Recap of Camp Creative 2015 part 1

Hello all!

We're back from Belize after an extremely successful week of camp. Some of you may have kept up with us on our facebook page, which is great. We thought we'd use this space to give a slightly more detailed recap of our week in service, along with more photos, including some we did not have the space to post on our facebook mission page. So, if you want to know what we did all week, read on.

Saturday-Sunday

After a lengthy 17 hours of travel to the airport in St. Louis, a layover in Houston, a ride to the bus station in Belize City, and a bus down to Punta Gorda, I (Julie) arrived at 9 pm on Saturday night ready for, well, bed. Bright & early the next morning, at 7:30 am, I attended mass at our old parish which was a great way to feel 'home' again. 7:30 am is the only service offered on Sunday mornings as the local priest has to then travel to say mass at 3 other churches in villages throughout the district. (Those villages are only able to have a full mass once every 6 weeks and each is on a scheduled rotation.) After visiting with the priest and some church members, I had the rest of the day to prepare for camp. I met in the afternoon with my in-country co-director, Faye (aka Teacher Faye), to go over logistics for the week and to review our registration, which was currently at 63 students. For dinner I had my first meeting with the group from Baylor University. We were able to get to know each other a bit better, talk about logistics, and prepare ourselves to be working together for the rest of the week. This was very exciting. We finished up dinner and then I headed over to meet Andy at the bus stop, as he had been traveling all day Sunday. It was at this time I learned that he didn't have the privilege of taking the express bus because they do not run on Sundays. Instead, he had to travel almost an hour longer (for 5 ½ hrs total) on an overcrowded school bus with no a/c, and windows that didn't close properly when it rained. It was at this point, that I became very thankful I had traveled on Saturday's express bus, in the comfort of a/c—it can get hot with 60+ people crammed on to 1 bus.

Monday

We were all ready (bright & early) for the start of camp. The Baylor service group was there early mixing playdoh, getting supplies ready for the day, and getting a feel for how things are run. Faye was handling teacher volunteers and registration (we were up to 85 campers by the start of camp that day) while Andy & I handled a lot of the 'behind the scenes' tasks to make sure camp could get off to a smooth start.

We started off the week with a 3 project rotation which gave the kids an opportunity to work in groups to make our awesome Camp Creative sign, create name tags, and design their own drawstring day packs which they could then use for every day.  At the end of camp each day, the teachers select one camper from their group as Artist of the Day and one camper as Best Behaved.  Those kids receive a certificate and get to pick from the prize pile--back packs, spiderman goggles, and princess tiaras were top choice for most campers. 

We were also visited for the second year in a row by Love FM, a Belize national TV/radio station.  They took pictures and interviewed people.  It's good to spread the news about good programs and happenings in the country and they love what Camp Creative brings to the community.

In the afternoon, Andy stayed back to handle the business side of things. Faye, the Baylor group, and myself drove out to LOL Children's Home to introduce our first ever mini Camp Creative to the kids living there. I think we were a bit surprised by the number of teens living at the home but we worked the projects out to be enjoyable even for them.  The kids took a bit to get going but once they did, they had some really incredible designs on their drawstring bags (to protect the identity of the children living at LOL, we are not allowed to show their faces in photos).

Tuesday

Today the Camp Creative sign the kids painted was all finished and dry.  Andy found a ladder and managed to hang it high up on the front of the building so that it could be seen from the road. We also hung up a few photo collages of last year's camp and took group photos of each class this year in front of the sign.  We get a lot of returnees and they all enjoyed getting to look at their pictures from last year. The kids made pencil holders out of salt dough that the Baylor group mixed up.  They had fun making them but alas, salt dough does NOT dry in 95% humidity.  They also mixed up plaster of paris and put together come fun mosaics & designs.  

The low of today:  learning that one of our campers had tried to climb the soccer goal post during break time and cut his hand down to the bone on a pin sticking out of the post--requiring 15 stitches (which is probably the equivalent to 30 stitches in the states).  This weighed heavily on us, we felt so bad, but thankfully his mom wasn't angry with us and he was able to return to camp by Thursday.  The high of today:  I got to return to LOL Children's Home to teach cake decorating to the teens.  One girl had learned some skills in a recent class at school and was eager to learn more--she helped Andy mix up the icing we were going to use for decorating.  We used this opportunity to encourage her to help some of her peers as we began the instruction.  The confidence & excitement in her was awesome to see.  Despite having little knowledge of cake decorating, Andy was the perfect assistant and he helped to move things along smoothly.  The kids LOVED learning to decorate cakes and even the boys decided to take a stab at it.  I LOVED getting the opportunity to work with the kids.  So much of what I do for Camp Creative is more behind the scenes and this was a real reward for me to be able to get back to working with kids.  

