Unbelizeable Update #1

Hello, from Belize!

Well, we're on Day 2 of full-time ministry here in Belize City. I thought you might like to get a brief update on how things have been going so far ...

Saturday, May 26
Arrived here with no problems at all. That evening, we had dinner at the hotel with three pastors (and one of them brought his wife). After dinner, we all met together in a meeting room at the hotel for a time of worship, followed by our four guests telling us about what is going on in Belize from a spiritual perspective. These three pastors work with the Baptist Association of Belize. Lydia, the wife of one of the pastors, said it was her "heart cry" for the youth of Belize to find the Lord. There has been increased violence among the teenagers -- with almost daily shootings.

Sunday, May 27
We attended church at Calvary Baptist Church, the church of one of the pastors we had dinner with the night before -- Samuel Brown (Lydia's husband). Our group divided up among the children, youth, young adults, and adults Sunday school classes and led the lessons in each. During the worship service, Rich led us all in a couple of songs while Lori and Cristina provided backup vocals (and I held the microphone for Rich's guitar). Then, Nathan and Jen shared their testimonies. Overall, they had about 30-40 people there. (By the way ... Lydia played the electric guitar the whole time! That's a first for me -- a jammin' pastor's wife!)

Sunday night, we attended a "singspiration" evening at Queens Street Baptist Church (the church of another one of the pastors -- Lloyd Stanford). Imagine our group mixed in with about 25 of their members -- all ages -- for an evening of music! They were gracious enough to welcome us, allow Carolina and me to say a few words -- and then they asked us for a song! So, their keyboardist played "Here I Am To Worship" while the impromptu "HFBC Adult Choir" came forward and sang as a group. After that, Lori shared a testimony.

Monday, May 28
Monday was our first full day of true ministry. We went to an orphanage and had "Happy Fun Kingdom" (that's what we referred to it among ourselves). That consisted of us playing with kids in the sandy yard and going through 500 balloons for balloon animals, hats, swords and "snakes" (for those on our team who did not know how to make anything). While they ate, we went to Subway. Standing in line in front of us were two Mormon missionaries in white shirt and black pants. That was just a snapshot of what life is like here for the Belizeans. There are people here sharing God with them from all different perspectives. You can imagine how confused they can become.

After lunch, we returned to the orphanage and broke out by age group for VBS. There are many stories that came out of this time with the kids. One that I experienced was with three boys we've dubbed "The Bible Scholars" of the group. Aaron (10), Errol (11), and Kenrick (13) know the Bible -- and share it with such boldness -- unlike any children I've met before. And Aaron in particular has such an annointing on him! Earlier the day, he was given a toy car (like a Matchbox). He was playing with it all afternoon, and told me this was the car he would have one day! In the afternoon, when he was "preaching" to us, he held out his hand and showed us the car. "Do you see this? It is just metal. When we get to heaven, it will mean nothing." At that, he threw the car over his shoulder into the dirty yard and did not look back. "These are just material things and do not count for anything here on earth." Imagine that! An orphan in a third-world throwing away a brand new toy as an illustration in a "sermon" there in the playground!

(Aaron also had a dream in which Satan drove a "white Nissan Pathfinder" and killed people with his golden fork. I'm stickin' with my Ford Explorers, thank you very much!)

Tuesday, May 29
Today, Rich, Russ, Travis and David are doing some light repairs at the orphanage while the rest of the group prepares a gospel play/presentation for this afternoon when we go back and minister to the kids some more. Carolina and I ran errands and purchased some supplies that the Director needed -- as well as some new basketballs and jump ropes! Tonight, we head out to Belmopan (the capital city) for a one-night stay. Tomorrow, we'll be at the Belmopan Baptist High School (where only 1/3 of the faculty members are believers), and will do some street evangelism at the University of Belize. Or at least that's the plan -- you know how mission trip schedules can be!

Please keep us in your prayers!