Mission Trip Report - by Gwen Bowles
Update on the first few days in Belize-
Just a quick note to let you all know a bit. We had a very smooth trip down. Customs was a breeze after the first suitcase full of children's supplies! Pastor Antolino and his family are very gracious hosts. They have feed us so well that we will probably all gain 10 pounds. Actually we sweat off 10 pounds in the heat and then put it right back on with the next meal.
Yesterday we attended the worship service at Faber Road and
presented them with the pictures of Springhill and folks there praying for Belize. They were touched. Steve played the mandolin to sing Amazing Grace - he did just what you said and took a BIG risk!!! He was fantastic! Ashley, Sue, Josie and Gerrie taught the congregation our theme song motions but yeah, they already knew the song.
Gwen gave a children's message and guess what, it was the same theme as Pastor Antolino's sermon - the Lord was definitely in on that! Most of the congregation were children. No adult males except Antolino's family - that is a definite prayer need. We met with the local church workers Sunday afternoon and organized for today. They are great helpers! Marina (Antolino's wife) is a teacher and really knows her stuff! We rested last night - played a few rounds of UNO - and were all asleep by 9:00!!!
We are still adjusting to the time changes - we wake up very early! We were glad for that extra rest by the time VBS was over today - lots of FUN , LOTS of Kids, and LOts of HEAT! We spent the morning buying a few more supplies - like drinks, snacks, and the CD player. Then lunch by one of the church members before VBS at 1:30.
Kids started showing up early and it seemed as though they never stopped coming. Antolino was hoping for 50 children today and instead the count was 69 - we think there were more!! He believes the number will double tomorrow. They all wanted to bring friends! However, the rooms are extremely small so we will really have to get creative if we double!!! The Lord has a plan and He'll let us know when we need to know. I'm VERY proud of our team - they are SO talented and work so well together. Josie and Ashley have also been fantastic - this is truly a family mission trip!
Well, I'll try to update again in a few days. I'm not sure about sending pictures but hopes this update helps. Thank you all for your prayers - keep them coming! Would you please forward this to Liz and ask her to forward it to each of the prayer partners for the team? Love to all, Gwen
Dan,
I received a copy of my email back from you but no words from you!!! Hope everyone is doing fine! We've had three great days - growing every day - 89 children today - we are bursting at the seams!!! Tell Emily that we have 30 preschoolers at a time - yikes!!! Actually they are a favorite class for Gerrie and Sue teaching music and Russell teaching recreation! The rest of us love the 7-8, 9-10 and 11-15! year old groups. So each age group gets to feel special! The children are very responsive and eager to learn. We constantly hear "Mister, Mister, please may I ..... " and "Miss,Miss, I need...." We are going to have a Parents' Night on Friday night at 7:00 so that is a prayer request. We're confident that the children will come but we pray that the parents will attend with them. Josie and Ashley are doing a wonderful job at VBS and they have been a joy to be around - excellent parenting! Everyone is healthy, getting good rest and we are eating like kings! The weather was even better today - a bit overcast so not as hot.
All in all, we are having a fun time and God is being honored and glorified! We are seeing His hand in so many ways! Thank you for your continued prayers. Please make sure that Al Cox gets a copy of this.
Thanks, Gwen and the rest of the team
Just a quick note of excitement!!!! Tonight was our culmination activity for VBS - the very first ever Parent's Night for Faber Road VBS - we had 81 in attendance!!! Many adults who had never come before! The children demonstrated what they had learned during the week and did a fantastic job!
Then Pastor Antolino gave a wonderful message about bringing your children to church and gave an invitation. It was a spirit filled service! Tell Mary that we even played the chimes!!!! Yesterday was our biggest number - 97children plus workers and one dog!!!! The children have been very responsive and we've made fast friends with the adult workers as well.
We've also had a special relationship with the two young girls who work at the hotel. One of them told us today that they have had many church groups stay with them but that we are the kindest folks she has ever met! Both of them have asked many questions about our faith. The team members have been excellent in building relationships with people led by faithful Astrid. She is so caring about everyone and has never met a stranger!! She is a real example to us all. Gerrie led us to take a risk and learn to play a song with the chimes because it meant so much to Antolino to use them - a gift that he has not been able to use at the church before. Ashley and Josie have delighted everyone with their sweet spirits and boundless energy. Russell's organization and humor have kept everyone's spirits lifted - he worked outside in the hot, hot sun every day doing recreation and kept on smiling.
Steve is amazing as he made every child, including an autistic one, feel like their craft was so special. Sue loved on those little ones in music - there were 35 preschoolers one day! Faith learned to relax and rely on God and saw his handiwork as so many of the children asked thoughtful questions about the Bible story she had presented. The team complemented each other so well - God was truly among us! Thank you for the opportunity to be here.
Thank you for your prayers! See you soon! Love, Gwen and the rest of the team
|