Wednesday

By Wednesday we had 103 campers registered, the most ever to attend Camp Creative!  It was at this point that I was reminded of how incredible it is to be working with the service group from Baylor and to have some great local teachers volunteering in the classrooms.  Camp Creative could not have been so successful with 100+ campers without all of their amazing help and input.  Wednesday turned out to be a hodge podge of activities.  The younger kids beaded necklaces & bracelets while the older kids enjoyed making god's eyes.  Both groups made sock puppets and raced paper airplanes.  The Baylor group brought out some parachutes and the kids LOVED playing with those at break time.  

In the afternoon Andy & I rode out to Big Falls village with the professor from Baylor who volunteers for TFABB (Teachers for a Better Belize).  She and her daughter wanted to visit with some preschool teachers that she knows.  As an added bonus the professor's daughter, who is 10 and on her first trip to Belize, got to meet her penpal, the daughter of one of the preschool teachers.  It was great to see them connect.  In case you were wondering, even 10 year olds can be a big help on service mission trips--she was working right alongside the college students.  Andy & I got to reconnect with the preschool teacher, Cecily, and her husband George while we were there.  Andy had worked with them at teacher workshops and got to get to know George when they traveled together to a conference in northern Belize.  Our family had been to their farm a few times for dinner and visits when we lived there.  Even though George was in the middle of chopping down overgrowth along his property line when we showed up, he didn't mind stopping to say hi and getting to reconnect.  Within minutes we had plates of chips & dip, sodas, and beer offered to us and we stayed for probably a couple of hours.  

It's the little things like this that made a big difference this time around.  Last year, I was working long hours catching up on prep for the next day.  This year, especially with Andy there too, we had a far greater opportunity to work on building relationships, making connections, and even to reflect--what a better experience it makes for.  

In an effort to not drag on too long in one post (if you're even still reading this), we look forward to blogging again with a wrap up of the week.  Thursday, Friday, and the rest of our trip were rewarding and exciting too.

Check out the Updates

Hey blog watchers,

We see that you are following us and checking in for updates.  We've been using our Facebook page for more real time updates and daily postings of pictures and such.  We've been so busy with everything here that it is really the quickest and easiest way to connect right now.  Good news is that you don't have to be "on Facebook" to access this.  We have it set up so that anyone can view it, even if you are not a Facebook user.  Just click the link on the right of our blog or click this link.
https://www.facebook.com/kuhnertfamilymission

Thanks for all your interest and support.  We plan to have some more formal blog posts/reflections in the future as well.

So Many Questions

     Well, here it is, in just 24 hours I will be landing in Belize City.  After going through customs & paying a few duties for the supplies I brought in, I'll take a taxi over to the bus station where I'll wait 3 hours to catch the "express bus" to Punta Gorda (cause the regular bus is not air conditioned and is a longer, more miserable ride).  After 16 hours of travel, I should arrive safely in Punta Gorda. As you can imagine, Saturday is my least favorite day of the trip.
     I've done this trip solo once before and after living there, I feel pretty comfortable in Belize.  However, there are naturally some anxieties that come with such a lengthy amount of travel.
But, there's a twist:  several weeks ago when we found an extraordinary deal on airfare to Belize, God laid it on someone's heart to cover the cost of a plane ticket.  Since my ticket had already been purchased, and the situation seemed to be right, we moved forward with purchasing airfare for my husband.  Andy will have to travel a day after me and return a day sooner but beyond that, we felt this was a great opportunity for us and more importantly, for the work we do in Belize.
While I know this will be a good thing for our work, it also inevitably adds a new layer to the picture.  3 kids have to be delivered to 2 different camps while 2 kids need childcare for 10 days and all 5 need childcare at the beginning and the end of the trip (from 2 different family members).  Oh and did I mention that currently 1 child is feeling ill?
     There are so many things to worry about.  Will my children be healthy, safe, and get where they need to go in my absence?  I still have packing to finish, am I remembering the essentials, the things I must have that can't be purchased in country?   Travelling to Belize and running a camp can be costly and we currently do not have enough cash in our bank account to cover all the costs of camp & travel.   How are we going to pull this off?  The more I ask these questions, the more anxious I feel.
The solution: stop asking questions!
      It sounds crazy right?  Of course it does but then I am reminded to trust. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  Prov. 3: 5-6.  A good friend  of mine shared this with me last week and although I try to make this my life's mantra, I still needed to be reminded of it--often.  There are a lot of times in my life that I've chosen the 'least desirable' path by doing not what I want to do, but what I feel called to do.  Things may not have even turned out the way I'd hoped.  Yet in spite of that, God has always worked out the details and goodness and peace have always come from it.
    This situation is no different.  I know that, I just have to remember to listen to that.
     I like to think I'm getting better at that.  I haven't asked those 'worry' questions nearly as much this time & (no shocker here) I feel a lot less anxious this time.  One way or another, it will work out because I'm not in charge.
     In the mean time, we would really appreciate your thoughts and prayers as our entire family makes sacrifices to have our work in Belize be a success this year.
     We look forward to keeping you updated this week as time, and internet access, allow.

