Greyson had the opportunity to go to Belize the end of Feb. "It was an incredible trip and I learned a lot about ministry and missions around the world. I had originally thought it was going to be a regular old mission trip with lots of witnessing and construction work, but I was mistaken. It ended up being a learning trip with us seminarians doing a lot of leg work for the organization that we went down with, CALMS, Central American Lutheran Mission Society under the direction of Pastor Steve Hughey. We spent three days in Belize City partnering with Lords Bank Community Church and their pastors, Jimmi and Sandra Lee Jones. 
I gave a Sunday School teaching workshop one night and Pastor Dar Karsten presented a evangelism workshop another night. We also met with several other pastors from around Belize City in fact finding meetings looking for other partners and opportunities to work with congregations in Belize City. It was a great time and an eye opening experience it terms of what full time ministry sometimes entails.
Next we headed inland to the Belize-Guatemala border and spent three days in San Ignacio where we did some work at a home for the aged, the Octavia Waight Centre. It was great to be able to serve the elderly living there by sharing devotions and conversation, but also by digging a new septic tank hole, painting part of the facility and covering over a walkway to keep the staff out of the rain going to the laundry facilities (which was the project I was in charge of). It was a lot of hard work but also very rewarding to be there. We were also able to visit a Mayan ruin, Xunantunich, as well. What a magnificent view from atop that man-made mountain that was the citadel there at Xunantunich in the middle a lush valley.
Finally we headed to the southern coast of Belize to a long peninsula called Placencia. It was home to a village called Seine Bight. It was here that we were supposed to do another construction job, the moving of a shelter from one area of the village to another, but villa
ge politics ended up nixing that plan. We did teach the upcoming VBS curriculum to the aides that will help this summer and witnessed to at least two hundred kids from the village using an evangelism bracelet Pastor Karsten brought along. It was a surreal experience mostly because Seine Bight is the voodoo capital of Belize. I can’t say that I felt threatened or in danger at all, just a since of despair that hung over the village, in part because of the poverty but also the palpable presence of evil. But the kids were amazing and soaked up everything that we talked about readily. I was also happy to learn that a Christian man and his wife from California had moved into the village and were working with the kids in a youth group ministry. While there we also met a missionary and his family from Guatemala who was living in the village as well. Both seem as if they can be real partners for future work in the village.
I have to take this opportunity to thank my in-laws, for financing a large part of my trip. It was a Christmas gift I will not ever forget. But I also want to thank all of you who are continuing to support my family and I while we are at Seminary. It is an incredible thing to know that so many care about us and want to support us. May God bless you as you continue to be a blessing to us and to others."
I gave a Sunday School teaching workshop one night and Pastor Dar Karsten presented a evangelism workshop another night. We also met with several other pastors from around Belize City in fact finding meetings looking for other partners and opportunities to work with congregations in Belize City. It was a great time and an eye opening experience it terms of what full time ministry sometimes entails.Next we headed inland to the Belize-Guatemala border and spent three days in San Ignacio where we did some work at a home for the aged, the Octavia Waight Centre. It was great to be able to serve the elderly living there by sharing devotions and conversation, but also by digging a new septic tank hole, painting part of the facility and covering over a walkway to keep the staff out of the rain going to the laundry facilities (which was the project I was in charge of). It was a lot of hard work but also very rewarding to be there. We were also able to visit a Mayan ruin, Xunantunich, as well. What a magnificent view from atop that man-made mountain that was the citadel there at Xunantunich in the middle a lush valley.
Finally we headed to the southern coast of Belize to a long peninsula called Placencia. It was home to a village called Seine Bight. It was here that we were supposed to do another construction job, the moving of a shelter from one area of the village to another, but villa
ge politics ended up nixing that plan. We did teach the upcoming VBS curriculum to the aides that will help this summer and witnessed to at least two hundred kids from the village using an evangelism bracelet Pastor Karsten brought along. It was a surreal experience mostly because Seine Bight is the voodoo capital of Belize. I can’t say that I felt threatened or in danger at all, just a since of despair that hung over the village, in part because of the poverty but also the palpable presence of evil. But the kids were amazing and soaked up everything that we talked about readily. I was also happy to learn that a Christian man and his wife from California had moved into the village and were working with the kids in a youth group ministry. While there we also met a missionary and his family from Guatemala who was living in the village as well. Both seem as if they can be real partners for future work in the village.I have to take this opportunity to thank my in-laws, for financing a large part of my trip. It was a Christmas gift I will not ever forget. But I also want to thank all of you who are continuing to support my family and I while we are at Seminary. It is an incredible thing to know that so many care about us and want to support us. May God bless you as you continue to be a blessing to us and to others."
Greyson had a great trip! While he was there the kids and I got to spend some wonderful time with our friends in Rockford. It was so great to see everyone! And to meet new babies!!! :)
I won't wait so long between posts next time! :)
