Hi Everyone,
Well... this is likely going to be the last blog post for awhile.On Saturday, we left the mission house in Belize at 8:30am and traveled toward Belize City. We stopped at an awesome gift shop for some last minute shopping before we boarded our flight to Newark. The toughest part of the day was saying good-bye to our hosts, Carmen, Faye and Troy. They have been our hosts, cooks, drivers and most importantly, our friends over the past week. Our team wrote down a bunch of our favourite memories, and Mike was able to compose a song for our hosts. As a team, we sang for them and presented them with pewter crosses from the Cathedral. We have been blessed by their ministry over the past week, and we are hoping that we will be able to maintain a connection with their ministry now that we are back in Canada.
We flew for 4.5 hours from Belize to Newark. When we landed in Newark, we were hoping to have time for a nice leisurely supper before boarding our connecting flight. Unfortunately, our entire layover was consumed with customs, luggage retrieval, luggage drop-off and security line-ups to get to our next gate. We ended up ordering pizzas and scarfing down supper in the 10 minutes before boarding our next flight. Although this wasn't our original plan, we were all very thankful for the warm food in our bellies. On our next flight, one of our team members, Luke, got to meet the Captain... since it was his birthday :) We sang "Happy Birthday" to Luke at breakfast, on the first flight, and the second flight. Our team has become very skilled in the Happy Birthday song this trip :)
Our second flight was much shorter. We arrived in Portland around 10:30pm. Our hotel shuttle bus, and Stephanie & Maddie Logan were waiting for us when we arrived. We are very thankful that Stephanie and Maddie agreed to come down and help us drive luggage back home with us. It was wonderful to see their familiar faces when we got off the plane in Portland. At 11:30pm we arrived at the hotel and said a quick prayer of thanks before we bunked down for the night. We were a pretty sleepy group of travellers.
This morning we enjoyed our final meal together as a team. We somehow managed to clean-out the hotel buffet breakfast. Then we met for our final team meeting. We had asked everyone on the team to think about three things they had learned from the week, and three ways that they had seen God move. We sat in one of the hotel rooms, and shared our experiences of the week. Then we had an awesome time of affirmation for most of our team. We went around the room and took time to encourage each team member individually. It was powerful to see and hear how people have grown, and how God was able to use them during this week.
The last stage of our journey started about an hour late, we really didn't want to rush our final team meeting. We then drove from Portland to Grand Bay / Westfield in one large convoy. We were hugely blessed by the group who were waiting to welcome us at the church when we arrived. A huge thank you to all of our church family for your prayers and support. During our final meeting, the team agreed that this week felt like we were being carried along by the prayers of all of the people back home. We have been blessed with safety (both in travel and in the mission), with new friendships, and with God's annointing in the day-to-day moments. Thank you so much for journeying with us in this mission.
I hope you don't think that you're off the hook yet :)
We have a couple of prayer requests, if you're willing:
1. Please pray for a smooth transition into daily life for the team members (it is difficult to come back from an experience like this and adapt to daily routines again).
2. Please pray that team members will know how to share this experience with others.
3. Please pray for the ministry of St. Hilda's and In His Will Ministries in Belize, they are doing great work there.
Thanks again for all of your support and prayers!
God is amazing!
Anna
Belize Team
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday Update!
It was a fantastic day of firsts for most of us on the team. For many, it was their first time in the Carribean Ocean. For others, it was their first time exploring coral reefs. We felt incredibly blessed to be able to end our trip with a day like this. To cap the day off, there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky for our entire boatride back to the main land.
Supper was fried chicken and then we had a team meeting back at the mission house to debrief the day. The only low from the day is that several people on the team got sunburns while snorkeling. It was almost impossible to keep sunscreen on for the hours that we were exploring the reefs. Thankfully we came stocked with a ton of aloe vera, so we will be able to slather up for the plane rides tomorrow.
