We wrapped up our training camp at Spanish Lookout today and it was incredibly positive. We had just a tremendous response which should be very beneficial for the upcoming camping programs.
Today we hopped on a boat to a place called San Pedro. We hope to get a little rest and then head off to Carmaleta for one last church visit/service.
Hope to see you all soon!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Hello From Menno-ville
Apart from the palm trees and heat it's like we're at home. Here in Spanish Lookout life it a lot like Southern Manitoba. Over the past couple days we've been connecting with the youth from the EMMC here in Spanish Lookout. Things have been going extremely well and there's a large group of quality youth that are willing to help us with the two days camps we'll run next week. Approximately 20 young people came out for training and they are like eager sponges. It's really been encouraging.
I am getting a little tired and am starting to get a little sick. But the Lord is good and faithful to carry us through. As I laid down for a few minutes this afternoon I thought, "wait a second, I haven't even asked God to restore my strength and health." Immediately my throat and head stopped hurting. However, I still feel like a good night's rest wouldn't hurt. Your prayers certainly wouldn't hurt either.
Tomorrow we wrap up and start heading back to Orange Walk. We'll take a one day scenic route back and then polish off some details. Please pray for Alex. There's still a lot left and if he's as tired as I am (which I suspect he is) he'll really need some strength to finish well.
I am getting a little tired and am starting to get a little sick. But the Lord is good and faithful to carry us through. As I laid down for a few minutes this afternoon I thought, "wait a second, I haven't even asked God to restore my strength and health." Immediately my throat and head stopped hurting. However, I still feel like a good night's rest wouldn't hurt. Your prayers certainly wouldn't hurt either.
Tomorrow we wrap up and start heading back to Orange Walk. We'll take a one day scenic route back and then polish off some details. Please pray for Alex. There's still a lot left and if he's as tired as I am (which I suspect he is) he'll really need some strength to finish well.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Update Try #3
It seems that Belizian computers have it out for me. I get a nice entry all really and then it seems to vanish into no where. So here it is again.
Yesterday we arrived in Belize City to meet a couple pastors - to build some relationships and just get some insight to Belize. There certainly is a wide response - some pastors are so eager to look for ways to reach the country - seeking partnerships and relationships. Other's as in the words of one pastor are, "very territorial and want nothing to do with other churches or organizations." It's sad to see that so many churches are really struggling to find unity.
Today we arrived in Belmapan, the nation's capital to meet with a man who is overseeing a camp here. As is the case in many situations this organization seems to find support for developing facilities but not a lot for the program. I'm scared that this beautiful facility may not be used to it's potential.
Tomorrow it's off to Spanish Lookout for our final training session. I'm looking forward to it although honestly, I'm a little tired. Please pray that God would strongly carry us through these final days.
Yesterday we arrived in Belize City to meet a couple pastors - to build some relationships and just get some insight to Belize. There certainly is a wide response - some pastors are so eager to look for ways to reach the country - seeking partnerships and relationships. Other's as in the words of one pastor are, "very territorial and want nothing to do with other churches or organizations." It's sad to see that so many churches are really struggling to find unity.
Today we arrived in Belmapan, the nation's capital to meet with a man who is overseeing a camp here. As is the case in many situations this organization seems to find support for developing facilities but not a lot for the program. I'm scared that this beautiful facility may not be used to it's potential.
Tomorrow it's off to Spanish Lookout for our final training session. I'm looking forward to it although honestly, I'm a little tired. Please pray that God would strongly carry us through these final days.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Another Day In Paradise
The neighbor horse looks happy and the chickens are out on the town so it look like it will be another beautiful day here in Belize.
Unfortunately we missed our fancy seafood dinner last night so it's back to real missionary status for us. Our chef, Alex's mom, had second thoughts about us visiting. Alex shared with us how she struggles spiritually when he is around and the prospect of having us around was probably a little overwhelming. So we will continue to pray for her and maybe just stop in for a brief hello on our way out today. You might offer a prayer on Alex's behalf, I think it's pretty hard to receive opposition like this from home. It's clearly a heavy burden on his heart.
