Garifuna Settlement Day

On November 19 the Garifuna held their annual celebration of the arrival of their ancestors in Belize. They are descended from the intermarriage of shipwrecked African slaves and the Carib Indians. After being expelled from St. Vincent by the British they arrived in Belize in1802 and now form a major part of the population of Punta Gorda and other southern towns.

The celebrations held throughout Belize include a reenactment of the landing of their boats, followed by parades, the crowning of Miss Garifuna, and various other events. In PG we had a kayak race, bicycle race and generally a day of celebration. Clementina was here from Toronto that day, and at one point we thought that there had been a major accident. Cars (police or ambulance) kept heading toward the waterfront with their sirens wailing. When we finally checked it out we discovered one police car circling around the town ahead of one cyclist, perhaps trying to set some record.

For our part, Lyle Williams returned from Corozal and put on a Chicken and Pork BBQ – $2.50US a plate, including baked beans and coleslaw.

There is one Garifuna church in town where they use their own language. A couple of the members of our pastors' association are not very good in English, so when they are present everything gets translated into Spanish (I think!). Kreol is what most people here speak. Evidently the slaves developed it from English as a sort of “in language” which the whites would not be able to understand. It certainly works, because I still can’t.

Right On Schedule

In our Orientation at the Forum for Global Ministries in Toronto we were warned to expect something of a letdown about months 3-6 of a two-year posting. Mine is only for one year but I think I’m right on schedule! The high hopes one had are somewhat in jeopardy and in the aftermath of things such as a consecration and a visitor I’m left with something of a down feeling. Not serious, I pray, but there nonetheless.

It is truly a blessing to start each weekday with Morning Prayer. It is full of confidence and praise. I had never been particularly faithful in this discipline before, but I am now.

The few days in Belize City and the Consecration of the 14th Bishop of Belize, Philip Wright, were wonderful. I got a new plastic crown for my front tooth, did some shopping and even got my picture in the paper. The 3-hour Service of Consecration and Enthronement was impressive and didn’t seem that long. The picture shows the three Canadians who were at the service, with the new Bishop. The two women are (l-r) Clementina Thomas of the Anglican Church Headquarters in Toronto, and Deacon Tess Meadows of North Vancouver, serving in the Mission of Mango Creek/Monkey River. Clementina stayed over for a couple of days and spoiled me – it was nice.

The planned performance of The Christmas Story is much too close, but things are coming together when they could easily be falling apart. We should be able to do something, even if it’s not all I was hoping for. The picture shows me modeling a magi's robe, but I may well be Herod again!

May you all have a blessed Advent!

Although perhaps you didn't ask me, no, I won't be going home for Christmas, not this year. I hope there will be too much going on to even consider not being here. Will I be lonely on Christmas Day? Probably, but by then I should have my computer to talk to and through.

Last year there were 58 people in church at St. Joseph's on Christmas Eve, 28 on Christmas Day and 15 the following day for Lessons and Carols. That's quite a turn out. The previous year there were only 3 on Christmas Day! We are still hoping to enact the Christmas Story on the weekend before Christmas. It will take every one of us, but now I've told the other pastors so we're sort of committed.

I thought the rainy season was almost over, but we've been having heavy rains most nights as well as wet days. But as long as you aren't planning on going to the beach, which I'm not, it's fine. Next week will be busy with Canon Philip Wright's consecration as Bishop of Belize. That means 3 days away from PG and I'll be getting my tooth cemented back in.

Both pictures I took yesterday afternoon in front of my home. The store is one of a multitude selling plastic goods and clothing. The boys are the National Champion Volley Ball Team from PG. There was a parade complete with police car, wailing fire truck and about 15 full school busses.

I've just returned from a few days' "holiday"in Belize City. Actually it was more of a business trip, but a change is as good as a rest, they say. The bus is a school bus and the trip takes seven hours each way, so by the time you arrive at either end your rear end needs some TLC. I got quite a few things done including meeting with the people at the Diocesan Office, buying some material to make outfits for the three Magi, and attending an All Saints' Day celebration at All Saints' Church. The accompanying picture is one I took from the speeding bus as we passed along the Hummingbird Highway. Those are rows of orange trees in the distance.

Now it is back to "work". This afternoon the local pastors are meeting at St. Joseph's. Most of them will be there for the first time, I'm sure. On Saturday all the churches are combining for an evening parade and concert by a Belize City band, together with a couple of sermons and altar calls. I have to admit that I'm a little unsure about the whole thing but we'll certainly be taking part.

The other picture is of some young friends of mine bathing in the local creek. Looks refreshing, eh? I made copies of some individual pictures I took of them but haven't delivered them yet. I think they'll be pleased.