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.