reconnecting with like minded friends and a spiritual feeding. 

Bruce and Pam from Global came to visit us soon after we got back from the conference and was an encouraging visit.

When I took Bruce and Pam to the airport I picked up my nephew Jeremy and his wife Alana. Was a lovely visit with them and fun to show them around our town. 

February was a time of getting ready for my annual ladies retreat. It is always a pleasure to work along side of Anna and Rachel as we do the planning of this retreat. 

At the end of February my childhood friend Dora came to visit and she stayed for the ladies retreat. God knows what we need and was such a blessing to have her come share in my life here. 

Wally and Kathy Chopee came from Winnipeg. They have been coming almost every year since 2010. They are a blessing, helping with some minor maintenance  that need to be done and most of all some good fellowship and food.

In March my cousin Loretta came with two of her children. Jeziah came for the first time and Raquel, who served with us for five months, four years ago. It was a blessing to spend time and fellowship with them as well. 

Cory has picked up  jobs here and there and in June he committed to work with Word of life for part of the summer. He has also been working on his paper work for Canadian citizenship, he has mailed in his stage two papers and this is when he will find out if he gets accepted. Praying for God’s perfect will in his life.

I had the privilege to join my family in Canada in the celebration of my parents 60th anniversary in July. The first week of August I was able to join Global Outreach Mission in Ontario for their 75th anniversary. 

September my three youngest are back in school. Jessica is in fourth grade and Jeffrey in third with Tino in his second year of pre-school.

Wishing you a blessed year ahead! 

God bless you! 

Love,

Margaret

October 2019

WE were blessed to have Annie and her mom Kelly come from Kodiak, Alaska. We had the opportunity to make a trip to the Mayan Ruins with them before Kelly had to head back home. Annie has been helping with Tino in pre-school and also helping Jeffrey and Jessica with homework. 

The other question that I have been asked is about what are some of the needs I have around my yard and home. In the years past some of you may know I have had problems with bats getting into the roof or walls of my house. Other times I have had some bees making nests inside the walls of my house. I do believe we have solved the problem of the bees coming back. 

Mr Carlos is one of the men locally that I would ask for advice when things need to be fixed or done. He helped Cory pick out paint for the painting job Cory did on the lower part of my house. They were not able to match the exact green that we had on the upper part of the house but it works. The bigger issue at hand right now is to close in the small holes for the bats to no longer enter in and the trim is in real need of some paint as well. 

Mr. Carlos informed me that the reason the paint was pealing on the bottom part was I need rain gutters. He gave me an estimate of $1,600.00 for all the material and labor for this job. He says he also has a solution to fix the beam at the top where the woodpeckers have done a lot of damage. 

update:

WE had the holes fixed the best to their ability and also the rain gutters put up. The woodpeckers seem to really like the east side of my house and keep coming back. 

Was able to get a couple of guys go up on the roof and put some poison under the roofing so that the bats would leave and find another place to call home. They also saw that the zinc needed some more screws to help keep the roof down when we come into hurricane season. 

Psalm 107:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.