Travel Update 5 – 7/21

We’ve landed in Richmond!!! What a day! What a week! We serve an incredible God, and we’re so grateful for your prayers and support!

Travel Update 4 – 7/21

We’ve boarded the plane and are awaiting takeoff!

Travel Update 3 – 7/21

Friends! We are awaiting boarding at our gate! We ended up having plenty of time to eat and enjoy each other’s company! Lots of French fries and burgers are in our belly!

Customs and Security went more smoothly than we could have imagined! So grateful for a smooth travel day!

Travel Update 2 – 7/21

We have landed in Atlanta! Our next flight is on time as of right now!

Travel Update 1 – 7/21

We’ve made it through security and are awaiting boarding for our flight to Atlanta.

Our Delightful Assignment – 7/20

I can’t believe today was our last full day in Belize. Ten days go by really fast when you’re serving Jesus.

We began our last day like we have everyday—breakfast on the rooftop. We had banana pancakes, eggs, watermelon, pineapple, ham, sausage, juice and sweet tea.

After we had breakfast, we filled our water bottles and loaded the van to head to Light of the Valley for the medical clinic. Less than 3 minutes into our trip, the van locked up and stopped working. The brakes wouldn’t work and the steering wheel locked up, but our God went before us. The van stopped at the juice factory just two yards before a metal barrier. We were so thankful for God’s provision. We called for help so we could still make it to the medical clinic in time for help. Kidz Konnect sent Clifton with the bus to drive us to Light of the Valley.

When we arrived at the medical clinic, we met up with Becky. She directed us on where to go. Working medical is all about being flexible. We go where we’re needed and don’t complain. Bernie and some of the boys made balloon animals and entertained the kids all day. Tiffany got to work in the pharmacy, and she ROCKED it! Jennifer was in her element working in triage. Kerstin and Brooke got to prick a few fingers. Sydney and I helped the eye doctor, and we helped people pick out their glasses. Maddie rocked it out with the kids and kept them entertained all day! Amy talked to people while they were waiting and reconnected with sweet Belizeans who were just kids when we came 8 years ago. We pitched in where needed and really worked as a team.

We were served lunch at the medical clinic. We had chicken, macaroni and cheese, salad, a roll, and a soda.

The medical clinic is always so fun to be a part of. You never know where you’re needed, and it’s a beautiful example of people being the hands and feet of Jesus. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces after simply guiding them to the next doctor is priceless. It’s the little things that make a big impact.

After we saw our last patients, we loaded the van to go back to the Macaroni. When we got back, we had thirty minutes before dinner. We used this time to pack and prepare for our travel day tomorrow.

For dinner, we had stew chicken, rice, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, salad, tamales, and cake. The cake was DELICIOUS. It was made by Annamae’s daughter, Shelika, who owns her own cake making business. It was strawberry and vanilla cake with whipped icing. During dinner was when the tears started flowing. The emotions of leaving hit us. Daniela and Celia, Annamae’s nieces, have spent the week with us. They have helped prepare meals and have been such a joy to have around. As soon as they came up for dinner, we got emotional. They feel like family now.

After dinner, we went into the village to say “see you soon” to our sweet friends. This gets harder every year, but that just means that our love is growing deeper for these people and this place. We cry and they cry when this moment comes each year. God truly blessed us with the best family 1500 miles away.

We came back up to the common room for devotion and worship. This has been such a special time for our team to grow and connect. We sang Amazed, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), and Grace Flows Down. We read Colossians 3:18-4:6. Colossians 4:4 says, “Pray that I would unfold and reveal fully this mystery, for that is my delightful assignment”. If you’ve never read through Colossians, do it. It has revealed so much truth to our team this week. It has impacted us and stretched us beyond measure.

Each year, team members write a note to each team member. This is an individual assignment and a way to reveal to other team members how we’ve seen God in them. We took our own pile of cards to read in our rooms. It’s so special to read these after serving alongside one another.

Now, here we are. Almost at the end of our 2019 Belizean journey. I can’t believe it has come and gone so quickly, but God has worked in marvelous ways this week. All the glory and honor goes to Him. I’m so thankful for this team and for the opportunity to serve alongside them. Thank you to our friends and family back home who have prayed for us and supported us.

I will post travel updates tomorrow as I am able! No news is good news! Goodnight friends!

