Back in Belize

Pictures from my life in the U.S.

 

 Here I am, back in Belize! 

Many people have asked how it feels to be back and it's hard to come up with an answer... I'm guessing they expect to hear that it's exciting, wonderful, emotional... I'm not exactly sure because it's not really any of those things for me.  As most of you know this is the beginning of my 4th year in Belize, but I'm not staying for the whole school year.  In fact, I will only be here for 2 months.  Just enough time to do my part with the opening of John Paul II Jr. College, and then I will be moving back to the States.

Each year I've returned I've had mixed emotions.  It's been tough to leave my family, knowing I won't see them for 6 months or a whole year and especially knowing how much I'm missing in the lives of my precious little nieces!  But without fail, when the plane wheels hit the ground in Belize that sadness is always matched with excitement and thankfulness for the opportunity to be here another year!  This year both sides of the emotional coin were different.  The sadness of leaving my family and friends wasn't as bad because I know I'll only be gone 2 months... and the excitement of serving the people of Belize wasn't as exciting because I know I'll only be here 2 months.  But God his given me a certain contentedness, a strong feeling that this is the right move, the right decision, and He has given me peace about it.

The immigration officer at the airport noticed I had several work permits in my passport and asked how long I've been living here.  When I told him "3 years" he responded, "oh, well then, welcome HOME."  That pretty much sums up my feelings on returning and being back in Belize.  It feels just like it does when you get home from vacation or from visiting family.  It was a great time away and now it's back to "normal life" to work and routine.  It's peaceful being back in your own house and in your own town and sleeping in your own bed.  Last night I walked to the store and met several students along the way "HI MISS!" coming from different directions and stopping to greet each of them was great.  It feel like home because after 3 years it definitely IS my home.  I don't necessarily think of being here as anything out of the ordinary, as anything different than your lives in the States, I mean, it is, of course, because it's a developing country and it's a completely different culture.  But people are people and what I'm doing here is what I hope to be doing wherever I end up in the States... making people's lives better... loving those around me... trying my hardest to bring everyone to Christ...

I was just looking up the definition of "mission" (an important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes) because as many of you know, I'm always preaching about how everyone is called to be a missionary wherever they are.  It's just so true I have to talk about it again!  People often look at me and say "man, you're so blessed, you're doing so much good there, I wish I could've done that" or something along those lines.  Remember, everyone is called to be a missionary!  We all have this "important assignment" to be carried out!  We are to make the world holy!  We are to get ourselves and others to Heaven!  If you're married than your mission is first to get your spouse and children to become more like Christ and help them get to Heaven, then after that it's your extended family, friends, coworkers, etc.  Just because God called you to live in the United States and not go gallivanting off to a 3rd world country, doesn't mean you're not called to be a missionary!  He has very real work for you to do where you are!  You're called to do the same thing I have been doing the past 3 years:  LOVE OTHERS AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST.  Pope Francis just told the attendants of WYD "Go. Be not afraid. Serve." in his closing Mass homily.  This was the message for those attending, the 3 MILLION people attending, people from all different countries, of all different ages, and with different occupations, yet the message was the same because we are all missionaries with the same mission.  In 2 months when I move my location will change but my mission will not. 

Returning to Belize this times feels like I never left... it's same old, same old (in a good way).  To me, Belize feels so close to the U.S, so similar to the U.S. somehow, I can only guess it's because I feel so comfortable here.  I know and understand life here the same as I've always known it in the U.S.  I can't imagine how tough it's going to be saying goodbye...  but I'll put those sad thoughts off for later... I've got lots of work to do before the John Paul II Jr. College opens it's doors August 26th!

Please continue to keep our students, faculty, sisters, and priests in your prayers! 

Photos from my life in Belize, people are people wherever you go!  :)