KJ, Kirby and Brady and Kaleb and recess and lunch...a day of catch up...

Today we pray for KJ, Kirby and Brady. They will be working on the construction team. We pray for their physical stamina as they work. We pray for their ability to work in the heat. We pray for them to be able to solve problems creatively. We pray for their safety as they work.

We also pray for Kaleb. He will be leading a small group and teaching kids about Jesus. We pray for him to be able to teach clearly and be a mirror of God's love to the kids in his group. We pray for him to build strong relationships with his small group.

We also pray for the lunch ladies as they prepare lunch for the kids daily. We pray for their to be enough hands to help serve. We pray for their fellowship to be deepened as they work with Betty.

We pray for the recess time. We pray for the kids who are playing together. We pray for good modeling of how to solve problems among the kids. We pray for relationships to be established and grown. We pray that the kids and young adults will feel safe and loved during our time together. We pray that Christ's love to be seen as we play.

Ximenna and Caroline N

Today we're praying for Caroline and Ximenna, Fabiola's cousin from Guatemala. It is the first trip for both girls. We pray for their ability to adjust to a new culture and to experience joy in learning about a new part of the world. We pray for clear communication to happen in English and in Spanish. We pray for welcoming hearts on the team and in the village. We pray for both girls to experience the power of God's Word in their lives and for God to use them in sharing his love with the preschoolers and the Spanish speaking children.

JC and Fabiola

We also pray for Fabi and JC. Fabi has worked in Belize before. She is from Guatemala and will travel up with her father Chepito. She speaks Spanish and is learning some English. She is excited to be joining the team again. Pray for her to reconnect with her small group from past years and be able to reach out and engage new Spanish speakers in the community. Pray for safe travel and for clear communication to happen in our group.

We also pray for JC. This is his first trip with the team. We pray for him as he'll be away from his young family. We pray for his energy as he does construction in the village. We pray for his ability to problem solve with limited resources. We pray for his family as he is away for a week, that they will have the support that they need to do what they need to do without dad being home.

Bob K and Chepito

Today we pray for Bob and Chepito. This is Bob's first mission trip with the team but not his first mission trip to Belize. He will be leading a small group. We pray for him to make connections with the kids in his group. We pray for him as he works in a different area of Belize than he has been before.

We pray for Chepito. He is from Guatemala and will meet us at the hotel or in Seine Bight. He has been on the team for several years and will be leading the Spanish small group. We pray for his safe travel to Belize on the bus. It is 18 hours or so and he will be awake the entire trip keeping watch over this daughter Fabi and their friend Ximenna. Bus travel can be dangerous. We pray for his small group that they will hear God's word in their first language. We pray for our team's ability to communicate with Chepito...as he only speaks Spanish.

Don, Ryan and the Spanish small group

Hey friends,
Don won't be joining us this summer as planned. :( He has had surgery instead, so he is recovering and having more tests done and remaining under a doctor's care. We pray for a full recovery and for the tests to return with the most positive outlook. We pray for the doctors and Don's family as they determine the best course of treatment.

Ryan will be traveling in Don's place and serving where he is needed. He has traveled with the team before and done construcion. Pray for him as he is joining the team last minute. Pray for the details of his trip to be worked out. He will be fly out on Thursday with Sue, Betty and Jon.

We also pray for the Spanish VBS group. We pray for their curriculum to be finished in time. We are thankful for someone to translate it for them. We pray for the kids to come and join the group. We pray for them to be safe and we praise God for Chepito, Fabi and Ximenna who will be their defenders. (many Spanish speakers are treated like second class citizens by villagers.) we pray for their hearts to be touched by the power of God's Word and for them to know who God is in a deeper way.

Construction team and Betty

Today we pray for the construction team and Betty. Betty heads up the Barnabas team, lunch prep, food prep and general health of the team. We pray for the many hats she wears. We pray for her lunch team, that she can reconnect with them and establish a flow. We pray for her relationships to grow with the moms who come to serve the kids during the lunch time. We pray for her eyes to see who needs encouragement or water.

We also pray for the construction team. We pray for their safety as they work. We pray for good relationships to be built with Angel and other workers in the village. We pray for their ability to problem-solve when they lack tools or materials. We pray for them to be strong physically to do work in a different climate. we pray for open doors to help more people in the village and wisdom for who to serve next.

Emily

Today we pray for Emily. Emily has been on the team multiple times. She will lead a small group Bible study. We pray for her to experience God's love as she shares God's word with a small group of kids during vbs. We pray for her ability to support the new team members and encourage them as they teach kids in a different place for the first time.

