Belize City has the world's highest murder rate but that hasn't stopped Bermudian Barry Fraser from preaching the Lord's message there.

The former ZBM anchor has been broadcasting for a Christian radio station in the South American country for 16 months.

Recently he joined a prayer patrol which spent five hours touring dangerous Belize City, including spells in the crime hot spots.

Mr. Fraser had made the 50-mile trip with pastors and worshippers from the new capital Belmopan, three miles from where he lives, to show solidarity with Christian colleagues in Belize City and to take a stand against crime.

Travelling on a large flatbed truck with a band, singers and loud speakers, Mr. Fraser said he did not fear for his life although residents were surprised the procession had gone into the danger zones.

"But I found it easy to be there, surrounded by so many believers and under God's protection," he said.

At significant points the patrol halted and pastors led the group in prayer. "There was no sense of fear and we were not threatened or shot at.

"The locals, even those not attending any church, were grateful we were there."

Mr. Fraser has done similar patrols around Belmopan and is clearly enjoying his time in Belize, despite its problems the country itself has the seventh highest per-capita murder rate in the world.

Pondering the reasons he said: "It's hard to give specific reasons why but unemployment, lack of free secondary education and the break-up of families are major factors.

"Government, Police and churches are all working to determine the causes and intervene with young people while they are still in school."

Despite its social problems and largely agrarian economy Mr. Fraser is optimistic about Belize's future.

"We have begun pumping oil over the last few years. The country has a huge potential, if the wealth is evenly spread."

Mr. Fraser is most impressed by Belize's spaciousness. A far cry from cramped Bermuda, his home of 35 years, Belize has one of the lowest population densities in the world. "It actively encourages Americans and British people to retire here."

But in some ways it's home from home. The local dish, beans and rice, strongly resembles Bermudian peas'n'rice, complete with chicken and fried plantain.

Belize is the only Central American country to have English as its official language, but despite that around 52 percent of the population speak Spanish as their first language while the major Christian religion is Catholic and there's a significant Amish or Mennonite population.

The country is a rich mix of nationalities, races and cultures and boasts strong Caribbean ties as a former UK colony.

"It is an improbably mix and it is a country straddling two entities it's part of CARICOM and part of Central America. I had no idea you could get so many cultures in one country, there's a large Chinese community.

"Our church, Step of Faith Church, is an example of how all the ethnic groups can coexist in harmony Hispanic, Mayan, Creole, European, African and Asian."

It is of course his Christian faith which took Mr. Fraser to the Central American nation, a 9,000 square mile rectangle of land below Mexico's east coast.

Since arriving at the Christian commune Mr. Fraser, who used to read the news as well as work in sales and host a Christian radio show at Bermuda Broadcasting Company, has been very busy.

He reads Christian news at 7 a.m., does a news summary at 11 a.m. then reads the major news at 12.30 p.m., does another summary at 3 p.m. and finishes his day by reading the main news at 7 p.m.

He is also on air with pre-recorded programmes and music from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

It's hectic but he is not complaining about being overworked. "I am used to long days, a 12-hour day is fairly normal for me.

"It's just a blessing to be here and have the freedom to do what I do. The satisfaction is when I meet people in the village, at church or in Belmopan and they tell me they appreciate what we do and are blessed by our efforts."

And it's a good spot to be.

"We have a magnificent view of the city of Belmopan to the east, and the Pine Ridge Mountains to the south."

Mr. Fraser, who gets about by motorbike, said the weather is fairly similar to Bermuda although Belize has a rainy season which sees the nearby river swell 20 or 30 feet above its normal level and submerge the bridge linking Mr. Fraser's home base to the capitol city.

Heavy rains can do as much damage as a hurricane flooding and collapsing houses.

Some make the most of the tough terrain. "The British army train here in the jungle terrain to our south, and we see their flares when they are on night manoeuvres."

Mr. Fraser is mentoring a local boy who arrived at the commune after his mother was murdered and who helps us on the radio and with ground maintenance.

"He is returning to high school next month, after a few years out of school. So I need help with his fees and supplies. Geraldo has worked out he needs $175 for his books."

Mr. Fraser, a naturalised Bermudian and widower, hopes his 29-year-old daughter Gail who works at the family's home furnishing store on Glebe Road, Pembroke will soon visit.

He said: "I spoke to her about three months ago. She asked 'Daddy, when are you coming back?'

"Before I could answer she then asked 'Daddy are you coming back?'"

The answer is not any time soon. "I love what I do. It has given me the opportunity to meet and work with other ethnicities, as we share our cultures and celebrate our commonalities.

"I came here on a three-month ticket and chose to stay. I'm not anticipating moving back to Bermuda or anywhere else right now.

"Honestly, it's all up to what our Father God wants me to do."