A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BELIZE

“RUNNING TOWARD THE CHRIST CHILD”

(Luke 2:15-20) “When the angels left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Our Christmas message from Belize is to remind us to be running toward Jesus Christ the King. Notice that once the angels had left the shepherds, they immediately were obedient to what they had just heard about Jesus. When the shepherds reached Jesus, they were blessed for their obedience and others who heard their story were amazed. When we seek Jesus with all our heart, we will be truly blessed and others will be amazed at God’s work in our lives! We see that running toward Christ means listening to Him then moving accordingly.

One night in our apartment in Belize City, Amanda shared that she felt moved by God to make a pillow for our homeless neighbor Poppy who sleeps in a truck bed in our parking lot. I encouraged her to follow her heart. Amanda obeyed God’s call and stayed up late one night sewing the pillow together while I tried to rest. The next day Amanda asked if I would deliver the pillow to Poppy. Little did I know what that would mean. As I delivered the pillow and told Poppy that Amanda felt led by God to make it for him, God began to move. Poppy got choked up and fought back the tears as he said that he had no doubt that Amanda had heard from God. He went on to explain that his pillow had gotten ruined in the rain and that it had been hard to sleep. He was almost speechless that God would have someone do this for him and that someone would care that much. I had a very busy day ahead and I started to head down the road as Poppy ran over to me and asked if I was a Christian. From there he told me of his desperation and that he was miserable and ashamed that at age 59 he was in this situation. He told me that he was hooked on drugs and that it was destroying his body and he was in torment. My heart broke for Poppy as I heard his story. I shared my testimony with him. We then had a discussion and prayed together. He even shared with me two gospel songs he had written that were beautiful and then we parted ways. Many have received Christ as Lord at one time in their lives and yet have been running from Him rather than running toward Him. I would encourage all of us to run toward Jesus all the days of our life and that we stop to rest in the arms of His love!

We recently held our second youth rally in BTL Park in Belize City. It was a great success and we thank you for all of your prayers! The rain held off and we had around 150 in attendance. We handed out 250 fried tacos and many young people had an opportunity to use their talents for God. We ministered to drug addicts and gang members and shared the hope we have in Christ. Praise be to God! Tell someone this Christmas that Jesus Christ is Lord! Merry Christmas to all of you and thank you for your continued support!

We Love You,

Heath & Amanda

What a Week!!!

October 24, 2009
Wow! Where do I begin? On our last blog I had mentioned posting some pictures of Belize’s “Carnival” celebration. Sadly to say, our Belizean friends suggested that the events may not be safe for us, so we opted out. However, we did get to enjoy the display of fireworks from the security of our rooftop. We missed fireworks on the fourth of July since we were here, so it was nice to see the excitement. Just recently we received an email from a couple who live in Gainesville, FL who were taking a cruise with a day stop in Belize. Trent and his wife Sharon found us via the internet and wanted to meet us. They asked if they could bring us anything. We told them of our need for more bibles (as we give them out constantly, and are asked for them constantly). They (Trent, his wife, and the McDonald’s) planned to join us in our street ministry. We met them at the tourist village and Trent couldn’t wait to tell us how they got their hands on 100 bibles in under a week. He told us how they could only find a few bibles here and there and how they were quite pricey. With the stress of packing for the trip and the time coming quickly, they were pressed. Trent finally found a Lifeway store that had just received a shipment of a hundred bibles, but they were all in their Jacksonville store. Trent disappointed, told the Lord if this was going to happen, then He was going to have to make it happen. Just then the McDonald’s called. They were in Jacksonville right down the road from the bookstore! Trent told us he knew God’s hand was involved in this trip. We spent the day together passing out sandwiches, bibles and praying for people. The fellowship was awesome, and we received an email afterward saying their best day on the cruise was the time they spent serving alongside us. God is so Good!
We held the first youth rally in Ladyville last Saturday night. Lots of time and preparation went into the planning. Heath and some of our Belizean friends took to the airways to get word out for the upcoming event. I would have never guessed Heath would be on the radio for an hour and rapping to the nation of Belize! The rally was a great collaboration of several local churches with dance, music, skits, and food. It is great to see what God can do when His people get together. We had around 160 in attendance, and gave out 180 servings of chicken. We did get rained out about three quarters of the way through, but I know the Spirit and Word of God are spreading in the community. We are thankful that things went smoothly, and our first rally is under our belt. I cannot thank all of you enough for your prayers. We are already planning for the next rally here in Belize City.
We have also had the joy of making plenty of new friends this month. One of which is a local Belizean Christian artist, Andrew. He is also known as “Reality Youth”. He and his friends recently taped a video from our rooftop. It will be surreal to see Heath and myself in music video! Our street ministry seems to be growing. We have found more people who share desire to serve the people of Belize. It is always great to have more volunteers and supporters. The relationships we have developed with the people on the streets continue to grow and it will always be something I cherish and is close to my heart. I rejoice along with the angels that during our last street ministry Heath was blessed enough to lead someone to the Lord! Yesterday we met with Maggie; she is the district program leader for the Methodist Churches/Schools for Belize and Honduras. Her vision also coincides with ours, and we look forward to working with and supporting each other.
I cannot say how busy but amazing this month has been. There is a huge feeling of excitement and urgency in my heart. Please continue to pray for us and the Nation of Belize. I wish you guys could all come and see this first-hand, I know you would be blessed. I know I am. I am grateful to you and our Lord for making all this possible. God Bless you all. I love you so much!

