Saturday morning and both R & R groups are getting ready to head to the airport for a 12:55 departure. The San Pedro group will have breakfast and catch the 8:00 water taxi to Belize City. The southern group will stop at Cheers for breakfast on the way to the airport.
No doubt you will hear from us when we touch down in Charlotte. Plans are to arrive at church around 10:00 pm.
Prayers for safe travel and on-time transportation.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
R & R Day
Six of us began the day at Red Bank very early to see scarlet macaws, but they did not fly in this morning. We spent time with Julio at Maya Center seeing his coffee and chocolate production business and touring his Mayan Culture Center. We spent the afternoon hiking in the Cockscomb Preserve through the lush rain forest. A very good day. Reports from the group at the coast is they had a good day. Homeward bound tomorrow.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thursday Afternoon
The medical team saw 105 patients at the clinic at the BTC this morning. After lunch we loaded up the vans and headed out to the R&R destinations of San Pedro and the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve.
Since there was a glitch in uploading photos to the blog, some have been put on the FBC Marion Facebook page. The link to the page is:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/52899414899/
Prayers for safety on the water, snorkeling, and exploring the Jaguar Preserve.
Since there was a glitch in uploading photos to the blog, some have been put on the FBC Marion Facebook page. The link to the page is:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/52899414899/
Prayers for safety on the water, snorkeling, and exploring the Jaguar Preserve.
Thursday Morning
The week is going by fast. This is out last day of work - actually a half-day - before going on R&R. Wednesdays are often the hardest days on a week-long mission trip. The newness of the week has waned, the urgency to finish a job sets in, and a little weariness is there too. Wednesday was our last full day at Santa Elena School, and the medical team had. The challenge of operating two clinics about an hour apart. The logistics of setting up and talking down a clinic takes time and planning; yesterday there were two set-ups an stake downs. Add to that some overnight rain and the threat of rain during the day.
Despite al these challenges, both medical clinics went well, and the construction team got more done than originally planned. The Santa Elena Baptist Primary School has seven courses of block all around the perimeter walls on the second floor and two interior walls to the same height. Over the three days the team carried and laid about 1,000 concrete blocks.
A team from Trinity Baptist Church arrives Friday and begins work at the school on Saturday. If they match our efforts, the walls will be close to full height.
The medical team is having a clinic today at the Baptist Training Center until noon. After lunch, most of the team will travel to Belize City to catch the water taxi to San Pedro on one of the cayes off the coast. A few will be traveling south to the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve with Steve Little to hopefully see the scarlet macaw and hike around the preserve.
If the Internet connection and pictures are uploaded I will post pictures from yesterday later. I may not have any connection, so if there are no posts, that is the reason.
Prayers for travel mercies and safety for our R&R and return home on Saturday. We should be at the church by 10:00 pm.
Despite al these challenges, both medical clinics went well, and the construction team got more done than originally planned. The Santa Elena Baptist Primary School has seven courses of block all around the perimeter walls on the second floor and two interior walls to the same height. Over the three days the team carried and laid about 1,000 concrete blocks.
A team from Trinity Baptist Church arrives Friday and begins work at the school on Saturday. If they match our efforts, the walls will be close to full height.
The medical team is having a clinic today at the Baptist Training Center until noon. After lunch, most of the team will travel to Belize City to catch the water taxi to San Pedro on one of the cayes off the coast. A few will be traveling south to the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve with Steve Little to hopefully see the scarlet macaw and hike around the preserve.
If the Internet connection and pictures are uploaded I will post pictures from yesterday later. I may not have any connection, so if there are no posts, that is the reason.
Prayers for travel mercies and safety for our R&R and return home on Saturday. We should be at the church by 10:00 pm.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wednesday Morning
It rained during the night and early this morning. Praying that the rain stops so the medical clinics at La Gracia and Santa Elena will be more manageable, and the dirt road to La Gracia will be passable. At moat clinics the people must wait outside the small churches where the doctors and the pharmacy are set up. The rain will also hinder the work at the construction site. One more good day and the walls will be up seven courses of block all the way around.
The clinic at Santa Elena will be held on the completed first floor of the school, while the construction team is working upstairs. One more load of concrete blocks are coming tis morning, so we will need to get them up on the second floor before the afternoon clinic.
Heman, the BTC caretaker, took several on a tarantula hunt on the grounds here last night. The kids were excited, and Stacey Unks we especially looking forward to the hunt. She was dressed for the occasion in her homemade tarantula-proof outfit. No word yet on the results of the hunt, but no screams were heard throughout the camp last night.
