Episcopal Press and News
Discovering God's love in Belize
Episcopal News Service. June 28, 2010 [062810-02]
Judy Quick, ERD Diocesan Coordinator in the Diocese of Alabama
We are all on pilgrimage, aren't we? Wandering, seeking, and searching for meaning. Pilgrimage is often a journey to a sacred site. Our pilgrim's heart longs to discover the deeper meaning of our soul. The pilgrim's way can be a rocky road, littered with unpleasant situations. We need these struggles to leave our comfort zone, to confront our limitations, and to deepen our relationship with God.
My journey to Belize was a pilgrimage. Soothed by the warm breezes and lilting waters of the Caribbean, Belize welcomed me with open arms. Yet life isn't always easy in paradise.
We travelers had a few inconveniences -- no hot water, heavy humidity, torrential rains, swarms of mosquitoes, broken-down buses. For me, this was an opportunity to discover how I cope with adversity. It also brought to mind that my meager discomfort was minimal compared to the daily lives of many of our new Belizean friends.
Belize is a developing nation, struggling to provide basic services -- water, sanitation systems, roads, health care, education and jobs. Despite their difficult conditions, Belizeans are hopeful people, full of fun and faith, eager to improve their situation. How wonderful to see firsthand the work of Episcopal Relief & Development in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Belize and other organizations to help better the lives of Belizeans, on their terms. We viewed HIV/AIDS education in the Anglican schools and micro-enterprise programs.
In my international business classes, I ask students to examine the Human Development Index, which measures poverty. The Millennium Development Goals aim to alleviate extreme poverty. Our Baptismal Covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being. The programs of Episcopal Relief & Development, with their capable partners, address these goals to improve the lives of children and adults in Belize.
Children can capture your heart. At the rural school in the Flowers Bank area, the children entertained us with folk dancing and engaged in lively classroom interaction. They were energetic and involved, despite the lack of running water or toilet facilities in their school. The water purification bottles were a subtle reminder of their difficult conditions. Yet, even more profound was the need for HIV/AIDS education so early in their precious lives. Also impressive was the cultural acceptance of this reality, that leaders embraced the curriculum, with courage to face the truth. They wanted their children to live full lives.
Equally impressive was the industriousness of the loan recipients for small businesses.
Julia, a Salvadoran immigrant, beamed as she displayed her award for Female Farmer of the Year 2010. Two loans gave her the boost to launch her vegetable farm and then to expand it to include a greenhouse, tilapia and cattle -- loans that she repaid before they were due. Julia's produce, meat and fish, feed the people of her community, as well as provide income for her family.
Allan, an accomplished wood craftsman and native Belizean, used his loan to purchase wood carving equipment. He employs helpers and sells his items to tourists. I bought several of Allan's creations -- a cross, a duck and bowls.
Cherry used her loan to expand her roadside stand and grocery store to serve the needs of her village.
The support of these micro-enterprises raises the economic status of individuals, which ultimately will help the country's economic condition. By helping these people lift themselves out of poverty, we are being true to Christ's call to serve the least of these.
Praying with the Belizeans at our Eucharist at St. John's Cathedral and at Sunday services at All Saints' Church opened my eyes to the joy of our faith. Song filled the church almost at every moment. We sang the Lord's Prayer and, during the Peace, we sang: "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." I wept as I pondered the faces in the congregation, beautiful faces of many heritages -- Mayan, African, Indian, European -- for it is God's hope for us that we are one around His table.
-- Judy Quick is Episcopal Relief & Development's diocesan coordinator in the Diocese of Alabama. She recently attended a Network Meeting for diocesan coordinators in Belize. Quick was recently elected to serve a three-year term on the board of the Global Episcopal Mission Network. She has a master's degree in international business and has taught business at the college level.