Instead we treated a local man to supper yesterday. His name is Jamin. He too, feels the Lord is putting a burden on his heart for children's ministry so we plan to take him along on our next string of meetings and training session. After supper we went to meet with his parents (Juan & Alica Castillo) to ask their blessing and share with them some of the details of our invitation. They are wonderfully godly people who have guided Jamin well and they have also been a great encouragement to Alex.
It looks like things are set for our next set of meetings and training session. We hope to udate you with blessings along the way.
Unfortunately we missed our fancy seafood dinner last night so it's back to real missionary status for us. Our chef, Alex's mom, had second thoughts about us visiting. Alex shared with us how she struggles spiritually when he is around and the prospect of having us around was probably a little overwhelming. So we will continue to pray for her and maybe just stop in for a brief hello on our way out today. You might offer a prayer on Alex's behalf, I think it's pretty hard to receive opposition like this from home. It's clearly a heavy burden on his heart.
Instead we treated a local man to supper yesterday. His name is Jamin. He too, feels the Lord is putting a burden on his heart for children's ministry so we plan to take him along on our next string of meetings and training session. After supper we went to meet with his parents (Juan & Alica Castillo) to ask their blessing and share with them some of the details of our invitation. They are wonderfully godly people who have guided Jamin well and they have also been a great encouragement to Alex.
It looks like things are set for our next set of meetings and training session. We hope to udate you with blessings along the way.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
And the rain stopped...
As we reached the church the cloud shut and the rain stopped. Praise the Lord. It was a little humorous because the moment we said, "Amen" after closing up for the day it started to rain.
Approximately 46 children (new children kept coming in throughout the day and this was the last official count though I know at least another 4 or 5 came in after) joined us today for camp. The age range was a little wider than we had planned but we adapted and the day came off relatively well. We certainly learned a lot to aid in the next preparation which was our goal for this one day, day camp.
Probably a highlight for my day at camp was the sub camp that I had the opportunity to be involved in just outside the doors of the church. A group of three boys stood outside the church looking in but were obviously uncomfortable coming into the church. I felt the Lord putting on my heart "if they won't come in to us I should really be going out to them." With a short prayer for courage I went out to meet them. Quickly our group grew to about 8 and we did crafts together, I shared a magic trick and story, we made up some songs about the tortilla sales man that drove by every 15 minutes and had a really good time. These new friends were a real blessing and I pray that the love of God will penitrate their precious hearts.
Eventually the guys joined me inside to watch the Jesus video for kids. And they ate my hotdog - no devoured my hotdog. They're special kids and I plan to stop by their houses next Sunday before we make preparations to leave.
Thanks for your prayers. Tomorrow we will start our trek. We plan to take a young man from the community with us. We strongly feel that Alex will need someone to walk alongside him to assist him in his work and we hope to offer this young man named Jamin some encouragement.
Hopefully I'll be able to update you again but I'm unsure what sort of access we'll have along the way.
Approximately 46 children (new children kept coming in throughout the day and this was the last official count though I know at least another 4 or 5 came in after) joined us today for camp. The age range was a little wider than we had planned but we adapted and the day came off relatively well. We certainly learned a lot to aid in the next preparation which was our goal for this one day, day camp.
Probably a highlight for my day at camp was the sub camp that I had the opportunity to be involved in just outside the doors of the church. A group of three boys stood outside the church looking in but were obviously uncomfortable coming into the church. I felt the Lord putting on my heart "if they won't come in to us I should really be going out to them." With a short prayer for courage I went out to meet them. Quickly our group grew to about 8 and we did crafts together, I shared a magic trick and story, we made up some songs about the tortilla sales man that drove by every 15 minutes and had a really good time. These new friends were a real blessing and I pray that the love of God will penitrate their precious hearts.
