Happy New Year's!
We agreed it was a bit odd ringing in the new year in shorts after dedicating the house, pushing a bus out of mud, swimming, worshipping and watching 'Courageous' under a thatched roof church that has only 1 wall. But that is how we spent New Year's Eve in Belize.
Dedicating the Bell's new house and giving them the keys. (Who needs Ty Pennington?)
Yolanda and the children with the cross we gave them. The cross was made by Lynne Lerch for the family and is the first thing you see when you open the door to the house. The team signed the back of the cross for them. It is inscribed with "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." They had tears in their eyes when we presented it to them. (Thank you Lynne!)
The team and the fmaily with the completed house.
Worshipping on the capital steps Friday evening.
Giving goodie bags to the kids. Kurt loved showing them how to use Pez dispensers.
Walking to the river where the ring was lost and miraculously found.
Pushing a bus out of the mud. Yes - you read that right. We were taken on an outing to Rio Frio caves very close to the border with Guatemala. We traveled a dirt road for over an hour in the mission's school bus. There were two different check points with armed guards. At the final check point, we had to have excorts to go to a cave to protect us from bandits. As we were bouncing down the road, the bus got stuck in the mud. We tried pushing. We gathered and prayed. We walked the Beliezian 'two minutes' to an amazing cave. (More like 20 minutes) Rio Frio Cave is a huge cavern with a sandy beach area, and incredible formations. It was awe-inspiring.
We walked back to the bus ... in the squishy mud ... after watching a line of carpenter ants taking leaves to their home. When we got back to the bus, it took people pushing on the side and front and we (with lots of help from God) were able to get the bus out of the mud. It was in deep! Another way God has shown his mighty power on this trip.
We were then taken to an area of hte river with natural pools. It is like Johnson's Shut-In's in Missouri. Natural waterslides, pools to jump into and swim around in them. Tonight we had worship with the church to pray out 2011 and pray in 2012. Youth drama, singing, testimonies and prayer.
Scott and Kelly left today and they have made it home safely. They are already missed. (especially Scott by Chris)
Here are a few personal messages from team members:
Bill: Kathi, are you out there? Can you at least say hi in the comments?
Kurt and Shannon: Connie/Mom - we love you and miss you.
Becky: Brandyn - I love you. xoxo
Eddie: Joyce - I love you!
The Team: We love our SOJ family! And miss you. Happy New Year!
Prayer Requests:
Team: continued safety. a few have colds - healing, homesickness
Bells: that they have a peaceful first night in their new house.
5 comments:
Happy New Year to the team! What a wonderful posting to wake up to. (and the texts from my VERY missed family, thank you to the team member who let them use their phone).
After all these days posts, the quickest summation I could make is "God is incredibly good!"
I thank you Chris for the time you give to let the rest of us see the journey.
And on a humorous note, I know that is a well built house because you not only had faith to put so many people on the porch at once, but you also had faith to put that many people "under" it as well. I love it!
Church will feel empty this morning without you all there. Absence does make the heart grow fonder and I know 2 people who might be on a shorter leash till I recover from missing them so much.
God watch over you for the remainder of the trip.
Bill-We are alive and well in Indian Trail, wasn't sure you could get incoming messages. Michael and I have prayed for you every night.
In my reading I have read good things:
1c=93-100% (think about that a minute, I am sure it will make sense). Also, the GFI is in the downstairs hall bath-fixed it Wednesday morning- so no worries! Miss your 9:00 phone calls- it is very quiet here this weekend. Scott and Kelly said you have been wonderful to work with! Have a safe trip back. Love, Kathi
Thinking of all of you! Glad you got the bus out of the mud! I want to know who is making the Kool Aide now?
Love and prayers!
Kelly
Chris - Kids are home and as you guessed, I have two crying kids. Tom misses you and Eli misses Grandma Trish. Happy New Year and see you on wednesday.
Hi Dad-
Happy New Year! Eder and I have been thinking about you every day and have really enjoyed seeing the pictures and reading up on the construction progress.
Look forward to hearing all about it when you return. Hugs from Max!
Love,
Brian
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