It's hard to believe that we are leaving already. Right at this moment, the teams are packing their suitcases. We will be leaving the mission house at 8am tomorrow. It will be a full day of travel. We expect to arrive in Portland, Maine at around 11:30pm tomorrow night. We will probably be a little late with the final blog post and pictures, but they will happen. We are expecting to arrive back in Grand Bay around 6-6:30pm Sunday evening. A huge thank you to everyone for all of your prayer support. We continue to see prayers answered on a daily basis. This entire week has felt like God has gone before us and prepared a path for our team. We ask for your continued prayer support for traveling tomorrow. Please pray that we make our flight, and connection. Also, please pray that our luggage arrives safely in Portland when we do :)
Also, please pray that God would continue to work in the hearts of all of the team members. There have definitely been some seeds planted during this week. Please pray that God will nurture these seeds, and help the team return to their daily routines with a fresh perspective and a vision for God's will in their lives.
We look forward to seeing all of you soon!
Blessings!
Anna Caines
*There will be no pictures today.
Supper was fried chicken and then we had a team meeting back at the mission house to debrief the day. The only low from the day is that several people on the team got sunburns while snorkeling. It was almost impossible to keep sunscreen on for the hours that we were exploring the reefs. Thankfully we came stocked with a ton of aloe vera, so we will be able to slather up for the plane rides tomorrow.
It's hard to believe that we are leaving already. Right at this moment, the teams are packing their suitcases. We will be leaving the mission house at 8am tomorrow. It will be a full day of travel. We expect to arrive in Portland, Maine at around 11:30pm tomorrow night. We will probably be a little late with the final blog post and pictures, but they will happen. We are expecting to arrive back in Grand Bay around 6-6:30pm Sunday evening. A huge thank you to everyone for all of your prayer support. We continue to see prayers answered on a daily basis. This entire week has felt like God has gone before us and prepared a path for our team. We ask for your continued prayer support for traveling tomorrow. Please pray that we make our flight, and connection. Also, please pray that our luggage arrives safely in Portland when we do :)
Also, please pray that God would continue to work in the hearts of all of the team members. There have definitely been some seeds planted during this week. Please pray that God will nurture these seeds, and help the team return to their daily routines with a fresh perspective and a vision for God's will in their lives.
We look forward to seeing all of you soon!
Blessings!
Anna Caines
*There will be no pictures today.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Here are the Pictures from the last few days!!
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| A big turnout - almost 100 kids |
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| A thank you from Mrs. Bennett the school principal |
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| Craft Time! |
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| Having fun at the Mayan Ruins |
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| Meeting some new friends at the VBS |
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| Saying goodbye after the VBS |
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| Some students we met at St. Hilda's |
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| The finished product - a freshly painted school |
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| The team at the top of the ruins... we made it! |
Thursday Update!
Hi Everyone,
Still having internet problems, but I'm writing this in faith that it will get posted :) Today has been yet another full day. We woke and had breakfast at 7:30am, then we were off to the school for the last day of painting. Our team met in the school chapel before we started the day, so that we could do a morning devotion and pray together. It was a perfect start to the day! We still had a large chunk of painting to get finished, and it was uncertain whether we would have enough paint to finish the job. Around 11am, we still had a lot of the last building to finish, and we were running out of paint. Thankfully, the principal was able to do a paint run, as our team ate lunch and played with the students. Some of our team also spent the morning building a puppet theatre for the school puppet team. Since this was our last day at the school, we wanted to spend extra time playing with the students. Some of our team brought face paints, which were a huge hit with the students :) After lunch, we painted like crazy to finish up the final building before our departure deadline. Thankfully, we had just enough paint to finish the job. We had a touching moment with the teachers and principals. Plus, there were many sad good-byes as we said our final farewell's to the students at the school.
At the mission house, some of us showered, and others simply used a garden hose to remove all of the paint from their skin. We had 30 minutes to shower, change and load into the van for the final VBS at the learning centre. Our final VBS session focused on the resurrection. It was a huge blessing to see the children worshiping and interacting with the puppet presentation. It was also a blessing for the leadership team to see how much our teens have engaged in ministry with these children. Time and time again our teens would reach out to the children with love. It was awesome to see!
After the VBS, we came back to the mission house for a supper of BBQ'd chicken and tortillas. Then we each had some personal quiet time with God after supper. Tomorrow is our last full day in Belize, and it was important for all of us to take some time and debrief the week, and unpack the day. In the evening we had a games night and then a worship and debrief time together as a team. This has been yet another amazing day!
