Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Welcome to The FUMC Belize Mission Blog!
We are on the countdown to our departure for Belize City! We leave on July 12th to travel to DC and then fly out on Jully 13th. We are packing our supplies, planninng our curriculum, and getting ready to take the love of Christ miles away! Pray for safe travel and that many hearts will know the love and grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
31 comments:
Hello Belize Team! I am so glad you are blogging! On the Lithuania trip we found it very motivating and rewarding to share our stories eac day and to hear from folks back home. I know you are going to have a fantastic experience.
God Bless.
We are collecting suitcases, VBS supplies, insect repellant, and bottled water! Countdown is 5 days! We will travel to Arlington on Thursday and fly out of Reagan International on Friday, July 13. Pray for safe travel and on time flights! Also pray that they let us take all of our suitcases!
Gracious God, bless your servants on their trip to Belize. Thank you for all you have already provided and for the energy, wisdom, strength, and love you will fill them with as they go. May this trip be for the praise of Your glory!
Have a great trip, we will be praying for you.
Well we've made it this far! We are staying in a Quality Inn in Arlington Va. tonight. We rode in a Covenant School shuttle up 29 and 66 and got here in time for a nice dinner and then took the chance to do a dry run to the airport to be sure we knew where the long term parking was. We were blessed by a beautiful communion "send off" service at church and then we hit the road! The alarms go off at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning so.........good night!
Hello Belize team! I hope that you all arrived safely and have had a few moments to relax after a day of travelling. God bless you and the work you will do this coming week!
Christ be with you on your trip to Belize. May you touch and be touched by many lives.
Hope you guys are doing great!!!
-JSR
Belize Team,
I hope that you all arrived safely and are doing well. May God give you the strength that you need to complete your mission. I hope that each of you find the experience a blessing as you are also blessing those with whom you are working. Be safe!
Well we arrived in Belize safely. Immediatly when we got to Belize I started to compare it in my mind to Aruba (I vacationed there last year.) Immediatly I was struck by the contrast. I never saw any areas in Aruba that look like what I see everywhere in Belize City. There is just an aura of poverty that I never saw in Aruba. But then I realized I never went to these areas in Aruba. Would you really want to? Who wants to ruin a vacation in a tropical paradise by seeing poverty?
We spent the past few days traveling around to different areas of the country, seeing where future teams could do work (we also went to the National Zoo and another national park...). What touched me most was our trip this morning to San Mateo. We took a water taxi from the city to the tourist island of San Pedro. We stepped off the boat into a tropical paradise. The clear blue water of the Carribean, the beautiful sand beach, and the overly cliche restaurants where only tourists would eat. We walked along the beach towards the church. We finally came to a bridge that was the bridge between San Pedro and San Mateo. It was the same island, but it felt like we were stepping into another world. I have seen poverty in the mission trips of which I've been apart in my life, but I had never seen poverty like this. As we were given the grand tour of the area, we walked along the "main highway." In truth, it is a dirt walkway narrow enough for only one person to walk at a time. It is called the "main highway" because it is the only walkway that is not made out of scrap wood or debris. The best house in San Mateo would still qualify to be worked on at ASP.
I was to preach later that morning. I preached on the Good Samaritan. And while I'm reflecting on the day right now, it seems fitting. So many parts of Belize are lieing injured in the middle of the road. Right now, we are walking by. Its up to us and up to you as to whether we will be like the Levite and pass right on by or if we will be like the Samaritan and make sure this area gets the aid it needs and not worry about the cost.
It's hot here! What a great team we have! Everyone is flexible, helpful,creative, and fun loving. We start our VBS this morning. One of the suitcases with supplies never made it here. I guess American Airlines or Customs needed it more than we did. Whatever are they going to do with all that cardstock paper??? We are expecting many children and we covet your prayers that our planning and preperations will be sufficient! Matt's comment about the trip to San Mateo was right on. The poverty was like nothing I've ever seen. However the children were still laughing, singing and hugging. What a blessing it was to be there.
Well.....we just finished our first morning of VBS....whew!!! So many that tomorrow we will have to sadly say no to some newcomers. Songs were sung, games were played and many of the children made their own personal journal. Kodak had donated 50 "single use" cameras for our trip and we went out in groups with the children to take pictures of God's wonderful creations. WHAT FUN!!!! The children loved the cameras and recording each other on film. They will be delighted to open the package of developed pictures and notes from our own FUMC children! Most of the team members are showering and resting from a hot, busy morning. We will meet later to regroup and decide how to tackle tomorrow. Tonight we head to "Old Belize". Keep those prayers comning!
