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Praying Pelican Missions Logo

Asbury Church

Serving In Belize
January 20, 2018
Staff: Burton Brooks, Miguel Salazar

We're here!

by Jesse Koopman | January 20, 2018 9:20 PM

Today... it was a long day. Most of us left Madison between 9pm Thursday and 2am Friday morning. We all got to the airport in plenty of time, (4:15am) and had a wonderful day of fellowship together and resting while flying. 

While in Denver we took time to get to know one another with ice breakers and sharing our personal stories. 

Once we got to Belize everything was smooth sailing getting through customs and getting to the hotel. Our hosts with Praying Pelican Ministries have been so wonderful, and the local church El Buen Pastor Baptist Church hosted us for a delicious diner. 

After a prep meeting to get us set for the week in a new culture we're excited to get some rest before church tomorrow. 

We're praying for all you at Asbury tomorrow morning!

We're here!

Ice Breakers

by Jesse Koopman | January 20, 2018 9:22 PM

Sitting at Denver International airport.

Ice Breakers

A Day of Worship

by Jesse Koopman | January 21, 2018 10:32 PM

Today was a day filled with worship and fellowship. We shared our morning with the children of Caledonia. We did crafts, shared the Biblical story of David and Goliath, and spent time building relationships. 

After morning service, we went for a walk through Caledonia exploring the neighborhood and meeting the people who live there. It was wonderful to see what life is like in the city. 

After lunch we enjoyed the Sabbath with some down time and relaxation before going back to church for service in the evening. 

The church embraced us not only as fellow worshipers, but asked us to participate in their service. They prayed for us, and we for them. They shared some amazing musical worship, praise dances, and a short word. We served them by Rick Hoerz sharing a person testimony, Connor Zimmick sharing a wonderful sermon, and Holly Van Gilder sharing a song on the violin. 

It was a great day meeting new friends, and worshiping our God with brothers and sisters from another part of the world. We can't wait to get started serving them with various projects tomorrow!


Morning

by Jesse Koopman | January 21, 2018 10:45 PM

Working with the kids!

Morning

Evening Worhips

by Jesse Koopman | January 21, 2018 10:46 PM

The dancing was amazing!

Evening Worhips

Evening Worhips

by Jesse Koopman | January 21, 2018 10:47 PM

Dinner at the church.

Evening Worhips

Day 2

by Jesse Koopman | January 22, 2018 9:29 PM

Today my heart was opened in a huge way. It went far beyond the projects we did, and wasn't about where we were. It was watching our team, and the churches we partnered with grow together in unity, fellowship, and mission. 

Our service projects were at two churches. At one church we worked on painting a dull bare concrete ceiling white, which has started to bring more light and vibrancy to their worship space. At the other church we assisted in the start of construction of a new second floor addition.  

It was nice to do something nice, but watching people from different cultures come together, talk about their love for Jesus and focus on what makes them the same instead of different warmed my heart in a way it hasn't been in years.

The mission team from Asbury have been reaching out to our partner churches, and our partner churches have  welcomed us with open arms. 

We wrapped up our day with holding a 2 hour VBS for each church. The first of several days of it this week. The church I was at in Caledonia was packed with over 100 kids of the community. Far more than that church normally sees, and the kids had so much fun with crafts, stories, games and songs!

I'm so excited to see what God is going to do with these budding relationship this week.

On a personal note, I've been enjoying building a strong bond in friendship with a few people from our missions organization that are passionate about using media to bring Jesus in new ways to their community. Getting to hold training sessions with them and encourage them has been more than I could have hoped for already. 

More tomorrow! Thank you all so much for your prayer support. We couldn't do this without you.

Day 2

The new additon

by Jesse Koopman | January 22, 2018 9:30 PM

There was a bare ceiling when we started today!!
The new additon

Day 3

by Jesse Koopman | January 23, 2018 11:11 PM

The concept of a missions trip is sometimes a fluid one. Schedules are made, and projects and events are completed, but I continue to find that they are not the reason we are here. It's the things under the surface of the projects and events. 

Working on projects like the walls for the 2nd floor addition, painting a church in Orange Walk, or hosting a spa day for ladies of the community, isn't the reason we come down. It's the relationships we build. 

The spa day was an amazing success. The ladies told me story after story about how they connected with, prayed with, and blessed the amazing women of this city with their wholehearted and humble service. 

The relationship I've witnessed building with the crews at the work sites is remarkable. Breaks are filled with conversation of faith, family, love and laughter. 

Kids are filled with smiles at VBS again today! I have to hand it to the VBS team. I've been touched by the way they've managed to captivate their audience with stories, games and crafts that all relate to a central message. Today they learned about Giddeon, and made torches. 

After two days of solid work we're getting pretty tired as a team, but spirits are still high, and while we're off to visit some Mayan Ruins tomorrow, many people have said how much they'll miss working, and their new friendships. 

Thanks again for all your support. We can't wait to share all of our stories when we get back

Day 3

Update on the additon

by Jesse Koopman | January 23, 2018 11:13 PM

Making great progress!

Update on the additon

Food Distributions in Caledonia

by Jesse Koopman | January 23, 2018 11:14 PM

They were so grateful!
Food Distributions in Caledonia

Fresh Paint!

by Jesse Koopman | January 23, 2018 11:15 PM

El Buen Pastor church is getting some fresh paint.
Fresh Paint!