New Life – 7/19

Happy Friday, friends! Today has been such a great day! We started our day bright and early with a sunrise breakfast on the rooftop. We had tortillas, eggs, bananas, sausage, juice, and sweet tea.

After a quick breakfast, we met for devotions. We talked about new life as it is described in Colossians. Amy opened the door for the opportunity to get baptized at the Caye today.

We loaded the bus to head to Dangriga! On the way to Dangriga, we stopped at the Crossings to pick up Robbie, Tim, and Ethan. They rode along with us to the Caye! When we got to Dangriga, we put on our life vests and hopped in the boat. Our boat crew gave us the safety regulations before we took off. We had 40 miles of water to cover, but we made a pit stop at Bird Island. Bird Island is home to the frigatebirds and the brown footed boobies.

Once we arrived at Southwater Caye, we met on the deck to receive instructions. This was the first time we’ve had the entire island to ourselves! We kayaked, paddle boarded, and swam the day away! A few people learned how to snorkel before lunch.

For lunch we had fish fingers, rolls, veggies, cinnamon buns, juice, and watermelon. Some people got fruity drinks.

After lunch, the snorkeling group went out on the boat to snorkel on the reef. The rest of us swam and napped in the hammocks.

All week we have been talking in British accents. We’re not sure why, but it’s addictive. We can’t stop no matter how hard we try. (Family and Friends back home – this is your warning! ;)) Our proudest moment was when the boat guides today asked us where we were from because they noticed our accents. (We’ve really perfected them)

Towards the end of our time on the island, we had our baptism ceremony. We invited our three friends that rode along with us. James and Tiffany both decided to get baptized today. It was so powerful to be a part of. We were in the most beautiful place with the people we’ve served with all week long. We’re so grateful for this place that has meant so much to us.

We ended our island day with photos before our boat ride back. We loaded the bus in Dangriga and drove back to the Crossings.

The Crossings was founded by Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus. There is a restaurant, shop, blacksmith, sewing room, wood shop, etc. We shopped around and got more souvenirs. Then, we treated ourselves to ice cream and sodas in the restaurant. It was delicious! While we were there, the bus wouldn’t start. There couldn’t be a better place for the bus to break down than one of Kidz Konnect’s locations. The staff was able to help get it started again, and Angie drove us back to the Macaroni.

When we got back to the Macaroni, we showered up and headed upstairs for dinner. We had to eat quickly so we could help throw/attend a surprise baby shower for Annamae’s soon-to-be granddaughter, Haven Grace Ferguson! The decorations were beautiful! Annamae wanted me to photograph the details, so I did that before dinner. For dinner, we had fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, rolls, coconut tarts, juice, and sweet tea. It was delicious!

It wasn’t long after we finished eating that the guests started arriving for the baby shower. We stayed and celebrated by playing games, eating cake, and watching Maggie open gifts.

Now, after a fun and exciting day, it’s time for bed. We have one day left in this gorgeous country, and we can’t believe it!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! Goodnight!

God is with me when life is surprising – 7/18

Hi guys! What a day we’ve had!! I can’t believe camp is over, but we’re so grateful for all that God has accomplished this week! Today we started our day on the sunny rooftop of the Macaroni! We had fry jacks, eggs, beans, pineapple, juice, and sweet tea for breakfast. Might I add, I have guessed breakfast correctly every day. I guess that’s what eight years of coming to Belize does to a person. 🙂

After breakfast, we gathered as a team because we had a lot of ducks to get in a row for camp today!

Today, we had 135 kids come to learn that God is with us when life is surprising! We talked about Jesus’ resurrection and had surprises planned all throughout the day! During opening, we reviewed each story from the week and sang a few songs. We announced the most well behaved crews from yesterday so they could get a photo with Emmanuel! They were the Gold Geckos, Pink Pandas, and Blue Baboons! After opening, we did our typical rotations.

On the second rotation, the crew leaders SURPRISED the kids by spraying silly string on them! They loved it, but I’m not sure they knew what was happening at first. Haha!

In the Interactive Story station, the kids had a baggie full of different treats to represent parts of the resurrection story. For example, Twizzlers for blood and gumballs to represent the empty tomb.

During games, the kids got to visit Emmanuel’s Slipper Shop. This is where they picked out a new pair of flip flops to take home! They spend a lot of time picking out the perfect pair!