To all of you that adopted children.....in spite of sending out those test emails before we left....I cannot get the list to send. I'm very frustrated that I cannot send you daily reports but know that I will keep on trying! ~ Carolyn
Hey Gang!!!!
Wow. It sounds like you are off to a rockin' start.
Matt, Joe lifted you in prayer yesterday at IJ where Laura Anderson's sermon was along the same lines. God is ever working. Also I went to your Matt's Life blog. Very thoughtful.
Carolyn - Found anything lime green yet?
Everyone else- May God Bless your time and travel in Belize. I know he is working to change you more than you change anyone there. I look forward to seeing your shining faces and seeing your inflammed spirits return to FUMC.
Danny
First of all, I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support that brought us here. Even though we are miles away, we still benefit from all those prayers.
This is my very first mission trip, and I had no idea what to expect, but in just the four days that we have been here, I have experienced more than I could have ever imagined.
Matt wrote so eloquently about San Mateo, and I can only add that it almost brought a tear to my eye to see 30 children (many of whom like in conditions which we can't even begin to imagine) with full smiles on their face and singing about God's Love. These children had so much to teach all of us, and touched each heart in the short time we had with them.
Vacation Bible School this morning was beyond our expectations, we were told that there would probably be around 60-75 kids on the first day and would maybe grow to 100 by the end of the week. Well, we kicked off the week with around 110 children, so who knows what the rest of the week will bring. Please keep us in your prayers to maintain our energy and strength as we endure the hot sun and the energetic children.
This team is such a blessing and we have bonded so much already, you all will no doubt be subject to sitting through at least one of us talking to you for hours about all we saw and more importantly how we grew.
Tonight, we have been blessed with an early night, which we will definitely use to regain our strength, tomorrow we are headed to the beach with all the children after Vacation Bible School for an afternoon of games.
This was a trip that I genuinely wanted to do, but because of the timing of my custody hearing (Aug 3), it didn't make sense for me to take it on this year. I am with you in spirit.
I wanted to do it because I have a dream that men who are passionate about fishing (like me) can combine their passion for fishing and outreach into a mission program. Belize is world-famous as a fishing destination, but obviously has a great need for fishers of men. I think Christian men with means could be "hooked" into giving of their time and hearts and resources, if you could also weave in the chance to experience a fishing outing or two or three with local guides from the communities they are helping.
See if Belize would be a good test site for "Fishers of Men."
Peace,
Today we had our second day of Bible School. It was a lot of fun for the kids and much more organized for the team. I will let other team members go into more depth. But since many of you, through sponsorship of a child or donation to a team member, made this trip possible, our mission team is so much more than the 10 of us down here. I want to include our ENTIRE mission team in what has been my favorite inside joke thus far. One of the little children down here looks exactly like a "mini-me" of the rapper Flavor-Flav (he also has a hit tv show, Flavor of Love). Today, I taught the child to say "Flava-Flav!" like the rapper says it. He went around delighting many an older Belizian with that (and the younger members of our mission team).
That is one of the many ways these children are just pure joy. I can see why Jesus would want children around...I know each one of us down here is blessed by these little children and their joy makes braving the heat much easier.
Wow! What a great day! VBS went very smoothly. The children were playing, laughing, singing, listening, learning, dancing, and drinking water...water....water... We had lunch with them and then went to the beach, which was more like a park where they raced and played somemore.Our one suitcase never came, but we were glad to find out that it wasn't that bag that shut down the Miami Airport!! Last night we went to "Old Belize" for dinner and to walk through the museum, it was really beautiful and dinner was delicious....garlic shrimp! Yesterday the children took any, many pictures with the cameras that Kodak donated. What a hit! I can't wait to see what they thought was worthy to put on film! Joseph (Garland) is taking oodles of pictures to record our travels and experiences. This is a great team. We are blessed ~ Carolyn
Greeting Belize Team, What a powerful ministry you are giving to the people you encounter. Remember to be open to receive also. I know you will receive richly if you are open. May the HOly Spirit work through you in your daily encounters.
