Wordless

We had great intentions about blogging and sharing our stories on this trip. However, sometimes I am learning words do not do justice to describe our God. People laugh when I say I have no words. I always have words but even our entire team felt the silent respect we had for the spirit filled moments. We also were reminded that so many of these stories are not ours to tell. The children and teachers and pastors and missionaries have their own stories. Out of respect to them we will only share part of ours.
Personally Wednesday is a day that our team will never forget. During our VBS time with the older kids we focused on the gospel presentation. Two teachers from LOV spoke with the students about baptism. This community had not seen an actual baptism in years. Years. Tyler and Marlee from our team wanted to be baptized in Belize. In fact Tyler's reason for a Belize baptism was to "show others the true meaning of baptism and maybe others would follow." There were also some other children at the school who were wanting to be baptized that day. 4 baptisms were planned. One of the teachers told me he felt the soft wind of God moving in that school. As the gospel began to be shared the very loud chapel became still.
Then at around noon, in the heat of the day, we began a quiet walk across the street, down a hill and through the thick jungle to a river in the Valley. One of the teachers brought his guitar. One of the teachers who is also a preacher stood in the river. The bank was full of children. The soft wind of God begin to move. The baptisms of the scheduled children began. Sir Nick began to play, Jesus loves the little children and I have decided to follow Jesus. There were 21 total baptisms in the river that day. 2 teachers from the school also stepped into the water that day. My own husband baptized our two children and another student from his group this week. Todd began by reading scripture: Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (1 Timothy 4:12, 13, 15 ESV)Sophia from our team was also baptized by her daddy, Jeff that day.
I turned around to soak in the moment and it literally took my breathe away. The living water flowed in the river that day. I watched healing. I watched obedience. I watched faith on display. I watched village and kingdom changers go under the water. I watched individuals become family. I watched Karen and David rejoice in a harvest they have plowed and planted for 5 years. I watched those who relate to the suffering of Christ receive the love of Christ. It was wordless.

Hello Miss and Sir!

Greetings from Belize. Week B group landed safely in Belize on Saturday. We joined our new friends from Immanuel Baptist church in Little Rock, Arkansas. We have a total of 28 people serving together this week. Tonight 2 more people will join our group tonight. We are excited with the team God placed together for this trip.
Sunday we visited a church in Pomona which is home to the largest children church in the country. We worshiped and loved on over 100 kids. God centered worship with brothers and sisters from a different culture worshiping the one true God.
Monday we were able to finally get to LOV. For the friends on the trip who have been before seeing old friends is like coming home. For friends on the trip coming to LOV for the first time it is like a heart explosion.
Our partnership with Kidz Konnect and Westwood has given relationship to short term missions. We have mutual love for each other. We learn so much from this children and them from us. To see them grow, learn and love is an honor.
Please continue to pray for the team. We have had team members sick with a stomach bug. But God has been faithful and given strength to the weak and rest for the weary. Tomorrow begins intentional sharing the word with the older children at the school. Pray for less of us and more of Him.

Holy Ground

Holy ground

After resting up from our travel day on Saturday, we were delighted to start our day with worship and teaching at the Children’s Church of Pamona. God used us to minister to the children and the children to minister to us. We had a precious time in the Lord and went to lunch with pastor Wayne and his family. Little did we know, Shirley had been discussing what we should do that afternoon with The Lord. At the same time, Karen Rhodes, the full time missionary in the area was praying and they both were led to the same conclusion…. We should prayer walk the property of Light of the Valley church and school.

Our families started with a walk around the church then each family moved to an assigned building at the school. We covered the fields they play in, the buildings they study in, their playground, their restrooms, and the kitchen where their meals are prepared. We all ended up in the center of the property. At the center of the property is an abandoned building not currently being used. The building was in rough shape and several of us had an uneasy feeling as we prayed over this building. So much so that we felt led to go in and worship and call out to God together to come and take the building back for His glory. We gathered together and sang Your Presence is Heaven to Me. We called out to the Lord as a group and asked him to come, to use us, to use the people of the community, and the children of the school to help us refresh and restore the property. We were to begin the process of clean up the next morning and there were several forces working against what God had already ordained.

In his walk, Pastor Corey had found a page of the Bible from the Book of Nehemiah.
He read aloud to us Nehemiah 2:17-18. …… 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

God has blessed our team with His words and actions in so many ways this week it would take a month to share them all. God is faithful and we appreciate those who are praying us through this week. Continue to pray that God would bless the leadership of Light of the Valley with wisdom and discernment to lead them through the trials that we know will come their way. Pray their hearts will be on fire to reach their friends and family with the good news of Christ’s love for all of us.

In Him,

Janna

Close to My Heart

This is Jennifer.  She is an encourager, she is a reconciler, she is a wife and a mother.  She is a child of the King, and one of the members of the Westwood mission team working with Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus in Belize

One of our activities this week is Vacation Bible School for the younger children at Light of the Valley School.  We’re working with K5- 3^rd grade.   Jennifer had the honor of loving on a little girl today that was feeling left out of things.  Jennifer sat the child in her lap and told her to lean into her chest so she could comfort her.  She asked the little girl to listen.  She asked her if she could hear her heart?  The little girl said yes.  She told the child that she had comforted her four children the same way and that it should remind them that they’re always close to their Mommy’s heart.  God used Jennifer to bring her comfort and in a way God used this precious little one to comfort Jennifer as she’d left two of her four babies at home to live on mission in Belize. 