Eventually the guys joined me inside to watch the Jesus video for kids. And they ate my hotdog - no devoured my hotdog. They're special kids and I plan to stop by their houses next Sunday before we make preparations to leave.
Thanks for your prayers. Tomorrow we will start our trek. We plan to take a young man from the community with us. We strongly feel that Alex will need someone to walk alongside him to assist him in his work and we hope to offer this young man named Jamin some encouragement.
Hopefully I'll be able to update you again but I'm unsure what sort of access we'll have along the way.
Rain, Rain, Go Away
If anyone should check this blog before you head to church you might want to remember us and ask that God would hold back the rain. Even if it would be long enough for the children to come to the church for the day camp program.
I've come to learn that rain is one of the bigger challenges to the church here. When it rains no one comes to church. The other day when we were asked to speak at Pastor Marlon's church it began to rain. There were only two others that had come to the service and I think they were the pastor's wife and an associate pastor. So on the way to church we made several stops and packed as many as we could in the small little van. For some pastors like Marlon this can be very discouraging. His heart grieves that his church is so loosely committed. Others feel obligated to lower their expectations.
So as it rains here (shortly after 6 am) we feel a little discouraged. I don't know if Satan is working hard to discourage us or if God is trying to redirect us. Already as we spent some time reflecting on the staff training time we realized there is a big task ahead. Though the program itself went very well and the youth shared that they had learned so much and had received encouraging challenge we see little translating to action. Of the 15 Belizian youth we trained only 4 have committed themselves to helping us for 1 day of camp. So we feel a little discouraged with the state of the Spanish church and these youth.
However, we know God will provide in other ways. The group for Blue Creek was excited to come serve and we're confident they will bring back their group of 10 plus a few extra. It's amazing how evident the difference between these churches is. We wish the Spanish pastors would see that if they only took a little time to invest in the lives of their youth that they too would become active like this in their faith.
Well, the bottom line is we are certainly learning. We have certainly leared a lot already and I'm so encouraged by Alex who everyday becomes more and more convinced that he is called to serve is people and the youth of Belize. It may take some time but God will begin to convince churches and bring about change in the lives of the youth. I'm completely confident that God is going to use Alex in a profound way to play a part in this change.
Well, the rain is still coming down hard. I may be fully showered by the time I reach the shower house. BONUS!
We covet your prayers today!
I've come to learn that rain is one of the bigger challenges to the church here. When it rains no one comes to church. The other day when we were asked to speak at Pastor Marlon's church it began to rain. There were only two others that had come to the service and I think they were the pastor's wife and an associate pastor. So on the way to church we made several stops and packed as many as we could in the small little van. For some pastors like Marlon this can be very discouraging. His heart grieves that his church is so loosely committed. Others feel obligated to lower their expectations.
So as it rains here (shortly after 6 am) we feel a little discouraged. I don't know if Satan is working hard to discourage us or if God is trying to redirect us. Already as we spent some time reflecting on the staff training time we realized there is a big task ahead. Though the program itself went very well and the youth shared that they had learned so much and had received encouraging challenge we see little translating to action. Of the 15 Belizian youth we trained only 4 have committed themselves to helping us for 1 day of camp. So we feel a little discouraged with the state of the Spanish church and these youth.
However, we know God will provide in other ways. The group for Blue Creek was excited to come serve and we're confident they will bring back their group of 10 plus a few extra. It's amazing how evident the difference between these churches is. We wish the Spanish pastors would see that if they only took a little time to invest in the lives of their youth that they too would become active like this in their faith.
Well, the bottom line is we are certainly learning. We have certainly leared a lot already and I'm so encouraged by Alex who everyday becomes more and more convinced that he is called to serve is people and the youth of Belize. It may take some time but God will begin to convince churches and bring about change in the lives of the youth. I'm completely confident that God is going to use Alex in a profound way to play a part in this change.
Well, the rain is still coming down hard. I may be fully showered by the time I reach the shower house. BONUS!