Taylor and ETSU physical therapy students

Tonight we pray for Taylor and the five students from East Tennessee State Univeristy. Taylor has been on the trip for several years. She works with a small group Bible study. We pray for her as she prepares for the trip. We pray for her to experience God's love in ways she hasn't before. We pray for her to receive God's peace. We also pray for her to be able to share God's Word with the kids in her small group and that God would use her mightily in telling his story to them.m

We pray for the students from ETSU. they will be doing VBS in the morning and performing home visits in the afternoons. We pray for them to be able to join the team quickly. They won't have met anyone from the St. Louis team until we connect at the airport in Dallas. We pray for them to feel welcomed. We pray for them as they lead Bible study in a different culture. We pray for them to be able to think on their feet and solve problems as they visit homes of villagers who need physical therapy to improve their quality of life. They will be doing some surveys and trying to create ideas to serve the needs that they meet while having limited resources.

Bob and Moms

Today we pray for the moms in the village and Bob. We pray for Bob as he works on the constuction team. We pray for his safety and his heart for service. We pray for him as he works with different groups of people, both in building projects and with school administrators. We pray for opportunities for him to build relationships.

We also pray for the moms in the village. We pray that they would be comfortable sharing their children with us. We pray that they would be available for us to minister to them and with them. We pray that the moms would be open to receiving ministry in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways.

Men's Bible study and Madison

Today we are praying for Madison and the men's Bible study. This is Madison's second time on the team. She will work with a small group Bible study. We thank God for her servant heart for being willing to help when asked. We pray for her as she prepares to share God's Word with the kids in Seine Bight.

We also pray for the men's Bible study. Joe will be leading this small group through part of the Purpose Driven Life. We pray that God's purpose for the men will be clear. We pray that their hearts will be ready for God's message to them and that they would heed His calling. We also pray that the men would be open to meeting Joe and be receptive of a new friend and leader. Building new relationships in the village is a challenge sometimes.

Sarah and Women's Bible study

We pray for Sarah and the women's Bible study group that will meet. Sarah is on her first trip to Belize. We pray for her as she enters a new culture and spends time building new relationships - both on our team and with the children in the village. She will lead a small group Bible study.

We also pray for the women who will meet for Bible study. We pray that they come hungry to know the one true God in a new way. We pray that they will be encouraged in their faith and that they will have a deeper desire to study God's Word.

Michelle and young moms

Today we are praying for the young moms and Michelle. This is Michelle's second trip to Belize. She will again work with the preschoolers. Pray for her as she reconnects to the moms who spend time with the preschoolers. Pray for her to be a light to the little ones and for her opportunities to share God's love with them and their moms.

We also pray for the young mom's group that meets to learn more about child development and physical growth and study God's Word together. Pray for Mary Jo as she steps in to minister to the women. Pray for their conversations to be open and for hearts to be ready to receive Good News!

Mitchell and Youth

We also pray today for the youth and Mitchell. This is Mitchell's first trip with the team. He is excited to meet the kids there. Pray for him as he leads a small group bible study for the first time with active kids. Let his words be clear and give him confidence to share a God's story with others.

We also pray for the youth time in the afternoon. We pray that they would be interested in building relationships. We pray for new friendships to be established. We pray for clear and challenging messages to be shared with them. We pray for depth in the bible study to happen so that there is meaty teaching along with the milk that is needed. Give them good conversations and open discussions.

Sarah and VBS kids

Today we're praying for Sarah and the vbs kids. Sarah has been On the team several times. She leads a small group for vbs and spends time with the youth after lunch. We pray for her to be an effective teacher of your Word. We pray for your words to have big impact on the kids and on her life. may they resonate in a way that they haven't before.

We also pray for the kids attending vbs in the morning time. Help their hearts to be ready to hear from you about your love, your strength, and your presence. Send yor Spirit to be active among them and to prepare them to remember your words and to connect to the promises that they hold.

Vivian and preschoolers

We are also praying for Vivian and the preschoolers who will be attending vbs. Vivian was on the vbs trip last year. She will be working with the construction team and making connections with the workers in the village. Pray for her ability to communicate clearly with the workers, to manage the different job sites and to assist the team with what they need. Pray for her physical stamina as she works in the heat of the day.

We also pray for the little vbs kids. Last year the team was entrusted with about 50 three to five year olds. That is a record number! Pray that the trust between our team and the village will continue to grow. Pray that the little ones would hear about God's love clearly and be able to remember that He loves them. Pray that the moms who help with the preschool vbs would hear about God's love for them in a new way and that God's word would take root in their hearts.

