Goodbye

 In 1934, Aldous Huxley apparently wrote, “If the world had any ends, [Belize] would certainly be one of them.  It is not on the way from anywhere to anywhere else.  It has no strategic value.  It is all but uninhabited.”  I wonder how long Huxley stayed in Belize.  True, what was then British Honduras didn’t attract much global attention; nor had they discovered oil in Belize, as they have in recent times.  But I wonder had Huxley stayed longer, would he have said something different about this country, focused on some other aspect. 

What I have found, during my three months here, is a country filled not only with an abundance of natural beauty but also warm, genuine and robust people who know how to “chillax,” as the locals like to say.  I dislike generalizations and of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but I think many would agree with me when I say that Belizeans know how to be patient, to not be rushed, to take life easy and to enjoy life just by being, rather than doing.  I’ve sensed that progress here isn’t measured by accomplishments or efficiencies but, rather, by relationships.  One doesn’t make friends here by asking lots of questions; one makes friends here by just being with the other person.  Very few things are rushed.  Scenery is enjoyed. 

It’s been a hard but necessary lesson for me.  I tend to make lists, enjoy checking things off, and thrive on the ability to make things happen, to make each minute count (likely a carryover from my days accounting for every tenths of an hour).  I’ve often gotten frustrated at what I view as inefficiencies here, but strangely, when I look around, no one seems to be bothered but me.  Not to say that improvements can’t be made, and certainly there are many needs in this developing country, but there is value in taking things slow and just being. 

I’m reminded of the verse in Psalms 46 that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”   Indeed, when I’ve done nothing but  just stare at the emerald green hills on the Hummingbird Highway, or the brilliant aquamarine water off the northern cayes, it’s been hard not to think that there is an Almighty Creator of the universe in full control.  And when I’ve been unproductive or bored out of my mind (imagine rain without end, no car, no shopping, no movie theatres no Starbucks,  and sometimes, no internet), I’ve come to a point where I just resign myself to being happy… just being.

I’m sad to say that this will be my final post.  I’m spending my final weeks here visiting friends, ringing in the new year with the Roaring Creek Church of the Nazarene, squeezing in a visit to Caye Caulker, preparing some more materials for Standard 5 and 6, saying goodbye to my awesome students (who surprised me on the last day of term with the best songs, cards and gifts ever!) and researching next steps for me back in the states.  As much as I crave the bug-free comforts of home, I will miss Belize and my new friends.  I won’t stay away too long, though– and hopefully I’ll bring some friends with me (especially those in the medical and teaching fields, hint hint). 

Thanks for reading, and see you soon!

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