A Holdeman School: Field Trip & Program
Our destination was the teacher's home, snugly nestled in the central highlands of the Cayo District. She grew up in a conservative Beachy Amish Mennonite home where her father dedicated himself to farming and her many sisters ran a plant nursery. Their beliefs were so conservative that they even had a horse and buggy and other horse-drawn farm equipment. The plan was for the children to receive rides in the buggy as they toured the village where she had grown up. Needless to say the children enjoyed it immensely. So did the rest of us adults. Once the buggy rides were over a delicious meal of Belizean rice and beans with baked chicken was served.
An hour later we headed to a swimming place in Upper Barton Creek. On the way we passed some empty farms and a few abandoned houses left behind by the Hoover Mennonites (often confused with "Amish") who had moved to more secluded communities farther south. The area is being slowly resettled by another branch of Old Order Mennonites from North America as well as other local Mennonites who are looking for an escape from their modern colonies. Forty-five minutes later we arrived at the creek, at a spot where many years ago the conservative Mennonites had dammed the stream and built a water-powered sawmill and irrigation system. The concrete structures were now fallen apart and provided interesting exploring sites while the clear cold water was a natural magnet for the children who eagerly crowded into the swimming hole. The water was far too shallow for adults to swim so I merely splashed my face and arms and soaked my feet. After the bumpy, dusty and sweltering ride the water felt so incredibly refreshing. It was about 2 hours later we noticed a thunderstorm building up and decided it was time to head home. Regrettably my phone stayed in the vehicle so I do not have pictures of the old dam and sawmill.
An old farmhouse
____________________________________________________
A week later the school held its year end program which was open for anyone. Church members, parents, friends, family and others came to watch the children present their program. The presentation lasted only thirty minutes and was followed by free-for-all fun activities. Wheelbarrow races, water balloons, team competitions and laughter brought a sense of nostalgia as I reminisced about other school programs where I had been a student full of eager anticipation, not worrying about tomorrow, simply focused on today's events and completely unconcerned about the electricity bill, water bill, and the myriad other necessities of life that were now a part of my life as a parent. I'm sure I wasn't the only parent who felt that way, especially those of us who attended this very same school several decades ago.
We all enjoyed the day, the potluck meal, and appreciated the fact that this was a Christian school where our children could learn Biblical values and be taught that God is the central being in our lives.
Note: Belize Christian School is a private school owned by a Holdeman Mennonite congregation in Billywhite village, a few miles outside of Spanish Lookout.
A Mendoza
