Bishop Larry Robertson

	January 16: As Bishop on sabbatical, I have the opportunity to work with the Anglican Schools in the area. This has been a great experience for me. Today I had the entire school of St Andrews come to the church in 2 groups (About 200 per group.). I found them well behaved and willing to learn. I will look forward to this time again. I introduced them to Lego the Lamb, one of my puppets. It is amazing how puppets can say things I would never say. Each group took up an offering that was to go to the school to the meal program. All three schools have a feeding program of some sort. This is a program that the community has to find funds for as there is none in the school budget. I must admit this is a refreshing change from the school systems I encounter in Canada. The teachers are a dedicated of people that do an amazing job.



	The above are a few Pictures from around the village of San Ignacio. January 22: What a privilege to be able to get into and talk to the children in the schools. I speak to the children once a week on schedule and I have several invitations to speak to individual classes. When I think of what we no longer have in Canada in this regard I thank God that at least here in Belize they still have a vital connection with the Church.
	The Bus Ride: On Saturdays I have the privilege of teaching some lay readers who are in training at the Diocesan training institute in the Capital city of Belmopan, Belize. In order to get there I have a 30 mile ride on the bus. For those of you in Canada or the USA who are use to sitting back and riding in the new airconditioned buses in Canada, let me tell you it is nothing like this ride. The bus itself was at least 30 years old. It was an old school bus. The seats were barely padded. It was 80F with no airconditioning. It was a standard 40 passenger school bus that was filled with around 60 people. On top of that there were suitcases, and boxes along with no less then 3 dogs. We were jammed in like sardines. It only got hotter from there. I learned that crying was contagious. When one started crying the other 4 babies added to the melody. We stopped at every corner to pickup or drop off people. The bus never seemed to get any emptier. Half way to Belmopan the bus rolled to a stop. It wouldn’t start. The bus driver takes off the engine cap inside the bus. He is obviously used to doing this because 10 minutes later the bus starts up and we go on. Almost 2 hours later we arrived at our destination, Belmopan. I get off the bus. All my clothes soaked with sweat. I sigh with relief as I hear the familiar call of “Taxi, Sir” as I journey on to St Anne’s Anglican Church where the Training center is located.
	St.Andrew's School Children: In Belize we as the Church still have the privilege and are actually encouraged to go into the Schools to teach the children. Helping as a minister in St Andrew’s Church I have the honour of speaking to 3 different schools in the area. Once a week St Andrews School in marched down to St Andrews Church to have a service with the minister. As there is a regular Christian education class taught as part of the worship I used this time to teach the children about worship. The school was divided into to classes of about 200 each. I was amazed at the singing ability and their willingness to sing. They knew many modern Christian songs and love to sing. Because of the heat I leave the doors open unto the main street in San Ignacio. As they sing regularly passers by would stop and listen. Several tourists have marveled to me at hearing so many children lifting their voices in praise to their Saviour. As a form of teaching I use puppets which the children seem to enjoy. I can not tell you how honoured I am to have this sacred privilege. I come almost to tears when I think that in Canada we have been chased out of our schools. I believe it is our children who suffer
	St.Andrew's Church Youth Group. We played Inuit Games, and generally learned ideas and words from another culture. We ended by having some bannock with peanut butter.
	Clergy of the Diocese of Belize at the Clergy Conference. Can you find me among them?
	A Bevy of Bishops: Bishop Larry Robertson, Bishop Philip Wright, and Suffragan Bishop Harold Daniels from the Diocese of Jamaica.
	The Lay Training Centre On Saturdays, I led training for a number of people at the Lay Training Centre. I may say that the 10 to 12 who have been coming out have been of a high spiritual calibar. They have a deep desire to serve their Church, and their God. The Anglican Theological Institure is where the training takes place. It is in the city of Belmopan. It has a large teaching area and 6 sleeping room each have 2-4 beds. as well there is a full Kitchen. It is also used for retreats. I lead a clergy retreat in February here.
