Asbury UMC from Madison, WI
Orange Walk in Belize, January 24 to January 31, 2009
Local Pastor: Pastor Angel • PPM Staffers: Heather Swartz, Rachael Strycharz, Burton Brooks, and Jason Swartz
Ministries: Children's Home, Hospital, Construction, VBS, Door to door, Church, Men's and Women's Bible Studies, and Evangelism Service.

Ministries

Renewing Relationships
by Jason Swartz
January 24, 2009 at 08:45 PM

Praise God! We all arrived safely today. We were welcomed by the PPM staff at the airport along with the 75 degree weather! Today, God touched our hearts, as we fellowshiped and interacted with the children at the Children's Home in Belize City. Some of us reconnected with faces we had seen just a year ago. What a blessing to return again and share God's Love with the children and staff. As evening approached, we drove north to Orange Walk, Belize. At our team meeting, we were blessed by Pastor Angel's presence! We were able to give him the donated guitars. He was very surprised and very happy for this great addition to the church. We look forward to a good night's rest before we gather together in the Lord's house. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Children's Church
by Jason Swartz
January 26, 2009 at 08:33 AM

On Sunday Morning we had the opportunity to lead the Children's service. It was wonderful to reconnect with the church members and children. What a joy to be leading this excited group of children.

Donated Guitar
by Jason Swartz
January 26, 2009 at 08:37 AM

On Saturday Night when we arrived in Orange Walk, Pastor Angel came out to meet and greet us. At this time we presented him with two guitars for his church. In this picture, his 11 year old son is playing the guitar the next morning! Pastor Angel was overwhelmed with this great gift. It blessed our hearts to see it put to good use right away.

Our own Children's Pastor
by Jason Swartz
January 26, 2009 at 08:40 AM

Conor had the opportunity to speak at the children's church. He shared about his life, the Lord, and left us with a woerd from scripture. We were blessed that he was able to share with his peers.

Armor of God
by Jason Swartz
January 26, 2009 at 08:46 AM

At Children's church, Emily taught us a song about the armor of God. We enjoyed the actions to the song tremendously! We enjoyed a great Belizean cooked meal at the church before getting ready to visit the hospital. We were given a tour of the Northern Regional Hospital and then allowed into the various wards to visit and pray with the folks. At night, we went back to church. The small church overflowed with worshipers! We look forward to helping with the much needed extension on Monday. Thanks for your prayers. Everyone is healthy and having an experience of a lifetime!

Well underway...
by Jason Swartz
January 28, 2009 at 08:21 AM

We have had an incredible last two days of ministry! Monday morning we began working on the church addition. We continued to work on building forms to pour the cement. We also had the opportunity to sort out the VBS supplies and hold our first VBS. It was raining here and 70 degrees. About 85 children came out. It was awesome to reconnect with the children we worked with last year. Many of the children remembered our names. Yesterday morning we drove out to Lamani. We had a guided tour of this magnificent area. We saw wild animals including two troops of Black Howler Monkeys. In the afternoon, we shared life stories with one another and made our way back to the church for day 2 of VBS. We had close to 150 children this time around. At night we held a mens and womens Bible study at the church. We were blessed to have so many local adults come out and fellowship with us. The highlite of the night was the incredible prayer time we had at the end. Praise be to God for an incredible last couple days. Thanks again for all your prayers. We are hoping you can join us next year!

Construction
by Jason Swartz
January 28, 2009 at 08:25 AM

Hard at work!

VBS fun.
by Jason Swartz
January 28, 2009 at 08:40 AM

Gathering together to sing the Lord's Praise.

Learning about the Maya
by Jason Swartz
January 29, 2009 at 11:39 AM

One of the amazing sights at Lamani.

Learning about the Maya
by Jason Swartz
January 29, 2009 at 11:45 AM

One of the amazing sights at Lamani.

