Today marks the sixth day of our return to Belize to do ministry. We were here for 3 weeks at the end of July and flew back in last Tuesday for another 3 weeks. The weather here is very hot and very humid. The air outside is so heavy at times and the sun is very intense. I miss the cool comfort of indoor air-conditioning, but will settle for the fan that at least stirs up the air and does cool us off a little. I am very thankful for electricity where we are staying but when it goes off it is stifling to say the least. All that to say, be thankful for the conveniences that we have and never take them for granted!
We are here to do some ministry with The Baptist Tabernacle. It is a small church on the outskirts of Belmopan and the pastor is a precious young man named Job Lopez. Jimbo and I are working along side him and his church members to try and help them in their outreach program and also in some church planning and organization.
Those of us from the states really can't understand the workings of the church in various parts of the world. Things are so different here. Life is so different here. People are so different here. Many of these churches are in very poor areas and the people that come to them must be within walking distance as most of them don't have vehicles for transportation. A lot of people around this area ride bicycles but it is hard to bring a family to church on a bike. There are a lot of children that attend church without their parents. We have noticed a huge majority of the people in this area do not attend church at all. Apathy and complacency are not just in America, but here in Belize as well.
It is good to see that there are still people that love the Lord and who have a desire to grow in Him. I am looking forward to working with the women of the church and help them to develop some bible study habits and to help them organize a time for women to come together for fellowship and the study of God's Word.
We love having the opportunity to come back to places that we have been because it enables to begin to develop relationship with the people and that is so important when you are trying to minister God's love to them. When we were here in July, there was a young couple, Mike and Bessie, in the church that already had 2 young children and she had just given birth to premature twin boys. They weighed 3 pounds each at birth and wound up spending several months in the hospital. One of the babies was really sick while were here and had to have a blood transfusion. He wasn't doing very well at all. The church and our mission team began praying for this precious little boy and his brother and God heard our prayers. I was able to go visit the family on Saturday and the boys are home and growing and doing so well! They are over 6 pounds now and are healthy and thriving. I love seeing how God works and I love seeing His goodness in all parts of the world!
Please pray for us as we endeavor to do what God has called us to do. Sometimes it's hard. Sometimes we get tired and frustrated. Sometimes we just want to be back home where things are comfortable and convenient. But, for now, God has called us to be out on the mission field. He has called us to be His hands and feet in a world that needs Him so desperately. We just continue to follow where He leads and trust in His provision and His protection. He has never let us down and He has provided abundantly and sweetly to our ministry. He is so good and I love Him so.
"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!" (Psalm 27:13)
