Land Documentation and Caye Cauker HS

Yesterday LTA met with Alberto who has been assisting with the title deed for the three acres.  After months of waiting from the States, we finally stopped by his office where he had paperwork to give us.  We now have the receipts in hand of the payments made for the taxes on the property.  This is proof that the purchase was completed; however, we are still waiting on one more document.  The final document (caution form) will have a stamp from Belmopan (capital) that shows we are entitled to utilize the land as ours until payments are completed. 

Inquiring with Alberto about his home, he shared that he resides in Caye Cauker.  Interesting enough, he is also on the Board of Directors for a new high school in Caye Cauker.  He provided great insight on schools in general, the high school there and the island.  Their school began with one grade and each year thereafter added an additional grade.  He will coordinate a trip for us to visit the school next week. 

Central Park Fellowship

Living Tree Academy’s first open fellowship was held in Central Park for anyone who wanted to be involved.  Kevin Bell led the fellowship and Anthony Gilmore taught Biblical principles on the “Renewed Mind is the Key to Power” from the Power for Abundant Living book by Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille.  

Some local San Pedrans participated, and a local restaurant donated their chairs for the fellowship.  Afterwards, a group went to Sunset Grill for lunch which was suggested by our young neighbor who had joined us for the morning.  A local Belizean-American from the US who works in Belize as a teacher offered great insight on operating a school in Belize as we ate lunch.  Thank you for your continued believing, prayers and support.

Bridge and North Side

Cars can now go over the bridge north of the cut!  We didn’t realize it was available until the taxi driver told us he could take us straight up to our staff house.  The bridge is now paid-off but the community has decided to keep the toll to maintain the bridge.

Also a Sunday stroll to the property is very busy compared to 18 months ago.  The dry road and many new construction sights are keeping the road hopping.  Some days the road is smoother than others but the person up front in the cart warns those in the back of the “bumps”.

First Day of Work on the Property

Our goal was to get as far back to the property as possible the first day in the golf cart.  We began to make a path.  Using our rubber gloves, we gathered trash that had blown into the area.  Next our neighbor arrived again to help us; we moved a few stumps and several branches then put them in the low spots.  We finished up our morning by pruning back the mangroves that were growing into the road.  This was all we could handle in the morning sun but faithfulness is the key.  We didn’t reach our property but cleared the way for the roadway which is needed.

Checking out the Property - Day 2

Our neighbor met us outside as we arrived on site to check out the property.  We are all geared up with long sleeves and pants with boots while he shows us around in his bare feet and shorts.  While in town we purchased a shovel and machete for the next day on the property.

Arriving in Belize April 12

Volunteers have arrived at San Pedro, Belize.

When we arrived at the airport, customs took our two way radios.  Evidently two way radios are a bigger deal than we anticipated.  They said we could pick them up when we left the country or get a permit to use them.  We don’t know the entire reason, but perhaps it is because they use two way radios in the airport and for security purposes therefore people are not allowed to use them without permits (this is only our observation and best guess at this point).  Unfortunately these radios were going to be our communication with each other while working on the property.  We have much to learn.

Belize Permanent Resident

Belize Permanent Resident

Applications for Belize Permanent Residence are made to the Belize Immigration Department in the City Of Belmopan after you have resided continuously in Belize for one year. You may not leave Belize for a period of 14 consecutive days during this time or your application may be rejected.
You need to fill out the required Permanent Residency Application form, take an HIV test, submit a recent police certificate of no criminal convictions, and provide two recommendations from individuals who have known you for at least one year. These individuals are usually ministers of religion, registered medical practitioners, attorneys at law, Head of a Government Department or Justice of the Peace.
There are several expediters - usually attorneys-at-law, retired immigration officers, Justices Of The Peace and other functionaries who can assist and guide you through this process.
Once your permanent residency has been approved you can seek employment or work for yourself just like any Belizean - there is no need for a work permit. You can move freely within Belize, and travel in and out of Belize without any restrictions. Best of all, the clock starts running and after 5 years you can apply for full citizenship.
It is economical to apply for permanent residency. Application fees for Permanent Residency vary by nationality, ranging from U.S. $250 to $5,000. For U.S. nationals, the fee is US$1,000 per person.
For information and application form, contact: Immigration and Nationality Department Ministry of National Security and Immigration, Belmopan City, Belize, Central America; Tel.: 501-222-4620; fax: 501-222-4056.

Time for approval of a permanent residency application varies. Some find that the process goes fairly quickly, taking only a few months. Others say it takes up to a year, or longer, for approval


Read more: http://www.belize.com/articles/residency-and-retirement-in-belize.html#ixzz1ISfFzmAk