This morning it is bright and sunny in Belize. The PPM staff await the arrival of the team. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the airport in a couple of hours. We will be traveling west, then south to Pomona on Belize's most beautiful drive, the Hummingbird Hwy! We will be checking into our lodging and getting ready for a youth night right away. I look forward to posting more information and pictures as I have a chance to find internet. Thanks for all your prayers as we begin our mission trip today!

We arrived safely in Belize yesterday. After loading up our bus, we headed west toward the Capitol City of Belmopan, and then south on the hummingbird Hwy to Pomona. Before reaching Pomona, we were able to stop at the Hosanna House children's home. There are 25 residences at the home. The children come from abusive families. When we reached our lodging, we unloaded our gear and got back on the bus to head to a dinner of rice, chicken, mashed potatoes, and bread pudding. The women who are cooking for us at the church this week are outstanding. Last night we were able to interact with the youth through songs, testimonies, games, and fellowship. This morning we are getting ready for church. The picture attached to this entry is of Frank and his 2 month old son. Frank will be helping out the construction effort.

At Children's church this morning, there was a full house with children joining us from Hope Creek and Pomona as well as the surrounding rural areas. There were skits to be seen, stories to be enjoyed, songs to be sung, coloring to be done, and games to be played! We've enjoyed learning about the children and youth as there is no language barrier to work around. This afternoon, we look forward to getting out into the community to invite people to the ministries before we enjoy a homecooked Belizean meal and participate in this evening's church service. We appreciate your prayers for these ministries and look forward to seeing God move in Belize!

Sunday Evening was a success! After being spoiled with a great meal of meatballs, rice & beans, plantains, coleslaw, and johhny cakes by the women of the church we were introduced to worship Belizean style. We learned new praise songs, the whole church sang a birthday song to Pastor Lee and some of the small girls sang a special song for us as their guests! We were able to participate by doing a modern day David & Goliath skit followed by Pastor Lee's sermon calling everyone to resist satan and follow Jesus more closely in our lives.

Today was the first day of the medical clinic, and we kept our doctors and team busy with a steady stream of patients from morning until supper time. We were able to serve over 110 people from Pomona and the surrounding villages. Many Bibles were also handed out as we were able to talk with the people as they were waiting to be seen.

Vacation Bible School was described as organized chaos, today. We had Bible lessons, memory verses, games, crafts, and lots of fun. We were surprised and happy to learn that the children still remembered what the different colors we'd painted on our soccer balls represented! We were given a run for our money on the volleyball court and soccer is continually a favorite at the sports camp.

Everyone working on the office & storage building earned their supper tonight. Frank worked along side us and by supper time we had holes dug, rebar cut and positioned, and the cement foundation poured. We look forward to laying cement block walls later this week!

Please continue to pray for the ministries God has put before us this week. Tomorrow morning we will have VBS in the morning before spending the afternoon in the jungle.

Pictured: the guys are working with rebar for the foundation. It comes in very long rods and must be cut and tied together to strengthen the cement foundation.

Pictured: we enjoy the shade upon entering the mouth of St. Herman's Cave.

The women's Bible study was very encouraging as we learned that Belize has some very strong prayer warriors among the women. Far exceeding our expectations, 22 women joined us for the evening, and we were able to enjoy fellowship, study, and prayer together. Praise the Lord, He is good!

Wednesday was quite the day as we packed in VBS, a visit to the Hosanna House children's home, door-to-door visits, construction, the medical clinic, and an evening evangelism service. The ladies of the church are treating us to wonderful Belizean food - today we tried breadfruit and tamales - and many of us have received various other edible gifts as we visit with new friends! Each day, more children join us in the morning to learn Bible stories and play; many hearts have been stolen by the bright faces that call out "back me!" which means "can I have a piggy back ride?"

In the evening, we were blessed by a powerful musical drama done by our youth before learning why Zaccheus was "driven up a tree" - Jesus of course! Hearts were won for Jesus, and we ask for your prayers to strengthen connections between these new believers and the church so that they will continue to be fed and grow in their faith.

The weather was beautiful today as we ended our time in Pomona. Somehow, we were able to fit all of the children from both villages into the church sanctuary for our closing VBS, and it was quite a sight (and sound for that matter)! All together, there were over 250 children on the very last for VBS. We were also given a warm closing ceremony by the church this evening when many thanks were expressed on both ends.

Please keep us in your prayers as we debrief from a full week, relax on the island tomorrow, and fly home in the next days.