We are thankful to God for:
1. The opportunity to finish the painting job that we started.
2. That no one was hurt during the painting.
3. That Tracey's foot is much stronger.
4. For a fantastic final day at the VBS.
We ask for your prayer support for:
1. Our snorkeling trip tomorrow.
2. For our group, who are leaving new friends behind in Belize
3. For continued safety for the team.
4. For God to guide our hearts as we go through the final stages of our week.
Still having internet problems, but I'm writing this in faith that it will get posted :) Today has been yet another full day. We woke and had breakfast at 7:30am, then we were off to the school for the last day of painting. Our team met in the school chapel before we started the day, so that we could do a morning devotion and pray together. It was a perfect start to the day! We still had a large chunk of painting to get finished, and it was uncertain whether we would have enough paint to finish the job. Around 11am, we still had a lot of the last building to finish, and we were running out of paint. Thankfully, the principal was able to do a paint run, as our team ate lunch and played with the students. Some of our team also spent the morning building a puppet theatre for the school puppet team. Since this was our last day at the school, we wanted to spend extra time playing with the students. Some of our team brought face paints, which were a huge hit with the students :) After lunch, we painted like crazy to finish up the final building before our departure deadline. Thankfully, we had just enough paint to finish the job. We had a touching moment with the teachers and principals. Plus, there were many sad good-byes as we said our final farewell's to the students at the school.
At the mission house, some of us showered, and others simply used a garden hose to remove all of the paint from their skin. We had 30 minutes to shower, change and load into the van for the final VBS at the learning centre. Our final VBS session focused on the resurrection. It was a huge blessing to see the children worshiping and interacting with the puppet presentation. It was also a blessing for the leadership team to see how much our teens have engaged in ministry with these children. Time and time again our teens would reach out to the children with love. It was awesome to see!
After the VBS, we came back to the mission house for a supper of BBQ'd chicken and tortillas. Then we each had some personal quiet time with God after supper. Tomorrow is our last full day in Belize, and it was important for all of us to take some time and debrief the week, and unpack the day. In the evening we had a games night and then a worship and debrief time together as a team. This has been yet another amazing day!
We are thankful to God for:
1. The opportunity to finish the painting job that we started.
2. That no one was hurt during the painting.
3. That Tracey's foot is much stronger.
4. For a fantastic final day at the VBS.
We ask for your prayer support for:
1. Our snorkeling trip tomorrow.
2. For our group, who are leaving new friends behind in Belize
3. For continued safety for the team.
4. For God to guide our hearts as we go through the final stages of our week.
Wednesday Update!
Hi Everyone,
There have been some internet issues here at the mission house, so our apologies for the late postings. We had another incredible day! Since our painting job is so huge at the school; the team ate a quick breakfast and then hit the road. We painted all morning, until we attended the Ash Wednesday service with the students. Some of our team performed a liturgical dance that was really, really, powerful. The team found the entire service really moving. What a blessing to worship with our brothers and sisters here in Belize. We ate a quick lunch, and then went back to painting for another hour. Of course, in the midst of this hour there was also a bunch of playing with the children during their break time and lunch time.
Aroud 1pm, we struck out on our afternoon excursion. We drove toward the Guatemalan border and visited some amazing Mayan ruins. It was an extremely hot, and sticky day, but that didn't stop the team from climbing to the very top of the tallest ruin. The weather did make our swim in a nearby swimming pool that much sweeter. Then our group did a little shopping for souvenirs before going out for a nice dinner in a restaurant in St. Ignacio. Altogether, I don't think I've ever seen a more sleepy group of teenagers at 9:10pm. As we debriefed the day, many of us couldn't pick a favourite moment... because the day was filled with too many fantastic moments. We are very grateful to God for the people that he has placed in our pathes and the special moments of fun that have blessed each day.
I can't thank people enough for your prayer support.
- Tracey's foot continues to heal. She is now walking carefully, and she was able to join us for the hike to the Mayan ruins.
- We continue to work in the hot sun without any signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion
- Our team continues to grow closer together
Please continue to pray for:
- Safety and good health as we continue to paint the school tomorrow.