We covet your prayers today!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Trying Again
So apparently my blog didn't update last time around. I guess that was the error message I got. It was in Spanish and since I didn't see smoke I figured everything was going to be okay.
Yesterday we trekked into the jungle once again to visit a couple of workers with TEAM Mission International. Not far from Orange Walk (where we are home-basing) they are developing a bootcamp site. God bless them. I feel like one big mosquito bite I can only imagine what the poor 20 American teenagers arriving on Sunday will look like.
There mission is to challenge and training teens to be active in service and evangelism. If they can break through to the youth of Belize I think this could be an awesome ministry but I think things have been slow going in that neighborhood. Some of the locals have mentioned that they think they're a little nuts living in the jungle - though it is beautiful is filled with many dangers for those who are not careful.
Our own program continues to go very well. When I wrote this morning we only had a few hours left in our training session and now we are done. So it's on to a trial day camp program tomorrow. Up until yesterday we were expecting 45 children that one of the pastors recruited from the community. However, a kind gesture of some unknown individual may bring out substantially more children. Alex's sister informed us that someone is advertising for us on the radio. Though it's pretty cool we don't have the facility to house more than 45. In fact housing 45 will already be a small miracle.
Prayerfully we'll do our best tomorrow. We're looking into a community recreation center that would be absolutely perfect for us. Alex pointed it out the other day as we were on the way to check out a Christian school that hoped to rent. For a small fraction of the price we can rent this facility complete with cooking facilities, meeting rooms, indoor play area (which is important since it is technically the rainy season here) and plenty of play space outside. The only thing we need is a sound system for chapel times. What a blessing! Alex asked what I figured it would cost to rent the place and I figured $100-200 per hour. They only wanted $100/week! (and I think that may be Belize dollars which would make it $50 CDN) Here's a secular organization that simply wants to bless us because they feel the community needs a program like this. Even the cheapest Christian school wanted 6 times the rents with half the facility.
After we complete the day camp tomorrow we'll head to Alex's house for supper (I hear lobster is on the menu - yeah missions in Belize is tough when you visit a fisherman's house - apparently lobster is extremely cheap out here). Please pray that we'll even be a light during this time. Though a wonderful woman (did you know that Alex was abandoned as a child and she took him in) she is involved with witchcraft among other things.
The next day we hope to travel south to Belize City making a couple of stops along the way (Spanish Lookout - another Mennonite community where we have some Manitoba connections, Belmapan - a beautiful camp facility with no leadership, and Belize City where we hope to meet some key pastors in the community). We've been told that Belize City has some not so great areas. Fortunately our transportation fell through so we will have to hire a driver to take us around the city. Otherwise I was going to drive, Alex to navigate, none of us knowing where the bad parts are. So already God is answering your prayers for our safety.
After we complete the loop we'll get ready to come home. My apologies is you don't hear from me after Monday but we're unsure when we'll have access to the internet between then and Friday.
Yesterday we trekked into the jungle once again to visit a couple of workers with TEAM Mission International. Not far from Orange Walk (where we are home-basing) they are developing a bootcamp site. God bless them. I feel like one big mosquito bite I can only imagine what the poor 20 American teenagers arriving on Sunday will look like.
There mission is to challenge and training teens to be active in service and evangelism. If they can break through to the youth of Belize I think this could be an awesome ministry but I think things have been slow going in that neighborhood. Some of the locals have mentioned that they think they're a little nuts living in the jungle - though it is beautiful is filled with many dangers for those who are not careful.
Our own program continues to go very well. When I wrote this morning we only had a few hours left in our training session and now we are done. So it's on to a trial day camp program tomorrow. Up until yesterday we were expecting 45 children that one of the pastors recruited from the community. However, a kind gesture of some unknown individual may bring out substantially more children. Alex's sister informed us that someone is advertising for us on the radio. Though it's pretty cool we don't have the facility to house more than 45. In fact housing 45 will already be a small miracle.
