Belize Mission and Retreat

Sunrises & Sunsets

Vera — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:52:07 +0000

We’re giving Praises to God for His faithfulness in hearing everyone’s prayers on behalf of Miracle Malachi Bjorgen! He is out of the NICU and in a regular hospital room with his mom and family!

Mel held her son pretty much for the first time on Monday, May 7th. Things have just gotten better from then on. Here are a couple of more pictures for you to enjoy of this precious beautiful gift God has entrusted Mel and John with.

No tubes and oh so precious

Evangeline holding her brother Malachi

It’s only a matter of time until Malachi will be released to go home. He’s out of the words and almost enjoying the normalcy of a newborn baby. He was a week old yesterday, Friday the 11th. We want to thank everyone for their prayers and ask that you don’t stop until we know he’s been released and well on his way to full health!

AS THERE IS A SUNRISE IN MALACHI’S BIRTH, we are preparing ourselves for the SUNSET OF BASIL’S MOM, EDITH!

She is very close now to going home to be with the Lord. Entering His Gates will be her biggest accomplishment yet and I know that she is preparing herself for this big moment! I’ve been sitting by her side praying and reading scripture and encouraging comforts of poems to her. It has been an honor to take care of her for almost 2 years. The hospice nurse first told me that she had only 3 to 5 days at that on Wednesday. Thursday when she returned to check on mom she brought her supervisor with her and Mom seemed a bit more alert that day, so they said it could be 2 or 3 weeks still. Actually they finally said no one really knows except the Lord.

Mom is peaceful and sleeping unless I arouse her to give her morphine to keep her from any discomfort she may have. She rarely opens her eyes, except yesterday when her great grandchildren, Lilianna and Cason came to see her. Lilianna insisted on getting a picture with her Ouma Groot with her pearls on. Lilianna loves her Ouma G so very much, she used to sit and read to her.

Lilianna, Ouma G. (Mom Edith) & Cason

Today, Basil got to talk to his mom via Skype so he was able to see her & when I told her that Basil wanted to talk with her, she opened her eyes wide and smiled for most of their conversation. She eventually closed them towards the end. Pictured below is the last picture taken with Basil and his Mom in November 2011.

Basil and Mom in Nov. 2011

We would appreciate your prayers in these last days we have with her. She is such a gentle and sweet spirit, Heaven is very blessed to have her coming home. I know that there will be such a celebration! We are trying to get Basil home so hopefully he can see her one more time before her passing.

If anyone can help us with this financial burden please let us know. You can email us at turtleshores@belizemission.org. For anyone who may be able to help with this please send a check to the following address:

Belize Mission & Retreat
c/o Rae Reed
22413 Marion Lee Rd.
Gentry, AR 72734

Please be sure to indicate it’s for Basil’s travel home. It will be a tax deductible. God bless you all for your prayers, we have all felt them and appreciated that all of you have stood in the gap at this time in the Bjorgen’s lives and our lives!

May God be with each and everyone of you! Vera

Prayer Requests

Vera — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:49:38 +0000

Mel & John Bjorgen, Belize Staff living in Gales Point, gave birth to their first son, Malachi Daniel on Friday. He was born with congenital pneumonia. He was first put on oxygen, then they had to put him on a ventilator. Yesterday they did minor surgery to help his lungs get cleared of mucous and fluids in them. They have been praying for Malachi to be off the ventilator today however, that hasn’t happened. I’m going to post some updates and pictures as they have progressed so you will know how to be praying! Prayer is our most powerful weapon that we have and now is the time to use it!

Friday May 4th:

Please pray for Malachi, his mom Mel, Dad John and all his family. Malachi was born today in Belize with congenital pneumonia. He’s on antibiotics and oxygen. Thank you we are trusting God will take good care of Malachi.
Malachi Daniel 6lbs 6 oz 19 inches. Please pray for him. I have not been able to hold, see, or feed him yet.

UPDATE: Please continue your prayers for baby Malachi. He is worse than what they originally thought so they have sedated him and put him on a ventilator. Mel was able to see him and touch him. Pray for healing and for peace. They are doing another x-ray at 11pm. Pray for improvement.

