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.
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!!!
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