–Amanda

God Speaks

September 24, 2009

Its carnival time here in Belize! I am not really sure what all that entails yet, but I do know that part of it is a celebration of Belize gaining it’s independence from England. Belize was formerly known as British Honduras. I plan to post some pictures of some of the events on our next blog. The official date of carnival is actually September 19th.
This month has been the hardest for us thus far. We have been challenged with difficulties at immigration, where we were threatened a $5,000 fine and imprisonment for six months. We went again yesterday to renew our visa and, thanks to a lot of prayers, things couldn’t have gone any more smoothly. Thank you Lord!
As you can see from the photos above, Belize has recently been listed as the #1 murder capitol in the world. We knew things were getting worse, but there is something about actually seeing it in print. I know that there are angels around us, and I thank you all for your constant prayers. The need here is huge, but my God is bigger! He called us here and I pray he continues to use and guide us.
This week we made a new friend named Raymond. He is also a Christian who sells cars here in the city for a living. He asked us yesterday about how we came to Belize and if God called us here. He asked us, “How do you know when God is talking to you?” I have so many different times /ways I feel God speaking to me so I shared them, and I would like to share one with you. It was very personal and was hard to accept , but God knew that I needed to hear it. As many of you know, Heath’s mother battled with cancer for many years. We prayed and had faith that God would heal her. One day just before Heath got home from work I was praying to God and pleading over his mother’s life. It was in that moment God spoke to me in a loud audible voice. He told me His will wasn’t always ours, and that his mother was going to pass away and that I needed to prepare myself and be ready to support my husband. My mother-in-law was a woman of faith and courage and had finished what God had called her to do. We just wanted her to be here with us. I have never been so heartbroken and amazed at the same time! God had just spoken to me out loud, but had told me exactly what I didn’t want to hear. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. I thank God for the heads up on what I needed to do. I tell you all this because God is a person you can and need to talk with out loud sometimes. We can always pray quietly too, but don’t for a minute think He doesn’t want you to call out, cry out to Him! Times may have been hard here lately, but God’s is still in Control. I am trusting Him in all things, big and small. I hope you are too. Acts 2:25-26 David said about him: “I saw the Lord always right before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also live in hope.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US AND BELIZE!!!!!!

God Bless. I love you all,

Amanda

OUR TRIP TO DANGRIGA

August 26, 2009

Amanda and I recently took a trip to Dangriga, Belize, which is in the southern region of the country. The village is mainly made up of Creole and the Garifuna of African decent. The connection or interest we have with Dangriga is that our dear friends Nadia Lockwood and Rev. George Castillo and wife, who currently live in Okaloossa county Florida, grew up there. There is also much work to be done there. Around 11,000 people live in the village and very few youth are involved in the local churches. Dangriga is about two and half hours by bus or a 15 minute flight from Belize City. We chose to treat ourselves to the flight so that we would be more rested and have more time there. We flew on an adventurous small prop plane with seven seats right behind the pilot. Once we arrived, Grace Fairweather, a friend of Nadia’s and a town council member, was eagerly waiting for us at the airstrip. Grace took us into her home, got us together with her Pastor and showed us parks in the area where teens hung out. The parks would be ideal for future youth rallies.

We visited Epworth Methodist Church on Sunday morning and had the opportunity to read scripture for the morning sermon and got to share with the congregation about why we were there. Concluding the service, Pastor Cayatano’s wife invited us to their parsonage for a wonderful meal and time of fellowship. During our time there, we discussed the need for reaching young people, gave them some online youth resources and thoughts, offered our services to their potential youth leaders for future youth training, and discussed setting up youth rallies in the area. We left Dangriga with fully bellies, gifts from our friend Grace and a heart to return to make a difference.

There was such a friendly vibe in the air among their young people. On one occasion, teenage girls asked us to stop as we were walking down the road so that we could watch them try to walk on some wooden stilts. Teens everywhere are starving for attention, discipline, love, hope, vision, and something positive that interest them in which to be involved. Please pray for Epworth, the people, and the possibility of accomplishing great things there through Christ.