After being put on the ventilator

Sat. May 5th:

UPDATE: Malachi has developed air pockets in his lungs because of a complication. He is going into minor surgery right now to correct the issue. Please pray for him and pray that after the surgery he will be able to breathe better. This baby is coming into this world covered with so much prayer I’m sure he’s going to become a prayer warrior himself as he gets older! PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! LET’S PRAY THIS CORRECTS THE PROBLEM AND HE’LL BE OUT OF THE WOODS AND MOM AND DAD WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD HIM SOON!

Malachi after surgery

John said that the Doctors say it went well. Now they just have to wait and see how he improves. We need to pray for no infection! Prayers still going up! A happy moment. Post-op and doing well. Sporting his frog cap.

Then a few hours later Mel reported this:

Malachi is improving greatly after his surgery. This is what to pray for: pray that he can get off the ventilator tomorrow with no complications so I can hold him. Pray that he will improve enough by Monday so I can feed him. The biggest thing to pray for is that there are NO SET BACKS AND NO COMPLICATIONS. Pray for me as I am so thankful to God for His healing but also so disappointed to not be holding and feeding the baby.

Sunday, May 6th:

Sunday: Malachi is still on the ventilator

Mel updated about her son, Malachi: Malachi’s lungs are not strong enough to be off the ventilator. Pray that his lungs will strengthen enough today so he can breath on his own. He is stable and healing. Praise God for that.

John posted: No news is good news. Today’s project is simply to try to slowly wean Malachi off the ventilator and see if we can get him to breathe on his own. We’re basically just dependent on how fast his little body responds and heals as to how quickly that will happen.

_________________________________

Here’s my prayer, please pray with me: Oh Heavenly Father, this precious gift you have brought into this world, needs your breath of life breathed into his lungs. He needs to be filled with your strength and determination. God please, we beg you hear our prayers! Give peace to the family and strength to continue to praise you for all you are doing. Give the Doctors supernatural wisdom that goes beyond all their understanding in healing Malachi. Lord let it be your will and not ours! In your precious son’s name, Jesus Christ, Amen!

I’ll be keeping you updated as we hear of Malachi’s progress.

Please also pray for Basil, as his mom has taken a turn downhill this week. She’s pretty much not eating, drinking very little, is very weak and sleeping most of the time. She has lost 5 lbs in 4 days. She may be preparing herself to go home. I have no idea at this point, we are taking it one day at a time. However, Basil needs the prayers since he is separated from his mom by being on the front lines serving the Lord, alongside with the Bjorgen family, Kidder family & the Dale family!

May God’s blessings be with you today, my love Vera

How Fast Can You Build a House

Vera — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:59:51 +0000

CrossWinds Epic is moving right along. Unfortunately they have not posted any pictures. I will post some next week after they get back home and are able to post. Keep an eye out for those I’m sure they will be great. Here’s what they posted the past couple of days!

THURSDAY – APRIL 12TH

Today was our last full day of work in the village. The house looks fantastic and we have had numerous compliments regarding how quickly it was completed and how nice it looks!

Tonight we’ll head into the village for the final time- we’ll attend the youth service at the church. Then, tomorrow, we head to our excursion and we’ll stay in a Best Western hotel for our last night in Belize. I will very likely not have wi-fi from this point until we arrive in Charlotte Saturday evening. However, if there is an emergency I will contact you. Thanks again for your support of this wonderful, valuable trip! Keep on praying!

WEDNESDAY – APRIL 11TH

Today was another great day. The kids are working very hard and complaining very little- it must be a side effect of all the heat and humidity! The house is well on its way to completion and the children in the village are keeping our students on their toes.

They also had their Sambai on Wednesday night as they will be doing ministry tomorrow night with the youth!

Fear not, we are taking lots of pictures, we just have no way to upload them yet…

Thanks for your prayers and we’ll see you soon.

Passing the Baton from NCA to CW

Vera — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:43:22 +0000

While Basil was taking the past team to their excursion the next team arrived. Basil caught up with them today in the village. Below find the transition from one team to the next team.

New Covenant Academy says: We left the mission this morning at 7:45 and took the water taxi to Belize City where we caught another water taxi to Caye Caulker. We ate a late lunch and then loaded up for our snorkeling expedition. The students all had a great time. They took us to three locations. The second location was called Shark and Stingray Alley. We found out quickly how it got its name. This area is only about 5 feet deep and the stingrays and nurse sharks are everywhere! The stingrays would swim by your legs often bumping into them. I think there were more screams coming from the guys than the girls. They are used to people and one of the guides was even able to lift one up out of the water and let the kids touch it. It was amazing experience.