Also last night, some of the medical team went to Kings Childrens Home to do well checks on the children there. There are usually 50 children at the home. Over the years our teams have done these well checks and painted and done other construction projects at the home. A new more spacious building is under construction outside of Belmopan that will greatly relieve the overcrowding at the KCH.
Pray for a dry day here in Belize. We are hearing reports of cold temperatures at home, the possibility of a wintry mix on Friday, and cold temperatures for Saturday night when we return home. Meanwhile, the 80s continue here.
Thanks for your continued prayers. Pictures may be able to come later, but I had better post this while the Internet connection holds.
Here are 2 pictures from the construction site:
The clinic at Santa Elena will be held on the completed first floor of the school, while the construction team is working upstairs. One more load of concrete blocks are coming tis morning, so we will need to get them up on the second floor before the afternoon clinic.
Heman, the BTC caretaker, took several on a tarantula hunt on the grounds here last night. The kids were excited, and Stacey Unks we especially looking forward to the hunt. She was dressed for the occasion in her homemade tarantula-proof outfit. No word yet on the results of the hunt, but no screams were heard throughout the camp last night.
Also last night, some of the medical team went to Kings Childrens Home to do well checks on the children there. There are usually 50 children at the home. Over the years our teams have done these well checks and painted and done other construction projects at the home. A new more spacious building is under construction outside of Belmopan that will greatly relieve the overcrowding at the KCH.
Pray for a dry day here in Belize. We are hearing reports of cold temperatures at home, the possibility of a wintry mix on Friday, and cold temperatures for Saturday night when we return home. Meanwhile, the 80s continue here.
Thanks for your continued prayers. Pictures may be able to come later, but I had better post this while the Internet connection holds.
Here are 2 pictures from the construction site:
The walls are going up.
Brian and Henry's wall
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
A Thought for Tuesday
Words from today's d365 devotion to carry us through the day:
Open your heart now as you would a brightly-wrapped package, Confident that the Giver of Life has provided you the greatest gift, The gift of life. Live today as a celebration, a time of giving back— To God And to all the world. |
Monday, January 21, 2013
Medical Clinic in Armenia
Every year our medical team holds a medical clinic at the Baptist Church in the VIllage of Armenia. This year they served over 187 patients treating all the usual types of illnesses, as well as a case of viral hepatitis. A nebulizer treatment was administered to a child.
Tomorrow the medical team travels Sand Hill Baptist Church near Belize City, about an hour away. This is a new place for a clinic. Pray for safe travel for them and pray for the people they will see.
Tomorrow the medical team travels Sand Hill Baptist Church near Belize City, about an hour away. This is a new place for a clinic. Pray for safe travel for them and pray for the people they will see.
Day 1 at Santa Elena School
The construction team left the BTC before 8 and drove 30 minutes to the work site. This is a picture taken of the second floor before we started work. One or two courses of block had been laid before we began work.
On the ground floor were 450 concrete blocks waiting to be carried the stairs to the second floor.
While several worked on carrying block, others began setting up for laying block, setting up mason twine to keep the walls straight and mixing mortar. The team began laying block on two then three walls.
After lunch help arrived and more blocks were carried up the stairs, until all 450 were up and ready to be laid.
By 3 in the afternoon, several walls were considerably higher than when we started. Here is the "after" shot for the day's work.
It was sunny and hot today. We are looking forward to getting started in the morning and seeing how much higher the walls are tomorrow.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Worship and Wanderings
The team all rested well and awoke to a cool morning for Belize. After breakfast we had a little time before going to worship with our brothers and sisters at Belmopan Baptist Church. Some of the construction team drove out to the construction site at Santa Elena Baptist Primary School. One course of blocks has been laid on the second floor, and stairs are done up to the second floor. We have a better idea of how we will need to start tomorrow morning. Also this morning Joe Gorecki and a few others drove to Armenia to see Ramon. This is the first time in several years that Joe has been back to Belize and had an opportunity to see his close and dear friend Ramon. He reports that Ramon is doing well. Our first medical clinic is in Armenia tomorrow, so the doctors will see Ramon tomorrow. For those who do not know Ramon, he is an 80 year old man who speaks only Spanish. One of our teams built a small home for him a few years ago and we have stayed in touch with him ever since. He an Joe have been close ever since.
The worship service at Belmopan Baptist Church brought us all joy. Prayers, testimonies, lots of singing and a sermon were shared. There is always a warmth and good fellowship we share with the church family at Belmopan.
After quick change of clothes and lunch several went to the village of La Gracia to celebrate Anna Patricia's 15th birthday with her family and church. The rest of the team went to the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich. Most everyone climbed around the ruins and enjoyed the view from the top of El Castillio, the 120 foot structure. Some howler monkeys put on a show in the trees for us as well.
