Reflections on our first led trip.
Working alongside our Belizian brothers and sisters…sharing the workload…taking over when someone got tired…making sure that everyone drank enough water…sharing our love for the Lord…seeing Him in each other...knowing that we are working together for His people and His glory…not knowing if we would see each other again this side of Heaven, yet praying that we would…crying when we left…promising to pray for each other…leaving our hearts behind…. working and praying toward next year…learning other ways of doing things…being honored...being humbled. ..not being worthy…not being able to look at a toucan without thinking of Belize…wishing for limejuice with breakfast or hot sauce on anything…beans and rice…stewed chicken…ricado…Family…mixing concrete…moving rocks…working hard…not wanting to stop…being exhausted…not wanting to come home, because we were already at home…trying to speak Spanish a Chinese Belizian…ice cream for dessert…Celebrity Restaurant…driving around the roundabout…driving in Belize…church in San Juan/San Pablo…lunch at 4’6” Thelma and Alphonso’s…is that Nigel’s turtle? No it’s not…Nelson,, Consuelo, NJ, Nigel, Margerie, Joseph, Georgiana, Jocelyn, Santiago, Carlos, Smiley, Mouthy Leslie, Pastor Welch…snacks being sold after church…church drum set…great food every day…Francois, Ana, Belgie, Villa Boscardi, Muffin…3 hour delay in Miami…3 pre-paid Visa blues…Belize Zoo…jaguar…tapier…gibnut…Mayan ruins…Spanish/English/Creole…tears…Sparkly’s ‘’tattoos’’, Michelle’s internal GPS, John almost not being allowed on the plane out of Boston…sleepovers…bug in the van…scream…gas close to $5 a gallon, US…gecko in room, apparently all worship songs begin “uno, dos, tres”
How do we sum up such a moving experience? On Sat we drove close to 2 hours to go to a tiny church for worship. As we drove into San Pablo, the Pastor who was so very humble and proud at the same time of his church met us.
We were served a delicious meal of rice and beans and stewed chicken and we fellowshipped with the Pastor and his family.
As the church service started, the people poured into this tiny church that had 4 rows of wooden benches. Their hearts set to worship.
The praise in worship was so moving and the heartfelt love of the Lord filled the room.
After service, we loaded back up and headed home, (yes it feels like home here). After driving 2 hours in the pitch dark on a very country road we arrived back in Belize City and straight to bed.
Sunday morning arrived with feelings of sadness. This would be our next to last Church service with our new family. Tears started to flow as soon as we arrived at the church. The worship was sweet.
Rick preached for the first service (English speaking congregation) and did a great job.
We left Church with hugs and prayers from these sweet people in our hearts.
Around noon we were each taken to our host homes for lunch. We were delighted to find out we were going to Sister Thelma and her Husbands home!!! She cooked for us during the week and is a wonderful cook. She stands just less than 4 feet 6 inches tall but what she lacks in height she makes up for in love and cooking!! We laughed at the different things different people serve their guests. She told us she once unknowingly ate BBQ iguana! After lunch we came back home and rested. Getting ready for our last church service here.
Pastor Nelson preached in Spanish, Consuelo translated in English and a young man then translated into Creole for our Haitian Brothers and Sisters. What a wonderful service.
Then Children of the church presented us each with a gift and the tears flowed freely as we never expected this honor.
Monday morning dawns with a sense of loss for me as I type this I am secretly hoping the airport is closed so we don’t have to leave yet. Bags are packed and the room feels sad. It will be so very hard to hug and say “adios amigos”. But we know we will be back, and I will keep that knowledge in my heart until we can say “Buenos Dias” face to face.
We were served a delicious meal of rice and beans and stewed chicken and we fellowshipped with the Pastor and his family.
As the church service started, the people poured into this tiny church that had 4 rows of wooden benches. Their hearts set to worship.
The praise in worship was so moving and the heartfelt love of the Lord filled the room.
After service, we loaded back up and headed home, (yes it feels like home here). After driving 2 hours in the pitch dark on a very country road we arrived back in Belize City and straight to bed.
Sunday morning arrived with feelings of sadness. This would be our next to last Church service with our new family. Tears started to flow as soon as we arrived at the church. The worship was sweet.
Rick preached for the first service (English speaking congregation) and did a great job.
We left Church with hugs and prayers from these sweet people in our hearts.
Around noon we were each taken to our host homes for lunch. We were delighted to find out we were going to Sister Thelma and her Husbands home!!! She cooked for us during the week and is a wonderful cook. She stands just less than 4 feet 6 inches tall but what she lacks in height she makes up for in love and cooking!! We laughed at the different things different people serve their guests. She told us she once unknowingly ate BBQ iguana! After lunch we came back home and rested. Getting ready for our last church service here.