Bible Study

by Jesse Koopman | January 23, 2018 11:16 PM

Jim talking about what it means to serve Christ.
Bible Study

Gideon

by Jesse Koopman | January 23, 2018 11:18 PM

Amazing craft time today.
Gideon

Duck, duck

by Jesse Koopman | January 23, 2018 11:19 PM

Goose!
Duck, duck

Day 4

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 9:03 AM

Sometimes what you feel is more important than what you see or do. Today we did lots of things, but  the only thing that mattered to me was witnessing the impact I had on a small worship team . El Buen Pastor Baptist Church has an older, but fairly decent sound system, but they have no knowledge and don't understand how to make their talented musicians sound good. Taking 30 min to train the team on it was the highlight of my trip so far. Watching their faces light up when what I was saying clicked was more than my heart could handle. Providing a tool they never had before through sharing my knowledge and skill was amazing. 

That is just one story out of many from today for all of us. While we visited some Mayan ruins in the morning, and we all certainly enjoyed seeing something amazing and getting quality time to fellowship together, I don't think anyone would call it the highlight of the day. The goodbye fellowship service here in Orange Walk was a time of watching transformations happen. Witnessing the relationships we built and seeing the hearts of people change from the time we got here until now has made this trip worth far more than anything we could have devoted to it. 

We're excited to continue our work tomorrow and spend one more day with our amazing friends, and partners in ministry, bringing the love of Jesus Christ to these two communities.

Day 4

Jaguar Temple

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 9:04 AM

It's been there since the 1500s!

Jaguar Temple

Friends

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 9:05 AM

These women bonded in a big way this week.

Friends

Friends 2

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 9:06 AM

So did the men.

Friends 2

Parting is such sweet sorrow

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 11:29 PM

 While we are in Belize for another day and a bit, goodbyes were said to most of our friends here in Belize today. But today was about far more than saying goodbye. 

Today started with a visit to the local school in Orange Walk. It was great to see Harold bring the Word of God to a school assembly of so many young hearts. We then went to our sites and got back to work for a solid productive morning to do as much as we could before leaving. Projects are finished, but the work will continue by the hands of the men and women we've been working with side by side all week. 

We did another round of food/supply delivery to families in the communities around the churches we've been supporting. Praying for each one, encouraging them, and giving them hope through the demonstration of love, and providing for their material needs. This was easily one of my favorite activities of the trip. 

Finally we wrapped up with a fellowship service at church in Caledonia. It was such a joy to get to celebrate our week of friendship, faith and fun. Many tears were shed next to lots of laughter and smiles. We'll miss our Belize family a great deal, but are excited to keep them in our prayers and see them again next year.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Spa Day

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 11:30 PM

Manicures. 

Spa Day

Food Deliveries

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 11:31 PM

Welfrido is suffering from kidney failure and blindness. It was a joy to pray with him and for God's healing. 
Food Deliveries

VBS Craft Time

by Jesse Koopman | January 25, 2018 11:32 PM

Cross relief watercolor paintings. 
VBS Craft Time

Final Day

by Jesse Koopman | January 27, 2018 8:37 AM

If any of you know me, you know I'm a huge Badger fan. At the end of each home game of our football season, when the band plays, they recite the same sentence. At Camp Randall, we never say goodbye, we only say, we'll see you next year. It's a sentiment that's been rolling around in my head all day. 

It's been a wonderful day of relaxing and getting refreshed and getting some time to step back and focus on enjoying the beauty of this remarkable country. the keys are extremely beautiful and exploring the one we're on together has provided for great fellowship and restoration after a demanding and rewarding week. 

We can't wait to get home to share our stories. Be sure to ask us how God changed our lives, as each one of us has been changed in a big way. 

Thanks again for all of your prayer and support!

Belize.... WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Final Day

The Ocean

by Jesse Koopman | January 27, 2018 8:38 AM

This is the pier we came in on. 

The Ocean

For Cater

by Jesse Koopman | January 27, 2018 8:39 AM

Inside Out reprezent'n in Belize.

For Cater

Belize City

by Jesse Koopman | January 27, 2018 8:40 AM

Beautiful old school port city

Belize City

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Comments

Erica Schorr Evans

February 3, 2018 10:46 PM

Seeing your pictures and reading your journal of the trip brings back a flood of memories from the mission trip I attended last year with Abby. Thank you for representing Asbury and carrying out the Lord's work.

Connie

January 25, 2018 11:14 AM

Thank you Jesse for the wonderful pics and for the heartfelt and touching stories that keep us all updated. Praying for everyone's safe return. It's really quiet around here! Missing you all. Connie

Vana Steffen

January 25, 2018 9:55 AM

What a wonderful testimony you all are to God's love!!! May your visit continue to be safe and fruitful. Blessings to you all!!!

Lenita Krall

January 23, 2018 5:29 PM

I'm praying for you all!!!

Nicole Biessman

January 23, 2018 9:49 AM

What a joy! Thank you Asbury team for your service. You are truly REACHING OUT to share God's love in a concrete way. We continue to pray for you and the people you are serving.

Dorothy Knauss

January 21, 2018 10:24 PM

Praying from Washington state for a fruitful week; that hearts in Belize will be open to the gospel and that lives of your team will be transformed and empowered through this ministry!

Dawn O’Nan

January 21, 2018 8:05 PM

Happy to see everybody got there safe!

Jeanette & Ted Koch

January 21, 2018 7:41 PM

We are happy you all look refreshed and ready to do God's work. Our prayers are for your words and work, and all the blessings the Belizians return to you. It is all amazing! Our love to all!

Kerri Johanning

January 21, 2018 9:18 AM

I’m praying for the connections you will make and that the the ways you serve will be rewarding for you and those you serve. I’m also praying for everyone’s safety and health.

Emily Muller

January 20, 2018 9:14 AM

Praying for divine protection in travels today, the outpouring a hunger for God for both missionaries and communities, and an overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. Hug Burton for me!

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