Damages

Update on September 10
Many of our students are very poor and live in shacks. We know several that lost their homes. Thankfully our school is a hurricane shelter and had little damage other than the windows. We would like to help the families during this new school year by letting their kids attend without paying tuition. We can do this for $4000. A donor has agreed to match donations up to $2000. If we get more money than that we would like to give our students breakfast and/or a snack each day. We have over 200 students. If you would like to help with this effort please make your check out to Twin City Church of Christ and send it to Jerry Guidicy, 1309 Beulah Street, Festus, MO 63028. We appreciate anything you can give.

The school did receive some damage to the windows. They had hurricane force winds for more than two hours. Hopefully, the school didn't get much water damage because the people who were in the school probably took care of it as quickly as they could.
The church building had some tin blown off the top of the building, and some water damage. As reported, the porch is gone. A classroom was being added on the back and received some water and wind damage as well.
Lincoln, a member at the Belize City congregation, was going up today to see what has taken place so when Jerry hears from him we will post more information.

The area, up in Mexico that we visited and distributed dresses and shorts to the children, was in the eye of the storm. Their little stick houses and thatched roofs must be gone. More than likely, Jorge is up there trying to get everyone settled. There is a church in Blanca Flor that only had the concret walls but no roof. Lord willing, the roof was put on. That little church is probably the only building in their village that could be considered a hurricane shelter.
More news to come. Thank you and keep the prayers coming.

After the Hurricane

Thank you all for your prayers. I know that prayers have been lifted on the behalf of all the christians and students in the Corozal area. Yes, the area was hit pretty hard. Fortunately, we have not heard of any deaths, so far.
Let me begin by saying that when preparations began, our school was the first to open it's doors to provide shelter for many families in the area. This was reported by one of the christians in Belize City. Jerry has received emails from Belize City. She has yet to receive any information from Corozal.
Corozal District is without power or telephone lines. There is lots to clean up. So far, we have heard that the front porch of the church was torn off. We also have been informed that about 12 homes have been destroyed in one of the poor areas of Corozal. We believe that one of our teachers and a few of our students live in this area. It will most likely take a couple of weeks for the area to regain electric power. Please pray for their safety and health during this time.

Jerry is waiting to hear from Jorge, the general manager of the school. Once we hear from Jorge we will know more information on how to help.

Soon as more information is received we will share it with you. Once again, thank you for your prayers and thoughts during this time.

Dream of Dresses by Jerry

They call me Angel,
I never had anything new
Yesterday. I had no dress
Today I have two.

God gave the birds feathers,
Covers the grass with dew,
Yesterday, I had no dress
Today I have two.

I live so far away
I wonder how you knew
That I had no dress,
But today I have two.

Today I saw love
Only because of you
Yesterday, I had no dress
Today, I have two.

Day Nine- Casual Day

Today was a half day. The morning went by quickly. We loved on the kids and took a few more pictures. We were wisked away by Jorge and Josefina. They wanted to share with us some of their history. About a mile away was Mayan ruins that were partially intact. We spent about 20 minutes exploring the formation. I got a great picture of the Chattanooga Group. They were such a blessing to have around this week. We couldn't have a successful week without their helping hands. I thank God that their hearts were willing to come and be used by Him.

Day Eight- GREAT GREAT DAY!!!

This was a victorious day!!! The preschool class was soooo productive. All the mommas were able to leave with only a few tears. The two days past, we had two or three students who cried on and off for the entire morning. Today, they smiled, participated and seemed to enjoy the activities.

We taught the preschool kids how to play Duck, Duck.......Goose and London Bridges.

Here is a great project!!! Tosha and Shelly brought this craft with them. They make butterflies out of a students feet prints or handprints. I didn't get a finished picture. But it is sooooo cute!!!

Below, pictures 2 and 3 is Amy and Nekole helping out. Picture one and four is of Tosha and Shelly.

Day Seven- Arts and Crafts Fair

Today was the day to show the community and parents the creative side to CCCPS. The students gathered their beautiful arts and crafts in one classroom. Not only did the parents come, the local television station came and filmed the event. The students were very proud of the display of goods!!
I think every child at some time in their school years learns to make things out of yarn, popcicle sticks, and paint. Don't you remember tie-dye?? Well, they had it here in Corozal!!!

Below are a few pictures of the Chattanooga group teaching the students new songs, bible lessons and projects. One of the teachers kept asking us to come back and help her and her students to learn the creation song.

The Chattanooga group has definitely made an impact on the students and the teachers. They are so appreciative of any materials that can be shared with them.

Day Six- Tears and Cheers

Do you remember your first day of school? That is what we asked each other at lunch after spending 3 hours with the new pre-school children. We had lots of tears shed over the seperation of child and mother. Jerry decided to have a mini preschool this week to expose our incoming pre-school children. The teacher, Miss Dora, has gone to Belize City for training, so thankfully we have an Early Childhood teacher, Danielle, who speaks both English and Spanish. With the help of Dave, Susan, Nicole, and Jenna we were able to bring out a few cheers and smiles at the end of the morning. Thankfully, we also had a couple of mothers stay with us and help with the children.

While the teachers were in the workshops, Shelly, Tosha, Justin and Amy took on a couple of classes and broke out their Bible lessons and games.

Guess who else an appearance in the classroom? That's right....Johnetta and Jerry took over the 1st grade class. Johnetta was going over math (triple digit subraction and addition), spelling(one of the words was spaghetti), and science. Jerry went over reading. social studies, religion, chorus.










There are 179 students and about 80% of the children are bilingual. They have won awards for sports. The girls volleyball team went to nationals for the 2nd time in the last three years. Jorge reported that out of 400 schools our school is in the top 20!!!

