Well, folks another month has passed, and though it seems like yesterday when I last wrote, a lot has happened in the five weeks since school started. We added one student to my class which brought the number of students up to 18, but one student got pulled out last week, so I am back down to 17. The student whose parents pulled her out thought she wasn't learning anything because she didn't come home with writing homework, and she wasn't writing at school, either. She's only four! The entire country of Belize is a developing nation, and sometimes I forget that the education system is part of that development. The lower division at Concepcion had a meeting with all the parents last week, and I was very encouraged by the number of parents who showed up with one day's notice. I am very excited about a penpal opportunity that has presented itself through a friend of mine who teaches first grade at Christ Chapel Christian School in Northern VA. We have agreed to send letters and pictures, and she has spoken to her class about possible donations to our class; something big her class could save up for or something.

As you know, Carla has left the country to be with her mother who is sick. She will be in Florida through December until Nicole leaves to go home for Christmas. Now, mom, I know I told you I couldn't come home, but I'm only gone for one year, and I want to celebrate Christ's birth Belizian-style. Nicole brought a whirlwind of change with her when she landed at the airport in Belize City. We've been together for two weeks now, and we are already best friends. Of course, we had already decided to be best friends before meeting each other, so that helped a lot. She has shown me more places to shop in Corozal, and not only for groceries, either. I bought two new blouses the other day that are actually from K-mart! Nicole also likes fruits and vegetables so my eating habits are alot better than before. Carla only seemed to buy breads and pastas, so I thought I was going to die without fruit. We seem to be getting along great, which is a huge relief for me. Although she just got here, she will go back to the states tomorrow for a Living in Grace Seminar that is required by the short-term department at MTW. Although the alone-time would be nice, I just don't think I'm ready to stay by myself yet, so Nila Patt will come to stay with me. One big slumber party all week long!

I've been here for two months already, and time has just flown by. I have developed a sort of routine finally, and quite enjoy life here. Every day after school, I get off the school bus at Nila's house because her brother, Mario has a shop where I buy a Coke Ideal for a shilling ($.12 1/2 American). The closest thing to a Coke Ideal in the states is a Coke Slurpee, only very frozen and not partly frozen. And let me tell you, at the end of a long, hot, sweaty day at school, an Ideal is exactly what I want. Plus, I get to spend quality time at the Patt house, which is always an adventure. Every Friday after school gets out at 12:00, yes every Friday is a half day, thank you, I come home and rest for a while and eat lunch, and do whatever needs to be done that didn't get taken care of during the week, and then I walk down to the Patt's house and help prepare the chicken for the barbeque they sell on Saturdays. If you think you've had good barbeque in the states, you haven't. Picture chicken cooked to perfection, not too dry, and not too pink, along with a flour tortilla, cole slaw, and baked beans. YUM! That's lunch every Saturday for me and the left-overs that I don't finish are for dinner. Eatin' Good in the Neighborhood!

Although, I am very happy here in Belize, I miss singing, especially with the worship team at church. I could sing here, and I'm trying, but the entire church service on Sundays and Tuesdays is in Spanish, which I think is great. Otherwise, it would be hard for some of the Belizians to understand, and my philosophy is to make the Gospel as easy to understand as possible. Let me tell you how humbling it is to worship in another language and to have the faith that God knows my heart, and even though I can't understand the words in the prayer, my heart does, and so does God. Don't worry, I'm slowly learning the Spanish language as well as some new worship songs to teach everyone upon my return to the states. Until I return, however, if any of you find any great worship CD's that you feel like sharing, please send them my way.

Now, I have to apologize to all you for the lack of pictures. I know when I left the states, I promised loads and loads of pictures, but I just haven't been able to get them out there. If it wasn't one thing, it was another and now my computer is not working, and the computer that had most of the copies of the pictures is in the states with Carla, so you might have to wait a while longer before being able to view a large portion of my life here in Belize.

Ah, Septemeber is over and how I miss the changing of the leaves in Virginia! I'm sure most of you who receive my e-newsletters are getting out your long pants, sweaters, jackets, etc. Who has been to a football game already? September is the hottest month in Belize, with temperatures reaching up to 100 dedgrees with no breeze to cool you off. I was told by a very wise person that if I can survive September in Belize, I will be able to make it the entire year. Well, September is over, and now I am finding myself putting a blanket on at night, and there is no need of fans in the morning while I get ready for school. Plus, I also don't have a need for my sweat rag that I used to have to carry everywhere. (Those of you who left your bandanas with me, thank you heeps!)

Finally, I hope this newsletter finds everyone happy, healthy, and enjoying all that God has given us.

Some Prayer Requests:

1. Please continue to pray for Nicole and myself as we search for a house to rent. Our lease is up in December, and we have looked at what seems like 50 houses, only four, and we may have found one that could work. We have decided that a move to town is what will happen. It is very hard to find a house in the village to rent, because most of the people own their homes. But, I spoke with a lady yesterday who owns a house in town, and so far, it looks very promising. She will speak with her husband about some of the details, but I am praying this one will work out.

2. Pray for the Belize team as a whole. We're very scattered around in northern Belize and there is a lot going on. We have one family in the states trying to raise more support, one family in language school, and another couple that is coming on Sunday, October 4 who are second career missionaries. Not to mention all the guests and short-term teams that come sporatically throughout the year.

3. Pray for the teachers at Concepcion School: Mr. Vallejos, Mr. Ruis, Mr. Che, Mr. Lizaraga, Mrs. Ku, Miss Castaneda, Mrs. Balan, Mrs. Torez, Mrs Mendez, our principal. Pray that we keep our focus on God and not so much on the academics of teaching. Pray that we really have a heart for the children in our classes. Pray that our children will come to know Christ through our actions, words, smiles, and hugs.

4. Pray for me as I attempt to have a more Christ-like attitude towards those with which I work on a day to say basis. I am finding that I have put some members of my team on a pedestal and have certain expectations towards these people that they cannot possibly live up to. This attitude has been brought to my attention and is hindering my ministry.

5. Pray for Nila Patt as I begin to disciple her through a very good book for women. Please pray that I will also be fed through our time together, and that Nila will not get frustrated with the English.

Don't forget to go to the St. Matt's website to look at my pictures that are not updated on a regular basis.

Thank you so much to my pledge supporters. Please don't forget to send in your support for this month to the following address: MTW Donations, PO Box 116284, Atlanta, GA 30368-6284. To send in a one-time gift, just put my name and account number 018204 on the check and mail to the above address (you can get a pledge card by clicking this link).

Ways to get in touch with me:

Email: mkwyatt@belizemail.net

Mailing address:
Kate Wyatt
PO Box 232
Corozal Town, Corozal
Belize, Central America

Website: www.stmatts.thediocese.net

Phone: 011-501-423-3351

*if you dial 10-10-220 before my phone number it will only cost you $.39 per minnute. The best times to call are after church on Sundays and any weeknight between 8 and 11 your time. It is really expensive for me to call the states, about $1.40 per minute, so I won't be making too many calls to the states.

I love you all and wish you the best in whatever God throws your way!

Love, Kate ><>

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