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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Tallest Building on Ambergris Caye Belize?

by tacogirl 27/02/2018
written by tacogirl 27/02/2018
Tallest building on Ambergris Caye Belize

Officially, the tallest building on Ambergris Caye Belize has two contenders, soon to be 4. The water tower, and Grand Wyndham Resort measure up at 5 stories or 60 ft tall. Source: Amanda Syme Sunrise Real Estate. Grand Baymen which is under construction is also in the mix. My Friend Aimee said that La Serine resort going up at the south end of the island will also be a 5-story building.

In answer to my title question, it has yet to be built and to qualify that further, I am speaking figuratively over actual height. It will be the new Sagebrush Church building. Church services are currently being held at the Paradise movie theatre and they are ready to grow into their own space. 

The reason I was in attendance that day aside from listening to the band 😉 was for the after party. A groundbreaking ceremony and tacos. I had managed to hitch a ride with Town Council Member Severo Guerrero, (many of Town Board were there) and when we got to the church I noticed right away it was hugs and handshakes welcoming people through the door.

Tallest building on Ambergris Caye Belize

It was a packed house that came for the live service before the fiesta. Live with Pastor Todd Cook from New Mexico – usually, he is on the big screen.

This is where the tallest building metaphor comes in.

During his sermon, Pastor Todd was telling us how “The church is the people and we need to be the church”. Then he had us ask ourselves these questions: If the church was only me, how good would it be? He went onto say what kind of church would we be if everyone did what you do? In my head, I used the word community since I am not a church regular and over the next few days I took time to think about the answers.

He went onto tell us a pastor, prostitute joke. While we all laughed at his humor, the very idea of what he was joking about is what makes this future building tall. Treatment of other human beings. People will always remember how you make them feel. He inspired the room to give their best not their leftovers and to shine a light on the community and reach out to those who need a helping hand.

Todd went on to give an example that we do not just eat one meal a day, we need to feed our bodies with nutrition to keep going. The same goes for the generosity of spirit and walking a positive path in this life He encouraged everyone to practice daily and share within the community.

Tallest building on Ambergris Caye Belize

Taco Party

After the service, we headed across the bridge for the “taco party” and groundbreaking ceremony.

Ambergris Caye

The band played again and then Pastor Todd gave a speech with good wishes to the Belize Campus and the construction process. To wrap up the party, the church elders and the couple responsible for the church start-up in Belize, did dirt turns to celebrate that it was finally happening.

Ambergris Caye

This new building will be constructed with $6 million donated by members and benefactors. Sagebrush Church plans to grow and keep making a positive difference for Ambergris Caye residents. There are a lot of lost lonely people on this island and they could benefit from human comfort. The new church building will offer a safe place, for those that need some guidance and a place for anyone to feel welcome especially those that are cared little about. They will benefit from a sense of community and in many cases become adult role models. 

Sagebrush actively tries to meet needs in the community. A good example of this is, the Church does occasional ongoing bike maintenance clinics for single moms. San Pedro has 2nd largest Planet Kids (children’s Sunday morning ministry) of all the Church’s 8 campuses. 

Planet Kids Sagebrush Church

Of course, it would not be me if I did not chime with this thought I had as I stood there eating my taco watching everyone milling around before the ceremony. For all you single ladies, interested in meeting a better quality guy than you are finding on tinder or at the bars, there are cute boys at church 😀

More Info

I asked one of the regular church attendees and financial supporter, co-owner of Camo Cantina (new lazer tag facility) and family man Jason Southwell a few questions.

How did Sagebrush come to be in Belize?

In 2014, Kyle and Cara Thomas, formerly brokers of the Coldwell Banker franchise in San Pedro started a small group meeting in their home. A small group is a group of Christians that meet regularly to read scripture and pray together, discuss problems and life circumstances, as well as hold each other accountable. The group started growing quickly and soon outgrew their house. They moved it weekly on Sundays above the Coldwell Banker building and started showing the Sunday messages from their old church, Sagebrush in New Mexico. They approached the church elders to see about making it an official campus of Sagebrush sometime soon thereafter. It grew into multiple services at this small location and eventually outgrew it all together. Now we have between 400 and 500 attendees at the movie theater across two services.

How do you feel that the church having its own building will impact the island?

What it does is gives Sagebrush the flexibility it needs to serve when they need to serve. Right now it’s tough to work around the theater’s schedule since it limits when we can do special events or outreach activities. Also, having space for each of our ministries is very important. For example, right now many of the small groups, including the teens, and the worship team (band) meet in the office by Tropic instead of in the theater. Having the space we need to reach the people we need to reach is important.

We also do monthly community activities, like free bike repair, that would benefit from a single base of operations. Our motto is “to know Christ and to make Christ known”. The building will make it easier to execute on the latter.

What is a benefit(s) of attending weekly church service that most people might not consider?

The church is great for many reasons. You certainly get to know a bunch of great people who are happy to see you and build great friendships with them. Also, Pastor Todd has a way with words that really get to the bottom of what you are going through at any point in your life. He’s excellent at showing you what God says about just about anything, and he does it in an entertaining way.

How has Sagebrush had a positive effect on your life?

It’s given me refreshed focus on my relationships and given my daughter and I things to work on together when we have our nightly prayer times.

What is something you would like people to know about the congregation?

We are a very welcoming group. It’s come as you are. We don’t need suits ties and dresses. I often go barefoot. Regardless how they dress, the people you meet will affect your life and do so in a positive way.

Can you please ask your daughter Tesla what her thoughts on Sunday School are?

She said, “it’s good”. She likes having a small group with her friends. She enjoys doing the captain’s corner worksheet every week which teaches her a memory verse and gives her a project to do that reinforces the lesson from the week. Kids get paid “cosmic cash” for doing things like memorizing their verse, bringing friends, etc. After church, you can go to a store to turn in your cosmic cash for toys or candy.

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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