Thursday March 19

Belize has been an incredible, eye opening experience for me. Seeing people in such dire conditions, but yet smiling ear to ear, was something words can’t describe. Complete strangers showed me a welcoming spirit and a positive attitude, and yet I only know one of my neighbors back home in Indianola. The kids here in the after school programs absolutely shattered my heart. In my line of work I see kids living in some pretty poor conditions from time to time, but when you see and 8 year old girl push a 1 year old girl down the street to go home, knowing that she is the primary care giver, it is deeply troubling. I know this is the case in America as well, but the difference is here it seemed to be quite normal. It is great to know that Christ’s presence is here though and very much alive! The Open Door Believers Church here in Belize City has a wonderful congregation full of great Christian men and woman doing a mighty ministry within the city. Please remember them in prayer as well as all of Belize City. Thanks for listening.   –Nate

 

Hello all back home! This is Caleb speaking to you this beautiful Thursday evening. This week has not been at all what I was expecting. This is my third trip to Belize and coming here I had an idea of what to expect. I knew how poor this country is and I know how amazing the experience is to be here, to see God in the faces of these people here and to see Him work in my heart in amazing ways. But that hadn’t happened to me yet this week. In all the work we did and all the hearts we touched I knew that God was at work. But it didn’t seem to hit me the way it had before. Tonight we spent some time talking through the week, about our highs and lows and challenges. We spent some time in worship and some time in tears and hugs but still God hadn’t pulled anything on my heart. I walked by myself on the way home to the hotel and was so frustrated at myself for not seeing any fruits. I didn’t understand. Then tonight a few team members and I spent time sharing testimonies and our experiences with God in our lives. It was the absolute best thing about this week. To be on this trip and help others break out of their shell and know how good God is, is an amazing thing. God works in so many ways, so many unexpected ways. Thank you for reading and keeping up with our trip! I hope God is blessing you this week and every week.

–Caleb

 

This week has been a challenge for me on many levels.  I have been away from my kids longer than I have ever been, I have been tasked with things that are very much out of my skill set, and then you can add on the physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion that I am feeling right now.  All that being said, it has all been worth every minute.

On this trip I have felt God move me in a worship service in ways He never has before.  I have grown closer to team members that I knew before only because we went to church together.  I have been challenged by God to look at my life and reevaluate what is and isn't important.

The thing that I have been obsessing over today is this: What do I do now?  Do I go back home and just fall back into my routine, or do I reevaluate and make some changes that God wants to see in my life so that I am better able to serve His purpose.  It is my hope and prayer that I choose the latter of the two.

-Jake


Wow! It's Thursday already! What a week our team has had! Today was our last day on our work projects. I was at the Bible Society all week, tearing down and building up new walls. My part of the project was completed for the most part! It was a challenge. I started this week being someone who had never worked with concrete, to laying a brick and leveling it all by myself! Don't worry though, construction is definitely not my calling in life! I'm pretty sure I was more entertainment for Kingsly (our project leader) than help.

I also got the opportunity today to finally work on a project with my husband. All week we were at the same location, but never working together. I'm thankful for the opportunity to work alongside him.

We wrapped up today getting together as a group and evaluating this week. It was great to hear what different people thought of this week and what they got out of it. My hope and prayer is that each of us will come home different somehow. I hope that we will not be the same people who came here. We have done so much this week and I am proud of my teammates. We are all thankful for your prayers and support this week!

God Bless!

Trisha