Hooray! We have completed our journey to Belize! A bit tired, but so excited, we landed in Belize, borded our bus, and headed South! After a relaxing lunch at "Cheers"...and LOTS of picture taking, we continued on our journey to reach Independence! It was an incredibly beautiful journey through the mountains and rainforest. Though many were tired, few slept. Most listened as Burton (PPM staff and super bus driver), shared many interesting facts about the country that he calls home! Our long ride was a great time of fellowship, getting to know one another, and bonding as a team!! We arrived in Independence, at Hotel Hello, just before supper! Shortly after our arrival, and getting settled in our rooms, we had supper, there at the Hotel, followed by some local fresh fruit! After our brief orientation meeting, we did some visiting about the next day's church services, that we would be leading, and headed for bed! Needless to say we were all in need of rest, after our days journey...But, we were blessed by our time together and all SO VERY excited about the work that we have planned to do, here!

God is so good and was faithful to guide us, safely, to Independence. We all cannot wait to see what HE will do through us this week!

Love, Blessings, and many thanks for your prayers!!

Today was an incredible first day of ministry. As we woke up today to the sounds of crickets and bird calls, got dressed in our Sunday’s best and prepared for church. We boarded our favorite bus with the green stripe and went into Mango Creek to lead church with Pastor Ramsey. As we entered the doors of the church, we were greeted by warm welcomed feelings. We were shown the sanctuary and the classrooms where we would be hold Sunday school. We split up into our different classes and had an adult class, youth class, and children’s class. What an amazing opportunity it was to share together of God’s love in a small setting and have one-on-one time with the congregation of Mango Creek. As Sunday school came to a close, church started as we were introduced and welcomed by Pastor Ramsey. We came together and had worship of traditional and contemporary music. Testimonies were given and it was such a blessing to hear from some of the students of Baylor and what God has put on their hearts to share. Pastor Gary preached the message and at the end had an alter call at the end of the service and we were overwhelmed when we had many people re-dedicate their lives to Christ and a young man give his heart to Christ for the first time.

And during this whole time we were waiting for our last arrival, Michelle, as she drove through the mountains in the early morning to soon be greeted by the team.

As we finished church, you would not believe, but we already had people coming up to up asking about the medical clinics. Dr. Dale saw some patience in the back Sunday school classroom and the rest of the team had the opportunity to do training in conversational areas. We headed back to the hotel for our traditional Belizean mid-meal and spent the afternoon finishing last preparations so that we would be ready to go tomorrow.

After supper we started the five-minute walk down the road to Pastor Simpson’s church for the night service. And were once again greeted with warm welcomed arms. Pastor Simpson’s heart is so big and to see his smile of how excited he was for us to be at his church serving made all our hearts joyful. Another service filled with music lead by Tiffany, special music by Pastor Gary and Shelia, testimonies and also another incredible message of forgiveness. As we left we were so excited to come back tomorrow and share in what God has planned. What a blessing of a day – and to think, this is only day one! We thank God for all the opportunities we had today.

Our day began bright and early as we shared in a great breakfast and boarded the bus for Red Bank, the first community where we would provide for the medical needs and spiritual needs of the people there. As we entered the Mayan village, there was almost a quiet stillness, peace as we arrived. We headed into a beautiful church, which is surrounded by thatched roofed huts. As we started in our area where we would be working for the day, we mentally placed our stations of registration, blood sugar readings, blood pressure, the doctor’s office and the pharmacy. And off we went taking our positions at the church and the church started to flood with people. Even before we were ready for anyone. As we started getting individuals numbers and taking them through the lines, it was an amazing learning experience and a blessing to talk with one-on-one, hear about their struggles as well as pain they might be enduring. By midday we had already seen 34 families, which contained about 3-6 people per family. It was incredible to see the ministry that was done and how God used each and every person to make the ministry a success. Many of us had the chance to go out into the village of Red Bank and gather information for the Red Cross that will aid in providing aid and relief if a disaster should occur. During that time, we prayed with people in their homes and for the village along our way from house to house. It was yet another way that we were able to meet the needs of the people of Red Bank. Following our time in Red Bank, we returned to Independence and led the local children in songs, games and craft times during our first day of VBS. We had 120 kids and it was only day one! God was so good to give us the energy to accomplish so much in only one day. We can’t wait to see all that he will do in and through us during our time here.

