Notes from April 11 Meeting

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us at our last Belize Missions meeting. Here's the highlights from our meeting:

• We raised $400 at the coffeehouse fundraiser last Sunday evening. This fundraiser was to raise money for all the mission trips. Thank you to everyone who helped out at the event.
• Sarah walked through a training session on being a missionary and the myths of poverty.
• All airline seats and dates are now locked in with American Airlines. Any changes now could result in a financial penalty.
• For seat reservations, we need date of birth and name on passport for everyone. If you have not given us this information, please do so.
• Health and medical information on Belize was presented – sleeping nets were also recommended.
• Latest budget was also presented.
• The second $500 (now totaling $1000) is due by April 18.
• All remaining funds are due by May 23.
• Construction projects have been posted to the blog.
• Family groups were also announced – each group was assigned a homework assignment to research and present at the next Belize meeting: Marc (History), Joyce (Economy), Jared and Sophie (Religion and Politics), Jeff and Becca (Culture).
• Next meeting is TBD.

Construction Projects

There are several construction projects planned for our trip. In the order of priority:

1. Complete the construction of the church sanctuary - finish the roof, finish the plaster forms, finish the windows, run electrical, etc...

2. Make repairs to the school - repair the plaster walls and paint the buildings.

3. Demo the existing parsonage.  A new parsonage will be built in the future.

Coffeehouse Fundraiser on April 11

Do not miss the Coffeehouse fundraiser this Sunday night from 5p to 8p featuring live music, poetry, and art in the Ellipse Chapel. Coffee and desserts will be sold with all proceeds going to the mission teams. Several vendors will be onsite selling their wares and donating 25% of their proceeds to missions as well. Please feel free to invite your friends and family and have them join us.

We do need your help in making this coffeehouse happen. Please contact Lesley Yates (lesleykyates@gmail.com) and sign-up for a job:

- Set up at 4p – Need 4 people
- Childcare from 4:40p to 8:10p – Need 2 people minimum, more is better
- Desserts at 4:45p – Need many people to bring homemade or store bought desserts that can be easily cut in individual pieces
- Tear down at 8p – Need 3 people

Caye Caulkner Side Trip

We are currently looking at Caye Caulker for our side trip. There is a larger island, but it is more expensive and more of the night life/party culture.

Feel free to visit www.gocayecaulker.com for more information.

My personal recommendation is to stay in places with air conditioning.  It makes sleeping easier, even on the beach. I also looked for private and not shared bathrooms.... I looked over several..

The island has water taxi service (hopefully directly from Corozal), and airline service to Belize City (for departure). There are kayaks, bikes, restaurants, several rooms have microwaves and minifridges... prices from around $40/noc to $95/night

Ones I have looked at online that look pretty good are (not exhaustive list, but maybe I can save people a little time):

• Sea Dreams Hotel
• Ocean Pearl Royale (has no web page, but yes on AC, cheaper rooms: $40/noc)
• Blue Wave no website, but sounds decent, rooms from $15-75/noc
• Rainbow hotel - small Casita with a couple of bedrooms, good for 4 peopl3
• The Tropics Hotel - looks nice
• Casa Rosado cabins for $75/night
• Iguana Reef looks nice: more pricey at $135-$165/night
• Seawinds Beach - this one looks great, only 4 rooms $80/night
• Caye Caulker Plaza Hotel 32 rooms 70/noc,
• Seaside cabanas look pretty nice 16 rooms
• Seaside villas- 55/noc, look ok
• Amanda's place look nice
• Maxhapan cabanas cottages or 3 rooms, $59-$69/noc

Notes from Mar. 21 Meeting

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us yesterday.  Our next meeting will be April 11th following church service.

Highlights from our meeting:

• The next $500 deposit will be due on April 18.  This first $1000 covers construction costs, room and board, and the majority of the airfare.
• We need to provide American Airlines our seat count by next week.  If you have not told us already, please let us know if you will be going on the side trip following the mission trip.
• We reviewed a Cross-Cultural and Food Awareness guide.
• For the side trip, Caye Caulkner is a cheaper alternative to San Pedro, and looks to be about $500-$600 in costs.
• Family groups are being formed and will be announced during our next team meeting.
• General health and vaccinations will be presented at our next team meeting.