p.s. as a shameless plug--we are holding a Thirty One products online fundraiser.  20% of the sales will go towards making Camp Creative a success.  Here's the link if you are interested but the fundraiser sale ends TODAY (6/26):  www.mythirtyone.com/651239/shop/Party/EventDetail/8369176

Back To Belize, Again.

While some of you have still been checking on our blog, we haven't exactly been active in our posts.  Fail.
Anyway, we just wanted to give you a quick update (we'll post more later, we promise).  I (Julie) am going back down to Belize this summer to direct Camp Creative.  This year, a representative from one of the departments at Baylor University contacted me about bringing a service group down to work with us at Camp Creative.  We could not be more happy to be working with this enthusiastic group.  The best part about this, it allows us to expand and grow Camp Creative.  This year, we will be able to bring a mini-camp opportunity to a local children's home, LOL Children's Home, that serves 35 kids, in addition to the kids we normally serve at our day camp.  I've also been asked by the orphanage 'mom' to teach the girls a cake decorating class.  I'm thrilled to give these girls an opportunity to teach them a craft that they can actually use in the future.
I am currently looking for cake decorating supplies, bags, tips, couplers, and icing gel color, to donate to the children's home.  If you have any of those supplies or wish to purchase any to donate, we would be most grateful.  This children's home operates on a tight budget and survives on their own donations so I'm really hoping we can bless them with these supplies.
While I plan to give more information, including ways you can help if you wish to, I wanted to let you know about an opportunity to come down to help.  American Airlines is currently offering a sale on their airfare.  St. Louis rountrip to Belize City is only $382!  That is the cheapest price we've seen since they offered a sale 3 1/2 years ago when we lived there.  If you feel called to help with kids and creativity, we would welcome your help at Camp Creative.  The week of art camp will be June 29-July 3.  I'll be heading down the Saturday before and staying several days afterwards for some much needed "down time."  Those are the dates that I know are on sale but quite possibly, there is some flexibility on the dates at that price.
Think about it, pray about it, and if you feel called to come down, let us know.  If you want to help in any other way, let us know that too.
We're currently exploring some fundraising options for us to help cover the cost of expenses for the camp, as well as travel down there for myself.  We'll let you know where we get with that and post any opportunities on our blog.
Thanks and God bless.

Back to Belize

     Back to Belize!  Well for Julie anyway.  As much as we all dearly miss Punta Gorda--even our 6 year old still regularly asks when he can go back--it just isn't financially feasible for our entire family to return.  One thing that is and has been most important to us is that our efforts down in Belize have a lasting impact.  The art camp we created, Camp Creative, is now in its 3rd year.  As a couple, we decided that it would be a good idea for Julie to return this year to help ensure the program's long term continuity.  And so, she will be departing for Belize on Saturday, June 28th to help with the week long art camp.  

     We've had many people ask "how can I help?"  Currently, there are 3 ways you can help.  First, you could pray for us as we continue to work out the logistics of everything, and of course for safe travel as "mom" leaves home for 10 days.  Secondly, you are more than welcome to contribute financially.  As I'm sure you can imagine, there are many expenses that are involved with providing a camp to as many as 100 kids, while travelling there to do so.  Currently, the best way to make a financial donation would be to make it directly to us as we no longer receive donations through the Jesuits.  

     Lastly, we could use help by donating some of the supplies that Julie plans to take down to Belize to use for her art projects.  She has compiled a rather lengthy "wish list" of items needed to help complete the 13 projects that she has planned for the week.  To find that wish list simply scroll to the top of this page and click on the Wishlist tab.  There you will find a very detailed list of everything we need to help make this camp a success.  If you can contribute in any way, please contact us.  We want to be sure we don't receive 7000 foam stickers from 12 different sources.  You can let us know in the comments section below the wishlist, in the comments section on our facebook page, Kuhnert Family Belize Mission, which is linked on the right of the page, or you can contact Julie directly via email, kuhnertj@hotmail.com.

