Wonder Voyage 2009 Summer Blog

What an amazing week in Belize! As we sat as a group tonight and shared our week, my heart just kept thanking and praising God.  Three weeks ago we were not even supposed to be here in Belize.  We were scheduled to be in Honduras.  Then everything changed due to the political situation that developed there. Our trip was cancelled. We were not sure if our team would be able to go anywhere.  There were a lot of questions being asked, decisions being made, and details to be worked out to see about going to another location. Time was very short!  Then God opened the door to Belize. 

We stepped off the plane with very few details and no detailed schedule.  All we had was trust in God!As I look back on this adventure, one thing rings out in my soul – God is sovereign!  God is in control. This is where we needed to be!  God took an obstacle and used it for His glory!  What a privilege to be a part of the on-going story of God.We had an amazing week and an amazing team!  God worked in us and through us.  Thanks to our sovereign God for all that He has done!

On Saturday we went snorkeling on the second largest Coral Reef in the world.  Some of us were nervous, but by the end of the day the awe of God’s creation was unanimous among us.  The experience was truly unforgettable.

The almost familial affinity among the members of our team showed itself as we all remained closed together in the water and watched out for one another.  Even though some of us were a few sunburns, kicks to the face, or scrapes for the worse by the end, we returned to the base feeling closer than ever.

What seemed to ring most in our minds was the creative genius of God.  What human artist could shape the shimmering technicolor scales of a fish as it darts among the coral?  And who knows how to make great fluorescent blue schools move in total unison?  Could anyone choreograph the graceful dance of the sting rays as they fly beneath the clearest water?  Only God.  And that same Craftsman is the One who made you and me.

Friday was the day that our group was looking forward to the most…or at least I was.  Every time I see pictures or hear stories from my friends who have been on mission trips they are always filled with tales of working with children.  I was ecstatic when I learned that our team would be given the opportunity to visit a children’s home.

When we first arrived at home we just sat down in the common room area and started pulling out our crafts and games, the kids began to flock to us, no introductions needed.  All the kids saw were toys and people who wanted to play with them, and that was all they needed.

We made bracelets and necklaces with the kids, played games like Candyland and Connect 4, but I don’t think it mattered what we played with them, just the fact that someone was giving them love and attention meant the world to them.  

Later in the day we returned to the YWAM campus and played tournament style games with the campers from their Legacy Conference.  I feel that all the kids from all the different places blended and played so well together.  It was beautiful to watch.

Today we returned to Cayo Christian Academy to finish helping with the projects we started on Tuesday. We continued hauling rock and making pathways as well as sorting and stacking books, and mowing the weed infested yard. Instead of an edger or weed-eater, we used a machete to do the edges that couldn’t be reached with a lawnmower. 

There was a dead palm tree that we began to hack at with the machete.  A woodpecker had been seen flying into it earlier in the day, but when we looked into it, we didn’t see anything inside except ants.  I ended up kicking the tree down.  Then a featherless baby woodpecker came rolling out. We put it back into the tree, but it probably died within hours of me knocking down the tree.

Later in the evening a bat came into our house from the open porch.  It flew around our living space blinded by the lights inside. We turned out the lights and opened the front door to try to lead it outside. It flew into a wall and ended up stunned on the floor and our youth pastor swept it outside with a broom. 

Through my experiences today God showed me how fragile life is. but also that God is sovereign and in control.  God is so much bigger than I am. He is in control and I need to trust Him. It is one thing when people tell you about God, but it is more personal and real when you experience Him yourself.

Today God blessed us with the opportunity to immerse ourselves further within the culture of Belize and its people.  We visited the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and explored the temples and plazas with a Mayan descendant as our guide. As we climbed to the top of the 134 ft high temple, my only thoughts were keeping my teammates from falling.  But when I reached the top and looked out over God’s wondrous creation and felt the much-needed breeze on my face, I realized just how great He really is.  The rolling hills, the dense forests, ad the high mountains…who could have created this but God?

Along with the Maya, we visited the Mennonite community at Spanish Lookout.  The Mennonites moved here hoping to find an easier way to live their simple lifestyle.  We walked into the first air-conditioned room since we arrived in Belize, and got some delicious ice cream. When we rode the bus back to our home base, the interactions between all of us showed how close and how comfortable e have all become around one another.  God really blessed us in innumerable ways today.

The team from Mt Ararat Baptist Church has arrived safely here in Belize, and has quickly settled into a community rhythm here at the Youth with a Mission base near Belmopan. After a good night’s rest and some time to get to know our hosts, Santiago & Liliana Valencia, the team jumped right into an afternoon of service at Cayo Christian Academy. 

The team helped both inside and outside, cleaning and organizing classrooms and shoveling, hauling, amd spreading aggregate for an outdoor dining hall.  All of it was hard sweaty work, but once the students heard the story of the school and the children whom it serves, everything seemed totally worth it.  Miss Dana, the school’s principal let the group know how much the work means to the school, every shovelful of dirt had a purpose.

