Check out the Blog...

Pictures are all over the Blog!!! I encourage comments!

Pictures Have Been Added...

All of the posts should have pictures by tomorrow. However, most of them now have the pictures up to show you so much that was done in Belize. The three most recent posts will have their pictures tomorrow. Please add any comments. Thanks so much for viewing our blog!!!

Glad to be home...Sad to Say Bye

We made it home safely. After our snorkeling adventure at Thatch Caye, we boarded our bus and began the 1.5 hour trip back to Belmopan. However, God had different plans as our bus broke down about 25 minutes into our trip. Fortunately, Santiago ("Santi"), the YWAM Belize director who was driving us, was able to call a friend who drove a school bus from Belmopan to come pick us up from the side of the road. During our nearly 2 hour wait, we were able to go ahead and do our devotions as well as some of our debriefing from the trip.

It Was Still Light, But Darkness Would Soon Set In (Richard Under the Bus)

Our New Wheels

When the new bus arrived, our strong men pushed the bus off the road to a side street, and we were on our way. A stop by a Chinese restaurant on our way back to the YWAM base was our next stop, and we all enjoyed having some different cuisine options. Finally, we arrived back at our house, and by midnight we were packed and the house was cleaned.

Group Praying Prior To Leaving YWAM Belize

We left Saturday around 9am for the airport, and we arrived in Charlotte, NC around 5:30 pm. It was a very smooth process through customs, and we are thankful for the favor shown by God. Thank you to our drivers who picked us up, and we were back at the church by around 8:00 pm.
Note: I am adding pictures to this site soon, so check back for those which will be included in the texts of the posts below.

Live from Thatch Caye (pronounced "key")

What an amazing world we live in! We are in a place you can only reach by boat, and an island that accomodates only 22, yet I am able to get on the internet to briefly write an update.

Yesterday, we truly saw God's work being done! Our groups went in a few different directions, and I will not be able to do justice, but I will try. A group of 11 men went to complete the walls of the church we have been working on all week. We were joined by Taylor and Amy around 11:30, and they worked across a language barrier to bring joy to the children. Amy and Taylor read to the children, and then they made Salvation bracelets. To give you an idea of the poverty around this church, a 9-year old "hija" of the pastor Gilberto Perez approaced Amy and said, "My mom wants me to go back to the United States with you. This is a family that loves God despite some terrible adversity in their life. The men all worked great with some of the locals and the group was able to complete all the walls of this church. It was an amazing experienced, capped by one of the most powerful prayers as the Pastor and his brother prayed as we helds hands in a circle, and the power in their prayers was evident.

Block Team on Last Day Along with Pastor Perez and His Crew

Church From Front with Big Double Windows

Church Toward End From Side View

Final Picture of Church

Pastor Gilberto and Lee

Mike Lackey and Richard Rice completed the cabinets, countertop, and sink for the classroom with the special needs children. Abby was overjoyed, and the children were pretending to wash their hands in the sink even before the men were able to get the cabinet set in the classroom. Along with Gary Weiss, they were able to get this done before the end of the day. It was a true God thing to complete that task, and a big Thank You is owed to those men for doing God's work!

The other ladies continued to work on behalf of children with special needs in the area. This is a passion of these ladies, and I thank God for their commitment! They made amazing progress, and even participated in a meeting offering insight for the writing of a grant asking for resources to support the special needs children in Belize!

Finally, last night was another amazing worship time! Omar and Alyssa shared their life story with us, and it was amazing here how God has led them to this place. In addition, Omar was given a "word of knowledge" during a prayer that led to a powerful time. The music by Beth and Omar was beautiful, and the prayers were powerful. Abby and Frankie also came over and Abby shared Psalms 72 with us about the God that loves and protects those special needs children. Frankie challenged us to think of not only "what did we do for God," but moreso "what did God do in us?" We prayed over Frankie and his family as well as Omar and Alyssa.

Today, we are at Thatch Caye (http://www.thatchbelize.com/), and we are getting ready to go snorkeling! Pray that there are no meetings with StingRays, but that we do get to see so many of God's creations. Thank you ELCC for your prayers, and we look forward to getting back tomorrow. We are scheduled to be in Charlotte around 5:30 pm. Continued prayers for safe travels and cooperative customs is appreciated!

Happy Birthday Bubba!!!

