Belize
Belize is a coastal country bordered to the north by Mexico and to the west
and south by Guatemala. It has been an independent state since September
21, 1981. Belize has a parliamentary democracy. The official language of
Belize is English, but Spanish as well as several Indian languages are also
spoken. Belize uses its own currency, the Belize Dollar. The current exchange
rate is roughly 2 to 1 U.S. dollar.
The climate
is semi-tropical with temperatures ranging from 50 F to 95 F. Belize is
known for its wonderful wildlife. Belize
hosts over 500 species
of birds, and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, great
for diving or snorkeling. Belize is also teeming with numerous Mayan Temples
hidden away in lush, tropical jungles.
Belize exports
sugar, fish, citrus, clothing, bananas and beef. The electricity is 110
V 60 cycle.
You must have
a valid passport to enter Belize. U.S. citizens do not need a visa. Citizens
of other countries should check with the Belize
embassy
for specific regulations. Upon departure, you must pay an exit fee,
$32 B.D.
The Church of the Nazarene
The missionary program of the Church of the Nazarene began to move out from
Guatemala into surrounding countries. The first to be entered was the tiny
British colony of British Honduras between Guatemala and the Caribbean
coast. This country, self-governing since 1964, has been called Belize
since 1973. It is only 174 miles long (north to south) and 68 miles across
at its widest point with a total area of 8,866 square miles. Its population
is about 150,000. English is still the official language of the country
although Spanish is spoken in towns and villages near the Guatemala border.
In
1930, two Mayan Indians who had been converted in the Flores Church of
the Nazarene in the Peten region of Guatemala felt the call of God to
carry their
witness into this neighboring country. Making their arduous way through the
intervening 60 miles of jungle, Teodoro Tesucum and Encarnacion Banos reached
the border town of Benque Viejo. Here they testified to the people and found
encouraging responses. Their subsequent report to Field Superintendent Robert
Ingram resulted in Rev. and Mrs. Ingram visiting the area in 1933 in the
course of their trip to the Peten. In 1934, the Guatemala Mission Council
appointed
Leona Gardner, veteran of nearly 25 years in Cuba and 7 years in Guatemala,
as the first missionary to that country. She was joined in 1936 by Augie
Holland, the multi-talented missionary who had launched the highly successful
printing
program in Guatemala several years before.
These two elderly
ladies carried on a beautiful, caring ministry in the Benque Viejo area
until in 1938
Miss Gardner, then 75, returned to the United States.
Other missionaries joined the Belize team through the years. Since British
Honduras had no public schools, the Nazarene children were forced to attend
Roman Catholic schools where they were constantly harassed and abused.
The need for a Nazarene day school was pressing, and to organize one, the
Ronald
Bishops were sent, arriving in June 1944. Before long, nine schools were
in operation, and eventually 7 more schools were added. Mary Lou Riggle
arrived
in 1965 and gave outstanding leadership to the school program.
Even before
the country became self-governing in 1964, there had been increasing
emphasis on public education and health programs which resulted in an eventual
phasing out of the Nazarene day schools and a greatly reduced activity
in the clinics which had been established. However, in recent years,
the
Belize
government
has honored Nazarene schools that meet the high standards of the government.
When standards for buildings, personnel, etc., are met, the government
will pay the teachers in our Nazarene elementary schools at the same
rate as governmental
schools. Today there are many Nazarene elementary schools and even a
Nazarene High school in the largest city of the country, Belize City.
In
1970, Belize became a National-Mission District with the appointment
of Rev. Alvin Young as the first district superintendent from Belize.
In 1977,
the Rev. Onesimo Pot was elected to the office. Currently, Rev. John
Tzib is serving as the elected district superintendent of the Church
of the
Nazarene in Belize.
It was reported
in 2002 there were over 2,200 Nazarenes worshipping and serving in 32 churches
of the Nazarene in Belize.
Belize is often
a country hit by devastating hurricanes, as was the case in 2001. Yet the
strong, determined people
of Belize have learned
to
re-build homes, churches, and schools. With the help of Nazarenes
throughout the
world - at times of great devastation - they have kept the message
of holiness alive
and flourishing in their country.
There are no
missionaries in Belize today. The country is served by very competent local
leadership from Belize.
Sources:
Parker, J. Fred. Mission to the World: A History of Missions in
the Church of the Nazarene through 1985. Nazarene Publishing
House, Kansas
City,
MO, 1988.
Rev. John Tzib