Belize is a country that I’ve come to love so much! This was my 4th time to actually go to Belize, and every year that I’ve been able to go has given me a different, yet amazing experience! Belize usually has a weather of around 87-90F, however with the humidity it makes it feel as if it’s on the 100’s! you are always sweating! Even when you are getting out of the shower! And there are usually tons of mosquitoes and all kinds of bugs that you can imagine! But with it all…. I love this country!
I thank God soooo sooo much for giving me the opportunity to make it on this mission trip, since I thought that I wasn’t going to go this year. This year it was supposed to be my mom to go and me stay with Brenda. But last minuet God changed the plans on us, and I got to go!
On this mission we were only a group of 4 of us! And at first the enemy wanted to discourage us because our group was small. But our Heavenly Father wanted it that way! Our group was small, but mighty!!!
We got to stay in the beautiful place called My Refuge. I’ve been to my refuge before and it was such a blessing to see the faces of the owners of this ministry; Mr. Richard and Mrs. Rosa Smith! They always receive us with open arms! I always think of My Refuge as a place of refuge for many and a home for all of us missionaries that need it as well! And we also got a chance to meet some amazing people on the staff that I’m sure the team and I will do our best to stay in touch to continue to encourage them on their ministries there!
while we were in Belize, we got to do various VBS’ for different kids from many villages and bring them the love of God through sharing the gospel, doing some crafts with them, bringing them goodies, and by simply spending some time with them while we played with them! It was such a huge blessing to see so many smiling faces! We went to plant God’s seed into their hearts. We probably won’t see it grow, but God will!
We also did ministry sharing by going into various churches and having our pastor Paul preach, while Carlos, Jose, and I shared some songs in worship! It was a blessing To worship with different people from different backgrounds, and in different languages at times! We knew that we were all worshipping Jesus Christ so His love bonded us!
Two amazing things that we got to do in Belize that we never expected it was; that we all got to share our testimonies on My Refuge radio station! And we also got to sing worship songs, give words of encouragement, and shared the gospel on a live TV show called Rise and Shine Belize! its awesome how God allowed us simple people to serve Him even on the Belizian media! We were a bit scared and nervous to do it, but we wee willing to say Yes to God and do it!
While at my refuge we also got to help out on whatever was needed for the ministry. And we helped build a second story building, where we assisted on mixing the cement, and putting it on that second floor. It sounds easy, but it was NOT at all!!! We were sweaty, dirty, and tired all the time! But we did it!
Mr. Richard also took is to the capital of Belize, which is Belmopan. We were there to help with its clean up. At first I thought, sure no problem, piece of cake! But boy was i wrong! We spent one whole morning cleaning and cleaning up the city, we ended up with a whole truck, a big truck full of garbage! And during our clean up we came across a tarantula and an scorpion! Crazy I know! But all I could think was… Everything that I do, I must do it for God’s glory!
During our stay in My Refuge we got to work and build great friendships with the staff members. We met an amazing married couple from Kansas; Scott and Melissa, they are missionaries there for 18 months! They listened to God’s calling, sold their house! And went to Belize to serve the least of thee!! They were a huge example to my life as fare as to show me how beautiful it is to serve God as a couple and how they were obedient to God’s calling no matter what!
We also met many different people there that forever will stay in our hearts! Every person is so different, yet so special to us and to the heart of God!
And last but not least, we got to have a day off and went zip lining and cave tubbing! Where we got to experience amazing things. We even happen to pass by a huge tarantula and our guide happen to grab it and let us all carry it! I was sooo nervous to do it, but than realized… Well I have to start trying on things and not be so scared since i may encounter things like these on the WR, and than I decided to try it!! It was weird to see this creature that God created walk all over my hand!! It was crazy, but we tried it! And yes… We were careful! And we’re safe!
Belize is a country that I love very much and this is where I have learned more how to serve others and how not to put my needs first, but to put the needs of others before mine. God has thought me a lot on this trip, and it gave me a glance of what I’ll be doing on the World Race!
I thank God for this opportunity to come to Belize and to have gotten the chance to serve along my two young man from my church; Jose and Carlos and to also see them grow in The Lord! And of course I thank God for my pastor; Pastor Paul because he also has love for this ministry and for the love and care he has for us.
Overall i was so blessed to be part of this short term mission and I will definitely continue to have Belize, My Refuge, all the kids, and amazing new friends that we met in my prayers!
Thank you Jesus!