Pastor Nelson preached in Spanish, Consuelo translated in English and a young man then translated into Creole for our Haitian Brothers and Sisters. What a wonderful service.
Then Children of the church presented us each with a gift and the tears flowed freely as we never expected this honor.
Monday morning dawns with a sense of loss for me as I type this I am secretly hoping the airport is closed so we don’t have to leave yet. Bags are packed and the room feels sad. It will be so very hard to hug and say “adios amigos”. But we know we will be back, and I will keep that knowledge in my heart until we can say “Buenos Dias” face to face.
This last couple of days have been full. On Thursday, we completed the steps on the outside of the church, and then spent part of the afternoon shopping and seeing more of Belize City.
Friday saw us at the Belize Zoo and visiting the ancient Mayan Ruins. The ruins impressed me personally more than I thought they would. It was a very hot day, and it took a lot out of us, but it was so worth it. We saw the place were sacrifices were made to their gods, and it was very disturbing and comforting at the same time. Disturbing because of the fact that many lives were lost for no good reason. Comforting because Jesus paid the price for us, once for all, and we simply need to trust in Him, and follow His will for our lives.
I also had the opportunity to drive the van for a couple of hours (and will do so again today). We got separated from the Pastor for a bit as we were dropping of his kids at Youth Night at the church, but we got everyone were they needed to be, and then arrived at the hotel safely, even with the big bug that joined us in the van.
It was a great day of experiencing more of the Belizian culture, and learning more about the people we have come to serve.
This morning at breakfast we met a Christian ex-pat who moved here from Maine, as well as a Pastor and his wife from Texas who are here to do some evangelistic services.
Later we did a bit more shopping, and I found out that I’m preaching at tomorrow mornings English service…..Pray !
God is at work, stay tuned.
Friday saw us at the Belize Zoo and visiting the ancient Mayan Ruins. The ruins impressed me personally more than I thought they would. It was a very hot day, and it took a lot out of us, but it was so worth it. We saw the place were sacrifices were made to their gods, and it was very disturbing and comforting at the same time. Disturbing because of the fact that many lives were lost for no good reason. Comforting because Jesus paid the price for us, once for all, and we simply need to trust in Him, and follow His will for our lives.
I also had the opportunity to drive the van for a couple of hours (and will do so again today). We got separated from the Pastor for a bit as we were dropping of his kids at Youth Night at the church, but we got everyone were they needed to be, and then arrived at the hotel safely, even with the big bug that joined us in the van.
It was a great day of experiencing more of the Belizian culture, and learning more about the people we have come to serve.
This morning at breakfast we met a Christian ex-pat who moved here from Maine, as well as a Pastor and his wife from Texas who are here to do some evangelistic services.
Later we did a bit more shopping, and I found out that I’m preaching at tomorrow mornings English service…..Pray !
God is at work, stay tuned.
We spent today helping to paint the outside of church, and starting to build steps to the front door. We had a few more people ask us when the church would reopen. What a blessing to know that they are waiting for the opportunity to either get back or begin to worshiping at the church again. It is very possible that many of the folks in the neighborhood simply cannot get to a church because they have no transportation, so a church that they can get to on foot is critically important, and we feel so incredibly blessed to be part of the process to make that possible.
We also had some neighborhood children latch onto us, and try to help us. We found a few things for them to do without losing them in the concrete we were pouring :)
For dinner, we sent to a sister's home who tried to teach us how to make pupusas from El Salvador http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupusa. Interestingly, there are large numbers of people in Belize form Guatemala, El Salvador, China, and other countries.
Ruth & I cannot adequately express the incredible feelings of blessings and gratitude that we feel, knowing that the Lord is using us (and you) in accomplishing His purpose in the world today.
Stay tuned...
We also had some neighborhood children latch onto us, and try to help us. We found a few things for them to do without losing them in the concrete we were pouring :)
For dinner, we sent to a sister's home who tried to teach us how to make pupusas from El Salvador http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupusa. Interestingly, there are large numbers of people in Belize form Guatemala, El Salvador, China, and other countries.
Ruth & I cannot adequately express the incredible feelings of blessings and gratitude that we feel, knowing that the Lord is using us (and you) in accomplishing His purpose in the world today.
Stay tuned...
Remember the frame for the platform that we made yesterday? Well, today was spent filling in the base for the platform, first with large rock, then sand with smaller rock, and finally with 5+ batches of hand mixed, hand poured cement. Can you say sore back and ready for bed? I can, but not after we go to the Spanish congregation’s Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting.
