The team arrived safely in Belize! After picking them up at the airport, we went straight to Kings Park Church of the Nazarene where we are sleeping. After a delicious lunch at Kings Park, we went to Dorothy Minzies children's home to spend time with the children there for about an hour and a half. Then, it was time for church at Zion Nazarene. Jayden, Haley, and Megan shared their testimonies with the congregation, Pastor Jim preached a sermon, and the worship team led the church in a few worship songs. It was an awesome time of worship and fellowship. After a wonderful barbeque dinner and a devotional time led by Jen, it was time for bed. In all, it was a perfect first day in Belize for the whole group. We are looking forward to all that God has in store for us this week!

This morning, the group woke up rested and refreshed. After breakfast and our morning quiet time, we hopped on the bus and headed to Buttonwood Bay Nazarene Primary School. There, we split into groups and visited each class to talk with the children and begin building relationships. While the other groups were visiting classes, Becky taught a dental hygiene lesson in each class and handed out toothbrushes to every child at the school. After lunch at Kings Park, we headed back to the primary school for Vacation Bible School. Having VBS during school allowed more students to participate (105 total), and we are all so thankful that God provided such a unique ministry opportunity. The children were so excited to see us again. It was an incredible time of sharing God's love with His children through music, crafts, games, skits, and bible stories. After VBS, we spent some down time at a park by the water and the group got their first up-close look at the Caribbean Sea. We ended the day with a traditional Belizean dinner, some fun group games, and a time of prayer led by Jen. It has been an incredible day, and we are looking forward to serving again tomorrow!

Day three was an early start. After breakfast at 6:30 AM, we headed to Zion Nazarene Church to paint the inside of the sanctuary. The group enjoyed serving the LORD together at our church home for the week. By the end of the morning, we had completed far more than anyone thought possible! The church is now a cheerful green and we look forward to completing it on Thursday. After lunch back at Kings Park, we began day two of VBS at Buttonwood Bay Primary School. The children were so excited to have us back, and we loved teaching them more about the love of God. After VBS and some much appreciated resting time, part of the group stayed at Kings Park to watch a graduation ceremony for a local school. The rest of the group headed across Belize City to participate in a youth worship service at First Nazarene Church. It was very high energy, Spirit-filled worship. The group loved learning more about the culture of Belize through music, dance, and group discussions. It was a long but awesome day. We are excited to continue learning and experiencing new things as we serve alongside the church here in Belize!

This morning, our schedule changed around a bit. After breakfast at Kings Park, we headed straight to Buttonwood Bay Primary School for VBS. The children were just as enthusiastic early in the morning as they had been the previous afternoons. We all really enjoyed seeing and spending time with our new young friends again! After VBS and lunch, the group met up with the other two PPM groups serving in Belize City to travel to Altun Ha, a Mayan ruin site near the city. We very much enjoyed this time of sightseeing, relaxation, and fellowship. After dinner back at Kings Park, we headed to church at Zion Nazarene. Because of the wet paint in the sanctuary, the congregation met on the front lawn of the church. The congregation enjoyed the blessing of the cool evening and gentle breezes. Scott, Jen, Mike, and Ashlee shared their testimonies with the church, the music team led the congregation in worship, and Pastor Jim led an interactive Bible study. We were very much encouraged and moved by this special time of multicultural fellowship and worship. We are so blessed to have been accepted so fully into this church family, and we are excited to continue to serve with them for the rest of the week!

Thursday, we headed first to VBS for our last day with the children for the week. The kids have been such a joy to interact with and love on! We ended VBS with a bang, bringing all of the children together for a final concert of the VBS songs. As we said our goodbyes, we were able to reflect on all of the beautiful things God has done at Buttonwood Bay Primary School. After lunch, we headed back to Zion Nazarene to continue painting the sanctuary and get started on the outside of the church. The group's hard-working attitude payed off! By the grace and power of God, we were able to complete more than we thought we could! we ended the day with a time of fellowship with the congregation of Zion Nazarene Church followed by some "swallow-ship," a delicious meal prepared for us by our new church family.

Friday morning came so quickly! Half of the group headed to Sister Cecelia's nursing home while the other half went to finish painting at Zion Nazarene. The group at the nursing home enjoyed spending time listening to the stories of the people there and getting to know them. All were blessed by the time spent building relationships and sharing the love of God. The group painting worked hard and was able to complete nearly all of the painting! The congregation is so thankful and excited about the beautiful new paint job! We spent the afternoon at Bacab Eco Park where we met up with the other two groups in Belize City for a few hours of fun in the pool. This time of relaxation and recreation was just what the group needed after a week of hard work. We returned from the pool rested and ready for a youth worship service at Zion Nazarene. We loved spending our last evening in Belize City worshiping and praising our God together with the locals. As the group prepares to head home in the morning, we are reflecting on a fantastic week of growth in the LORD. We look forward to what God has in store for us in the next chapter of our lives.