Schools in Need: St Hilda’ Anglican School is located about 20 Kilometers outside San Ignacio, Belize where I am staying. I travel out there weekly to have a short worship time and a Bible class with the students. The schools are basically a large cement rectangle with thin walls to divide the classrooms. They have no overheads, no projectors (power point), and very little other equipment. I had a talk with Ms. Martinez the principal of the school. She is also one of the Anglican lay leaders who keep the church open as there is no priest or deacon. She tells me how grateful she is that one church has given her a photo copier. The only problem is that the toner cost the $200 ($100 Canadian) and she needs one toner per month. They have no budget for this. She wonders what the school will do when they run out. This is a school that scrapes up money for a very necessary lunch program and even then sometimes they run out. (For some it may be the only nourishing meal they get.) This works out to about $100 a months or a $1200 a year. If there is some parish or individual that would like to take this on as part of their mission outreach please let me know. Money could be sent to me at the Arctic Diocesan Office. I would insure that you get a receipt and that the money and your name or the name of your parish would be sent to the School. The School would then send you a notice that they got the money with a "thank you" note. Who knows, this could be a start of an ongoing outreach that could benefit church and school. There are 3 schools in the area around San Ignacio. All have many needs; if you are interested in helping one of them please let me know and I can make the right contacts for you.
Similarities between the Diocese of the Arctic and the Diocese of Belize At first sight there do not seem many things similar. I went from -35C when I left Yellowknife to +35 C when I arrived in Belize. Certainly the land and geography is different. One is arctic and sub arctic and one is tropical. There are many differences, but there are many things the same. We are both small in population and large in area. Our parishes are spread out and until recently there was very little communication between parishes. We have as parishes learned to be independent. Both dioceses are struggling with vastly rising costs, shortages of clergy and the training of our clergy. We both deal with ministering to multi-cultures, and several language groups. These have created similar strengths and weakness. I have found with the people of both dioceses a love for their Church, their God and their bible. There is a hunger to learn the things of God. I have had the pleasure of teaching lay people in both dioceses and have found a similar zeal and desire to draw close to God. I am sad to say that we have also many of the same social problems that we struggle with Gods help to overcome. This very morning I watched a parade go down the street that was organized by the St. Andrew’s Anglican School. The Parade was recognizing the damage that alcohol does to a family and a plea for a more sober lifestyle. Not very different from what we might see in many communities in the Arctic. It is a joy for me in either diocese to see people of God rising up to do what they can to help their people. In both dioceses there is a strong emphasis on outreach and mission. In the country of Belize where there is very little medical or educational help for the people from the government (I have come to appreciate what we have in Canada), some of the churches have built into their budgets emergency help for those in need in these areas. It shows the love of God at work that two dioceses who have little in worldly terms seek to do what they can to help those in need. The Churches in both dioceses is examples to their communities and people. They still have the strong respect of the community at large. We may at first look different on the surface (the weather, and geographical differences) but we could exchange clergy and both would do well in the parish. There would however be some very different weather conditions which may deter some people. The similarities are enough that after living and working in the Arctic for over 30 years, in such a short time I can feel at home in Belize. The people here are truly very caring. I look forward to going back to my family and diocese, but my experience here truly has opened my eyes to many blessings.
