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Today, as I write this, is my birthday. I love birthdays, and my own is no exception. I love them because they are a celebration of our existence. In this world, where we so often feel insignificant and invisible, birthdays are a reminder that every single one of us matters. We are all important; we all have an effect on the world and on the people around us.
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For my birthday, we took pictures--it was a lot of fun, and I was grateful that these increasingly camera-shy kiddos were happy to participate!
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On other people’s birthdays, I celebrate the gift they are to me and to the world. On my birthday, I celebrate that I get to participate in this amazing and crazy world still, and that I get to keep knowing my people, whom I love and delight in so much. And every year, I hope, I learn to be more truly who I am made to be, more loving, and closer to my dear God, whom I love and who loves me.
I am so grateful to be alive and to have such a wonderful life; and if you are reading this, then you are part of that, and I’m so grateful for you. Thank you for being part of making my life one that is filled with blessings beyond measure.
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We got to spend time in nature during Easter break--it was an incredibly rejuvenating, much-needed rest for our whole family.
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What is happening in Belize?
The pandemic seems to be relenting somewhat in Belize. The case load is decreasing as people keep trying to distance and mask, and vaccinations are starting. There is a feeling of optimism here that we are coming to the end of this madness. The Ministry of Education is letting schools open for in-person classes for some of April, May and June so that we can test out our Covid-19 protocols and be ready for in-person school again in the fall. This will give us at Belize Friends a chance to see our precious students again for the first time in way too many months. I am particularly grateful for the chance to see our graduating students before they go off to high school.
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Howler monkeys came to visit us several times! [Photo credit: Josh]
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Our church is now permitted to meet at half the capacity of our room, so we can all attend each Sunday (which is such a relief for us—splitting up was extremely stressful). Enforcing masking on “invincible” teenagers remains a weekly exercise, but we work to keep compliance high and to maintain physical distancing and enjoy being able to worship all together again.
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I had plenty of time to work on revising the book I'm writing--it was heavenly.
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We are grateful to be expecting the arrival of some funding from West Richmond Friends so that we can do another round of the food packages. During the gap in this service, I have received messages and requests for food assistance; the need remains high, even as things are beginning to look up as far as illnesses are concerned. Although I do not expect to continue our food relief program after the end of this school year, I am extremely grateful that we will be able to finish the year off with one last round of food relief; and I do believe that, as we begin our visioning process for the next phase of our ministry here in Belize, the need for food assistance must be considered. I wonder what opportunities we may have to help connect hungry members of our community with resources, or how we might be able to maintain a food pantry or something like that.
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We ended our Easter break with a night by the sea. My soul is refreshed by the glory of God's creation and the love of my family!
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What is coming?
With vaccinations ever more available, and with Brian’s approaching transition to Washington, DC for his studies, I am hopeful that we will be able to travel to the United States this summer! Details like dates and places are still being worked out, but I am really, really hoping that I will be able to see many of you in person this summer! And I am also excited that I will be able to attend some conferences and meetings no matter where my travels take me (or don’t) because they are virtual! I look forward to a summer of connecting with Friends in the USA and around the world—if you have any particular interests or questions, let me know and I will talk about them, write about them, or show you pictures of them!
Much love,
Nikki
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Joys
- I am excited to be alive and exactly where I am on this marvelous birthday I’m having. And I'm so grateful for our time away, which was a spiritually and physically productive breath of rest.
- My kids are managing their own transitions to a different way of being online with aplomb.
- Belize is feeling cautiously optimistic, and still being very careful with how things are opening back up. I’m particularly grateful that all adults in Belize can now receive vaccinations and that both Brian and I (and many of our staff at Belize Friends) have been able to get them. I am hopeful that this will make the summer filled with more opportunities than last summer was.
Concerns
- Transitions mean stress as well as joy. Please join me in prayer for wisdom, courage, and strength for all of us at Belize Friends.
- We are working through some complicated bureaucratic entanglements this month as I try to get my work permit renewed. I believe it will work out in a way that will make things better than they are now; but it is delicate and stressful. Please pray for speed and peace and wisdom as we navigate these intricacies.
- I am really hoping to be able to visit the USA this summer, and we're hoping to bring Elijah with us; this will require a visa for him and continued good management of the pandemic from our officials in both countries. Please pray for all these things, and for peace for me as I wait to see how things will turn out.
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Ways you can support us!
Click here to support FUM's Covid-19 Solidarity Fund.
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Click here to support Belize Friends School.
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