Belize Mission Trip
From the mountains in the west, to the central rainforests, to the coastal regions in the east, the geography of Belize reflects accurately the diversity of this amazing country and its Latin America, Afro-Caribbean, and Mayan cultures. With a seemingly unending list of ministry opportunities and needs, your Belize mission trip will focus on the ministries that best suit your team. The Belizean community will witness Christ working in and through your team as you serve and share God's love. As Central America's only English-speaking nation, Belize is a great place for a first-time international mission trip. With its warm and open culture, your team will be welcomed wholeheartedly into the community where you serve. |
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Price Information
| $495/person
$695/person
$895/person
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Sample Itineraries
$495/person Click to enlarge |
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$695/person Click to enlarge |
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$895/person Click to enlarge |
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Ministry Options
Ministry |
Description |
|---|---|
| Children’s Ministry | Vacation Bible School and/or dramas, puppets, crafts, worship, interactive games, Bible stories, sports, or skits |
| Service Projects | Construction, repair work, painting, landscaping, clean-up, etc. |
| Church Ministry | Attend or participate in church and Sunday school |
| Sports Ministry | Soccer, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, frisbee, or any large group games |
| Prayer Ministry | Prayerwalking, prayer meetings |
| School Ministry | Lead chapel services, sit in on classes, participate in recess, and fellowship with kids during and after school |
| Mercy Ministries | Hospitals, prisons, senior citizen centers, orphanages, visit shut-ins |
| Evangelism | Hand out Bibles, door-to-door evangelism, street evangelism, or sharing the gospel through DVD |
| Youth Ministry | Lead evening youth gatherings and provide teaching, worship, and fellowship |
| Adult Ministry | Parenting classes, Bible Studies, topical studies, or leadership training |
| Medical or Dental Ministry | Available for groups only |
| Other Ministry | Drama ministry, music ministry, clowning, juggling, speaking, etc. |
FAQs
Prior to the trip you will receive a group leader manual, which includes fundraising ideas; online trip handbooks and resources for participants, promotional materials, and unlimited pre-trip consultations with your trip leader.
Once in Belize you will receive transportation to and from the airport, transportation to and from ministry sites, three meals a day, purified drinking water, sleeping accommodations, group T-shirts, customizable ministry options, an opportunity to attend local church services, evening worship, prayer, debriefing meetings, and a local sightseeing activity.
Airfare, passport, vaccinations, spending money, offering at church services, construction and/or ministry materials, personal insurance, and optional recreation.
English is the official language. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America, although creole, a language combining English and other languages is commonly spoken. Spanish is also spoken in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts which border Mexico and Guatemala. Many Belizeans are bilingual or even trilingual.
Yes. We take extra precautions and lay down strict ground rules to ensure safety. Crime occurs in Belize just like everywhere else, but we have never had a PPM team experience a major incident of crime. Our genuine partnership with pastors and other community leaders in Belize ensures there is always someone looking out for the well being of our teams.
Belize has its share of these, as does every tropical country, however, the chance of seeing anything dangerous is very, very slim. In the unlikely event that one of these creatures is encountered our staff is well prepared and equipped to handle such a situation.
PPM staff will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive in the host country. We will then provide transportation from the airport to the ministry location and back again at the end of the trip.
All transportation within the host country is included in the cost of the trip and will be arranged by PPM. Most often, teams will be riding in buses.
There is only one international airport in Belize which is the Phillip Goldson International Airport (BZE).
All food and drink provided by PPM during trips is safe for consumption. Purified drinking water will be provided and even our cooks use this for preparing meals.
Yes. There will be a time set aside to buy souvenirs if so desired.
While serving in Belize a variety of meals will be offered from local favorites to American food. A typical meal in Belize consists of chicken, rice, coleslaw, beans and juice.
Trip Locations
Trip Journals
Location Information
Belize Basics
Belize is located in Central America and borders Mexico and Guatemala. The capital, Belmopan, is carved out of the jungle in the center of Belize, near the Maya Mountain foothills. Belize City, over 300 years old and the country's main commercial area and seaport, is the largest city, boasting over 80,000 inhabitants and continually growing. It combines a mixture of colonial architecture, functional wooden buildings and historic cathedrals, exuding a ramshackle charm. Other towns of note are Dangriga, Punta Gorda, and the blooming beach town Placencia to the south, and Orange Walk and Corozal to the north.
Belizeans are a laid back people with a low-key demeanor. To the short-term mission participant, Belize will appear quite rural and undeveloped.
At A Glance
| Location | Central America |
| Language | English |
| Income | US $8,000/person |
| Religion | Christian (80%) |
| Climate | Winter Average High: 83 Degrees Winter Humidity: 50% Summer Average High: 88 Degrees Summer Humidity: 85% |
| Population & Density | 320,000 in the country the size of Vermont |
| Ethnic Groups | Mestizo, Kriol, Spanish, Maya, Garinagu, Mennonite |
| Motto | "Under the Shade I Flourish" |
| Independence Gained | From United Kingdom in 1981 |
| Trip Prices | $495: 7 days/6 nights Pick a date! $695: 7days/6 nights Pick a date! $895: 8 days/7 nights Pick a date! |
Climate, Language & Safety
Belize enjoys a subtropical climate the entire year. The wet season occurs from August through November, followed by a dry season from December through March. The normal highs all year are 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit, while low temperatures rarely reach the 60's.
Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America. Creole is also often spoken by locals, as well as Spanish in the western part of the country near Guatemala.
Belize is safe by Central American and Caribbean standards, though street crime is not uncommon in more urban areas. Local theft and pick pocketing are the most frequent occurrences. Awareness of one's surroundings is paramount at all times.
Economy & Currency
Belize's economy is seeing steady growth due to an increase in international tourism. Its jungles are being touted as destinations for eco-lodges, and being located next to the world's second longest barrier reef has obvious advantages. Telecommunications companies are growing, attempting to usher Belize into the 21st century. The per capita income in Belize is just over $8,000 USD annually.
Belize's dollar value is tied to the United States dollar. Two Belizean dollars equal one U.S. dollar, and either currency can be used. At this time, Belizean banks are not connected to the international banking system, so ATM's are unusable for Americans. Visa and MasterCard continue to gain acceptance at most hotels and restaurants.
Food & Fun
Latin American, Creole, and Chinese restaurants represent the vast majority in Belize. Most restaurants serve a variety of foods, from chicken and rice to shrimp or pizza. Local fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and pineapples are widely available and taste excellent. Any fruits that are not peeled or cooked should be avoided.
Belize boasts dense jungles loaded with creatures that fly, swim, and walk. Among them, the toucan, jaguar, and tapir are most famous. The Belize Zoo offers a great opportunity to see the local flora and fauna up close. Also within Belize are a number of Mayan ruins, including Altun-Ha and Xunatunich, which rises 131 feet from the jungle floor.
History & Religion
Belize was dominated by and in the middle of the Mayan empire for the better part of a thousand years. The Spanish arrived in the 16th century and used the area primarily for logging. During the next two hundred years, many British and Spanish pirates inhabited the area, battling for naval supremacy. Finally in 1798, the British navy defeated the Spanish and laid official claim to the area. In 1862, Britain formally named the territory “British Honduras”. That title that lasted until 1981 when a peaceful independence was granted and British Honduras became Belize.
The vast majority of Belizeans declare some sort of spiritual faith. Many are Roman Catholic, while Christian Protestantism continues to grow. Other practiced cults are Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindu, and Voodooism.
Further Reading
Here are some links to more information about Belize.
(These links will open in a new window when clicked.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1955.htm