During closing, we watched a slideshow of pictures from the whole week! The kids always love this and really enjoy laughing at all of the boys’ silly faces. After the slideshow, we handed out more SURPRISES! They got cotton candy, a tic-tac-toe game (made by other children at a VBS), bubbles, and more! During our closing song, we had confetti canons placed throughout the room. We popped them simultaneously and our grand finale SURPRISE! Their faces showed all the happiness in the world! (Don’t worry – we have pictures and videos!)

After camp, we said “See you later!” to our friends before loading our bus. We drove straight to Marie Sharp’s, the hot sauce factory in Belize.

We rushed back to the Macaroni for lunch. We had hotdogs quickly before jumping into the next part of our day.

The girls gathered for PHD. We continued our discussion of Colossians before painting canvases as a group. We also gave each girl a Pura Vida bracelet so they can match us!

After PHD, we met as a team downstairs to prep for the carnival. We learned how to make balloon animals from Bernie.

At the carnival we had ring toss, 3-legged-race, a photo booth, sack race, tattoos, balloon animals, penny toss, and more! This is always such a fun community activity!

After the carnival, our team had happy hour on the roof! We enjoyed nachos and smoothies before our pizza dinner! What a fun time of fellowship! A group of us really enjoyed sharing our testimonies with one another.

During happy hour, Annamae surprised our team members with mugs with our faces on them! She is so thoughtful and goes above and beyond to make us feel special!

After dinner, we gathered for worship. We talked more about last night’s passage, but focused on forgiveness.

Immediately following worship, we looked at all of the photos and videos from this week! We projected them onto the wall to look at as a group!

Now, it’s time for bed! I can’t believe tomorrow will already be Friday! Our time here has flown by, but God has done SO much!

Thank you for your prayers and support! I’ll talk to ya tomorrow!

God is with me when life is sad – 7/17

Hello friends! I’m coming to you from my very dark room in the hotel because the power just went out due to a storm. So, I’m sorry this blog post is going LIVE late.

Today was a good day! We started out the day with johnny cakes, hard boiled eggs, beans, pineapple, watermelon, juice, and sweet tea for breakfast. After breakfast we gathered for devotions in the common room. We left for camp soon after so we could set up.

Today we talked about Jesus’ crucifixion. This is the first time we’ve shared this story during camp, and we were blown away by how seriously the kids took it. Our Bible point for today was “God is with me when life is sad”. We had a total of 97 kids in attendance. During opening, we asked the kids what the definition of sin is. They answered with witchcraft and worshipping the devil. We wanted them to know that the definition of sin covers that and so much more. During interactive story, each kid had the opportunity to think about their sin and place it on the cross. When they felt ready, they got a red sticker from their crew leader to place on the cross. The kids took this so seriously and it was a beautiful moment where they truly realized that we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. It’s so cool watching the kids grow each year in their relationship with Jesus. Their hearts are the reason we’re here.

Today, the Blue Baboons (Kerstin’s Group) and Black Badgers (Jennifer’s Group) got to take their photo with Emmanuel! They were the most well behaved groups yesterday!

After camp, we loaded up the bus to head back to the hotel for lunch. We gathered in the common room to sort out supplies before moving upstairs for lunch. We had tostadas, empanadas, cassava pudding and juice. The tostadas were really good and the empanadas were filled with fish. We had a new juice made from rice!

After lunch, the girls gathered in the common room for PHD prep. We talked through the plan for the day. Today we covered Colossians 3:1-14. This was such a fun passage to read through with the girls! If you’ve never looked into them, look at this passage in The Passion Translation and The Message translation. They offer such a great point of view. We also spent some time in worship. We sang King of My Heart and 10,000 Reasons as a group.

During PHD, there was also a lot of other stuff going on! The construction team was at the school working on the sidewalk and they FINISHED their project 100%!!! Can you believe it?!? They have worked so hard and completed it in less than the 12 hours they expected it to take!

Also during the PHD time, Amy and Jennifer spent some time hanging out with the little kids in the village! They sat on the steps of the hotel to color and hang out. Amy, being a math teacher, was teaching the little ones square roots. They had a spelling bee, too! When we got out of PHD, we went to see what they were doing. Abel and Carlos had set up an imaginary pizza shop on a trailer in the field. They were serving delicious pizzas and cakes! 😉

When we came inside, we worked on sorting supplies for our last day of camp. During this time, we found a secret stash of snacks and enjoyed dippers, gummies, and chips! (We weren’t supposed to find this until tomorrow—but it was worth it! hehe)

After we finished sorting supplies, the construction crew came back and told us their good news about finishing the sidewalk! Then, we went to the store to pick up a few things that we needed/wanted. When we got back, it was time for dinner! We had pork, vegetable rice, salad, homemade Oreo ice cream, juice (freshly squeezed), and sweet tea. We are so spoiled with GREAT food here!