Lunch today was beans and rice, and delicious stewed chicken. In addition to the church being only 3 blocks from the hotel, it is 1 block away from a small grocery store, and that means Ice Cream for dessert after lunch! Yum!!
I am constantly impressed with the fellowship and teamwork we continue to experience: both within our American team, and the Belizian brothers and sisters who are giving of their time and energy on this project. Whenever one gets tired, there is always a helping hand to pick up the shovel to move some more dirt.
One neat moment from today was when a neighborhood woman was walking by the church and asked if it was going to reopen. She seemed genuinely pleased to find out that it would be. That is what makes this worthwhile: working with brothers and sisters, allowing them to be available to spread the Good News of Jesus.
Stay tuned…
Lunch today was beans and rice, and delicious stewed chicken. In addition to the church being only 3 blocks from the hotel, it is 1 block away from a small grocery store, and that means Ice Cream for dessert after lunch! Yum!!
I am constantly impressed with the fellowship and teamwork we continue to experience: both within our American team, and the Belizian brothers and sisters who are giving of their time and energy on this project. Whenever one gets tired, there is always a helping hand to pick up the shovel to move some more dirt.
One neat moment from today was when a neighborhood woman was walking by the church and asked if it was going to reopen. She seemed genuinely pleased to find out that it would be. That is what makes this worthwhile: working with brothers and sisters, allowing them to be available to spread the Good News of Jesus.
Stay tuned…
We began our work in the church building today. We started by building a frame for the base of the platform. Tomorrow we will fill it all in and begin to build its floor. It is very hot and muggy, at least for us Americanos. We lasted until about 2PM, and then quit for the day. Later we discovered that some of the Bellizians were there working 'till about 6 PM. Maybe our goal should be 3 PM today ;)
The church is only about 3 blocks for the hotel, so it is very convenient, especially since the restrooms at the church aren't quite operational yet. We will be working on those as well this week.
It was great to see that bit of work accomplished, and see some fruit for our labors that quickly. We are also building relationships and friendships with the people we are working with. One brother came to join his family in the building projects from El Salvador, a 24 hour bus ride!
We were joined by other folks from the church as well, including a 3 year old little girl who was a great floor sweeper !
We have no health or safety issues so far, although we have to be careful with the heat. Please pray for safety to continue, as well as the continuation of the relationship building, especially with Joseph, the Yankee fan! All things are possible with God!!
The church is only about 3 blocks for the hotel, so it is very convenient, especially since the restrooms at the church aren't quite operational yet. We will be working on those as well this week.
It was great to see that bit of work accomplished, and see some fruit for our labors that quickly. We are also building relationships and friendships with the people we are working with. One brother came to join his family in the building projects from El Salvador, a 24 hour bus ride!
We were joined by other folks from the church as well, including a 3 year old little girl who was a great floor sweeper !
We have no health or safety issues so far, although we have to be careful with the heat. Please pray for safety to continue, as well as the continuation of the relationship building, especially with Joseph, the Yankee fan! All things are possible with God!!
What a day ! English Service in the AM. A great time worshiping the Lord. A visiting Missionary couple from TX was walking by the church and heard the singing, so they decided to come in and join us. The Pastor invited them up and prayed for them, even though they had never met. He also had the whole team come forward and introduce ourselves, and had me join them for prayer as well.
Lunch was next. A Chinese restaurant in Belize City. Apparently, there are a lot of Chinese in Belize. French Fries at a Chinese restaurant? Who knew?
Next on the agenda was a Spanish Service, where I was introduced, and given the opportunity to share. This is the congregation who will host us in individual family homes next Sunday, so it was good to be a part of the Service and begin to connect with the people.
For dinner, we stopped in at a hermona's (means sister's) home who makes and sells papusas, an El Salvadorain treat that we discovered on our trip to El Salvador in January. Yum !
That was followed up with an evening Service back with the English church. There was a great testimony about a marriage healed by the Lord, after a separation of eight years!
Now it's time for bed, and tomorrow we get to work:)
Stay tuned....
Lunch was next. A Chinese restaurant in Belize City. Apparently, there are a lot of Chinese in Belize. French Fries at a Chinese restaurant? Who knew?
Next on the agenda was a Spanish Service, where I was introduced, and given the opportunity to share. This is the congregation who will host us in individual family homes next Sunday, so it was good to be a part of the Service and begin to connect with the people.
For dinner, we stopped in at a hermona's (means sister's) home who makes and sells papusas, an El Salvadorain treat that we discovered on our trip to El Salvador in January. Yum !
That was followed up with an evening Service back with the English church. There was a great testimony about a marriage healed by the Lord, after a separation of eight years!
Now it's time for bed, and tomorrow we get to work:)
Stay tuned....
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