Prayerfully we'll do our best tomorrow. We're looking into a community recreation center that would be absolutely perfect for us. Alex pointed it out the other day as we were on the way to check out a Christian school that hoped to rent. For a small fraction of the price we can rent this facility complete with cooking facilities, meeting rooms, indoor play area (which is important since it is technically the rainy season here) and plenty of play space outside. The only thing we need is a sound system for chapel times. What a blessing! Alex asked what I figured it would cost to rent the place and I figured $100-200 per hour. They only wanted $100/week! (and I think that may be Belize dollars which would make it $50 CDN) Here's a secular organization that simply wants to bless us because they feel the community needs a program like this. Even the cheapest Christian school wanted 6 times the rents with half the facility.
After we complete the day camp tomorrow we'll head to Alex's house for supper (I hear lobster is on the menu - yeah missions in Belize is tough when you visit a fisherman's house - apparently lobster is extremely cheap out here). Please pray that we'll even be a light during this time. Though a wonderful woman (did you know that Alex was abandoned as a child and she took him in) she is involved with witchcraft among other things.
The next day we hope to travel south to Belize City making a couple of stops along the way (Spanish Lookout - another Mennonite community where we have some Manitoba connections, Belmapan - a beautiful camp facility with no leadership, and Belize City where we hope to meet some key pastors in the community). We've been told that Belize City has some not so great areas. Fortunately our transportation fell through so we will have to hire a driver to take us around the city. Otherwise I was going to drive, Alex to navigate, none of us knowing where the bad parts are. So already God is answering your prayers for our safety.
After we complete the loop we'll get ready to come home. My apologies is you don't hear from me after Monday but we're unsure when we'll have access to the internet between then and Friday.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
What A Blessing
A couple days ago I had some major apprehensions about how today (the first day of training) would unfold. I so glad to tell you it was a tremendous blessing and success. Though many challenges still remain many more blessings have been thoughout the day.
Approximately 10 youth from Blue Creek (a Mennonite community nearby) can to the training time. It might a pretty long ride down some pretty brutal roads but they came anyway. We weren't orginally planning to have them but I rescent revival broke out among the youth and they really want to reach out to the communities around them. It was so good to have them join us.
It was a bit of a motley crew of people. Three churches we represented and they were all very different. The Blue Creekers were just like having a group from Winkler. You could immediately tell they had a solid youth group because they were very eager. Pastor Philippe is the pastor who's church we are using. He too has a big heart for children and youth and it really shows in the youth that came. They too were very involved.
However, the last church is probably more typical to Belize. They don't really have a youth group and the youth were dis-interested and frequently excused themselves. Two were obviously a couple and were open in their display of affection. It's amazing just how much difference that little bit of nurturing makes. I wish their Pastor had come to see the difference it would make if he would engage his youth like the others. I wish many of the other Pastors would have simply brought their youth (or even have youth in their churches). It's a real crisis here in Belize.
A perfect example is what happened yesterday just down the road from us. A 12 year old girl was found by her mother very "involved" with her boyfriend. After a harsh repremand the girl ran off to find her father's (who is a local policeman) gun. The result was that she took her own life. That's the destiny for too many youth here in Belize. You see way too many teenage moms. The boys across the street regularly smoke drugs right outside their door. I'm so glad these two churches have a vision to reach the youth of the community but I am so grieved to see that so many churches simply don't even care.
I'm confident Alex will be God's instrument here in Belize. He's got such a big heart for his country and has already been a blessing to many churches and leaders. Please pray for him and the churches he connects with. Some of them are waking up to see that it is their responsibility to reach their youth but are severly under resourced. Pray that they would gain vision and ideas to engage their youth.
Two pastors have invited us to come to challenge their churches tonight. We will join Philippe's church on Sunday but tonight we will chose to serve Pastor Marlon's church. Presently he has no youth attending his church at all. However he has many children. He'd really like to change the pattern of children growing to youth and leaving the church by ministering to them early. He's got a big heart and a big task. Please pray that his church will be motivated to help him in his work.