Not only are these children accomplished but they are very social. I can't tell you how many hellos, good mornings, good afternoons I received. They smile, ask questions and are very energetic. We hope by September 2007 we will have over 200 students!!!

Here is Faye training teachers with new tools and materials.

Day Five- Prepare for God's Greatness

Today was a holiday. So, we took advantage of having the school to ourselves. The plan was to prepare for classes with the kids and teachers. Faye, a retired teacher, worked on a workshop for the teachers. Shelly, and Tosha worked on Bible games and lessons to teach the kids while the teachers were in their workshops. Danielle, Nicole, Justin, Jenna, Amy, Dave, and Susan (yes there are two Amys here) worked on cleaning up the school grounds, preparing the wrought iron security gate and window grates for painting and began painting the front fence and probably little projects that I am not aware of.

I went through the three suitcases that Jerry, Johnetta and I brought down full of school supplies. Most of it was for the new preschool but we also brought pencil sharpeners for the rooms (which Justin installed). We also brought lots of goodies for the teachers to use in their classes. Stickers, chalk, pencils, markers, pens, erasers, stamps, dividers, folders, staplers, and other little things that I have forgotten to mention.

We had dinner at the only place open during a holiday. The menu looks like it came out of an old Dairy Queen. They have ice cream, burgers, pizza, rice and beans, fried chicken, fish fillets available. As we ate our Belizean American food, I heard stories of the past works that brought Jerry, Johnetta, Dave and Susan Mellor together. They all met in Cuba at one of the workshops. I heard all about their stories of wonderful people, great food, travels to rural areas, hotel stays, and the great needs that are so visible but not expressed by the government.

We went back to our hotel, Las Palmas, and prayed for God to bless the children, the teachers and the four days we had to give to the school.

Day Four- From Chattanooga to Corozal

David Diego with his two of his kids, on the way home from morning worship.

Today we worshiped with our brothers and sisters at the Corozal Church of Christ. What a wonderful morning to sing and exalt our Lord! One thing they have here are LOTS of kids!!

After services, we had lunch with one of the scholarship recipients. The Corozal Christian School is only a primary school. Two years ago, the teachers and school board created a program for graduate students who wanted to continue their studies but couldn't afford the tuition. In the U.S. schools, they would be moving on to Jr Highschool. So, currently there are 5 scholarship students. We have churches and a young marrieds class providing for these students.

Leliana is a most gracious recipient. The young marrieds class at Philo Rd. Church of Christ sent her a few things. She was so excited to receive a few personal items but she was MOST excited to have a picture of the couples who were helping her. She says she is enjoying her math class because she has a great teacher. Great teachers create great students.

We met her family when we went to ask her mother if she could have lunch with us. She has three siblings. Two brothers and a sister. The siblings are students of the CCCPS(Corozal Church of Christ Primary School).

Her father is from Tobasco, Mexico and her mother is from Guatemala. She was able to meet her dad's parents when she was 10. Leliana and her family went to Chetumal, Mexico, 9 miles away, to meet her grandparents. While she spoke of meeting her grandparents for the first time her face lit up and her smiled showed what a wonderful memory it was. She is truly blessed with a loving family who is grateful for her to have this opportunity. I asked her what she dreams of as a profession. She said she would like to be a doctor or an immigration agent.

Currently, there are 5 scholarship students. It only takes $300 to sponsor a student to continue their studies. Maybe you could help one of our bright students to continue their studies?

Another student supported by the Philo Rd. Church of Christ missions is a student by the name of Jorge Quintana (nickname is Georgie) . He is currently working towards studies in culinary arts! I asked what his favorite food to make. He said so far it is cake!! yummm!!! He is also the son of Jorge Sr., whom I have written about in previous postings. He went with us Saturday to distibute dresses and shorts. He was so great with the kids. They all knew him because he goes with his dad to all the congregations that they encourage and assist. This is one great teen!!

About 4:30pm, we had 10 new arrivals to Corozal. Two of the school board members, Tony and Ricky, went to Belize City, in the school bus, to pick up the group from the airport. They are from Chattanooga, TN and Moblie, AL. We have teachers, former missionary/teacher, photographers/preschool teachers, retired teacher, correctional officer, minister, former salesperson/speaker, college students from Harding and ACU. How wonderful it is to see more workers to assist the school, provide tools for the teachers, love on the kids and lift prayers to see CCCPS grow!!

Day Three- Dream of a 1000 Dresses

Today was a wonderful day!! We were so blessed with a dream. Jerry dreamed of making a thousand dresses to give to all the little children she sees in all the countries God sends her. Jerry brought about 80 dresses to give to the little girls in the poor areas across the border in Mexico. We visited members of the churches in Bacalar, Blanca Flor and another little village. Jerry also was able to bring shorts for the boys.

As we went from village to village, I couldn't help but say little prayers for each of the children and their families. I know from looking around at the faces in the van that we were blessed at what we gave but I am sure we all were wishing we could do more.

In Blanca Flor, we saw that their church building was half finished. The money has been spent and more is needed to raise the roof.

This is the home of one of the members that the church worships in currently. Next is a picture inside her home.

A wonderful family that we met is the family of Josefina. Josefina is the wife of Jorge Quintana. Jorge is the Director and founder of the school in Corozal. Jorge also preaches in the villages that we visited and distributed the dresses and shorts. It is because of Jorge that we were able to cross the border and visit with the children and church members. Jorge is a modern day Paul. May God bless Jorge and Josefina and their family. I have truly been blessed by the Quintana family.

Josefina and Jorge

Josefina's parents

More pictures of Josefina's family

We gave about 30 dresses to Josefina's family to pass on the families of the Guatemalan migrant workers who live in barracks behind their house.