Peace, Shalom, and Godspeed,
Laura Anderson
God bless you all as you spead the word of Christ through your generosity of spirit and love. May your memories be tremendous, and your hearts full upon your return and into the year.
God speed you on your trip and home safely again.
It has been an amazing experience here with an incredible team! We are enjoying many laughs & they were so helpful to me today when I came down with a traveler's bug.
I am so thankful to all of you who helped make this trip possible for me. You are in my thoughts daily. The childrens' spirit amidst the poor conditions is evidence of God's presence and hope here. We are sharing God's universal love and it is being returned tenfold. These are the best hugs I've ever received! We continue our journey, awaiting more of God's blessings. Peace <><
Dear Belize Team,
I am so sure that you are fulfilling the mission of the Lord. I have found this particular verse meaningful this week here at home, "Don't be frightened by the size of the task. Be strong and courageous and get to the work for the Lord my God is with you. He will not forsake you. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly." (1 Chronicles: 28:20) May the hope that only God can give fill you as you give your time, talents, and gifts to this impoverished portion of the world. Thank God for the brave warriors and witnesses you are of His unending and enduring love. You remain, as always, in all of our prayers and thoughts!
I'm so thankful you are all having such a wonderful experience! You are all in my prayers daily. Dear gracious Lord, please watch over the team as they continue on their journey to spread your word. God bless you all.
This morning started off bright and early with 6:30 Communion Service at St. John's Cathedral for a few of us. The opportunity to receive the Lord's Supper and take the time out to reflect and praise God, was wonderful. But unique and touching to me this morning was the warmth and acceptance of our fellow Belizian worshippers.
This was my first Anglican service, and the Dean's (or Pastor in our world)wife sat next to me and made sure I didn't miss a beat. Every song was a capella and some even made up their own tunes, but it was beautiful and incredibly touching.
Bible School was another action packed day, filled with face painting, songs, drama, paper bag puppets and a rousing rendition of the Chicken Dance. Our theme today was Faith, and it seems so appropriate for this trip. If it were not for the faith of every member of this team we would not be having this success.
We have been truly blessed with amazing team members and paired with great Belizian teachers. The bonds we have made with them have been great, we have learned to lean on each other and take time out to laugh.
Tomorrow is our last day of official Bible School, please remember us in your prayers as we wrap things up and prepare for a worship service presentation Sunday morning. Also, pray for continued good health and energy for us all, the Equator sun and over 100 children (yesterday we had 135) can drag it out of you.
Hello again from Belize City! Another busy day at St. John's School for 135 precious, energetic, loving, laughing children and 10 creative, flexible, hot team members! We had a time to be together with some of th Belizian teachers today when we traveled to a swimming pool outside of the city. It was wonderfully refreshing and fun to connect on a different level with these fine people. We ate Indian food for dinner tonight. We have really enjoyed some GREAT Belizian food. Fry Jacks, Johnny Cakes, Conch Fritters, Garlic Shrimp, etc. To all of you that adopted a child, if you remember I told you that I wouldn't really bring a child home to you.......well if I could.....I would.....I think I'm in love with about 135 of them. What a blessing this week has been for me. ~ Carolyn
Greetings, Belize Team,
I've been out of the country and away from the Internet, so I'm just now catching up with you guys. What a wonderful experience! There should be a warning label on trips like this --WARNING: Your life will never be the same! I look forward to your safe return and the sharing of your stories and pictures. I know you've touched a lot of lives there with the Good News of Jesus Christ and I look forward to your touching our lives as well when you return. May God continue to bless and to use you.
peace,
harry k.
