Dear Belize,
The three short weeks we had together went by way too fast!
Thank you –
- For teaching me that it’s ok to be vulnerable.
- For reminding me to love on people even if they look like they have it all together- they’re usually the ones that need it the most.
- For reintroducing the quiet time that I have missed out on for too long.
- For teaching me that just stopping to listen to someone talk (even when we don’t understand a word of it) will bless them more than we could ever understand.
- For teaching me that a childlike faith is essential to get through this life. (Matthew 18:2-4)
- For your serenity.
- For your amazing Mexican Tacos, Pupusas, and Grapefruit Schweppes that have brought so much joy, laughter, and conversation.
- For teaching me that my oh so guarded heart is worth breaking down and sharing with others (a work in progress).
- For proving that its possible to live in a community of girls 24/7 without gossip and judgement.
- For showing me how take advantage & make my own opportunities.
And probably the biggest lesson all month: to slow down in life and be ok with just being still!
For anyone that hasn’t received updates: here are some pictures of what our ministry in Belize looked like!
We stayed at Base Camp in Belmopan, Belize. Had the sweetest host ever who royally spoiled us for the month. Thank you Miss Mona!
We spent WAY too much time at Hala Madrids (heavenly mexican food!!!)
Our main ministry was working with Pastor Craig and his family. They are preparing a safe home for a teen that is pregnant and in need of help. We did a lot of prep work to get things ready for her to move in. This consisted of a lot of yard work. Moving wood and cinder blocks, raking, mixing cement, filling the back of his truck with sawdust for a play set, built doors for the bathroom and kitchen. Hails and I painted the inside…etc..
We got to work with Pastor Craigs wife, Jadene. She runs Hope for Life (a pregnancy center). They have counseling and weekly devotions. They also are able to give moms the essentials (wipes, formula, blankets, clothing etc) on a weekly basis. We were able to help her clean the offices, organize the donated clothing, a few girls recorded a promo video for them, and we got to sit in on one of the devotion sessions and watch all of the babies.
Bethany, Pastor Craig’s daughter was also a part of our volunteer ministry. She teaches dance classes as a way to minister to young kids. We got to dance with them, entertain them before and after their dance classes, take their “dance pictures” and help paint journals for her to give her students to start sharing their stories. This was probably one of my favorites.
We served a dinner and pancake breakfast to the men of Freedom House. This is a ministry that helps integrate convicts back in to society. We also got to help a few of them with their work around our host home (building a privacy wall, shoveling rocks in the driveway etc.).
We spent a day painting at a local school.
Our teams put on VBS for the local children. We did songs, a bible story, games, crafts, & snacks.
We worked at Marla’s House which is a home for girls that were taken out of abusive homes. We went on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 2 hours. Mon & Wed we helped them with homework, and Fridays were able to play outside. They LOVE playing freeze tag. This was probably the hardest ministry to leave. Due to safety, we werent able to take pictures of the girls. But they were all so beautiful. They braided our hair for us on a rainy day.
On days that we didn’t have ministry – we would do Spiritual Scavenger Hunts as a team. We all prayed, received, and went to find. I’ll have a blog post on a cool story from one, later 🙂
Our Saturdays were adventure days and our Sundays were rest days. We got to visit the Blue Hole & Mayan Ruins.
A small group of us got to spend the night on the beach for our rest day. BEAUTIFUL.
At the end of the month we had our debrief in Caye Caulker for 4 days. To PROCESS everything that happened in Belize and relax before the beautiful HONDURAS! We had a Halloween party and spent a lot of time at the water and coffee shops. Although it was relaxing and much needed – I am ready for the next adventure.
Bring on Honduras! 🙂
