Monthly Archive for September, 2008

Day 10 – Belize Missions Trip – March 24

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .
Monday morning we awoke, packed, ate breakfast, watched some TV and departed for the airport.  We met some people from Pennsylvania on the flight from Belize to Houston.  We talked for a while on the flight to the brother and sister who had been in Belize on vacation.  It made the flight more enjoyable.  
It was a four hour flight from Houston to Seattle and then a 3 hours drive up to Surrey.  I lost my wallet somewhere along the way and had to replace the contents.  Apparently I slept on the ride home and the plane to Seattle.  We got home at about 2am.  That is the end of our trip and the beginning of new things to come.
See Pictures: Belize Missions Trip Day 10

Day 9 – Belize Missions Trip – March 23

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , .
On Sunday we woke up at 4am for the Sunrise Service with Hattieville Baptist Church.  Pastor Mark came and picked us up in the bus and brought us to the beach where others from the church met us for the sunrise service.  It was very beautiful as the sun rose.  A lady spoke about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and we had some time of worship led by Mikael.  At about 7:30 we headed back for the hotel, I dozed off for a while on the bus.
The rest of the day we spent at the Global Village.  We had continental breakfast of egg on toast and orange juice.  We watched several movies, journaled and had individual debriefings with Jason and Carolyn where they asked us questions about the trip and then gave us encouragement, and a word they had for us.
See Pictures: Belize Missions Trip Day 9

Day 8 – Belize Missions Trip – March 22

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .
On Saturday, we woke up still at the Caye because we stayed the night there.  We spent the day around the island and on the beach.  From 9:30-11:30, Jordan, Melissa, Amanda and I rented a golf cart and toured the island, got ice cream etc.  I drove the golf cart for a while.  Breakfast was cinnamon buns :D
For lunch everyone went to the Rainbow Café and I had chicken quesidillas.  We spent the day around the Caye and I lay on the hammock for a while as some people swam.  It was a nice hot day and great to just lay around.  At 4pm we left for the mainland.  The boat ride was nice and warm and the 40 minutes was an enjoyable ride to just chill and enjoy the fast moving boat and scenery.  
Back at the Global Village Hotel, we hung out and later in the evening everyone else were in other rooms so I watched “The Pacifier” by myself.  It was nice to have some time to myself.  As much as I can cope fine around people and enjoy myself, I am an introvert, thus I need some time to myself, which I haven’t had in a while.
See Pictures: Belize Missions Trip Day 8

Day 7 – Belize Missions Trip – March 21

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .
Friday morning we woke up at 6am after a good nights sleep and headed out at 7am, dropped off our baggage at Global Village Hotel and brought our daypack to Caye Caulker.  
We went snorkeling out at the reef offshore of the caye.  It was very beautiful, and we saw and swam with barracudas, eels, sting rays and various other fish.  I took in a bunch of nasty salty water as I got distracted and put my head too low in the water.  [Pictures of underwater hopefully to come once I get the film from the underwater camera developed and on the computer].  The boat ride to the caye was about 40 minutes and very beautiful but a bit chilly because of the rain the day before.  The craft was pretty much a 25ft speed boat with twin 200hp outboards.  It was very beautiful at the caye and I took a lot of nice pictures.  
During the day we had lunch out at the Happy Lobster restaurant, wandered around, hung out at the beach and went out for a ride on a rented golf cart.
That evening we spent time reflecting on the whole week, praying, affirming each other, and worshiping under the moon and stars on the beach of the resort we were staying in for the night.  It was an amazing time of sharing affirmations with each others after praying over the week we had shared.
See Pictures: Belize Missions Trip Day 7

Day 6 – Belize Missions Trip – March 20

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .
We were up late last night from the amazing show that “The Heavenlies” put on!  But I slept like a baby for the first time.  This morning I woke up early, to the sound of rain.  After breakfast and journalling, we had the final VBS.
We didn’t know what was going to happen because it was raining really hard, but some kids showed up and then Pastor Mark showed up with two bus loads of children who had made it through the rain and were happy to be here for the last VBS.  We had a great last VBS, and it was Jon’s Birthday so we surprised him in front of the kids with a sign and song.  With our lunch we gave him his birthday card and had an amazing fudge chocolate cake that the cooks made!  
We blessed Hattieville Baptist Church by cleaning up the building and the property, and went to see the project that they are working on.  They bought over 50 acres of land and are building a camp on it.  The heart that they all have for the community in this church is huge!
See Pictures: Belize Missions Trip Day 6

