Hyper Drive Youth

 Everyone had been excited about the Belize Missions Trip. We all stayed at the Hope House Friday night so that we would not have to wait for anyone that morning. The idea was to get a few hours of sleep before we left, but as usual, when you get a group of excited teens together, very little sleep takes place. The flight to Miami was great and we all had fun watching Rod. This was the first flight he had taken since he was just a little baby and he didn’t remember that one.

Everyone got on the plane safely in Miami and we were able to takeoff right on time.

The flight was none eventful until the last 15 minutes when the plane hit some extreme turbulence. I wish I could have counted how many times Rod say the phrase, “Oh Snap” when were going through it. You did feel the plane drop several hundred feet. Hope thought it was just a great ride and wanted to do it again. The landing was also interesting. The pilot brought the plane in fast and hard and we bounced a few times before he really hit the breaks hard. It made me wonder if we just might run off the runway. But he got us to port safely. We found out later, it’s how the all the pilots land their planes in Belize.

Going through customs was interesting. Three planes had all come in at the same time and it was a zoo. We waited in line for a good 40 minutes. The customs officer was great though and he helped us get right through. We loaded everything on a bus that they brought to meet us and we met Dave, our team leader in Belize. He graciously chose our group to immediately take to Corozal and the Cascada Maya where we were stayed for the week. At dinnertime we got a chance to meet the folks in the other teams and began to make a few new friends. The girls outnumbered the guys two to one. Our group was very friendly to the other people and I was very proud of them.

On Sunday we found out that the Church service we would be attending that day was going to be at 6pm. This was the Church where we would be holding our VBS. That evening we went to San Narciso the Presbyterian Church and we experienced a worship service in both English and Spanish. The Pastor’s name was Alvaro Potts and he was fairly young but very humble.

 The next morning we found out we were to begin the construction work with the group from Murrysville Community Church at Cornerstone Presbyterian school. The group from Concord Presbyterian Church had a different project they were doing at San Jose. We loaded up on a second bus and headed off to Cornerstone.

When we arrived at the sight we met Lupe who was the foreman for the construction crew. He introduced us to the local men (there were 4 of them) we were going to be working with and gave us our instructions in what were going to do. Our basic task was to mix and pour concrete for the new auditorium/gym floor. After the construction project that day, we cleaned up and got redressed for our Vacation Bible School. The bus came to pick us up and took us to San Narciso Presbyterian Church. When we got there we immediately went to the work setting things up. The very first day we had 38 kids attend VBS. Tuesday the kids started arriving early. We almost doubled in size that day.

Wednesday, the day started off early once again. We went through the regular routine of getting ready for the job site by preparing our water and gator aid and getting all the supplies we were going to need for the day. We loaded up on the Bus at 7:30am and headed over to Cornerstone.  At Vacation Bible School we somehow got through the day with almost 80 kids and no interpreter.

Thursday was our last day on the construction site. After morning devotions we all got ready for our last day of real work. We had been told we were going to be picked up an hour earlier than the previous days since we had been doing so well with getting done. We were all excited and ready to go. The group from Concord Presbyterian Church, prepared a pancake breakfast for us and afterwards we all chipped in with the cleaning. We got our waters and gator aid together and loaded up the bus around 7:40am and headed on over to Cornerstone. They had most of the site ready for us this time and all we had to do was go get the buckets and wheelbarrows. By this time we had our system in place and we worked together like a well-oiled machine. We were able to finish the last slab in about 2 ½ hours. It was exciting to actually see the completed project. They told us they were hoping to be able to put the roof over the place next year. We all took pictures together and the Belizean construction crew was very appreciative of the hard work we provided for the project. We were able to finish the first of four slabs we had before us for the week.

 After cleaning up we all then had lunch together and got ready to be picked up early for our vacation Bible school programs. Our VBS was going to start a half hour earlier today. This was also going to be our last day for VBS. When we got to the Church we had some extra time to get ready, which was very helpful to have. Also, this time we gathered in a circled and prayed that the Lord would truly bless our efforts especially since we were presenting the Gospel in the skit we were performing. We wanted the Lord to really use us in these children’s lives. The kids really got into the program today and everything went very well.

Friday was a morning for sleeping in, 6:30 instead of the usual 5:45.  Rhonda was hoping to have the opportunity to sleep all the way until 7:00, but with 43 people in the same small building, there is always at least one early riser who takes it upon themselves to make sure that the rest of us do not miss the early morning hours.  After another pancake breakfast, this time accompanied by Tom’s famous fried Vienna Sausages, we were off for our free day. 

 On Saturday, we flew around a big storm coming into Miami. You could see the dark clouds out one side of the window and sunshine out the other. As we approached the runway you could feel the wind gust hitting the plane, which made for yet another rocky ride. The pilot brought the plane in hard and just like Belize, you could really feel them use the brakes and the reverse thrust. We made it though and we were happy. Next came immigrations and the checking of the passports.

Then we went through the big doors for continuing flights and the Lord decided to allow us to work on our perseverance through trials in order that we could become more mature. (James 1) Our flight had been canceled and we were going to have to try to fly out later. We waited till the very end to find out whether any of us were going to be able to fly home that night. I had previously told them we were willing to split the group if necessary. That is what happened.  Christy Shipman accompanied the kids back to TIA while the Edwards family waved goodbye to the plane and settled in for the night as a small group, thankful that we were able to send at least half the group home.

The flight home was short and Christy picked us up at the airport. We didn’t even have to wait for our baggage since all we had left were carry on. We left the airport and went right to Church where Tom gave a short five minute report. We were thankful to be home and very blessed that we had gone.

I am so thankful for all of the people who helped support us for the trip. Without such generous support, this missions trip would had been impossible.  The work we did will have a lasting impact for years to come and God used each us to help those who will minister the Gospel to the Belizean children for generations. Thank you for your prayers and donations. May God richly bless each one of you to even a greater degree than He blessed those of us who went on the trip. 

Pastor Tom