Love,
Heath

Build Up Others, Forgive, Love

August 14. 2009

I had someone tell me recently that most of my blogs seemed overly excited or happy. I don’t agree with that at all, but I do feel that I am a positive person who wants to dwell on good things. With that being said, this blog is proof that I talk about what is on my heart. Two and half weeks ago, God laid something on my heart. Each day that has passed, it only has gotten stronger. So here it is. Please accept this as positive since that’s how God and I intended.
Why, as self-proclaimed Christians, do we tear each other down instead of building each other up? I see people every day who are in torment over mistakes they have made. I hear how choices they have made in their lives hold them captive and they don’t see a release. Many are living on the streets, doing drugs to cope with the pain of past memories and actions. They talk about what they have lost because of it and sadly admit that they will live each day this way. I watch as the people who have known them call them names or tell us about what they have done and how we shouldn’t talk to them because of their sins. Or worse, they talk to them smile to their face and continue to talk badly about them a moment later. This is not just in Belize; it’s everywhere! Most people who are prisoners to their sin do not know the Lord. They don’t have the Good News.
The things in my life I thought I was above, or I said “I’ll never do that”, have been the same things I have fallen on my face doing! Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please hear my cry. Don’t kick others while they are down or hold their face in it. Pray for them, rejoice with them and thank God that He has brought them out of it, and be thankful it wasn’t you! If we had all listened to our parents about not touching a hot stove, we would all have a lot less burns. Those burns are on each one of us, so we don’t need to be reminded of the marks they have left. Past sins can haunt you and taunt you, and that is exactly what the devil wants; hurt and division in God’s family. Jesus died on the cross for all our sins, He covered every stain… HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! So the next time anyone feels the need to belittle someone else, just remember, “Let He without sin cast the first stone” John 8:7. Matthew 7:1-5 tells us not to judge, or you too will be judged. And why do we look at a speck of sawdust in ones eyes when we have a plank in our own. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, Not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9. We cannot change our past. We can only move forward and learn from our mistakes. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Never look down on anyone, unless you are helping them up.” Matthew 6:14-15 says “but, If you don’t forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” We are all the children of God. He loves us all the same despite all our differences and flaws. Should we as His church and people not do the same? Lord, please let our actions reflect it! I am ending this with one of my favorite scriptures. Ephesians 4:32 says; ”Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” God Bless you all, I love you so much!
Amanda

What a Week! Gulf Breeze Youth Visit

July 30, 2009

What a week!!! I am truly in awe of God and his purpose and plans for our lives! This week has been filled with so many different activities and emotions. We had to say hello and farewell to Gulf Breeze UMC this week. The time we got to spend with them has truly been a blessing and something I will never forget.
The week started off with some anticipation as we awaited their arrival, as they had to travel through Guatemala to arrive here in Belize City. Day One was filled with a lot of work, but the troops were all game. Some of the group prepared for the week’s VBS at Cavalry Chapel while the others worked at the Salvation Army doing work projects followed by lunch, and then off to VBS! The following days were pretty much the same, but instead of spending more time doing VBS, the street ministry began! I watched as the group handed out food and I was thrilled to see them laying hands on people and praying with them as they felt led. Our friend Vinoid (God Bless Him) even had the whole team over for lunch in his home overlooking the Canal. Twenty-two of us sat and ate as he treated us like family and royalty. Please pray for Vinoid’s health and his family and for safe travel. He will be visiting his homeland (India) for the next three months.
I watched God use his people in ways they had never been used before. He gave courage to some to speak. To others He gave eyes to see what I feel we tend to overlook. People are hurting in so many ways; physically, spiritually and emotionally. The world is full of people who need to be reached. God may not be calling you to be a missionary in Belize. He may be calling you to minister to the man or woman on your block.
I was so excited to hear that my sister took my niece and nephew to work at a food shelter this week. They are young, but what a great age to make them aware of how of other people struggle. Most us live paycheck to paycheck, and it could be us, our Aunt’s or Uncle’s, brothers or sisters or even our parents who are in need. Sure there are some people who will take advantage, but who are we to judge?
I encourage each and every one of you to get involved in some form of giving. It could be donating or as simple as kind word or gesture. It’s up to you. But “faith without works is a dead” (James 2:20). I am sad to see the group from Gulf Breeze leave, but I rejoice in the growth and awareness it brought.

To God be the glory! God bless you all I love you so much!

