They broke into our car!

Friday night in Orange Walk, outside the church, 4 men with two boys serving as lookouts, were trying to break into our car! In the dark, Elder Magnusson and the missionaries observed them first try to use a Slim Jim, which didn't work thanks to the RAV-4 being late model with electronic doors. The group fled, only to return with crow bars and a rod to pry the window and insert the rod. They were trying to hit the door lock toggle on the arm rest. 

Too afraid to intervene, the missionaries remained in the shadows. But, Elder Magnusson crept forward and took this photo to document the deed for authorities. Suddenly, the leader lying on the windshield with the rod managed to spring the door open! Elder Magnusson ran in from the shadows, and in total disregard for his own safety, grabbed the car keys that were locked inside. Curiously, he profusely thanked these angelic car burglars, and even paid them! As the group disappeared into the night, Elder Magnusson could only stare at the car keys, wondering what had just happened...

* Side note about the above story:  The keys were simply locked in the car.  Elder Magnusson called a local mechanic to help him retrieve the keys. If you read the story closely, that is what Elder Magnusson was trying to say in his "creative way." In his next life he'll be a suspense writer.

A new district presidency for Belize City District was sustained on Sunday. (From right to left) Elder VandeMerwe, 2nd counselor, District President Hilberto Casanova,1st counselor Paul Woods, released District President Elder Magnusson.

We've received a transfer, and are moving to Succotz, two hours west, at the end of the week. We will greatly miss all of our friends in Belize City, Orange Walk, Corozal, and San Pedro. Packing up the apartment reminded us of when we moved from California to Utah 2 years ago.  

We will miss our house, and the views of Belize City, such as this scene out of our bedroom window.  But most of all we will miss the people we have grown to love here.  

It was Branch President Harold Smith's birthday this week. He is a tireless supporter of the missionaries and the Lord's work here.

The bilingual Patriarch who lives in Guatemala City, Ora L. Justice (center), stayed two days with the VandeMerwes, giving patriarchal blessings to the members of Corozal, Cinderella, and Orange Walk Branches, before moving on to the Cayo District. He and his wife joined the Church 41 years ago while living in Puerto Rico, and have been stalwarts of the faith ever since.

Ouch! That hurts! Never fear, missionaries, nurse Sister VandeMerwe is here!

We love serving with and learning from Elder and Sister VandeMerwe. Truly, they were sent to Belize "for such a time as this". (Esther 4:14)

This week our church published this video to remind us that when you’re feeling low and your days are difficult, remember, “the Savior hears the songs you cannot sing. ”Don’t give up. “Believe in yourself and believe in Him.”

You can also see the video by clicking here

This is what the Mormon Channel said about the video:

We all have days when we feel low and out of tune—like we have nothing of value to contribute. We may struggle to avoid comparing ourselves to others. In times like these, we need to remember that we’re supposed to be unique and different and that we too have a special place in God’s choir. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminds us, “It is by divine design that not all the voices in God’s choir are the same. It takes variety—sopranos and altos, baritones and basses—to make rich music.”

You fill an important role in God’s choir and can’t be replaced. “Believe in yourself, and believe in Him. Don’t demean your worth or denigrate your contribution. Above all, don’t abandon your role in the chorus. … Stay permanently and faithfully in the choir, where [you] will be able to savor forever that most precious anthem of all—‘the song of redeeming love.’” —Elder Jeffrey R. Holland