Julie Williams

I am sitting at school right now enjoying the cool morning and the peace. It is strange to look around at the dead still campus and think that in an hour it will be filled with kids- students facing heartache, family problems, anger issues and pressure. You can see it in some of their faces, while with others you would have no idea the terror they are going through unless you actually took the time to sit down and talk with them.  I have been trying to take more time over the past month to actually sit with the students- in the morning before classes, during their lunch break and in the afternoons while they wait for the bus. In so many cases they are just looking for someone to talk to. I have also realized, however, that what these students really need is Jesus. I desperately want to see each of them at peace with the Lord and actively seeking God. I pray daily for these students, and I thank you for also lifting them up in prayer!

Teaching is still something I am thoroughly enjoying. First semester exams took place last week, and I was extremely impressed at the students’ work. Many of them really buckled down and put out some quality work. I have begun teaching my unit on Africa, which is my favorite of the units I teach. It is a “heavy” unit for the students as we talk about slavery, genocide, different religions, AIDS and many other issues that have impacted Africa and also, in many ways, Belize. Please pray that I would present things clearly and that the students would continue to show interest in the things they are learning.

One blessing I have been recently reminded of is the blessing of the Belizean families. So many of my students’ families have opened up their homes to me and made me feel like part of their family. Just last night I went to one of my student’s houses on the outskirts of Corozal Town. They are a family of seven living in a small two-bedroom cement house. They had prepared dinner, and we all sat together eating and talking and joking with one another. After dinner I went and played volleyball with four of the children in the dirt street. The volleyball was falling apart as we played with it, but they didn’t even seem to notice. When we went back into the house after playing, the father had put on a CD of praise and worship that a missionary had burnt their family, and the little kids were running around and dancing to it. As I watched the family sitting around in their “living room” on plastic stools giggling at the dancing children I really was moved. This family has genuine happiness. Yes, they have their fair share of problems as a family. We all do. But the love that they have for each other, the hospitality they have for others and the contentment they show for what they have inspires me.

This week I will begin to study the book of Romans with my three bible study students. They had asked to take a test on the book of John to see how much they really learned from our last study. They took this test last week, and overall did really well. I kept reminding them that it isn’t just the knowledge that matters but the application of that knowledge in their daily life. I am excited to continue this study by working through Romans, and I am praying that Dora, Enrique and Gloria will be just as faithful in the homework and participation. Please keep these three in your prayers. Pray for Enrique and Gloria as they are completing their final semester before graduation. They have a lot ahead of them work wise! Also pray for Dora. She recently quit her job in the Free Zone because of some issues at work. I was so proud of her for quitting and “fleeing temptation.” Pray that God will continue to give her strength.

We had a team retreat this past weekend with the whole MTW Belize team. It is rare that we are all together, so it was a great time of fellowship and refreshment. Things did not happen exactly as planned as the scheduled pastor from the states was not able to come and neither was the music leader. God provided, however, and it was still a very encouraging time. It has been such a blessing for me to have the support of a team while being here. It really is like an extended family.

Other big news is that I am moving- again. I was talking with a few people telling them that for the first 18 years of my life I didn’t move once, but since I have lived in Belize I will have moved three times. I guess God is teaching me to be flexible! I am moving to another place still in Corozal. It is a small maid’s house behind this larger house down near the bay of Corozal. It is in a safe location, and I think will be a great place to live for the last few months I am here. I will be doing lots of biking, however, as I will no longer have the vehicle at my house. God has been so faithful to provide for my needs, even with my living situation!

I know I say this in every letter- but again thank you for your prayers. They are much needed and much appreciated!

In Christ,

Julie Williams

~This was written this morning from school, but not sent until this afternoon when I got back into town and to internet access~

Julie Williams
Email: JWilliams9586@hotmail.com
Phone: 011-501-605-9936
MTW Personal Webpage: http://www.mtwla.org/people/jwilliams.htm
Address: P.O. Box 232 Corozal Town, Belize Central America