Amanda

The Street Ministry Begins

July 18, 2009

Throughout my life I have seen God’s faithfulness. His word is true; if we abide with him, then he will abide in us. I am not sure what tomorrow will bring (especially on this new adventure). I just know I’m going with God! We need to realize that he is the same God who turned water into wine and made the blind to see. I rest in His faithfulness and rejoice in the hope it brings. What I wanted to bring to Belize was hope. If you haven’t any hope in your life, what joy can there be? Yet, every day I see the faces of people who have just seemed to have given up. Our desire is to teach them, yes give up but give it up to God. I would like to ask for your prayer for some of the individuals we met today. Fran, Russell, George and Raymond are all people we talked to today while giving out PB&Js and bananas. Raymond was so hungry he asked for an extra sandwich. I handed him another one (because it really isn’t that much) but, by the time we were done talking, he pleaded for a third. I explained to him how we had to conserve them to make sure other people had some; but then I just broke down. How do you say no to a person if you don’t know when their last meal was or when the next meal will come? People are starving everywhere. Sometimes they may not be hungry for food. It may be they are starving for someone just to listen. We never know what someone else is going through, or what their day to day lives are like. We would be wise to remember that while we may think we have it bad, God’s promises are true. If we believe in Jesus, there is always bright hope for tomorrow. God Bless you all. I love you guys so much!

By the way… we do plan to blog more often. This first month has been a little chaotic! Also, please be in prayer for a youth group from Gulf Breeze United Methodist. They will be arriving July 21 to work alongside us in ministry for eight days. Please pray for safe travel and their safety while they are here.

Amanda

We're Finally Here!!!

July 1, 2009

Homeless- A common scene in Belize
We are finally in Belize! I am so thankful for all of the prayers we received for a safe flight. We got here safely and with our luggage. Continue praying daily as we seek to do God’s will in this ministry. I am so happy that we can now inform you about how things are going. We now have internet in our apartment and are quickly learning the ropes and the dos and don’ts of the city. Our biggest obstacle (or, at least for me) is the noise of a city. It’s definitely not the quiet five acres of peace we had in Florida; but, if that’s the biggest problem I have… I figure life is good.
I have always been a simple person. I’ve never been a big fan of hairspray, or taken an hour to get ready for something (not even on my wedding day)! I have no doubt this is my calling. I still may catch myself complaining about being hot or having no box springs, or am about to eat a food item that I can’t read the ingredients. It’s that same moment I think about KC, the security guard across the street. He told me recently, how he spent his childhood eating out of other’s trash. I‘m sure, it is safe to say, he probably didn’t have a mattress then, and he probably doesn’t have one now. I’m not writing this to make you feel badly for him or me. I’m writing this to remind us all of the small and big blessings in our lives. A couple of weeks ago my big challenge was to figure out what to bring to Belize in only two suitcases. I knew our apartment had a refrigerator and air conditioning in only one room. I wanted to bring as much as I possibly could. I managed to bring three pots and some sheets when we came in April. I brought T-shirts, shoes, shorts, church clothes, hats, shampoo, CD’s, etc.(can you believe I made it under the weight limit with my bags?). I unpacked after arriving here and, I was grateful for it all, but soon realized that half of it was just unnecessary. My Bible, a few clothes and a good toothbrush were all I needed. Things are nice to have; but, If we make them more important than our Father, our relationships, our time and our talents, we are selling ourselves short. I regret all the time and money I’ve wasted on things I thought I needed. In a way, it’s actually nice to get back to the basics. It makes me realize what is important. God Bless You All! I love you so much.

Amanda

Our Journey Begins

June 16, 2009

Thank you so much for all your support and prayers over the past month as Amanda and I have been house hopping to spend time with family and visiting churches, groups, and organizations to share about this much needed ministry in Belize. It has felt quite different with many of our belongings being sold, given away, or in storage, adjusting to living without our pets, and no real place to call home. We thought this time would be relaxing, but it has actually been taxing as we make presentations, network, and yet look for more opportunity. It has been good to see old friends and spend time with family, as we haven’t had much opportunity to do so the past three and half years! This time has been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster, however we remain focused on our call to Belize and our mission there. Now the wait is over. We fly out Saturday morning the 20th for Belize City, Belize. We will be setting up house and getting acclimated for the first two weeks with the help of our dear Belizean friends. We just signed a lease on an apartment on the third floor above an oriental store in downtown Belize City with steel bars on the windows and Chinese steel doors with garage door latches. We will be in the perfect place for street ministry, but will have to be careful or inside at night as crime in the city has been on the rise. We are excited to see our friends in Belize, meet our new contacts, and set up house. I guess you could say we are excited, moved, inspired, heart broken, anxious, nervous, and blessed. Our journey has begun and we invite you to be with us through this blog, facebook, and e-mails. You are in our hearts and prayers!

Heath & Amanda