Hello everyone!
I made it safe and sound to beautiful, but very warm, "which is an understatement," Belize. I arrived in Punta Gorda, Belize on April 1st. My flight in Belize was on a small airplane in which I was 2 feet from all the controls in the cockpit, needless to say, it was small, yet thrilling.
It was a wonderful plane ride with a beautiful view, unfortunately on arrival I was given some horrible news. Baby Zeki (zeck-ee), the youngest of the orphan brothers, died suddenly in his sleep on Monday Afternoon (March 31st). So I arrived here at Laugh Out Loud ministries in a time of much mourning and grief, because they lost one of there own. The entire group is dealing with it in there own way, but having not met Baby Zeki myself, I know with out a doubt that He was extremely loved.
The autopsy was completed on April 2nd, and it was determined that SIDS was the cause of death. So please pray for everyone here as this is a large bump in the road, but I am confident that the plans of the Lord of LOL will prevail. Please take some time today and pray for the team here, it is a very sorrowful and somber start, but I know that for whatever reason, I am here at the right time.
The busyness is finally subsiding, somewhat! We had a funeral for baby Zeki on Saturday (April 5th). I played my violin for it, designed the programs, and did powerpoint and media stuff. It was a hectic day, but nonetheless, a beautiful service.
It is extremely hot here! I mean... wow. Yesterday the heat index was about 100 yesterday, and today it is about 99. I'm constantly sweating, so that's a little annoying but, I'm getting used to it. Unfortunately I wish I was getting used to it somewhat faster. It's amazing how much time I'm realizing I waste back home. I read like 70 pages in a book the other night, all in like an hour and a half because there is nothing to distract me.
I did a little work out at the orphanage building site last week, and it was incredible. You would not believe how much they have accomplished in these past 2 months. It's amazing! Truly remarkable. They have cleared 5 acres of thick jungle, by hand with machetes, they have built a road, they have built a storage shed, and are almost ready to pour the foundation for there 12,000 sq. foot building. All of the steel beams were cut and fastened together by hand, and the cement and everything will be poured by hand. CRAZY WORK!
They are in need of finances to keep going at the pace they are before the dry season is over. They need to get the foundation up! So please pray about what God would have you do.
I'm getting some sun, but I think I got a little TOO much. I was going for tan, not red, but hopefully that will come soon. haha.
Blessings for Central America.
Coty.