     With your help, we can make this another year with one of a kind experiences for the children living in Punta Gorda Belize.  Thank you for all the support you have given us so far, no matter how that looks.  We wouldn't be able to keep helping if it weren't for you.

My Glasses Really Could Use a Good Cleaning

Life is a matter of perspective.  We can only see the world through the glasses we've been given.  Our upbringing, where we live, who we interact with, all affect how we see the world.  Though, I would argue that once in a while our glasses get dirty and it's up to us to make them clean and clear again.
After returning to the US, now nearly 9 months ago, I've realized how much and how easily those glasses can affect how I view the world.  A year ago my family and I were living on less money than we are now yet, we were wealthy by our community's standards.  In fact, there were times when I would feel embarrassed by my family's apparent wealth.  If we needed something, I mean really needed it, we could purchase it.  Yet, somehow it amazes me how little we did in fact need when we lived in Belize.  I sure do seem to think I need a lot more things now.
Since we've been back I realize how much I've grown accustomed to be surrounded by wealth here.  I live in a community in St. Louis that is comprised mainly of middle to lower middle class people.  We have a community food pantry about 1 mile down the road.  Wealthy?  Huh?  Middle and lower middle class don't sound wealthy to me.
We are a single income family of 7 surviving on a teacher's salary.  Our budget is TIGHT.  I look at our bills this month and they just don't match up with our income.  I've already found myself back in the routine of feeling "poor."  We need a new vacuum cleaner because the used one we recently purchased broke.  The check engine light has been on in one of our cars for two weeks now.  We're rehabbing our 80 year old bathroom and we've run out of funds to finish it right now.  Whoa is me!  Tuesday I found myself nearly brought to tears when I saw the fuel light pop up on my car--$75 for a refill.  And then as I headed right for the gas station it occurred to me--if I were in Belize and I needed gas for my car but didn't have the cash to fill up what would I do?  I'd do what everyone else of the minority of who are blessed to even own a vehicle in Belize would do--I'd shrug my shoulders, pull out my wad of cash and coins that I did have, and fill my tank with a few gallons of gas.  End of story, no fretting, move on.  There were Belizeans all over town whose car had become a permanent fixture on their lawn simply because they didn't have the cash for gas, insurance, or a small repair that was needed to run the vehicle.  But they also didn't worry about it either.  And here I am, nearly crying because my car "needs" a fill up and I know I'll be "paying" for it with my credit card.
  As Americans, nearly every single one of us are in the top 1% in the world when it comes to wealth.  Yes I said top 1%.  And even the poorest tier of Americans are still richer than 70% of the world.  All we know and all we see is wealth in the U.S.  By default, it dirties our perspective of what 'wealth' really is.  The glasses we view the world through sometimes trick us into thinking we're seeing clearly.  I think, I need to fix my car that's still running, I need to have a new vacuum cleaner, I need to finish rehabbing my bathroom now, and I need to fill up my gas tank because it's on 'E'.  I'm slowly (and sometimes stubbornly) beginning to realize that it's my Life Perspective Glasses that have gotten dirty and could use a good cleaning.
 What is really necessary to my family's survival and growth is not what I sometimes see as necessary.  We need a roof over our heads--check, balanced meals--check, clean water--check, and warm clothes--check.  Most other things are a LUXURY.  I am not entitled to non-necessities even if I think I am--even if everyone around me has those things that I wish I had to make my life simpler or more comfortable.
I recently read a quote that says, "we call it sacrifice when we go without the things our grandparents never even heard of."  How true it is--such different glasses we view the world through than just a few generations ago did.
I don't think it's possible for me to ever view the world without having at least a slightly skewed perspective.  I am who I am, I live where I live, and I was raised how I was raised.  In the meantime, I'm going to get off my pity pot, give my glasses a good cleaning, and try to live my life like the blessing that it is.  That just might mean we'll have to live for a while with a partially finished bathroom (which admittedly, reminds me of "home" in Belize anyway).  I'm sure it will also mean that my glasses will need to be cleaned over and over and over and over...but as long as I stop to give them a good cleaning once in a while, I think life will be a lot more clear to me--and I think I'll possess a far greater amount of contentment to boot.

