I am traveling with a group of twelve to Las Flores in Belize, a small village outside of the capitol Belmopan. We will be completing work on a home here for a family of 10. They have spent the better part of 14 years working to make this home a reality, yet have only completed a foundation. Proper concrete building materials necessary to avoid the havoc caused by termites are expensive and unobtainable for the many low income families.But, through volunteer efforts and fundraising campaigns, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are able to bring in small groups of people willing to help and the means needed to make a new home a reality for a family in a place where it will make a difference.The Sisters have been missioned in this area of Belize for 6 years. A landing place for El Salvadorian refugees in the eighties, Las Flores has benefited from the work done in education through a daycare program, a library, pastoral ministry and repairs and home building efforts in the SCN volunteer program. All done in a partnership with the people of the Las Flores community.We arrived today and have already experienced the warm Belize welcome that some of us have received in our previous journeys here while others learn of this welcoming spirit for the first time.It is an added joy that I get to share this experience with my wife. We look forward to making new connections and meeting new friends in Las Flores. Let the work begin!
