Sunday, June 16, 2013
Reflecting on our mission week in Belize
Sunday , June 16
Happy Father's Day!
Today we had the entire church service in reflection of our service in Belize. Lyn presented the concept to the team a few weeks before departure and it just neatly rolled into a symbolic representation, with ideas rolling out as the week rolled on.
The processional was made up of our team carrying various tools and symbols used in our mission: The Light of Christ, Cross, Bible, and Chalice displayed our spiritual gifts taken along. Beans, bikes, dresses represented the items we gave away. A cinder block, paintbrush, tool bag, spelling bee sign and VBS bandana indicated the work done. A diploma was carried to symbolize our education ministry. These items were placed on the chancel steps. Team members led the worship; Lyn's sermon,"Following in the Footsteps of Jesus", mirrored our study during the week.
Blessings of Belize were voiced (eloquently, I might add) from different prospectives. It is not hard to see the passion felt! Of course "This Little Light of Mine" was on the hymn list. We hope that this charged up, tingly feeling is contagious enough to start others thinking of future trips!
Happy Father's Day!
Today we had the entire church service in reflection of our service in Belize. Lyn presented the concept to the team a few weeks before departure and it just neatly rolled into a symbolic representation, with ideas rolling out as the week rolled on.
The processional was made up of our team carrying various tools and symbols used in our mission: The Light of Christ, Cross, Bible, and Chalice displayed our spiritual gifts taken along. Beans, bikes, dresses represented the items we gave away. A cinder block, paintbrush, tool bag, spelling bee sign and VBS bandana indicated the work done. A diploma was carried to symbolize our education ministry. These items were placed on the chancel steps. Team members led the worship; Lyn's sermon,"Following in the Footsteps of Jesus", mirrored our study during the week.
Blessings of Belize were voiced (eloquently, I might add) from different prospectives. It is not hard to see the passion felt! Of course "This Little Light of Mine" was on the hymn list. We hope that this charged up, tingly feeling is contagious enough to start others thinking of future trips!
Our team has been richly blessed by many things. We have felt the prayers and support from OUR congregation as ALL of FCPC was visible in Belize. Thank you for everything!
Happy Endings!
Post after return:
Saturday , departure day, started earlier than the others. We finished packing, consolidating some items into totes that we couldn't carry on the airplane (ie knives, work boots). Leaving plenty of cast offs, our luggage was considerably lighter than when we arrived. We left Knoxville with 26 totes full of supplies but had only 5 to return.
Headed to Belize City, 1.5 hours away. We dropped off a few weary members at our hotel. They spent the day resting and shopping, enjoying some AC. Saying goodbye to the McBrides (who were meeting new guests at the airport), the rest caught a boat to Caye Caulker, a key about 20 miles away. Some headed out to snorkel, others had a nice lunch with a ocean breeze. Of course there was some shopping and napping and swimming and sunning. While we hated to end our work, it sure was nice have some downtime. It was a quiet boatride back to Belize City. We changed, showered (ahh) and met for dinner poolside. Everyone slept well.
Sunday we load up for the airport and rental car drop off. A sign of interest at the gas station: Use of the restroom is free, toilet paper is $1BZ (Belize dollar= 0.50 US dollar). No, I don't know who did and who didn't.
The leaving side of the Belize airport is so different from the arriving side-lots of shops and unrefrigerated sandwiches trying to get your last Belizean money.
Our flight to Atlanta was a bit bumpy, we shuffled along through the requiste lines at immigration and customs like cattle. Anxious to get some dinner before our 8pm flight home, we discovered flight delay, and delay and delay. Finally leaving ATL around 11:45, we had a 30 minute flight. Our 12:27AM welcome home was sparser than usual but warm and appreciated! Many thanks to those that came out at the late hour!
A great trip, great team and wonderful relationships made!
Saturday , departure day, started earlier than the others. We finished packing, consolidating some items into totes that we couldn't carry on the airplane (ie knives, work boots). Leaving plenty of cast offs, our luggage was considerably lighter than when we arrived. We left Knoxville with 26 totes full of supplies but had only 5 to return.
Headed to Belize City, 1.5 hours away. We dropped off a few weary members at our hotel. They spent the day resting and shopping, enjoying some AC. Saying goodbye to the McBrides (who were meeting new guests at the airport), the rest caught a boat to Caye Caulker, a key about 20 miles away. Some headed out to snorkel, others had a nice lunch with a ocean breeze. Of course there was some shopping and napping and swimming and sunning. While we hated to end our work, it sure was nice have some downtime. It was a quiet boatride back to Belize City. We changed, showered (ahh) and met for dinner poolside. Everyone slept well.
Sunday we load up for the airport and rental car drop off. A sign of interest at the gas station: Use of the restroom is free, toilet paper is $1BZ (Belize dollar= 0.50 US dollar). No, I don't know who did and who didn't.
The leaving side of the Belize airport is so different from the arriving side-lots of shops and unrefrigerated sandwiches trying to get your last Belizean money.
Our flight to Atlanta was a bit bumpy, we shuffled along through the requiste lines at immigration and customs like cattle. Anxious to get some dinner before our 8pm flight home, we discovered flight delay, and delay and delay. Finally leaving ATL around 11:45, we had a 30 minute flight. Our 12:27AM welcome home was sparser than usual but warm and appreciated! Many thanks to those that came out at the late hour!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Jesus Take the Wheel
Todays devotion centered around the woman at the well. Throughout his whole ministry, Jesus associated with sinners, the outcast and the poor. Who are our outcasts? God blesses us with money and knowledge to give away; use it to glorify God. Are we intentionally seeking out the undesirables? Jesus would. Do we allow others to see the love of God shining through us?
Friday is usually the happiest day of the work week. Not so today. Our team split in two. One group went back to Los Tambos to finish up work projects. They went on the last family visits. The others painted the mission house. Two coats of paint in two hours in high temperatures? Yep, we did it! What a great team! While we were there many students were on a bus to the national spelling bee. We listened on the radio. While our student did not win, we were all very proud for her and the village. The bus roared back this afternoon with cheering kids hanging out the windows waving signs, excited to see the new swings in place.
On another front, Andy bravely and expertly maneuvered our van out of quick sand. Of course he had the help of 3 young men and a large front end loader and a heavy chain. What a guy!
After another delicious dinner, we shared reflections of our work and had communion service. So much has been accomplished this week, none more powerful than sharing the love of God and the love of Ftn. City Presbyterian Church with the wonderful people of Belize. God bless us all and provide safe travels. Tomorrow we head to Caye Caulker for R&R and then journey homeward on Sunday.
Friday is usually the happiest day of the work week. Not so today. Our team split in two. One group went back to Los Tambos to finish up work projects. They went on the last family visits. The others painted the mission house. Two coats of paint in two hours in high temperatures? Yep, we did it! What a great team! While we were there many students were on a bus to the national spelling bee. We listened on the radio. While our student did not win, we were all very proud for her and the village. The bus roared back this afternoon with cheering kids hanging out the windows waving signs, excited to see the new swings in place.
On another front, Andy bravely and expertly maneuvered our van out of quick sand. Of course he had the help of 3 young men and a large front end loader and a heavy chain. What a guy!
After another delicious dinner, we shared reflections of our work and had communion service. So much has been accomplished this week, none more powerful than sharing the love of God and the love of Ftn. City Presbyterian Church with the wonderful people of Belize. God bless us all and provide safe travels. Tomorrow we head to Caye Caulker for R&R and then journey homeward on Sunday.
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