Well....believe it or not....it's Thursday already! We finished up our part of VBS (almost) today. Again we had 134 children. There were still more peering through the fence watching. We prepared drama, music, and scripture for Sunday morning worship at St. John's cathedral. We do have prayer request....Betsy from Ivy Creek has either had her passprt stolen or she misplaced it. We are doing the police/embassy thing right now, as tomorrow is the last working day for the week and we are supposed to return on Sunday. We would prefer not to leave her here! (I might have to take her place!)Pray that God would pave the way before us to either find it or get a replacement efficiently. We have enjoyed getting to know the Belizian teachers and staff. George, the cook, is quite a guy and has us all in stitches all the time. Today he had to leave early to help with a funeral. When we got back to our hotel, there was a funeral procession going by. First a 1973 Buick station wagon with the casket (and George!) and then following walked the surviving relatives. It was really touching. They used paper flowers (we were told, so that they could use them again.)Tomorrow we travel with the children. We don't understand how yet, since there is only one bus and so many little ones but they will work it out somehow. Pray for a found passport! Can't wait to tell you all about our wonderful week. Thank you for your prayers and support. ~ Carolyn
Good morning. We just had a nice devotional time (led by Matt)and breakfast with Dean Neal (the local pastor) and his wife and the Anglican Bishop. W are waiting for a school bus to come to pick us up for an all day trip to places outside of Belize City. Don and Betsy (from Ivy Creek UMC) are headed to Belmopan (the capitol of Belize) to go to the US Embassy there to secure another passport for Betsy. We continue to marvel at the friendliness and beauty of the people here. The children, in spite of their living conditions, are full of joy and laughter.They give and give of what they have....lots of hugs!W
e aren't sure how the traveling conditions will work today.....there are 135 children, probably bout 10 Belizian teachers and 8 of us.......the bus holds about 40......oh well....we will see! Until later! Be blessed! ~ Carolyn
What magical day! We started off in 2 buses with many, many, children and several Belizian teachers and headed off to the Mayan Ruins. What a fantastic place. Awesome would be a weak word to describe it. Magnificent might be better. We head off to another ruin tomorrow, but it will be hard to top what we saw today! From the Ruins we bussed to the Black Howler Monkey Reserve. We all loved seeing the monkeys that ate right out of our hands! They are in the wild, but would come to you for a snack. They were really cute and Matt fit right in! It was a busy day and a hot day but everyone came home happy and tired! One of the Belizian members brought some snacks native to the country by the hotel for us to taste. We all ran out and bought Belizian cookbooks! The food is great, the people are kind, the country is rich in flora and fauna. If only we could create better living conditions for our Belizian sisters and brothers. Some of the houses that we see, we would not let our pets live in. We are preparing for worship at St. John's Cathedral on Sunday. The VBS children will have a chance to offer some of the stories and dramas they learned and Don will preach. When worship is over, we will race to the airport and fly back to the USA. I know that I will miss my fellow team members and the smiling children that bring to me God's love in their very presence. OH!!!! Did I tell you that Betsy got a new passport today at the US Embassy? Yeah! We don't have to leave here here after all! (I would have stepped up and offered to stay!) God bless you until we meet again ~ Carolyn
It's hard to believe that in just a few hours we will rise, pack the school bus, and head to worship at St. John's. Hopefully, many of the children we came to know will be there and we will have the chance to sing, pray, praise, and worship together. After that we will rush to the airport to catch our 11:50 flight. We never did recieve one of the suitcaes that we brought down here with supplies....maybe we will find it sitting at the Belize Airport waiting for us! (We did call many times!) It's been a fantastic week. We've been blessed (we've also been hot!)beyond measure. We pray that many seeds were planted that will grow into stong foundations of faith. God is doing a mighty work here in Belize, it was good to be a part of it. However, we realize that the work does not end here and now. It is our task to bring our stories home to you. It will take many prayers, many hands, many dollars, and many willing spirits to bring healing and wholeness to this country. As we sang everyday this week and will sing again tomorrow morning......We want to see Jesus lifted high! A banner that flies across this land....that all men might see the truth and know.....He is the way to heaven. See you back in the States! ~ Carolyn
It is early on Sunday morning and I'm up waiting for coffee. The front porch looks out on a street that is already starting to wake. Down the street from where we are staying is the ocean. There is a man sleeping on the wall that keeps the ocean in it's place. It will be a beautiful day here (hot, once again....)We will be home soon to our comfortable, air conditioned, spacious, safe, dry homes. I can't help but remember that most of the children that we now know will not get breakfast. Most of them do not live in a home that has a father. Most of them have no hope for a future. What we did this week feels as if we threw a pebble into that big ocean out there, however, that is where faith comes in. Our prayer is that God will continue to plant the desire in many hearts to continue His work here. The children were like sponges, soaking up every word, every hug,taking in everything we had to offer. We will join hands and hearts in worship in a few hours with our Belizian friends.Our worship will end with the song "Bind Us Together". This team is forever bound to these, our brothers and sisters. May God bless what we offered and my God bless Belize. ~ Carolyn
Post a Comment