- Sound sleeps, since we have another very full day for our last two days in Belize
- That God would speak to the hearts of our team members, and that they would experience him in new ways in the days ahead
There have been some internet issues here at the mission house, so our apologies for the late postings. We had another incredible day! Since our painting job is so huge at the school; the team ate a quick breakfast and then hit the road. We painted all morning, until we attended the Ash Wednesday service with the students. Some of our team performed a liturgical dance that was really, really, powerful. The team found the entire service really moving. What a blessing to worship with our brothers and sisters here in Belize. We ate a quick lunch, and then went back to painting for another hour. Of course, in the midst of this hour there was also a bunch of playing with the children during their break time and lunch time.
Aroud 1pm, we struck out on our afternoon excursion. We drove toward the Guatemalan border and visited some amazing Mayan ruins. It was an extremely hot, and sticky day, but that didn't stop the team from climbing to the very top of the tallest ruin. The weather did make our swim in a nearby swimming pool that much sweeter. Then our group did a little shopping for souvenirs before going out for a nice dinner in a restaurant in St. Ignacio. Altogether, I don't think I've ever seen a more sleepy group of teenagers at 9:10pm. As we debriefed the day, many of us couldn't pick a favourite moment... because the day was filled with too many fantastic moments. We are very grateful to God for the people that he has placed in our pathes and the special moments of fun that have blessed each day.
I can't thank people enough for your prayer support.
- Tracey's foot continues to heal. She is now walking carefully, and she was able to join us for the hike to the Mayan ruins.
- We continue to work in the hot sun without any signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion
- Our team continues to grow closer together
Please continue to pray for:
- Safety and good health as we continue to paint the school tomorrow.
- Sound sleeps, since we have another very full day for our last two days in Belize
- That God would speak to the hearts of our team members, and that they would experience him in new ways in the days ahead
Tuesday Update!
This morning we awoke at 7am, and had yummy french toast, eggs and fresh pineapple for breakfast. Then we met as a team and had a devotion, before striking out for St. Hilda's. Our team is now responsible for painting the outside of all of the school buildings. This is going to be a pretty huge job, but it was awesome to see how hard our team worked together, despite the intense heat. We even had five team members who volunteered to stay behind after lunch and keep painting so that we can finish painting on schedule. Today, was also the first day for the students to be back at school since yesterday was a holiday. Many of our team members had a ton of fun playing with the kids during recess and lunch break.
Our awesome hosts surprised us with a trip to a private swimming hole after painting. It was so amazing of them to help us cool down after hours in the hot sun. The team loved splashing around in Iguana Creek :)
Our VBS was intense this afternoon with almost 100 children showing up from the village. Yesterday's theme was Jesus' birth, and today we focused on Jesus' life. It was definitely a chaotic time, but a lot of fun to sing and dance with the kids. It was a blessing to be able to love them and tell them about God's love.
Supper was tacos, and then we spent the evening working on dramas for the ash Wednesday service tomorrow at St. Hilda's. We then spent the rest of the night playing games and relaxing. We feel really blessed that Tracey's foot is much, much better. She didn't end up going for an X-ray, because the healing is happening so fast.
We ask for your prayers for the following:
1. For safety as we go through our day.
2. For sound sleeps, since our days are so intense.
3. As always, please pray that our team continues to grow closer together, and closer to God.
Thanks for your support!
Anna Caines
Our awesome hosts surprised us with a trip to a private swimming hole after painting. It was so amazing of them to help us cool down after hours in the hot sun. The team loved splashing around in Iguana Creek :)
Our VBS was intense this afternoon with almost 100 children showing up from the village. Yesterday's theme was Jesus' birth, and today we focused on Jesus' life. It was definitely a chaotic time, but a lot of fun to sing and dance with the kids. It was a blessing to be able to love them and tell them about God's love.
Supper was tacos, and then we spent the evening working on dramas for the ash Wednesday service tomorrow at St. Hilda's. We then spent the rest of the night playing games and relaxing. We feel really blessed that Tracey's foot is much, much better. She didn't end up going for an X-ray, because the healing is happening so fast.
We ask for your prayers for the following:
1. For safety as we go through our day.
2. For sound sleeps, since our days are so intense.
3. As always, please pray that our team continues to grow closer together, and closer to God.
Thanks for your support!
Anna Caines
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