This Mt Ararat team is in for a great adventure this week in Belize.They were originallly slated for a Honduras journey, but have responded to the location and schedule changes with amazing flexibility and great humor.  After hearing the story of Cayo Christian Academy, the team knows they are here for a reason.

This is been such a great trip! As has been our practice – we begin each morning in silence until we come together to pray. As we pray the psalms together we effectively break our “reflective mode” and return to voice our praise to God and reconnect with each other. After prayer we came together for breakfast and conversation.

Well, after a hard day of work on Thursday we headed out to take in some of the natural beauty common to Belize – the islands and ocean that surround this tropical paradise. As a team we loaded up on a large boat and retreated to a secluded island called Goff Key. This was our day to work together as we snorkeled the reefs that create a natural break for the country’s coast. The cool thing about today – even with to “non-swimmers” each person snorkled with the help of our buddie and guides. |it was so cool to see folks over coming fears, working together as a team and encouraging one another. It was fun to see the kids playing together in the shallow pools that surround this beautiful island. It was wonderful to see students serving students lunch – as they worked together to make sure everyone was fed and full. At the end of the day – even in the midst of fun – is was awesome to watch this team work together, serve one another and set a good example for all to see.

After we returned to base, ate and got cleaned up – our team met to discuss, “where we saw God.”  It was fun to see the students communicate all the unique ways they experienced / saw God.  In each other, in the ocean, swimming with the fish, in the sun and in the midst of having fun with each other.  They SAW GOD, experienced his presence and embraced his changing power. 

All in a days pilgrimage…

Today took a different twist as we stayed on the campus of YWAM Belize to participate in serveral work projects as they prepare for a large youth conference.  The team from St. Marks diligently gave six hours to work hard on behalf of our hosts for this pilgrimage week. We broke into teams to accomplish the many tasks at hand.  Some worked to clean up around the river bed and swimming hole.  Another group of students painted the inside of the “Community Center” while others cut wood, deep cleaned bathrooms and cabins.  All of this was a sacrifical investment in the lives of hundreds who will come to learn about Christ right here at YWAM Belize. 

After a hot and hard days work many took a break while others played soccer with local kids and teens.  Finally  – just about everyone will take a dip in the local swimming hole before dinner.  After our dinner we will round out the evening with discussion of St. Matthew chapter 25 – and ask the question…what does it mean to serve the “least of these?”  Most will end the evening with journaling and writing notes to Lucy before heading to bed.

Today was a great day for reflection as we floated down a river nestled in the middle of the rain forest.  Our guides helped the students and leaders navigate through a series of mile longs caves where they got to experience the marvels of nature including an underground waterfall and bat cave.  At the end of the “cave portion” of our journey we stopped for a time of reflection to talk about the challenges of life and what may be holding us back from expeiencing the fullness of life. As a memory of our time together each student selected a rock that “best described them”  – which will be used later in the week during our Eucharist Encounter.  Before we left the river most students and adults took a well deserved jump from the rope swing into a crystal blue swimming hole.  After a hearty dinner we enjoyed some free time and ended our day with discussion, journaling and prayer.

Day two began with a breaking of the silence and prayer.  We realized after a hot sticky night’s sleep and some lingering exhaustion that some of our team may be dragging.  We made a group decision to work as a team to complete a hike needed to arrive at ancient Mayan Ruins.  Knowing that we would be faced with the idea of sacrificing for one another, we ventured out into an unpredictable day of prayer, facing fears, challenges and sacrifice as we began to further explore our faith in the jungle of Belize. 

After a long bumpy bus ride, we embarked on a mile hike up many hills in the heat of the Belizean sun.  Sacrifices were made as those with more energy assisted more tired members of our team.  When one of us was dragging many helped to carry a backpack allowing a pilgrim in need to make it to the top of the ruins as we all encouraged each other along.  Later when we were all hungry and thirsty, water and food rations were shared.  How wonderful to see our faith in action as we watched the teens help one another, knowing we would make it, but also knowing that some of the pilgrims were being challenged to do more than they thought they could.  Our reward was a magical experience at the ancient ruins in their magnificent splendor.  Climbing to the top of the ancient structures and looking out for miles in all directions was a powerful experience for all. 

From last Sunday’s Honduran coup until today we have repeatedly seem how our plans may be different from God’s.  Today we planned to swim at a local pool and ended up at a local swimming hole that far exceeded what a pool experience may have been.  Here, we all, regardless of swimming ability waded into the refreshing water.

Our pilgrims are becoming wonderful story tellers and will have many more to share.  At the end of the day we were all amazed at our journey. The fears we faced, the sacrifices made and the faith that brought us safely back to evening prayers.