Paying It Forward

     Do you ever give yourself a pat on the back?  I know I don't, or at least I very rarely do.  Rather, I often spend my time thinking about all the "not good enoughs" in my life:  I'm not active enough, I'm not helpful enough, I'm not thankful enough, I'm not nice enough, I'm not giving enough...you get the idea.  I very rarely give myself credit for the things that I do do because I always see the human weakness in them. Perhaps I brought dinner to a new mom but there are two other new moms I know whom I've neglected to help.  Or I finally sent that long awaited Thank You note but it should've been sent weeks sooner.  I think that's one of the biggest, most crippling things that hangs over my head--my inadequacies that really just make me human.
     I am not an Evangelical in the religious denomination sense of the word but try to live my life in an evangelizing way.  I try to live a life that sets an example to others whom I come in contact with because you never know who and how you are impacting others.  I think of that friend who said those simple words that led me to believe I wasn't parenting so terribly bad.  Or that person at the store whose smile was so big, I could see her joy radiating right into my own very being.  It's those things I try to remember when I go about my own daily ways.  I try to remember that although I may often see myself and all my imperfections, I'm still exactly who God made me to be.
     Tuesday was one of those rare occurances where I was confronted with that--while I'm nothing special, God proved that He still uses me just the same.  Back track two weeks and I was running around frantically trying to put together a care package for dear friends of ours who are missionaries in Belize.  I was wrapped up in the busyness of the season and kicking myself for not sending the package sooner so as to assure it would arrive in time for Christmas.  I ran into a friend of mine at a store and was telling her about the package I was trying to fill for shipment asap.  We then shared pleasantries and went our separate ways.  I hadn't thought much of it but aah, that's when God steps in.  Inspired by my continual (albeit at times "not enough") efforts to help those in Belize, my friend then went home and nominated me for a local news program's Pay It Forward segment.  The next thing I know, on Tuesday a news crew shows up at my door to hand me $500 to "pay it forward" in Belize!  I'm elated by all the possibilities that this money can be used for.  And really, I could not think of a better Christmas present but somehow I still allowed negativity to creep in.
     Obviously, I was very surprised by this attention, especially when I don't feel as though I deserve it.  But then again, I don't.  After all, it's not about me anyway and really, I've never viewed it as such. After they left, in spite of the fact that this news station found our efforts worthy enough to encourage, I kept thinking about all the "not enoughs".  I hadn't gotten service groups committed to delivering supplies for me fast enough, I hadn't mailed checks soon enough, I hadn't touched base with my contacts in Belize often enough. Had I really just allowed this great blessing to somehow feel like a failure in my own eyes??
      And then shortly after the news crew left I opened my mail and God had a little message for me.  In it was a Thank You note from a friend telling me how touched beyond words she was by a gift bag of goodies I'd left her a week back. Again, it was just something I thought I should've done sooner, but apparently did at just the right time.  I did it because a friend had given me the same bag labelled "Mom's Break" filled with different goodies and touched by that, I wanted to do the same to someone else.  Here I was already paying it forward and hadn't even acknowledged it.  Someone touched me, had an effect on me, and I in turn, touched someone else, had an effect on them, all without fully realizing--until that moment that is.
     It's the littlest things we do that set us apart from everyone else.  We are, or can be, a living example of God's love to others:  in our smile, in the words we speak, in the way we help others, and often times in the most discreet of ways.  We never know when God will use our actions to inspire or encourage others but let's try to live our lives in a way that leaves us open to that.  I'm nothing special, I'm not holier than though, I'm just a regular mom and wife who chugs away at daily life trying to set an example for others and often times failing in my actions.  That's ok.  God doesn't want me to be perfect, He knows I can't be but I tend to believe that He delights in our good works, even the simplest ones and He enjoys using us to bless others.  Mother Teresa is believed to have said, "we can do no great things, only small things with great love."  Let's stop allowing ourselves to be disabled by all the "not good enoughs" in our life and choose to live each moment of each day as an example of God's love.  You never know when or how you will impact others whom you come in contact with and you never know how that will in turn, impact others even.  So instead of reaching for a bar set too high, I'm going to keep trying my best to be the best example I can be.  Not great, not perfect, but hopefully an example that God can be proud of.  Because, I never know when, or how I will impact someone next.  And in the meantime, I will try to give myself this one time, a pat on the back.
     Thank you God for using me in ways I hadn't even realized.

P.S. if you are interested in viewing my story on the news, tune in to St. Louis' Fox 2 news on Thursday Dec. 27 at about 9:55 pm.
Here's the link to the story: http://fox2now.com/2012/12/27/pay-it-forward-kuhnert-family/