After getting some rest, it was time for our first ministry day in Belize. We all met up after breakfast to get a game plan about crafts & how to transport all of the supplies. We loaded up and drove to this little village called San Pablo. Something that surprised me in Belize was how far we had to drive each day to get to these villages...it was a solid 2-3 hour drive, each way to this first set of villages for sure. And it was the bumpiest, worst road conditions I have probably ever been on. Our team was split up into two groups...one of the groups stayed in San Pablo to do VBS there, while the other group...which was our group...hiked about 45 minutes across the jungle to another village called Red Bank. It was crazy hot & we even had to cross a river on a raft...it was very remote and definitely felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. It is a village that hasn't been reached by many mission groups, because it is hard to get to, so that was pretty cool. You know I'm not a very big "nature" kind of girl...I don't love being hot & uncomfortable...so I will just say that this trip definitely stretched me! I had to remind myself multiple times (a day) that its not about me, but all about Jesus!
Once we got to Red Bank, we gathered the kids for VBS and they just kept pouring in. We did the Faithful Follower craft with them and they loved it! We also sang songs, told Bible stories, talked to them about Jesus & then gave them snacks. It was a bit chaotic, but for our first day, I think it went well! Then it was time to make the 45 minute hike back through the jungle, to get back to San Pablo, where we did the drama at the end of the day. This was a great first day of ministry, but it was pretty intense and exhausting. It was about 7:00 PM by the time we made it back to the Nautical Inn.
The group went back to these same villages the next day. It was an even longer day for them, because they went very early in the morning in time for church. Mackenzie and I decided to hang back and do our own thing that day. I knew we wouldn't be able to keep up with the group the entire time, and I had some other things planned for us to do.
It was eye-opening for Mackenzie to see that people actually live in little huts like this. It was a lot for her little mind to take in. The only time I have seen conditions anything like this was when we went to Moldova in 2003, so it had been a long time for me too. I think we get so spoiled in America, and its good to have a reminder occasionally that we are ABUNDANTLY blessed and have exceedingly more than we really need.
This was at the Nautical Inn, in the room where we ate and had our meetings. I was showing the group how to do the crafts, before we left for the villages. Mackenzie was my assistant! =0)
One of my very favorite pictures from our trip!
We were literally hiking through the jungle...I've never done anything like this in my life. Oh, and did I mention that we had to smother ourselves in bug spray and sunscreen? ICK!! I HATE the way that feels on my skin...but I guess its better than being eaten up and burned to a crisp.
This little trek was hard on Mackenzie a few times, but she did amazing and pushed through it!
Here we are in the church where we had VBS.
This is how we were feeling in the moment...
Ready for VBS!
Mackenzie got right in there and helped the kids with their faithful followers! I was so proud of her!
Mackenzie and I had a group of girls who were 13 and 14 years old...they were really too old to be into the craft, but they did it anyway! And we got to talk about the Bible story with them and tell them about Jesus. This was not easy for me, but I was so glad I did it!
Belize children are beautiful!
Headed back to the other side...
This is Kirwin, a friend that Brian made several years ago in Belize. He became a believer, and he lives in Seine Bight, close to the Nautical Inn. Every year when STBC went to Belize, Kerwin would go spend time with them. When he found out Brian was bringing another group, he came and spent time with us too!
We saw several little wild pigs around the villages...had to take some pics for Madi!
And then there was this huge pig!
Once we made it back to San Pablo, the group presented the Freedom Drama, and then we loaded up and left. I love this Drama so much...it gives such a clear picture of the Gospel, in an easy to understand kind of way.
The kids all watched so intently...I remember sitting there looking at them, and praying that they would all know Jesus someday!
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