I want you to meet Isolene

Let me introduce you to Isolene Bailey, one of the students who will graduate June 20 from Holy Cross Anglican School.

She has been a student at Holy Cross since shortly after the school opened and is an excellent, hard-working student. When I was here on previous mission trips, we spent some time together. This year when I helped in the Standard VI class preparing them for the math part of their PSE, we got reacquainted. Later she was in my Confirmation class and was one of the most dedicated, sincere members of the group. We really drew closer during that time. She would come and talk with me during break time or ask me questions or we would walk home together.

at her Confirmation

Isolene's mother left San Pedro two years ago to go live on the mainland. Isolene has lived with her older sister, then her cousin, and recently with her grandmother during that time. When the Standard VI students began making their applications to high school, she told us that she was moving to Belmopan where she would live with her mother and go to high school. At first she seemed happy with that plan, but about a week ago came to see me with a very sad face, wanting to talk. She wanted to go to high school with her friends; she didn't want to leave San Pedro; and most of all, she didn't want to go and live with her mother. The more she talked, the worse I learned the situation there is. To make a long story a little shorter, Mrs. Grace helped convince Isolene's mother that she would be giving her daughter the best opportunity for success if she allowed her to stay in San Pedro for high school. Isolene's father and step-mother were willing to have her come and live with them, but the mother was opposed to that idea. In Belize, biological mothers have rights that trump anyone else's whether that's really a good thing or not. Isolene's mother would consent to her staying here only if she could live with Mrs. Joy, the Standard VI teacher. Thanks be to God, Mrs. Joy is a generous lady who has taken in kids in the past, loves Isolene, and was agreeable to having her live with her family. The San Pedro High School principal accepted Isolene for next year's class on the spot because of her good grades and high recommendations from Mrs. Grace. Everything has fallen into place, and Isolene is smiling brightly again.

I am smiling too because I will have the joy of being Isolene's sponsor as she attends high school. My small contribution will pay her tuition, school fees and uniform costs. We will stay in touch through letters and email, and I will get updates on her grades each term. Last Friday was her 13th birthday and the day I could share with her our new relationship. We are both very happy. We've spent a good bit of time together, working through the tough situation. I have introduced her to the St. Luke's youth group, and they have fallen in love with her. ("Why can't she come to Durham and go to school there and come to St. Luke's?") They will join me in wishing her well in high school and encouraging her through school. Isolene loves to read, and Monday we are going to the San Pedro library to get her a library card so she can do lots of reading this summer.

God has brought this beautiful girl into my life. He was at work in all that had to be done and decided so that she could live in a safe and caring home. We ask God's loving help and guidance for Isolene as she begins a new phase of her life. It is such a blessing to know her, and I will be anxious to come back to San Pedro to see her the next time.