Belize it or not...it's almost time!

The youth and parents have been buzzing about Belize. We've gotten almost all of our last minute supplies, like sunscreen, work gloves, and snacks for the road, and now we have just over 48 hours before we begin our journey. I love the excitement of some of our youth. Cheryl asked tonight if we could meet for breakfast before we leave. Considering the fact that we're meeting at 5:30 am, breakfast would come way too early on Saturday. The reality of the situation, however, is that I'll probably be so excited on Saturday morning at 4:30am that I will just be laying in bed awake and anticipating our departure.

Our youth have an incredible opportunity once we get to Belize. We're going to be the first group to work with the new Belmopan Methodist High School. In fact, we're going to be a part of the ground breaking ceremony on Monday morning. We won't be able to finish the high school in one week, but we're going to laying the foundation for groups to come in the future to finish the school. Its likely that the construction of the church will take 2-3 years, so our prayer is that we will be back several times to see the school into its completion. No matter how long it will take, the reality is that with the addition to this school, more students will be able to be educated, which will improve the quality of life for generations to come.

Through the new relationships we hope to form with Belizean students, my prayer is that our team would be strengthened in their own relationships with God. Worshipping Christ with other cultures enables us to see how God's love in Christ is available to all people and that together, we can mutually encourage each others in our relationships with Him.

The foundation being poured this week isn't just with the school building. For many of our youth and adults, serving in Belize will lay a foundation of serving in missions that will be added to each time the have the opportunity to shovel dirt, swing a hammer, or talk with someone from a different culture. This will mark the first many weeks where they will sacrifice their money, time, and energy for building the kingdom of God.

My prayer for our team as that each member would experience God's love and truth through the relationships being built with each other and with Belizeans, through the construction work on the high school, and through the little things that happen that aren't quite planned, but that are God's way of reminding us who is in control.