After snorkeling we had time to clean up, shower and take a look around the shops before eating dinner at 7:00pm. We enjoyed some more sight seeing, got some ice cream and then had devotions at 9:00. Lights out time will be at 11. Sleep will not be an issue tonight. Snorkeling was very exhausting and most of the kids were up before 6 am this morning.

We will eat breakfast around 7 am and then get our bags ready for the trip home. We will leave for Belize City about 10 and then head to the airport. We will eat lunch there and then on to our flight.

The signal here at the hotel is not strong and I have not been able to attach pictures for tonight’s update. I forgot to mention that the kids were happy that Pastor Kenny and his wife went with us to Caye Caulker to celebrate their 1 year wedding anniversary. Thank you for your prayers over the last week !

These chairs on the beach are saved for your return!

NEW COVENANT ACADEMY, we the Belize staff want to personally thank each of you for your outstanding service in being Christ to the village of Gales Point. We’re praying that you were impacted with what God had in store for you while you were here. Please don’t forget your time here remember it when you’re feeling down and remember how awesome it was to serve God in this third world country. Remember the smiles and hugs of the kids and the villagers! You have left your footprint here and your seeds have been planted. Now the challenge is on to see what YOU WILL LET GOD DO IN YOUR LIFE FROM THIS POINT ON! Blessings and thank you from the very bottom of our hearts!

Transitioning from New Covenant Academy Seniors to CrossWinds Epic Youth Group:

MONDAY, APRIL 9TH

Hey everyone,
Just a quick note to let you all know we are here safely. Everyone did really well on the trip- they are now getting used to the bugs, heat and humidity… Most have already been swimming in the Caribbean sea!

Tomorrow begins our first day of work….

TUESDAY, APRIL 10TH,

Hi all, We had a GREAT day in the village today. The kids were split into three teams; some painted (and completed) an existing house for Doris and Brandon Meyers, others began work on the new home, and a third group played with the village children and gave a lesson in the church. They are all feeling a “good tired” and none seem to be feeling ill effects from cell-phone withdrawal!

Everyone is safe and sound and we are all enjoying Belize. Thanks for your prayers. Please join us in praying for this team as well for their safety as they build their first home in Gales Point and for God’s covering over all the other projects they may be doing. Pray for the students who work with the children, that they see God in each of their faces! Stay tuned for more updates!

JAMMED PACKED EASTER WEEKEND

Vera — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:25:12 +0000

THIS UPDATE INCLUDES THE WHOLE WEEKEND FOR EASTER, it’s been a busy weekend for everyone all around! WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE REJOICING FOR AS HE IS RISEN! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE GIFT, it started with Christmas, but the ULTIMATE GIFT IS CHRIST’S RESURRECTION! Read on about the adventures of New Covenant Academy Seniors.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7 TH:

It is hard to Belize that it is already day 5 of our trip….sorry, that was a bad joke. Our students finished their last day of VBS. At the end of each lesson time we had each student have their picture taken with Jesse and Matt (the names of the puppets and coincidentally the puppeteers).

Puppets and Puppeteers from VBS

We will develop the film and mail the pictures back so they will have a photograph of themselves. Five of our students stayed back at the mission to replace two sections of siding on the main mission house that had been infested with termites. They put in a full day’s work and only finished an hour or so ago.

Working hard on replacing termite infested siding at Mission base

We were able to take walks to the local snack shops to purchase unique cold drinks like Pineapple Fanta and my personal favorite, Coke in a glass bottle made with real sugar! The ingredients list is about half what it is in the states. We returned to the mission and the students were able to take a relaxing swim. We are relaxing on the patio waiting for dinner. There is a nice breeze coming off the water. Tonight we will debrief and then have devotions and praise and worship.

Tomorrow morning we will all be loading up and attending the Easter Sunrise service that will be held at 5 am. This is the first sunrise service they have had and we want to be in attendance to support Pastor Kenny. They have no idea how many villagers will show up. Here in Belize Easter is seen as a time to party and stay up all night and into the next morning so it will be interesting to see who comes to the sunrise service. It will definitely be a unique service that our students will always remember. We will also attend the regular morning service. When we return to the mission we will start cleaning our huts and making preparation for our departure on Monday morning. A water taxi will be picking us up a little after 7 and taking us back to Belize City. From there we will take another water ride to the island of Caye Caulker.