Day 5 – Belize Missions Trip – March 19

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .
The sleep each night hasn’t gotten any better but I learn to cope and rely on God more and more for my daily energy.  Today we were up at 7:30am, and the VBS started at 9am again.  We had an AMAZING 126 kids!!!  It was absolutely crazy!  We did the usual as yesterday.  As we went outside I had little kids (boys and girls) clinging onto both my arms and wanting to ride on me. :)
After another amazing lunch, we went to a Care Home which is for elderly people.  But these are people who have no one, no family because it is customary to take care of elderly when they can no longer take care of themselves.  We blessed them with a drime, singing some hymns, giving them all a card and just listening to them even if we couldn’t understand them.  They spoke in broken english and spoke really quickly.
After the Care Home we walked around the community praying over it and its residents.  I asked God to show me what needed prayer.
This evening “The Heavenlies” rocked the house.  It was at a concert volume level and absolutely amazing.  There was only a pianist, drummer, and 4 vocalists out of the large band, but it was an amazing time.  The pianist was amazing; playing the bass and keys part at once, and the drummer rocked!  It was a great evening.  Pastor Mark gave a message and it was astounding to listen to the passion in that man of God.  He has been a blessing to us all week as he took off work to help out, drive us around, and serve alongside.  It has been a pleasure to have him.  I wish I could write more about every person I met individually, but it would take too long.  They all were so awesome!
See Pictures : Belize Missions Trip Day 5

Day 4 – Belize Missions Trip – March 18

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .
Tuesday, we woke up at 7:30am, cleaned up and had breakfast.  I did more journalling, and then the VBS started for the second day.
We did the same things as yesterday: worship, main point, verse, bible story, games, crafts, sports camp (optional).  I really enjoyed my second day working with the little kids.  It was really a blessing to me to be put with them.  I discovered my love for working with them, and as Colin said, “It’s like dad training”.  I was put out of my comfort zone and the next day I have kids hanging off me like I’m a tree.  It’s awesome!  God really changed my attitude towards it all and I enjoyed it a lot.  During worship I play some drums while Calin played guitar.  
After lunch we went to the Mayan Ruins which was an hour drive away from Hattieville.  It’s scary how close the buses on the road pass by each other.  When two buses come, each bus moves off the road part way onto the gravel and they pass within inches of each other!  At the ruins we got to see some amazing beauty of Belize.  It was awesome.  I took over 100 pictures (of course I didn’t post that many!).  I absolutely loved climbing up them and being a bit of a tourist for part of an afternoon.  I bought my sister and myself a carved toucan out of the wood native to Belize, and a cross for my parents.  That evening I also bought some “Belizian Heat” level four Marie Sharp’s hot sauce.  :D
After returning, we went around the community and invited people to the special service Wednesday night at 7pm.  The Heavenlies were going to come play and Pastor Mark was going to give a message.  The people were quite receptive, and much unlike Surrey, they accepted the invitation and they were open minded.  
During our evening worship and team meeting (awesome as always, and always something new) we prayed for Burton’s niece Jeannie who sings in his band.  She had some issue with her vocal chords, and after praying for her she immediately started singing.  It was awesome!
That evening I spent over an hour outside by myself where I was first drawn by the beautiful moon and stars.  I spent a lot of time talking to God about cool stuff that has been happening, thanking him etc, but then spent a lot of time praying out to him in desperation.  It was pretty awesome how when I was in that point of absolute desperation, He came and that’s where I felt the love of God!!
See Pictures: Belize Missions Trip Day 4