Other than that we're loving the food, sweating a lot and surviving quite nice (you're going to laugh when you see where we're staying - we call it "economical" - it keeps us out of the rain).
Approximately 10 youth from Blue Creek (a Mennonite community nearby) can to the training time. It might a pretty long ride down some pretty brutal roads but they came anyway. We weren't orginally planning to have them but I rescent revival broke out among the youth and they really want to reach out to the communities around them. It was so good to have them join us.
It was a bit of a motley crew of people. Three churches we represented and they were all very different. The Blue Creekers were just like having a group from Winkler. You could immediately tell they had a solid youth group because they were very eager. Pastor Philippe is the pastor who's church we are using. He too has a big heart for children and youth and it really shows in the youth that came. They too were very involved.
However, the last church is probably more typical to Belize. They don't really have a youth group and the youth were dis-interested and frequently excused themselves. Two were obviously a couple and were open in their display of affection. It's amazing just how much difference that little bit of nurturing makes. I wish their Pastor had come to see the difference it would make if he would engage his youth like the others. I wish many of the other Pastors would have simply brought their youth (or even have youth in their churches). It's a real crisis here in Belize.
A perfect example is what happened yesterday just down the road from us. A 12 year old girl was found by her mother very "involved" with her boyfriend. After a harsh repremand the girl ran off to find her father's (who is a local policeman) gun. The result was that she took her own life. That's the destiny for too many youth here in Belize. You see way too many teenage moms. The boys across the street regularly smoke drugs right outside their door. I'm so glad these two churches have a vision to reach the youth of the community but I am so grieved to see that so many churches simply don't even care.
I'm confident Alex will be God's instrument here in Belize. He's got such a big heart for his country and has already been a blessing to many churches and leaders. Please pray for him and the churches he connects with. Some of them are waking up to see that it is their responsibility to reach their youth but are severly under resourced. Pray that they would gain vision and ideas to engage their youth.
Two pastors have invited us to come to challenge their churches tonight. We will join Philippe's church on Sunday but tonight we will chose to serve Pastor Marlon's church. Presently he has no youth attending his church at all. However he has many children. He'd really like to change the pattern of children growing to youth and leaving the church by ministering to them early. He's got a big heart and a big task. Please pray that his church will be motivated to help him in his work.
Other than that we're loving the food, sweating a lot and surviving quite nice (you're going to laugh when you see where we're staying - we call it "economical" - it keeps us out of the rain).
Training Begins
Today is the big day. There's little idea as to who will show up for training and how they'll respond. We've had such a wide response already - some who believe this will be a great success and those who believe it will be a great big flop.
We've certainly seen one thing that is consistant - in most churches youth have no way to serve and therefore they often end up getting into trouble and leaving the church. So we may have a bigger job ahead of us to help the churches re-engage their youth, prepare them for ministry and them give them opportunity to serve within the church. Maybe it's a little more than a 2 week project.
However, we visited a place called Blue Creek and connected with Darryl Dyck (a former pastor of the EMMC in Reinland, MB). He is now pastoring a church in a Mennonite community here in Belize and has a thriving youth group of over 50. He called last night to ask if his youth could be of help. So we may have a very broad spectrum of participants today. I praise the Lord that He knows what He's doing because I certainly do not. I'm confident that He will guide us and at the end of the day I will have many exciting things to share.
If you are sending email to me - for some reason I am unable to check my regular address (the site does not load all the way down here) so please send any messages to szacharias@rocketmail.com
We've certainly seen one thing that is consistant - in most churches youth have no way to serve and therefore they often end up getting into trouble and leaving the church. So we may have a bigger job ahead of us to help the churches re-engage their youth, prepare them for ministry and them give them opportunity to serve within the church. Maybe it's a little more than a 2 week project.
However, we visited a place called Blue Creek and connected with Darryl Dyck (a former pastor of the EMMC in Reinland, MB). He is now pastoring a church in a Mennonite community here in Belize and has a thriving youth group of over 50. He called last night to ask if his youth could be of help. So we may have a very broad spectrum of participants today. I praise the Lord that He knows what He's doing because I certainly do not. I'm confident that He will guide us and at the end of the day I will have many exciting things to share.