The day was ended with a traditional Belizian dinner at Clarissa Falls and devotions and planning for tomorrow. The construction team will leave for the work site at 7:30 and the medical team will leave for an all day clinic in Armenia.
An added joy on the trip this year is having the "Mini-Amoeba" with us - that would be Steve and Carolyn Young's two daughters, Stephanie and Stacey and their grand daughters Shelby, Sophie, Mia, and Gracie. The addition of young people always brings added energy and perspective to the team.
Pictures aren't loading tonight, so just the words will have to suffice.
The worship service at Belmopan Baptist Church brought us all joy. Prayers, testimonies, lots of singing and a sermon were shared. There is always a warmth and good fellowship we share with the church family at Belmopan.
After quick change of clothes and lunch several went to the village of La Gracia to celebrate Anna Patricia's 15th birthday with her family and church. The rest of the team went to the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich. Most everyone climbed around the ruins and enjoyed the view from the top of El Castillio, the 120 foot structure. Some howler monkeys put on a show in the trees for us as well.
The day was ended with a traditional Belizian dinner at Clarissa Falls and devotions and planning for tomorrow. The construction team will leave for the work site at 7:30 and the medical team will leave for an all day clinic in Armenia.
An added joy on the trip this year is having the "Mini-Amoeba" with us - that would be Steve and Carolyn Young's two daughters, Stephanie and Stacey and their grand daughters Shelby, Sophie, Mia, and Gracie. The addition of young people always brings added energy and perspective to the team.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Arrival In Belize
We landed at 12:30 and by 1:30 we were on the road headed toward Belmopan on the Western Highway. We stopped at Cheers for lunch and sat in the open air dining area. It has been cloudy all day and refreshingly cool - at least for Belize. Several put on jackets during lunch! With a slight breeze and temps in the low 70s, it feels great.
We arrived at the Baptist Training Center around 4:30 and began moving into our rooms and unpacking medicine and getting organized for next week's clinics. Steve Little is on a grocery run, and Scott and some others are getting more meds at a local pharmacy. Jane and Laticia, or dear friends and ladies who cook for us are busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.
After dinner we will have devotions and then sleep. With the cooler temperatures and the long day of travel a good night's sleep will be welcome. Tomorrow we will worship at Belmopan Baptist Church and then take an afternoon excursion to a nearby Mayan ruin.
Here is our group picture.
We arrived at the Baptist Training Center around 4:30 and began moving into our rooms and unpacking medicine and getting organized for next week's clinics. Steve Little is on a grocery run, and Scott and some others are getting more meds at a local pharmacy. Jane and Laticia, or dear friends and ladies who cook for us are busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.
After dinner we will have devotions and then sleep. With the cooler temperatures and the long day of travel a good night's sleep will be welcome. Tomorrow we will worship at Belmopan Baptist Church and then take an afternoon excursion to a nearby Mayan ruin.
Here is our group picture.
Goodnight and God Bless! We give thanks for a safe day of travel.
At the Airport
All bags and totes are checked through to Belize and we are waiting for our flight to Belize City. It may take a while after we get there to update the blog.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Here We Go!
It is Friday evening and suitcases and duffle bags are being packed and hoping they are under the 50 pound limit imposed by the airlines. We have all checked and rechecked our packing lists making sure we don't forget the necessities, and leave superfluous items at home. Insect repellant and sunscreen are two items that I have double checked as packed.
The meds and supplies for the clinics are packed in large totes, many of which weigh right at 50 pounds. Constructions supplies are ready - only one tote - since most of what we need will be purchased or borrowed from the Baptist Training Center.
Although we missed the snow Thursday night, we know it will be cold as we load up at church 5:30 AM on Saturday morning. Here is what we can expect when we arrive in Belize and for the week:
So, Tropics here we come! We ask for your prayers as we travel Saturday to Charlotte, fly to Belize, and drive to the Baptist Training Center in Camalote. Pray for the medical team and the people they will see and work to heal al week. Pray for the construction team as they work at the Santa Elena School. Pray for our safety, health, and spiritual well-being. It is exciting to go on mission, for many of us to return to Belize, serve our brothers and sisters there, and to reconnect with our friends there. Thank you for supporting us. As long as there is an Internet connection, this blog will be updated while we are there.
The meds and supplies for the clinics are packed in large totes, many of which weigh right at 50 pounds. Constructions supplies are ready - only one tote - since most of what we need will be purchased or borrowed from the Baptist Training Center.