THE SOUNDS OF SAN IGNACIO, BELIZE’ San Ignacio, is never silent, at least not as we of the high Arctic think of silence. In the Arctic, I think of being on the land in the spring time. The ice is still good to travel on. This time of the year when you chop a hole in the ice to fish, it stays open. On a clear night you look up to see a thousand stars in the sky. I close my eyes and let the silence of God flood my soul. There is not a sound except maybe my own breathing. No birds, no animals and certainly no insects. Nothing but peace, God’s peace. San Ignacio is never silent. My first waking begins about 4:30 am with the sound of the rooster crowing. At first I hated that bird. If I could of gotten hold of him he would have been roast chicken. But I have grown used to him. Being Holy Week I woke up as usual and wondered what Peter must have felt like when he heard the rooster crow. I said a short prayer for all those who have denied our Lord and realized I too have been in that category at times. I thanked God for his mercy, rolled over and went back to sleep. The alarm is set for 5:30 am, but I am usually up before then and shut it off. I lie in bed and listen to the birds. There seems to be 100s of them. They chirp and tweet and let me know its time to get up. This is a great time for me. I remember that the birds are God’s creation. I cannot think of a better alarm clock. Certainly it is better then the rooster. At 7 am I walk down to the church and open it up. An invitation for the people to join me in Morning Prayer. I usually get 1 or 2 to join with me. As I wait some children are going by to school early. They wave and say “Hi bishop” I do not think anyone knows my name, But they know me and that’s what matters. An old fella waves good morning as he goes off to work. One or two wander in to share prayers with me. Again it’s a “hello bishop”. Conscious of the angels surrounding us we begin our prayers, “Father, we come together in the Name of your Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, to offer you our worship, praise and thanksgiving”. What a glorious way to begin the day. The house and the Church are on Burns Street, the center of the town. The sounds of the day flood in. There is a vender walking down the street shouting his wares, “meat pies, watermelon and oranges”. At least that is what I am told he is shouting --- I can’t understand a word of his English. In the narrow street the cars and trucks speed by, honking horns and narrowly missing passersby. I can not walk a block without hearing “taxi sir, take you anywhere, cheap” As I refused one driver another said to him “it’s the bishop, he walks everywhere.” As you walk by the shops the workers call out to you to tell you of their wonderful bargains. And some may even be. The afternoon is the busy time. Everyone trying to make a living. Underneath the buying and selling the community continues. The venders of different goods trade each other their wares and stand together talking of God, football (soccer) and the weather. Sometime I am not sure which is more important. The evening is quieter. As I walk down Burns Street the shop are closed or the owners too tired to shout. The tour guides now not busy recognize me and say hello knowing they will get no business from me. We will laugh sometimes together as he tells the others of the crazy tourist. Young boys and old women are out selling their crafts, some sewing, slate carving and lots of beaded jewelry. At night I am back at the rectory and ready for bed around 9pm. I hear the birds singing again as they call me to sleep. All is at rest. All is at peace. I thank the Lord for the blessings of the day. I turn over and go to sleep. Now if it wasn’t for that stupid rooster. Bishop Larry	PALM SUNDAY Preparation for Palm Sunday was both unique and a blessing. I was picked up on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. The two local Spanish Anglican Priests picked me up in their pickup and we drove out to Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) Anglican Church in San Lena, about a 45 minute drive from San Ignacio. We were going out to make palm crosses for Sunday. I am alway excited about the beauty of Belize and this was not exception. The building had no plumbing, and no power hookup. A generater powered the single light if it was needed. The church was set on the side of a small lake or pond. The water looked inviting and I asked if people swam in it. Father Wan (one of the Priests) responded that a few people did but most would not because of the crocodiles. I decided I would not try my luck. We went out to the bush (jungle?) and Father Wan cut done what to me looked like a long pole but was in reality the source of our palm for the cross. The one branch made over 100 crosses. After they showed me how we spent several hours making over 300 crosses most about 12 inches long. Around noon someone said they were thirsty. Father Wan disappear in the truck. Half an hour later he came back with several Coconuts in the back of the truck. He had climbed a tree cut some of the coconuts down for us. He proceeded with his machette (a knife with a 3 foot blade) to slice off the top leaving a hole in it. He gave it to me to drink. I thought of the situation. I am in a little spanish church in Belize at the side of a lake with crocodiles in it drinking the water from a freshly cut coconut. Not bad for a guy form the Arctic. After we had drunk the coconut water, Father Wan with a single stroke of the machette, cut the coconut in 2 and we proceed to scrape and eat the meat inside the nut. Food and drink in one. Going home we went in another direction. Along the way we had to cross over a river using a ferry. It was a ferry that would carry only 3 cars at a time and was taken across the river by a hand crank that one person was easily able to turn. All in all an eventful day. Sunday Morning people started to arrive half an hour before the 8:30am service began. By the time we started there was standing room only (over 200 people). We started outside with the Blessing of the Palms. Waving palm branches and carrying our palm crosses we entered into the church to the words "Ride on, Ride on in Majesty..." This was one Palm Sunday I will remember for the rest of my life.