If you are sending email to me - for some reason I am unable to check my regular address (the site does not load all the way down here) so please send any messages to szacharias@rocketmail.com
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Back from the jungle
Along the road we could see ancient Mayan ruins peaking through the jungle landscape. However I was more interested in the dozens of make-shift shacks that lined the winding road. In door ways stood little children who looked as though they could really use the hope that the message of the gospel.
We're becoming very aware of the poor lifestyle choices that surround the community and even the church. There are many young single mothers and many more children with the need of hope. Please pray that we would be effective in developing leaders to bring this hope to these children. It is difficult to find those who are motivated and willing to live their faith out practically.
We just returned from meeting with a woman who is effectively reaching children through the ministry of CEF. We had a wonderful time of sharing and prayer and we hope that in the future we will be able to work together to reach the children of Belize.
The setting of meeting was quite beautiful. The sun was most gorgeous rising over the jungle this morning (the alarm sounded at five and we had a few moments to enjoy the scene before our bus arrived).
Got to go - fresh pineapple and cantalope await
We're becoming very aware of the poor lifestyle choices that surround the community and even the church. There are many young single mothers and many more children with the need of hope. Please pray that we would be effective in developing leaders to bring this hope to these children. It is difficult to find those who are motivated and willing to live their faith out practically.
We just returned from meeting with a woman who is effectively reaching children through the ministry of CEF. We had a wonderful time of sharing and prayer and we hope that in the future we will be able to work together to reach the children of Belize.
The setting of meeting was quite beautiful. The sun was most gorgeous rising over the jungle this morning (the alarm sounded at five and we had a few moments to enjoy the scene before our bus arrived).
Got to go - fresh pineapple and cantalope await
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Finally Here!
It's amazing how one flat tire can change so much. When I arrived in Minneapolis I was informed that the airplane had blown a tire and our flight would be delayed at least 5 hrs. My immediate response was to laugh - the ticket agent then told me she doesn't joke (she wasn't much of a morning person). I must admit soon after I was a little anxious - the well planned trip didn't allow for this delay. Unless Alex was prepared to wait at the border for 17 hrs we were going to have to figure out how to find him (fortunately there is only 250,000 people in Belize so it didn't take us long).
Along the way God certainly provided for us. He sent many angels to quickly guide us and hold buses for us and find us reasonably priced taxis (I've never realized the angels commonly expect tips!) However one thing God withheld from us was a working phone so it kind of felt as though we were travelling in a fog. So we (Scott and I - Scott is a friend of Alex's that met me in Cancun to travel with me the rest of the way) prayed and put one foot in front of the other. After each step I know I was praying please Lord let Alex be at the next step. Orginally we were supposed to me at the Belize/Mexico border but since we had not been able to communicate Alex was not there to meet us. However we did meet two other Canadians who just "happen" to be travelling to the exact same town as we were. So we were able to split a taxi to Alex's hometown. The taxi dropped us off at the Town Hall where who should be waiting for us - ALEX! He had been led to wait for us there (though I wish he had been led to wait by the phone so that when we finally found a working phone the message wouldn't have been that he was out and wouldn't be back for a couple hours).
Already I've had the opportunity to meet with Pastor Philip, a pastor of a growing church here in Orange walk town. He shared with me about his church and community and some of the obstacles in evangelizing here. He has offered his church facility and young people for children's programs and training. I look forward to building a relationship with him and his church.
Today after meeting a couple pastors here in town, we are heading to King's College were a CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) training program is taking place. Yolanda, a vibrant woman from Belize, is training a dozen youth for children's ministry. We are hoping to work with and learn from her.