Day 3 – Belize Missions Trip – March 17

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .
Monday morning I woke up from another sleep on benches with a sleeping bag.  Although the showers are cold, they are refreshing.  We woke up at 8am, had breakfast and had to be ready for the Vacation Bible School by 9am.  I did some journalling after breakfast and then the kids arrived.  We had about 70 the first day.
So in the VBS we had the point for the day: God’s Love is Powerful, the memory verse, some fun songs with actions, a bible story acted out, and then went off to do crafts, and games.  I was put with the little kids (ages 1-8) and I almost wanted to scream no!  I had never worked with little kids before, and didn’t know how, but I am thankful that I was forced to stretch myself because it was an amazing experience.  I got in there and got my hands dirty, tried to help them with their crafts etc.  After the VBS is a (11am) is a 45 min. sports camp out on the field and we play various games in the insane humid heat :) .  
We had lunch and then went to the Youth Hostel which is basically like juvenille hall for kids whose parents couldn’t deal with.  Amanda, Jon, Breanna, and Jordan gave their amazing testimonies, we did the Everything drime, and Colin and I led worship.  We didn’t know at the time, but afterwards were impacted by being told how much the drime, and testimonies, and worship impacted them.  
I found out that one of the P.P.M. leaders, Burton Brooks, is part of a band called “The Heavenlies” and they had the top gospel/secular record last year.  He’s such an amazingly humble guy.  I bought both of his CD’s.  They are awesome.  
With my meals I’ve eaten a lot of hot sauce.  I have been covering everything with heavy doses of it.  I love it!  We also practiced our drimes and got some pictures.
See Pictures: Belize Missions Trip Day 3

Day 2 – Belize Missions Trip – March 16

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .
After not quite enough sleep (we were awake 38 hrs yesterday) we woke up Sunday morning at 8am.  I got into journalling and I kept a detailed journal as well as devotionals of each day.  I have over 18 pages journalling.  Yesterday God gave me amazing strength and energy to get through the day despite my sleep deprivation.
We taught Sunday School for little kids in the morning.  I helped them make crafts and play games.  We got an awesome sermon on “Keeping Our Pledges” from Pastor Hugh and a time of worship.  Boy do they know how to worship.  
After an amazing lunch, from the awesome cooks who worked so hard in a kitchen well over 40˚C everyday to make lunch and dinner for us, we went to the national prison.
There we had a time of worship led by Calin, and Colin, I gave my testimony and we did the drime “Everything”.   God worked in me as I did my testimony because despite being nervous I was able to speak for well over 7 minutes and the words just kind of flowed out as I looked out to the group of approx. 30 that were gathered there.  
That evening was another service and Jason (our leader from church) spoke.  I felt sick so I took some Immodium and sat outside.  
Each evening we had a team meeting with the three leaders from Praying Pelican Missions.  It was amazing to see us all singing and worshiping because every night that we did it, the whole room was full of our voices, so strong and loud.  It is a time I look forward to every night as we get a chance to share, reflect, pray and worship.  Our team worked the whole week with amazing unity and leadership.
For More Pictures See: Belize Missions Trip Day 2

Day 1 – Belize Missions Trip March 15

Published on September 1, 2008 in Belize Missions Trip. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .
Well, our plane took off at 11:55pm from Sea-Tac airport Seattle Friday night.  We arrived in Belize at about 10am Saturday morning and as we stepped off the plane we were immediately hit with a wall of hot humid air!  We went to the Global Village Hotel, ten minutes from the airport, and had lunch.  The bottles they have for pop are cool because they give you real glass bottles :) .  
After lunch we went to a Children’s Home (Orphanage), but not all children are necessarily orphans, rather their parents may have been unable to take care of them.  (sorry we weren’t allowed to take pictures there).  The kids are so cute!  All they desire is for you to pick they up, play with they and give them rides on your back.  So all 14 of us plus leaders (having had no sleep for 24 hours by now) played with the kids for over 2 hours.  
That evening, after having arrived at Hattieville Baptist Church and having dinner, we attended and played at the Youth service.  The Belizian people are very passionate Christians and their worship and talks are inspiring.  
Sleeping was hard that evening because we were all sticky and sweaty, and even after showers it was hard to sleep because of the heat and humidity.
For More Pictures See: Belize Missions Trip Day 1