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Fourteen members of McDonough (Georgia) Presbyterian Church boarded the church van on Saturday, February 18 with a light rain falling and the temperature hovering in the upper 30s to begin our church's second mission to Belize. We arrived hours later to bright sunshine and warm smiles to
"be the face of Jesus" in a country few of us knew much about. Our stated reason for traveling to Belize, and more specifically the village of San Roman, was to help build a septic tank for the New Life Ministries Church and to lead the children in a Vacation Bible School experience. We accomplished both tasks, but something much more powerful occurred. To follow are comments from several team members…
Beth Barlow writes, "We were able to see so many beautiful things in Belize, from the riverboat cruise to Lamanai, to snorkeling on the coast of Ambergris Cay. However, the most memorable part of the trip was spending time worshiping, working and conducting VBS at the remote village of San Roman. The interaction we had with the people of San Roman, especially the children, was amazing. Despite the poverty that they live in, the children were happy, loving and always smiling. It was amazing to see how God worked in the lives of these people. I definitely got more out of this experience than what we gave to these people. Another highlight was getting to know the MPC folks on the trip. We worked hard, played hard and had a lot of laughs. Of course, being able to share this experience with my daughter, Allison, made the trip extra special."
Sarah Dorsey offers, "Our mission trip to Belize was a wonderful experience. I think all of us were blessed much more than we blessed the people that we met.
Our group really worked hard, especially the teenagers, I thought we were able to complete a lot of work in a short period of time and we couldn't have completed so much without every one who helped working very hard. Allie, Mary Kay, Lindsey and Gregory were so very enthusiastic that they set a pace for all to follow. They are such beautiful kids both inside and out. Their parents and the church are to be commended with the work that has produced such fine examples for all the youth to be.
Bible school was a BIG hit will both the children and their mothers. The second day of Bible school they strung beads to make jewelry. Beth had worried that the boys might not enjoy that activity, but she worried in vain. Boys, girls, and even the mothers thoroughly enjoyed bead stringing (the mothers that participated loved it). The next day I saw one of the mothers going to the store beside the church with all the necklaces and bracelets that both she and her children had made. She was so proud that she might have been wearing the Queen's jewels."
From Gregory Shedd, "This was the first time I have ever gone out of the country. When I went, it wasn't to go and relax on white sandy beaches, it was to work in the jungle. Working in San Roman meant a lot to me. It was a life changing event - meaning I now look at everything in a different way or I look at it in the way Carlos or Cecilia would see it. I really liked making "concreto" and shoveling dirt all day, but I really liked working with the kids the most. Playing soccer with them was really fun. Boy, can Carlos kick?!"
Jack Candy, "The trip to Belize was my second such mission and as such I can compare the two experiences. Each was different one from the other in many ways. Having been there I was familiar with the terrain and the expectations on my part were exceeded this time because I was able to focus more on the events than on the personal reactions. I was better able to connect with the people of Orange Walk and San Ramon. The dynamics of the groups were different and our task was more clearly defined. I was struck with the genuine kindness of the people we encountered, the effort made by everyone to communicate the appreciation of our visit and the pride of their culture, community and their faith. As I contemplated the difference, I realized that the difference was not in them, but in me. I was able to fully appreciate the Spirit of the Lord and His presence with us. The tasks we performed needed to be done, but had we not done them, someone else would have, so the real benefit was to us. We were blessed to be able to help and to be touched by people who seem to have so much less, but perhaps have so much more."
And Peter Thornton, "I had never considered myself a candidate for mission work, but when the opportunity arose to go to Belize, something told me to go for it. I had imagined all the participants would work independently and achieve the common goal, a septic system, but was I surprised. I have been involved in group projects before, in school and in my community, but never have I felt the true camaraderie that this group developed. Everyone's focus was the project at hand, it was as if time was on hold and this was where we were meant to be. Personalities, strengths, weaknesses, amount of participation, none these things that so often hamper a group project got in the way. We got it done and we laughed, smiled, sweated and in the end we came out a closer group of friends and Christians than before."
On Friday, February 24th our team, sisters and brothers in Christ drawn closer together through our shared experiences, left Belize with lumps in our throats and heavy hearts. We left being blessed by our new friendships and with the commitment that the McDonough church would return to Orange Walk Town and San Roman again. We will always cherish the smiles and laughter of the little children, the work and sweat of our partners in ministry, the fellowship of fourteen extraordinary Christians, and the gift of the Holy Spirit as He worked through us as we continue our faith journey.
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