In the aftermath of the terrible 1931 hurricane, a star-gazing Belizean family patriarch, who later in life had exiled himself on an island, once said that every thirty years we would experience another great storm. He had already passed from this life when the Category 5 Hurricane Hattie landed in 1961 with devastating and destructive force in Belize. And life was never again the same. But it reminded some family members of the patriarch’s premonition. And there were other hurricanes since, but none of that cataclysmic nature as Hattie had been. So, when 1991 approached, those who knew of the thirty-year prediction and coincidence with 1931 and 1961, were on edge. It didn’t happen; or did it?
Like the changing seasons and years of our lives, it helps to keep us focused when we are on the lookout for things ahead, not only when we look toward the New Year, or the next political 5-year term, but when we gauge the passing of youth, and yes, even have a thirty-year outlook on the future of our nation and this earth we live on. And while we have not experienced another hurricane like Hattie in Belize, that day may still come; but in the meantime, we have as a people and nation endured some life-altering invasions of different sorts just around those thirty-year cycles. And, as we are embarked on another thirty-year stretch, and the promise of another Christmas approaches, it is timely for us as individuals and as a nation, to give thanks for our blessings, and also put a focus on how we are nurturing and investing our energy and attention in a better future for our children and generations to come in this Jewel and on this planet we are living in.
When 1991 approached, things were happening on the political level that would mark a period of great concern and anxiety in the nation of Belize, as the ever-present Guatemalan threat had taken center stage again with the negotiations and then signing of the Maritime Areas Act on January 30, 1992. This was quickly followed by political turbulence in Belize that saw national hero Philip Goldson breaking away from the UDP to form the NABR because of this issue; and then a conditional reconciliation with the UDP-NABR ticket to contest the next general election in 1993.
Following Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington’s signing of a “compromis” in 2008, and Belizeans subsequently voting in support of it in a referendum in 2019, Belize and Guatemala are currently addressing this matter at the International Court of Justice, for a “final solution” to Guatemala’s “unfounded” claim of our territory. Things do take a long time to finalize, and a lot of time and effort are invested in seeing the best outcome.
In terms of a storm, there was indeed a terrible storm in 1991, but not in Belize. After Saddam Hussein had invaded Kuwait in August of 1990, the U.S. responded in January 1991 with its U.N.-backed Desert Storm, during which, according to www.defense.gov, “the U.S. and 40 allied nations, including several Arab nations, flew more than 18,000 air deployment missions, more than 116,000 combat air sorties and dropped 88,500 tons of bombs” on Iraq and Iraqi- occupied Kuwait. After six weeks of air attacks and only 100 hours of ground operations, “Kuwait was liberated”. And while “about 697,000 U.S. troops took part in the war”, www.history.com reports that “an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Iraqi forces were killed, in comparison with only 300 coalition troops.” That storm did not affect Belize directly.
Thirty years later, in 2020, Belize and the world were hit by another kind of storm, a disease storm—the Covid-19 pandemic, as a result of which over 7 million deaths were reported worldwide, and Belize lost 688 precious lives. And we were barely recovering from this life-altering national health crisis, and trying to rebuild our severely depressed economy from the shutdowns required to try and stop the spread of the virus, when another big economic bombshell hit us. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 severely disrupted the worldwide commercial shipping business and soon led to escalating prices of goods on our supermarket shelves. An economic storm indeed it was that devastated the living conditions of many citizens; but, thankfully, the new government in November 2020 had brought new energy and vision, and harnessed the support and commitment of public officers and teachers who made a sacrifice to help right the economic ship of state, along with a novel debt-for-nature “Blue Bond” swap that changed the trajectory of the Belizean economy.
2050 seems a long way ahead, but time flies; and the children born today will inherit a country and a world with conditions that our actions today will help determine. Big nations are still playing around with the climate crisis that already is being felt around the world, and in Belize also, with higher tides, longer droughts, and more severe flooding. Global targets have been set for 2050, which will be halfway to 2100 and a point of no return, according to scientists, if decisions are not made and actions taken to curtail greenhouse gas emissions which could cause our climate to reach a point of irreversible decline in conditions that are livable for the plant and animal species that mankind depends on for food and sustenance.
Tomorrow belongs to the children of today. The current leaders of the world are not reacting with enough urgency and resolve; it may take a new generation of thinkers and committed minds and hearts to bridge the gaps of greed and selfishness that consume the leaders of nations who presently hold sway in global affairs.
A child’s potential
When the subjugation of the Jews was a matter of great concern and dread a couple thousand years ago, they dreamed of a new leader, a messiah, who was promised to be born, and who would lead them to glory in his kingdom. The potential of a child, every child, is a wonderful thing. It is said that, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste,” and as we focus on the coming birthday of the promised Messiah babe on Christmas day, it is also good to remember that within every child is the great promise and potential that we as parents and as a nation have the opportunity and the challenge to try and nurture to see that child grow in wisdom and knowledge and strength and love of his people, and faith in our Creator.
There is already too much tragedy, and loss, and pain in just this month of December to last a whole year in our little Belize, even as we look forward to enjoying and celebrating another Christmas, remembering that we commemorate the birth of a baby child, Jesus, who was promised to be the Saviour of all mankind. May the pain of all who weep in sorrow and loss, be salved and their spirit uplifted with the peace and love and the joy that come with the sharing and giving that are the essence of the Christmas season
And as we are reminded of the children and babies who are victims of wars and massacres across the world, may those whose consciences are handcuffed and gagged by a blind adherence to the Old Testament’s “eye for an eye” approach, reflect upon the unfolding mission of the babe in a manger to sacrifice Himself on the cross, and in so doing give all mankind a New Testament that envisions a time when “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
“Come, mek wi celebrate Krismos in Belize,” but may we all still hold fast to the promise of baby Jesus. As Lord Rhaburn sang, “Jeeezas! Jeeezas! How sweet, how sweet is Thy name!” Merry Krismos, Belize!