Tuesday, March 24, 2009

J Is For Judith


It's time again For ABC Wednesday. If you aren't participating in ABC Wednesday, you are missing out on a lot of fun. This week the letter is "J". J is for Judith.

Judith and I
JUDITH AND I

I first met Judith in the spring of 2004 when a group from my church traveled to San Pedro Belize to help build a church. Gina and I made friends with her and her family. Gina never lets me forget that I once told her that Judith was the most beautiful woman in San Pedro.

Judith
JUDITH IN 2004

Every time we have visited in Belize we make sure that we get to spend some time with Judith and her kids. She has a lovely family.

Judith and Family
JUDITH AND HER CHILDREN

On one trip to Belize we were able to bring Judith's son Andrew a nebulizer which he needed for his asthma. The machines are very expensive in Belize, but we were able to get one at wholesale through a friend who was the administrator of a nursing home. Another friend had 144 doses of the medicine that was needed for use in the nebulizer because of a mistaken shipment that the company would not take back. Before we went through customs in Belize we said a prayer and asked that God would help us get through without paying duty. The one suitcase they opened was the one with the nebulizer and medicine. They asked what it was , and Gina told them it was for asthma. They wanted to know how much medicine was there. Gina told them I hope enough. They let us go through.

New Horizons Seventh Day Adventist School Kids San Pedro Belize
ANDREW AT SCHOOL

Judith is active in her church. The Belizeans have a tradition that during the church service, two deacons stand at the front of the church just in front of the pulpit on either side. One church service a year is designated as Womens' Service, and the women are in charge. We happened to be visiting that week, and the women in the church asked Gina to speak. Judith was one of the deaconesses that stood in front of the church during the service. Her daughter wanted to stand with her.

Deaconess Judith
DEACONESS JUDITH

Gina and I love to visit in Judith's home and see her kids. We always try to bring some clothes with us that will fit her kids. They love to try on the clothes and have a little fashion show. When Wal-Mart is having end of summer clearance, we buy clothes and save them for our next trip to Belize.

Judith At Home
JUDITH AT HOME

Gina and Friends
GINA IN JUDITH'S STORE

The last time that we were in Belize, Judith and her daughter walked over a mile from her house to our motel to see us off as we were leaving. I am humbled and amazed by the kindness and friendliness of the Belizean people, and am proud that Judith counts me a a friend.

Judith 2
JUDITH VISITING IN OUR MOTEL

Just the other day I was reading the San Pedro Sun Blog, and there in the first picture of the blog was Judith with two of her kids. What a pleasant surprise. It made me want to see her and all of our other friends in Belize.


You can see the original post with this photo here.

24 comments:

  1. Judith looks like a nice person and a a worthy J.

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  2. Greate photoes and worlds. Have a fun abc:)

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  3. That was a very personal and touching post.

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  4. What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful woman. I have been very moved by your post and your photos! How beautiful it is to see so many of out in the world promoting respect for diversity! Everyone Belongs!

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  5. She sounds like a wonderful lady! I hadn't heard about Judith before. I hope someday Stephen and I can go to Belize with you and Gina and meet all these neat people!

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  6. A touching post; a lovely tribute to your friend.

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  7. This post was wonderful to read! And I am now going to read the San Pedro blog.

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  8. There are many people like you who undertake privat actions the help people. Nobody speaks of them. And yet, it is people like who make this world going.

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  9. You've told a wonderful story about a wonderful woman.
    A touching post!

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  10. A very nice post. My daughter was Belize for a short during senior year study abroad in Senegal. She commented to us on how nice the country was. Thanks for visiting our blog.

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  11. Hi Richie, what a warm and lovely post. So many beautiful people and the photos are great. I particulary love the one with Andrew, he is so cute.

    Take Care / Tyra

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  12. Thank you for sharing this story of a wonderful woman with us.
    thank you also for visiting my blog.
    Greetings from Malaysia

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  13. What a lovely story, it's clear she means a lot to you!

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  14. She is beautiful! I love her testimony. Her children are darling! I love that you go on those trips and help people. It just makes my heart fill with happiness : ).

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  15. What a wonderful, warm blog.. just like you and your wife. It is nice to know there are people out there who truly care x

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  16. Such a beautiful post about Judith! And she really is lovely!

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  17. A wonderful take on 'J'.
    I felt really nice reading this, full of warmth and affection.

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  18. Can I just snuggle that baby... omg soo cute! Great photos. I'll be back to check you out often.

    Allyson

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  19. Richie,
    Thanks for introducing us to Judith, I can see why you go down there so often.

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  20. Gina and you are amazing people for caring so much for another family so far away. And Judith is indeed a true beauty, as are her children. Fabulous post.

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  21. What a wonderful friendship it is things like this that make our lives so much more special - thankyou for sharing.

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