When the morning was done, the leaders were to gather the name badges from all the children.  The precious girl took her name badge and placed it on the lanyard around Jennifer’s neck so she could be close to her heart.  The other children followed suit.  Oh how we all long to be close to someone’s heart.  To be accepted, loved, and embraced.

Pray that God will continue to use us to pour out His love on these precious children, their families, and the surrounding community.  God is moving and the enemy is aware.  Pray that the believers here will have the boldness to share their faith with others and that they will be open to active discipleship.  I’ve met so many young people who are leaders and like all of us there are so many pretty fake things to lure them away from a life of fullness in Christ.  Pray for disciples, encouragers, givers, servants, and craftsman to come. Pray that people who love The Lord like crazy will continue to be called to this area of the world and the gospel of Christ will be shared and spread like wildfire. 

Written By: Janna

Flat Tire

This the story of the flat tire.  I am trying to remember every word I heard over the static of a cell phone. When the team comes back I am sure their version will be much clearer.  However, we want you who are praying and supporting this team to hear the stories and share in the joy.
Roads in Belize are usually dusty,bumpy and always an adventure.  In fact there are 4 roads in the entire country.  Going on this mission trip, you will travel on all of them.  Early yesterday morning the team was loaded up in two vans on their way to the school.  Before pulling out, the white van didn't want to start but after prayer and Scottie's mechanic skills, the van roared it's engine and off they went.  Only minutes later the same van was now showing signs of a flat tire.  Both vans carrying the team pulled off to the side of the road.  Two men from the team, Randy and Kevin began to pray and walk to find help and then there in front of them as God ordained was a used car lot.  Praying as they were walking for someone to be there ... they walk up to find a young man working on a car.  Randy and Kevin explain to him the team needed help changing the tire to which the young man tells them he can help. The young man walks back with them to the van meanwhile telling the two men of his story.  He and his father run the used car lot.  They were working on their last car that morning.  Not sure where their next dollar would come.  The father drives over to the team's vans and parks his car on the street blocking the vans from being hit from an oncoming car.  In Belize driving laws are not a priority and being on the road is not the safest place to be.  All while the tire is being changed some other members of our team are singing songs.  Kevin and Randy share with the young man about the mission trip.  The young man shares, "Yes, I am a believer too. I thank God everyday He has provided for my father, myself and my business."  Renee comes to the van in tears telling how that morning she opened a card from a Westwood church member that had cash in it.  Inside the card it said, give this money away today to someone might need it.  She had gone into her room that morning and prayed for God to show her who to give it to and then she put the money in her pocket. 

Before 9 am. 
Before even getting to the school.
A flat tire.
The side of the road. 
Used car lot.
Young man and his father.
Believers.
Praying with strangers.
Fixing a flat.
Sharing Jesus.

After pulling off and back on the road headed to LOV, Janna yelled out, "Is that all you got devil?  A flat tire?"  The team feels your prayers.  God is near.  Don't forget your mission here.  What are you missing today?  Thank Him for what He is doing in Belize and what He is doing in your life today. 

Day 2

Internet still down:  these updates are pieced together through text and phone calls. Enjoy.

Sunday night phone call:  I shared the gospel with a 17 year old named Michael. He is a roofer. He kept saying he was good. He thought I was crazy. We went to eat lunch and he was at the restaurant. Pray for him.

Monday text: Michael came to LOV today all the way from Dangriga!  He prayed to receive Christ with Corey!!!!

Karen's (missionary in Belize) Facebook update Monday night:

Today we got to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our LOV partners from Alabama and Florida pulled weeds, carried rocks, scrubbed buildings, mowed . . . Anyway you get the idea. It was very hot humid day full of the kind of light only the people of Jesus can shine when truly serving out of love and obedience to our sweet Lord and Savior. The hot breeze gently kissed my cheek every so often reminded me that God is forever mindful of our needs and delights in His children.
As weariness began to set in, God whispered in my heart, "we are not finished here today." I had been speaking with a young man that a team member disciples yesterday and felt The Lord to nudge me to ask him if he would like to pray the prayer of salvation?  He replied yes with tear filled eyes that are manna to my soul. One of the men were close by and took him to the side to pray.
Sweet Michael, on this day in Belize known as Heroes Day, you claimed the only Hero you will ever need! Welcome to the family little brother.

Today starts VBS for the younger kids at the school.  There are over 300 kids at LOV. 150 will do VBS this week.  Pray for the team as they make much of God by sharing His word.  

Week A Has Landed

Praise God Week A team has landed safely in Belize and with all luggage. 

The Internet is down and they are unsure when it will be back up and running, so far the time being we will update from Alabaster.  I got to speak with Shirley last night by phone.  She shared that Sunday morning the team went to Pomona to church.  On Sunday mornings the church has children's church.  Adult service is held on Sunday nights.  When the team arrived Pastor Wayne and his wife were not there.  Wayne was having car trouble and running late.  So our team was able to jump in and lead children's church.  Buzz led group time and Kevin led music.  After church the team got to go to LOV and have a prayer walk over the school.  Pray today as the team helps with community day. It is a holiday today in Belize and the church and community will come together and have a work day at the school.  Pray specifically for the school and the church that meets at LOV to come together in unity.  Pray God will join this community with His Holy Spirit.  VBS will start tomorrow. Pray for the team to find rest and strength, for good weather and working conditions, for flexibility and patience.

Post your comments here for the team and we will share them!