Study, Study, Study!

Hello all!
Last week was our first week of lectures. Our speaker was Jon Peterson from Snowqualmie, WA. He taught us how to effectively use our Bibles to obtain greater understanding and to build our relationship with God. He taught us the importance of context and how to ask three questions every time we open the Word.
First was WHAT (to find the historical context and to read through the passage to comprehend the general purpose of it's placement in the Bible. We were taught to first seek to recognize and understand who the original audience was and what the original author intended for the original audience to get from the passage)
Second was SO WHAT (to apply the knowledge gained to our own lives and seek its meaning in how we ought to live our lives)
Lastly was NOW WHAT (to put into action our new knowledge and understandings)

Each day we were asked to read the book of John in a different way, followed by a 10 question quiz the next morning. We were told that whoever was first to get a perfect score would receive the "Pen or Power" (a 4-color changeable pen to use for Bible marking) and that if the entire class got a perfect score the same day that he would treat us all to DandE's ice-cream (the best ice cream in San Pedro... and the world). We had to read it all the way through 5 times! Forwards, backwards, in a different translation, prayerfully, and out loud in groups, which a few of my friends and I decided to sing improv style passing around a guitar and our lyrics book (John) and singing in several different genres (country, folk, rap, and tribal drumming). It was quite a challenge to read it through the very last time, but my entire class got 10/10 the last day and we were rewarded our promised prize! What a great accomplishment! Jon also taught us the difference between existence and life. What a revelation. It would take me about 5 days to explain it all though :)

When I had a gap of time between studying, forcing myself through John for the millionth time, chores and cooking, I enjoyed exploring the island more. The people of Belize are beautiful and kind. They speak English and accept US currency (with a $1 BZ to $2 US ratio). I went biking on the road to town (about 5 miles away) and rode on the beach the way home. I only fell down in the sand 6 or 7 times :) So embarrassing. Almost every day I make time to explore the reef too by kayaking as close as I can get and snorkeling around. I have some great underwater pictures, but our internet is iffy here so I will have to wait until I get into town to post some.

Other than that, things are going incredibly well! God is moving here and we are all going through some major heart-surgery. I can't wait to tell you about all the amazing things that happen in weeks to come! Thank you again for your support. I am always in need of more donations and prayer. Anything helps. Miss you all!