Following supper tonight we will be treated to a native Belizian fire dance on the beach….I hope they do not ask for volunteers. I’ll have a fire extinguisher standing by:)

The bell for supper is getting ready to ring.

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 8TH:

It has been a long day but one that none of us will forget. We woke up this morning at 4am so we could be loaded up and on the road by 4:30. The sunrise service started at 5:00am. During praise and worship on the beach we watched the sun rise.

As the sun rises so also did "THE SON'

What an awesome experience celebrating Easter with brothers/sisters in Christ! We were served a great breakfast in the church and then passed time in the village until the children arrived for the 9am sunday school.

Team Picture after Sunrise Service w/Pastor Kenny

This was followed by their 10 am service which started at 10:30 (start times in Belize are more like guidelines:). We then were fed a traditional Sunday meal of stewed chicken (if you were lucky you got a foot!), plantain, potato salad and rice/beans.

We returned to the base and the kids had some free time to get in the ocean or take a nap after our early morning. Mrs. Menefee woke up this morning with a sore throat and a fever. She stayed behind so she could get some rest. She was feeling a little better the last time we checked. Pray for her that she will continue to improve so she can enjoy the rest of the trip.

I’ll attach a picture of last night’s native dance demonstration. When we had the opportunity to try the dance on our own it kind of turned into a “dance off” between the guys and the girls. Please know that that no one danced WITH fire. They just danced AROUND fire. I believe the girls ended up winning.

Sambai on the beach

We will eat supper, debrief and have devotions. We will also clean up and pack for our departure tomorrow morning at 7:15. We will be picked up on the beach and taken to the island where we will spend our “fun day”. The kids would be the first to tell you that while they have been working hard they have had fun every day. The hotel will have air conditioning and we have been told they allow you to take showers for longer than 2 minutes.

At last nights debriefing each student was asked to share something that had made an impact on their lives and to praise someone for the job they had done while on the trip. Many students shared how grateful they were for what they had and how self serving our culture has become. Praise was spread all around for the role each student has played on this trip. We encouraged our students to use the gifts that God has given them and that their heart for serving others should continue back in the states.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. We will update you tomorrow from the island of Caye Caulker!

HUGE WEEKEND COMING UP

Vera — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:48:36 +0000

I’m sharing the past two days of ministry with you and you will read it in their words as opposed to me putting in a third person format. I’ve been praying for them as this is a HUGE WEEKEND for Gales Point, they will not only be celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but they will be inundated with Belizeans who come from all over Belize to vacation and party not for the reasons they should be but for their mortal bodies and not their eternal soul! Please join me in prayer that this team, the Belize Mission Staff and the leadership of the church will be able to tear down the walls that so many put up and see the beautiful gift that Christ has given them to have eternal life! Enjoy the past couple of days as you see how the team has been working!

THURSDAY, APRIL 5th

It is supper time here in Belize. We are gathered in the upstairs of the main hut (lodge) enjoying a meal of stewed chicken, rice and beans. Today was a very busy day. It was also HOT! We had approximately 90 kids at VBS. They were waiting for us as we pulled up to the church.

VBS Day 2 - Kids are ready

Following VBS we enjoyed a lunch of spicy fish balls, rice, fried plantain and coconut crust (imagine a coconut/pecan pie filling wrapped in a pie crust). We spent the afternoon painting two huts, several of the boys also helped add a room on to the pastor’s hut.

Painting a new home that was recently built

Coach Crain and most of the guys participated in a pick up soccer game with the local guys. They divided the locals between the two teams. Everyone definitely put in a hard day’s work.

Intense soccer game

We came back to the mission camp and had time to jump in the ocean before coming to dinner.

Tomorrow, following VBS we will finish up a few projects, come back to the mission base to clean up, eat, and go back to the village to attend their Good Friday service. Either we are getting used to the heat or the kids are working so hard that falling asleep has not been a problem. It is probably a little of both. Our devotion time last night with Coach Crain was great as we worshiped in song with the ocean breeze blowing and the sound of waves in the back ground. Dr. Mather will be sharing the devotion tonight.