Our itenerary looks pretty packed over the next couple of days. We will be traveling to Blue Creek before returning to Orange Walk for training on Thursday. Alex is hoping to make it to Belize City sometime next week and we may even dip down to Honduras to meet with some pastors and visionaries there.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers. I'm constantly aware of my insufficiency but know God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Along the way God certainly provided for us. He sent many angels to quickly guide us and hold buses for us and find us reasonably priced taxis (I've never realized the angels commonly expect tips!) However one thing God withheld from us was a working phone so it kind of felt as though we were travelling in a fog. So we (Scott and I - Scott is a friend of Alex's that met me in Cancun to travel with me the rest of the way) prayed and put one foot in front of the other. After each step I know I was praying please Lord let Alex be at the next step. Orginally we were supposed to me at the Belize/Mexico border but since we had not been able to communicate Alex was not there to meet us. However we did meet two other Canadians who just "happen" to be travelling to the exact same town as we were. So we were able to split a taxi to Alex's hometown. The taxi dropped us off at the Town Hall where who should be waiting for us - ALEX! He had been led to wait for us there (though I wish he had been led to wait by the phone so that when we finally found a working phone the message wouldn't have been that he was out and wouldn't be back for a couple hours).
Already I've had the opportunity to meet with Pastor Philip, a pastor of a growing church here in Orange walk town. He shared with me about his church and community and some of the obstacles in evangelizing here. He has offered his church facility and young people for children's programs and training. I look forward to building a relationship with him and his church.
Today after meeting a couple pastors here in town, we are heading to King's College were a CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) training program is taking place. Yolanda, a vibrant woman from Belize, is training a dozen youth for children's ministry. We are hoping to work with and learn from her.
Our itenerary looks pretty packed over the next couple of days. We will be traveling to Blue Creek before returning to Orange Walk for training on Thursday. Alex is hoping to make it to Belize City sometime next week and we may even dip down to Honduras to meet with some pastors and visionaries there.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers. I'm constantly aware of my insufficiency but know God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Today's the day and in a few hours I'll be on the road to Minneapolis to catch my flight. I must admit I'm a little apprehensive. Perhaps a couple years ago I would have been thrilled by the adventure and opportunity but now I'm just a little nervous heading out.
I don't have a completely structured itenary as of yet. The major items are the training sessions June 21-23 and June 28-29. The rest of the time will be spend meeting with pastors and church leaders as well as visiting others who are working towards establishing camping ministries. There is infact a representative of Christian Camping International who has a training team for Latin America and is based next door in Honduras. If opportunity allows we may slip over to meet with him to explore how we might work together.
Thanks again for your interest and prayers. I look forward to reporting to you soon of what God is doing in Belize. Depending on our internet situation I may be updating this blog while I am away.
I don't have a completely structured itenary as of yet. The major items are the training sessions June 21-23 and June 28-29. The rest of the time will be spend meeting with pastors and church leaders as well as visiting others who are working towards establishing camping ministries. There is infact a representative of Christian Camping International who has a training team for Latin America and is based next door in Honduras. If opportunity allows we may slip over to meet with him to explore how we might work together.
Thanks again for your interest and prayers. I look forward to reporting to you soon of what God is doing in Belize. Depending on our internet situation I may be updating this blog while I am away.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
The Count Down Is On
Thanks again for coming back to checkout our update.
The count down is on and things sound like they are shaping up well for camps in Belize. Alex (our partner in Belize) has made some great connections with some pastors in the Orange Walk area and is busy arranging the details for staff training (June 21-23). I'm looking forward to working with him in training staff for this camping season.
I plan to leave for Minneapolis on June 17th and fly from there early the next morning. I'll be returning on July 5th - I'm confident with many stories of God's work and blessing.
The count down is on and things sound like they are shaping up well for camps in Belize. Alex (our partner in Belize) has made some great connections with some pastors in the Orange Walk area and is busy arranging the details for staff training (June 21-23). I'm looking forward to working with him in training staff for this camping season.
I plan to leave for Minneapolis on June 17th and fly from there early the next morning. I'll be returning on July 5th - I'm confident with many stories of God's work and blessing.
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