Starting our our day was once again perfect as we went down the street to eat at Sherley's Dinner for breakfast. And as we continued our traditional Belize meals we were able to not only experience fry jacks now but also johnny cakes. We then started our adventure for the day picking up lovely Ms. Wilma at the Poly Clinic to come accompany us today at the clinic. Soon after we dropped about half the team of at the Independence High School to enter the classrooms and give abstinence and sex education talks to the students, the rest of the team entered into the village of Trio for another day of clinic ministry.

At the school it was almost overwhelming as we took steps off of the bus and saw all the students in their matching white tops and kaki bottomed uniforms. As the students were finishing their assembly on the basketball court, they rushed back to their designated classrooms and awaited the arrival of the team. We split up, boys and girls and went to our appropriate room as we started to educate the students. We had the opportunity to discuss family from a biblical stance as well as the precious gifts God gives us. It was incredible to have the opportunity to be with students just slightly younger than the majority of us and be mentors to them. They were so receptive and asked a lot of questions. And the morning was toped off when we had 20 females accept Christ and 27 males... including the teacher accepting Christ!!!

Meanwhile, back at the clinic, before we even arrived... there were already over 30 people in line ready to see us! We started as soon as we walked in the door, taking names, doing pre-testing like the day before and even offering glasses for individuals. It was incredible, and such a blessing to be in a village that does not receive medical attention because of how far away they live. We also had an opportunity to go out again and visit homes on behalf of the Red Cross. And just as our day was coming to a close we were approached with a baby that was extremely dehydrated and if did not get to a hospital immediately, would die. It is incredible how God places divine appointments for his perfect plan. We thank God so much for using us as tools of Him to be where we were today so we were able to get this child the care it needed... care to live another day.
To think this was only half the day, we headed back to Independence to get ready for VBS. We were so excited to see those little faces again, and to think that we had 120 yesterday, we cant wait to see how many more little ones might come out!

Can you picture about 40 youth and 30 team members, together in one room, running from one side to the other? That right there wraps up how amazing Youth night! We had an amazing turn out and was able to partner with Independence Nazerene Church to lead Youth night. We oppened in increddible worship and had a time of testimonies shared as well as ending with some pretty crazy games! It was just a blessing to spend time with the youth and have quality one on one time.

Another spectacular day is what we had the blessing to experience. As we woke up this morning, we were ready to go out, talk to another group of students in the High school of Georgetown as well as heading back to Red Bank for continued ministry in the village. As we droped of a group to head into the schools, it was a little different than the day before, where we were at, but none the less, just as impactful. Many students were asking questinos in both the male and female classes. And once again, at the end many students once again accepted Christ!!!!!! Praise God!

Back in the village, we had the clinic up and running agian with returning patients. A blessing of today was the Clinic in Indendence, donated some medicine that we did not have access to, in order to help the community of Red Bank. Today was even filled with many home visits brought to the clinic. We went to one house were we transported a lady who was 80 years old to come see the doctor and was physically unable to move.

Another lady we went to bring to the clinic very much did NOT want to come but in walking through the village a couple days prior, found a woman who had a very bad infection in her leg. As we brought her over, Dr. Schrum informed us that we needed to take the woman to the clinic ASAP to get additional meadical treatment, or there might me much worse complecations later and even the possiblity of amputation or worse. Praise God she was able to receive the attention she did today!

And dont even think for a second that we stopped here! VBS today...we had over 160 kids!!!! Little tiny boppers running down the street, yelling "VBS, VBS, VBS." That was beautiful. We had a great afternoon of loving on kids of all ages.

And then to top off the night we had a men and woman's nigth were we taught health classes to the adults of the church and had a night of fellowship.

It has been a long day, but it the tired feeling, where you would not change it for anything in the world, because we know God is smiling down at us saying, "My children, you have done good."

Wow! As we enjoy the beauty of Caye Caulker, we reflect on an amazing week!! God has been so good to us! He revealed Himself over, and over, to our team this week!! Tonight we will be so blessed as we reflect on a week of ministry that just blew us all away! In the moring as we board our water taxi, bus, and then planes home, we will be basking in the knowledge that SO much was accomplished through us, for His glory, this week! It is never easy to say good bye, but we are so blesed to be leaving with hearts full of love for the people of Independence...our home away from home, here in Belize! We will take away memories of souls won for Christ, physical and spiritual lives SAVED, lauging children at VBS, precious servants from the church there, and countless others!

Praise God for such an incredible week. He is SO GOOD!