After dinner, we had a time of devotions and worship. We sang Better is One Day and 10,000 Reasons. We discussed Colossians 3:1-17 and focused a lot on verses 13 and 17. These are so vital to who we are as Christians. We had quiet time to really reflect on our time here. During our devotion time, the power went out and it got VERY dark. We had light thanks to Bernie’s phone and Brooke’s flashlight, so we were able to finish out what we had planned.

Since there’s not much you can do when the power is out, we all headed to bed.

Thank you all so much for reading, and I’m sorry it’s late!

Blessings!

God is with me when life is scary – 7/16

Happy Tuesday, friends! It’s been a great day, and I’m so excited to share it with you! We started our day at breakfast with pancakes, eggs, beans, pineapple, avocado, and juice. This morning we got to see some sunshine which was so nice after a cloudy and rainy day yesterday!

We gathered for devotions after breakfast where we continued our discussion from Colossians 2. We had a quick devotion today so we could talk through the logistics of camp. We went by a different schedule today that made it a little easier for groups to get around.

After our logistics meeting, we loaded up the bus for camp! When we got there, we had a few minutes before the bus arrived. We had a total of 114 kids at camp today. We’re so grateful for the way God has provided for our camp and for the hearts he has opened. Today we talked about how God is with us when life is scary. We discussed the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendago. This story gave crews the opportunity to talk about scary times in their own lives. Some shared that they were scared when they almost drowned or when their parents left them. The topics that we chose to talk about at camp this week are SO real for anyone. We all go through scary times, but we know that we can trust God to bring us through them.

The kids really enjoyed their craft today. They made an emoji clock to show that God is with them no matter how they’re feeling. In games, they played sharks and minnows and LOVED it! They came into my station with the biggest smiles and LOTS of sweat! In my station, Tiffany’s Teal Tigers got to take a photo with our stuffed lion, Emmanuel, because they were the most well behaved team yesterday!

We can’t believe we’re already halfway through camp! It’s crazy how time flies here! After camp, we came back to the hotel for lunch where we had patties (like hot pockets) and cabbage salad. In between lunch and PHD starting, some team members ran to the store to pick up supplies for construction. The girls stayed back to discuss the topics that the girls gave us yesterday for PHD.

Today at PHD, we continued our study of Colossians and discussed a few topics. We talked about self-esteem, purpose, and why God forgives us even when we sin. There are 10 Belizean girls there today which made for a smaller crowd. We’re excited to dive into more topics tomorrow!

During PHD, other team members went to St. Matthew’s to work on the sidewalk. I heard that James and Alex were absolute champs over there being the heavy lifters! They carried several 100 pound bags of concrete back and forth. They got about 1/3 of the way done! How exciting!

After we finished up PHD and construction for the day, we began to sort clothes. Every year we bring what can fit into the crates. Typically, we do a clothing boutique upstairs in the hotel so all of the people in the village can come and “shop” with tickets we hand out prior. This year, we didn’t pack as many clothes, so we made it a mobile boutique! We used our bus as the boutique and put the clothes in all of the seats by size and gender! While that was being set up, the other half of the team went to gather people from the village. Not only did this give them the opportunity to shop, but it gave us the opportunity to hang out! We had so much fun spending time with our friends from the village! One of our sweet friends, Denneisha came back to the village to see us so that was a special treat!

Once we finished the clothing boutique, it was time for dinner! We had fried chicken (DELICIOUS), white rice, peas, salad, cupcakes, and juice.

After dinner, we gathered for devotions. We worshipped together and continued our discussion of Colossians. We talked about how, as Christians, we get so caught up in the religion aspect that we forget that being a Christian is about having an authentic relationship with God.

We tend to get sidetracked a lot, so we did look up animal noises at one point. Let me tell you — highly entertaining if you ever get bored.

After devotions, we had team time before calling it a night. Some played Spot It, and others just chatted. We have loved spending time together.

Please be in prayer for our third day of camp as we tackle the story about Jesus dying on the cross. We know the devil will try to get in our way, but our God is BIGGER!

Thank you so much for your prayer and support!