Dios Les Vendiga....God Bless You

Last night the team enjoyed a great worship time as we were joined by David and Dube, the Nigerian missionaries, Frankie, the pastor from River of Life, and Abby, his wife, as well as Omar and Alyssa. It was a great night of worship, praise and thanksgiving.

Judy with Frankie and Abby's Daughter Anna

Other notable events yesterday inluded Judy Brazzel's attempt to fall through the swinging bridge that we must cross to get to camp. Fortunately, Judy has been a trooper today and is keeping her knee elevated. Richard Rice took the liberty to eat a grub from a Belize nut from a palm tree on Monday, and he paid the price yesterday as his body was not feeling well. During our worship time last night, we laid hands on Judy and Richard, and we prayed that God would heal their injuries and sickness.

Judy in Trailer Behind Quad After Falling on Bridge

Our teams went back out this morning. Amy, Taylor, and a Stem Leader Shanda went to a preschool to share with the students. Peter, Eric, Robert, Beth, Lisa, and Sereta went to a small village on the Guatemalan border to pray for the village that has been recently hit hard by a flood. They also were able to give many clothes, thanks to ELCC, to many of the flood victims. They also gave school supplies to the local school. In addition, Beth and Lisa were able to work with Abby and a child that had been diagnosed with autism and work with that child's teacher. What a great opportunity to spread God's love!

Children at the Pre-School

Barry, Chuck, and Gary went to the children's home to build a wall that would separate the children from the street. This is key to keep the children from running into the street.

Dan, Scott, Josh, Tom, Lee, and Bubba went to the church again today to continue work on the church. I can't even begin to describe the poverty level around this church. The pastor's house is next door, and I will put up photos for all of this when we return. Rest assured that unless you have been to a third world country, you have never seen anything like this. Their house is a one-room shanty that does not have doors or windows, or power, or even running water. Yet, here is this pastor and his brother working diligently and praising God the whole time for his amazing grace and faithfulness! That is a lesson in humility for all of us! We had some amazing time together with the local village, and several stopped by. Even Bubba learned to say Dios Les Vendiga, as well as Mi Hermano/a en Cristo (My Brother/Sister in Christ) when talking with the natives. We were able to deliver several of the children the clothes that had been given by East Lake, and within 30 minutes there were 10 or more children running around sporting the clothes we provided.

Pastor Gilberto Perez's Family and House

Taylor Reading to Children at Pastor Gilberto Perez's House

Finally, praise God that Richard is feeling better and is able to help Mike Lackey today as they are building a counter and cabinets to be used for life skills instruction with the special needs children. Mike has shown an innate ability to be precise with his measurements, as this job has only required 3 trips to the hardware store, compared to the 4 trips to Lowe's when he takes on a project back home.

Thank you East Lake for your prayers. Thank you for your words of encouragement! Please pray for our leadership as we determine if this is where God wants East Lake to partner in the future!

The work begins!

The team went in 4 different directions, today. Our first group began work at a church just down the street from where we are staying. They will be laying block for this Spanish speaking congregation. The church is thrilled to have them come as it is an answer to prayer as they are bursting at the seams to fit inside their old building.

Principal of Peace Church Before Our Work Began

Barry, Dan, Josh, and Lee Begin Laying Block

Scott Martin Shoveling the Cement Mortar

The second group began working on the cabinet that will be used as a teaching tool for disabled children - the goal is to teach the children to cook and other life skills.

Mike and Richard Working on Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop for Special Needs Classroom

The third group began their day at the Children's Home - mixing and pouring cement that will be the foundation for a fence that will keep the children safe from the traffic that is 25 feet from their front door.

Barry Laying Block at the Children's Home

They spent the afternoon mixing and pouring cement that will be the foundation for a wall that will keep dust and noise down for a pastor and his family.

Chuck, Omar, and Eric Helping Pastor Frankie at His House

The 4th and last group spent the morning with 40 preschool children - you can imagine the fun we had! Stories, coloring, snacks, singing..,..etc!

Taylor Is Still Just a Kid Inside

Sereta with the Children

This afternoon we are visiting the children at The King's Children's Home in Belmopan - loving on, playing with and tutoring them. Wish you could be here ~ thanks for your continued prayers.

Beautiful Alexa Found a Comforting Place with Amy

Children's Home From Front - You Can See How Close the Road Is - And Footer for the Block Wall and Fence

Erik Playing with the Children

p.s. pray for the team member that thought it would be cool to eat a grub worm - whole, he's not doing so hot today - but we found a use for that pepto!

The work begins!