Although we missed the snow Thursday night, we know it will be cold as we load up at church 5:30 AM on Saturday morning. Here is what we can expect when we arrive in Belize and for the week:
SatJan 26
86°
77°
Scattered T-Storms
- CHANCE OF RAIN:
- 40%
- WIND:
- NE at 5 mph
So, Tropics here we come! We ask for your prayers as we travel Saturday to Charlotte, fly to Belize, and drive to the Baptist Training Center in Camalote. Pray for the medical team and the people they will see and work to heal al week. Pray for the construction team as they work at the Santa Elena School. Pray for our safety, health, and spiritual well-being. It is exciting to go on mission, for many of us to return to Belize, serve our brothers and sisters there, and to reconnect with our friends there. Thank you for supporting us. As long as there is an Internet connection, this blog will be updated while we are there.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Looking Forward to a Visit with Ramon
Steve Young and Mark Burton with Ramon
Several years ago our construction team built a small house for Ramon, an older gentleman who lives in the Village of Armenia. Each year Ramon is seen by the doctors at the medical clinic at the Baptist Church in Armenia, and several of us visit Ramon at his home. Although Ramon only speaks Spanish, and most of us speak very little Spanish, a bond of friendship has developed over the years and we find a way to understand one another. On several visits Pastor John from the Baptist Church in Armenia translates for us, and ends our visits with a group prayer. Holding hands in a circle, and listening to Pastor John's prayer in Spanish is one of the most moving experiences I have witnessed. While I cannot understand all he says during the prayer, there is a palpable current that runs through us that can only be the Holy Spirit. How blessed we are to know Ramon.
This year, we look forward to a visit with Ramon. For Joe Gorecki, it will be a special moment since he hasn't seen Ramon for a couple years.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
First Baptist Church of Marion's Belize Partnership
Our church sent 9 members to Belize in February 2005 on a medical and construction mission trip. This trip laid the groundwork for a five year partnership with the Baptist Association of Belize. In 2010, we extended the partnership, A medical and construction team has gone on mission to Belize every January from 2006 to the present. Each year, the medical team of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals - along with volunteers to assist - have conducted clinics in rural villages throughout the Cayo District of Belize. Each year the medical team serves hundreds of men, women and children at 4 or 5 locations, usually in small churches in local villages.
The construction team has worked at churches, schools, and private houses throughout the Cayo District. Three houses in the village of Camalote have been built or repaired, and one house in the village of Armenia. In addition, an agricultural mission has provided vegetable seeds to individuals and cattle breeding to strengthen the herd at the Central Farm in Belize. A music mission established a hand bell choir at Belmopan Baptist Church, providing a hand bell set and instruction.
Two teams of college students in 2007 and 2009 have gone to Belize painting churches, visiting an orphanage, and conducting a VBS. Last summer our first youth mission trip went to Belize, completing three painting projects in a week.
This January our medical team has planned four clinics to be held in village churches and at the Baptist Training Center as well as conducting well checks at the Kings Childrens Home. The construction team will be working on the second floor classrooms at Santa Elena Baptist Primary School. This is a joint effort by several churches in North Carolina working to complete the school for the village of Santa Elena.
The mission team thanks the church family and the community for continuing to support the Belize partnership this year and over the past eight years. Each mission team member pays his or her travel and subsistence expenses. Money raised by the church and community goes toward medicines and supplies for the clinics and construction supplies for projects.
Please be in prayer for the mission team this week as they prepare to leave and for safe travel on their departure on Saturday, January 19.
The construction team has worked at churches, schools, and private houses throughout the Cayo District. Three houses in the village of Camalote have been built or repaired, and one house in the village of Armenia. In addition, an agricultural mission has provided vegetable seeds to individuals and cattle breeding to strengthen the herd at the Central Farm in Belize. A music mission established a hand bell choir at Belmopan Baptist Church, providing a hand bell set and instruction.
Two teams of college students in 2007 and 2009 have gone to Belize painting churches, visiting an orphanage, and conducting a VBS. Last summer our first youth mission trip went to Belize, completing three painting projects in a week.
This January our medical team has planned four clinics to be held in village churches and at the Baptist Training Center as well as conducting well checks at the Kings Childrens Home. The construction team will be working on the second floor classrooms at Santa Elena Baptist Primary School. This is a joint effort by several churches in North Carolina working to complete the school for the village of Santa Elena.
The mission team thanks the church family and the community for continuing to support the Belize partnership this year and over the past eight years. Each mission team member pays his or her travel and subsistence expenses. Money raised by the church and community goes toward medicines and supplies for the clinics and construction supplies for projects.
Please be in prayer for the mission team this week as they prepare to leave and for safe travel on their departure on Saturday, January 19.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)