The National Catholic Youth Conference

Ali, Georgia, Kiesha and Juanelo "bash it up Church-style"

For those who don't speak Creole, they mean "party at Church!"

Natalie, Courtney and Angele at one of Belize's best kept

secrets:  "Moonclusters" coffee shop... 

You'd swear you're in the states here!

The San Pedro Youth Group waiting for the water taxi.

The day in Guatemala:

Guatemalan girls doing morning chores.

I had to climb up these crazy steps (yes, it's even higher than it looks!)

to enjoy this view!

Fr. Dan and Fr. Mark... when Catholic Priests visit ancient

Sacred Mayan temples, it's taking ecumenism to a new level...

The Youth Jamboree:

One look at this sign and I knew I wasn't in Kansas

 (or Hilton Head) anymore!

The San Pedro Youth Group and our world-class banner!

Natalie and Delfina playing "Cathphrase"

Playing "Catchphrase" with youth from all over Belize!

Samira and Natalie performing the "pick pocketers" skit for the crowd.

Winning prizes at the Youth Jamboree.

aren't my youth groupers cool?

Questions kids ask...

These past few weeks have just been, for lack of a better word, neat. Now, we (as in Anne Grejdus and I) have decided that "neat" doesn't say it all the way n.e.a.t. does, which stands for "necessary, enriching, (self) actualizing times"... So when I say "neat", that's what I mean. Yes, live in Belize long enough and you too will start inventing your own language.

So, there are many neat moments that I want to post about, ranging from Easter to the Youth Jamboree to my latest visit to Benque, but time is just not abundant enough, so I'm going to stick to a story and a prayer request.

Amaroo is a twelve year old boy who goes to a Seventh day Adventist school and hangs out at our Youth Group events sometimes. He's a cute kid and is really interested in spiritual things. His parents sell jewelry outside the Church so we see him alot. He came and sat with me in Church before the Easter Vigil started and we had the following conversation:

Amaroo: "What's this for?" (holding up his candle).
Me: "It's to represent the light of Christ comming into the world".
Amaroo: "Who's that?" (pointint to Jesus)
Me: "It's Jesus".
Amaroo: "Why is he up there?"
Me: "It's a statue to remind us that Jesus died on the cross".
Amaroo: "Why did Jesus die on the cross?"
Me: "Because he loves you".
Amaroo: "Where do babies come from?"
Me: "A man and a woman... wait a minute. You can ask your mom and dad that question!"

I guess he figured since he had me on a roll about Jesus he could sneak in some real trick questions...

Tomorrow we're taking some kids to the National Catholic Charismatic conference where Ali, Courtney and I will be giving talks on Dating, Additions and Sexuality. Keep us and the youth attending in your prayers!