Jonathan and the babies in Seine Bight

We pray for Jonathan and the babies of the village. We pray for Jonathan on his first trip. He will be working with the preschoolers. We pray for him to understand the little voices. We pray for his arms to be strong as he holds the littlest ones all week.

We also pray for the babies of the village to be steeped in God's Word as they grow. We pray for their mom's and dad's to bring them up to know who Jesus is. We pray for the young mom's and the family members to trust us with their babies.

This baby from 2009 could be in preschool this summer! We want him to grow up knowing Jesus and His love for him. 

Jacob and Fathers

Today we are praying for Jacob and the fathers in Seine Bight. Jacob is on his first trip to Belize. He is excited to meet the kids there. We pray for his ability to connect with the kids quickly and share God's story and how God has been a part of his life. We pray for his energy level during the week as he becomes a human jungle gym. The kids in Belize love spending time with the guys on the trip.

We also pray for the fathers in the community. We pray that they would step into their children's lives. We pray that they would be ready to hear the gospel. We pray for God's Spirit to be at work softening their hearts to learn of God's love for them and their families. We pray for a willingness to learn and to work. We pray for good partnerships to be built.

These aren't the fathers yet...but they will be the fathers of the next generation!

Lesley and Lauren

So sorry to be missing some posts...I've been at a family wedding, so I'll try to catch up over the course of the next few days. Look for another post today!

Today we are praying for Lesley and Lauren. Both have been on the trip several times. Lesley leads a small group and plays with the kids during recess time. Pray for her physical stamina and physical protection during our trip. Pray her to share the message of the gospel clearly and for her to understand more of the power of the gospel in her life.

We also pray for Lauren. She will help lead the worship time as well as be leading a small group for the first time. Pray for her as she leads kids in studying and understanding God's Word. Pray for her as she points out who God is and what He is doing as she sings and praises him during worship times. Ask God to protect her voice as she leads.

Mary Jo and Erin

Today we are praying for Mary Jo and Erin. Both have been on the trip multiple times. Mary Jo is a professor of physical therapy at Eastern Tennessee State University. She will be bringing 5 students with her to complete health survey in the village. Pray for the community to continue to welcome her with open doors. Pray for creative and flexible thinking as she works with students and community members with limited resources.

Pray for Erin as she helps to prepare the small group leaders. Pray that she would have open eyes to see how to serve others on the team during the trip.

Steven and Caroline V

Today we are praying for Steven and Caroline. This is Steven's first mission trip. he will be working with a small group Bible study. Pray that God prepares his heart to see new things and share his faith with his new little friends. Pray for a sting back because his new little friends will see him as a jungle gym.

Caroline has served in Belize before but has not worked in Seine Bight. She will be leading a small group and serving with the construction team in the afternoon. Pray for her as she works with the children and shares God's love with them. Pray for her stamina as she physically works in the heat after working with the kids in the morning.

Katie and Rhonda

Today we are praying for Katie and Rhonda. This will be Rhonda's first mission trip. Usually she has been behind the scenes helping organize flights. Pray that airline tickets have been secured. She's been working for over six weeks so far! Pray also for her as she leads a small group and adapts to a new culture.

Katie has been on several trips before and leads a small group. She also helps out with the youth. Pray that she is able to rekindle her friendships with the children and youth and help others get connected.

Jon and Nate

Today we're praying for Jon and Nate. Jon has been on the team multiple times. He helps lead the youth ministry in the afternoons and works with a small group in the mornings. Pray that he will be a bridge in connecting our team - especially those new on the trip - to the youth of the village. Pray that the messages and studies that they do will be clear and promote discussion among the youth - both American and Belizean. Pray for opportunities to share how Christ has made a difference in his life.

Nate is a first time member of our team and will be leading a small group during vbs. pray that he will adapt quickly to the new surroundings and that he will quickly make connections with the kids in his group. Pray that he can share how Jesus has impacted him and how Jesus changes us.

Carin and Joe

Hey friends,
It is time to start praying for our trip and being intentional about asking God to prepare everyone to be going.

Today we pray for Carin and Joe. Carin has been on the team multiple times and heads up the preschool program. Pray that the preschool material gets organized and packed well. Pray that the stories about God's love for them will be clearly shared and clearly felt by the three to five year olds.

This is Joe's first trip to Belize. He will lead a small group in the morning and the men's Bible study in the afternoons. Pray that he will connect to the children that he meets and be well received by the men in the village as a bible study leader. They will continue working through the book, The Purprose Driven Life.