Things continue to go well and we know that is because of God’s goodness, the hard work of our students and your prayers of support. I’m attaching a few more pictures of our day. I am just attaching pictures that I have taken. Most of the students and adults have been taking tons of picts so there will be quite a few to show you all when we return. A few of you sent me messages to communicate to your kids. I’ll do it in a way not to embarass anyone. If you don’t care then I’ll pass it on anyway:)

FRIDAY, APRIL 6TH

Today was definitely a full day which concluded with a Good Friday service at the church this evening. Our third day of VBS went well. Once again the children were ready and waiting for us when we arrived.

Leading music for VBS

Each trip to the village entails about a 30 minute (one way) van/pick up truck ride down a one lane dirt road.

traveling to the worksite

Following VBS some of our students finished painting a newly constructed hut while others went on a prayer walk through the village.

Yesterday I said it was hot…..well today it seemed even hotter! Especially for those who were painting on the west side of the house. Dr. Mather and I both have been reminding our students to apply and reapply sunscreen. The sun is much more intense here in Belize so we have been telling the students to use a higher spf then they are used to.

It was great watching our students’ faces as they opened their containers and looked down to see their lunch looking right back at them:).

Fish eye's just for you

The ladies in the village had cooked a traditional Good Friday fish meal. I believe it was stone bass. The ladies had at least removed the fangs that normally go up past the eyeballs! Once you got the hang of how to pull the meat off the bone most of the kids did fine. There might have been a few (including Marlys) who decided it just wasn’t for them. We are so proud of our kids how they have handled the cultural differences and not behaved in a way that might offend or insult our hosts. They have all been real troopers.

We returned from the village in time to eat an early supper so we could change and get ready to go back to the village for the church service. Tanner and Jesse assisted Pastor Kenny with praise and worship and our students also sang a couple songs for the congregation.

Casey read an Easter poem he had written for the congregation as well. Their pastor is very young and struggles with his confidence. He did an outstanding job of presenting the gospel to his village through the final sayings of Jesus on the cross. I know our guys were glad that part of the construction work they did was helping add a room to Pastor Kenny’s home.

It is kind of late right now. Most of the kids are either in their rooms getting ready for bed or up on the deck playing catch phrase. We have had some pretty competitive games and everyone is enjoying these special moments together. It is hard to believe that in about a month these students will all be graduating and making plans for life after high school.

Students, Students Everywhere!

Vera — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:22:12 +0000

Starting their day with breakfast

The team showed up for breakfast that’s a good sign, especially since Basil has shared that it’s a bit buggy and quite humid. They were up late during the night trying to get themselves cooled down. Pray for tropical breezes to help them this week!

Today the team began their VBS ministry in the village of Gale’s Point. It did not take long for word to spread through the village that they were there. Their students did an awesome job ministering to approximately 30 students. Towards the end of the day that number doubled. Through Bible lesson, puppets, games, crafts and snacks they shared the love of Christ. The students connected with the children immediately. They are looking forward to their return tomorrow. The word for the day was FLEXIBILITY. Some of their guys also helped unload lumber for some construction work and they will be doing some construction on the Pastor’s parsonage tomorrow.

VBS day 1 - Playing a Game

After a home cooked lunch in the village they returned back to the mission where they continued to work for another hour or two. Most of their students spent time helping clean up the beach. Finally it was time to hit the water! After swimming for a while they played a couple of very competitive games of Catchphrase before going inside to eat supper. The students cleaned up from supper and went to the chapel for debriefing and preparation for tomorrow’s VBS. They had devotions at 8:30 and then had some free time before turning in at 10pm.

Some people may think we have the teams clean the beach a lot, however, if you lived there you’d understand why the beach needs to be cleaned up so much! The stuff that washes up on the beach can be rather intriguing and most isn’t good for use.

Yes, cleaning the beach again!

Everything is going well and I know the kids are excited about VBS tomorrow because they now know the children and what to expect. Please be praying for them tomorrow as we watch and see what God has in store for them. We might have to check bags before they leave to make sure a small child is not smuggled back to Springfield!

Post Verge Ministries

Vera — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:03:33 +0000

I just found the blog for the last team that was in Belize at the end of March. So we’ll post their time there. This comprised of a group that is from Go Verge Ministries. They work on Creating a New Generation of Leaders… Go Verge works with the youth of today to prepare them for leadership of tomorrow. They work with students from all across the U.S. You can check them out at http://www.GoVerge.org.

This is their posting from their blog:

The Belize team has been deployed! We praise God in advance for what He will do in and through the team!