Top of the Temple to You.
by Jason Swartz
January 29, 2009 at 11:51 AM

During our tour of the ruins, we were able to climb several of the structures. Here we are on top of the high temple - the highest ruin in Lamani. Even though there are many STEEP steps alongside a safety rope to get to the top, we found that training the monkey to take our picture was the most difficult part of it all :)

Incredible Plant Life!
by Jason Swartz
January 29, 2009 at 11:56 AM

We also enjoyed the plant life along the trail through the ruins. Spectacular trees, flowers, and plants surrounded us as we walk from one structure to the next.

Blessed
by Jason Swartz
January 29, 2009 at 12:05 PM

On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to go into the local school and give a presentation to the children. In the morning, we also resumed construction on the church. This service project lasted the whole day. Once we started pouring the cement we continued to work right unto supper. Some of us had the opportunity to go prayer walking in the afternoon. All of us took a way great experiences as the Lord blessed that time. We also had about 225 children at VBS! Not only has this been a great ministry, but it has also been heart warming to see Pastor Angel tear up with joy as our team partners with his church. He has a huge heart for the Lord and the people in Orange Walk and Belize. At night we held an evangelism service at the church. It has been wonderful to have this constant fellowship with the church members throughout the week. Thanks for your continued prayers!

School Assembly
by Jason Swartz
January 29, 2009 at 09:11 PM

Today we had our final school assembly. It was wonderful to have the chance to share with the school. We were blessed to hear from the children as well. Pastor Harold shared a message during this time too. We finished our last touch ups with the construction project and also had the opportunity to do some prayer walking and door to door visits. Today at VBS we set a new record... 266 children!!!!! There were more that had to go home early. The little church was PACKED. VBS songs rang out into the streets and community. As the night came to a close we shared our heartful thanks to Pastor Angel and he to us. This has been an amazing week. We look forward to seeing you all at home and sharingthe expeiences God gave us here in Belize.

Comments

The Petyon Family

Your wonderful work is an inspiration to us all! Your spirit and devotion to this mission trip is shown on the faces of all in the photos. We're sending you blessings for the rest of your trip and praying for safe travels home. Looking forward to hearing some of your touching stories at your return. Love and Belief!

Gwen

What an inspiration! God is so good. He's doing amazing things through each of you. I think of you often and can't wait to hear your stories in person. Thank you for being His disciples and for sharing your faith. Blessings on your trip home. Gwen

Jim & Tee

It's exciting to see the pictures and to read how God is using all of you to share His love with the people of Belize. I pray that you continue to impact them in a powerful way. Good job "Jr. Children's Pastor " Connor! Can't wait to hear all about the trip when you get back. Take care. To God be the Glory! Love you H, W, & 3 C's

Jim & Tee

It's exciting to read how God is using all of you to share His love with the people of Belize. I pray that you continue to impact them in a powerful way. Good job Jr. Pastor Connor! Can't wait to hear all about the trip when you get back. Take care. To God be the Glory!! Love you H, W, and the 3 C's

Alvin Menninga

It's so nice to see pictures from your trip already! It looks like you're already having a great time and having an impact on the people you have met. A special hello to Kristi and Nick Menninga. Hope you're enjoying the warm weather! We are all praying for you!

The Hershbergers

It's great to see your smiling faces! Praying for you and all the lives you will touch and be touched by! Enjoy the sun and the warmth of the people of Belize!

Nicole Biessman

I love your photo. Thanks be to God for your safe travels and reunion with friends from before. Have to say I missed Pastor Harold at church today, but enjoyed Pastor's Ty's message and the Bible 101 study class joked that she summed up our class perfectly with her message about the bible. I pray for your mission work and for your hearts to be open to all that God shows you. Continue spreading the Good News! And keep smiling.

Fellow Pelicans

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BECKY! We hope you are enjoying your special day as you are serving in Belize.

Jennie O.

I wish I were there with you all again! I praise God for the brothers and sisters in Christ we have in you, Asbury, and in the foks at El Buen Pastor. God bless you with His Spirit and with joy in His presence. Love and hugs to you.