Great day today in Belize Worked at the public school in the village (Gales Point) and helped repair the road leading in to the mission – rainy season really did a number on it. Pics will be up soon hopefully, but we are having a hard time with bandwidth at the mission base.

Part of the team with one of the classes

Just chillin w-the kids

How many kids can pile on one person

They helped paint Galilee Gospel Chapel with another group from Living Streams church. It’s always good for the church to get a new face lift. The inside is changing so the outside needs to be beautified to match the inside. Here’s a scripture that we can all reflect on.

Joshua 1:9

After working in the village a couple of days, we worked at the mission base cleaning the beach and do some minor repairs.

There's a lot of beach to clean

The team even had some time to do some shopping in the village that help promote the economy for Gales Point. The villagers like to show off their wares by setting tables up and letting our teams shop. It is the best way to shop brought right to you, no having to wander thru stores or streets.

shopping for crafts in the village

All in all they had a great trip and we look forward to see what the future holds for the Belize Mission & Retreat and Go Verge! Stay tuned and pray with us as we see how things unfold!

Now stay tuned for New Covenant and lets see what God has in store for them!

Arriving today – New Covenant Academy

Vera — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:36:23 +0000

Today our next team is arriving from New Covenant Academy in Springfield, Mo. They spent this last week preparing and packing for their trip.

Weighing their Luggage for the trip

They are being sure that they aren’t over their weight limit, they have a lot of supplies they are bringing to hold VBS and Good Friday Services, as well as, the Big Easter Egg Hunt for the children in the village. They will also be helping out with the Easter service! So they need to be sure that everything comes. Also the medical team that was just there sent more supplies that they realized the mission and village needed, so they have extra luggage to help out with that! Thank you for being such servants and willing to help bring so many supplies down.

Bags are packed and ready to go!

Please be praying for these Seniors, that God will meet them and show them exactly what He would have them do as they minister primarily to the children of Gales Point. That He will reveal Himself in amazing ways that they never expected! Please also be praying for the souls of the village to be touched by the Holy Spirit this week and that more than ever will come to Good Friday service and Easter Service and genuinely accept Jesus Christ as their Savior! Let this be a time of rejoicing and celebrating as our Lord and Savior is Risen and Alive today!

The End Is Near, Sweet Grace

Vera — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:58:45 +0000

Another incredible sunrise greets the team today. Pastor Chad Speller shared this “I had an awesome time! It was definitely worth it!” He had to leave today, Basil took him into Belize City so he could catch his plane in head home, he has a special speaking engagement he needed to be at before the team would be returning back to the states. However, he shared this beautiful photo of the sunrise off our beach.

God Speaking thru the Sunrise

It’s the teams last day in the village and they are trying to get a head start on the heat. One of them reported that it almost a 100 degrees yesterday, however, that’s probably what it felt like with the humidity, however, it was more likely closer to 85. You know when you come from the snow, you’re going to think it’s hotter in Belize.

Team arriving at the building site

Here is what the house is looking like, today they plan to finish by putting the roof on, finishing the shutters, adding the door, stairs, and adding the electrical. Popsie and Robert from the village will finish the plumbing that needs to be installed.

4 walls up just need a roof, door, shutters, plumbing and electrical

Here is the medical team, they had a great week. We need you to be praying for a little boy, Tyreek who is around 9 yrs old . Over the years medical teams have suggested that his mother take him to see an eye Dr. in Belize City, the Eye Dr. would tell her that it’s just allergies. The Pediatrician on the team recognized that Tyreek has cataracts growing on his eyes and he will be blind if not treated immediately. The Doctor wanted to bring him back to the states with her to get the surgery done. Unfortunately immigration is not letting Belizeans have visa’s or passports to go to the states anymore. So the best bet would be to raise the money to send him to Guatemala for the surgery. Basil is going to ask our Doctor, who is from Guatemala, to see if he can help us with this.

The Medical and Dental team helping

It is awesome to see the kids at school preparing themselves with the Armour of God, the team loved working with the kids and teaching them. Please pray for these children as they are the future for the village. They need to be strong and wear the spiritual amour everyday. I’m praying they remember what this team has taught them!

Here are the children's Sheild's of Faith!

We at the Belize Mission & Retreat want to thank the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer for your steadfast love for the Lord and for wanting to share it with those who need it the most. We look forward to serving with you again next year! Until then keep your Armour of God on and keep up the Good Fight!