Blazing Belize, 2011

The motto for the Hillside Health Center International in Belize is a simple quote that embodies the international flavor of this region and its people:

"Prayer begets faith, faith begets love, and love begets service on behalf of the poor” -- Mother Teresa

How can a clinic in Belize, a country smaller than the state of Massachusetts tucked just South of Mexico, uphold the values stated by an Indian nun of Albanian ethnicity?

A more startling question: Why does that matter to the 16 Americans about to board an airplane to visit this Belizean region?

Tomorrow, I will depart along with a team of 15 other eager members of The River church to explore the terrain of Mexico and finally land at our destination of Punta Gorda Belize. While we will certainly revel in the opportunity to enjoy traveling and swimming in crystal-blue waters in Southern Belize, our goal stretches far beyond these endeavors, upholding a goal going on this trip that is very simple: to carry the banner of Christ unto all the nations of the world with a heart of service in tow.

For six days, we will be visiting Punta Gorda, Belize, where we will serve three ministries stationed in the area:

* LAUGH OUT LOUD orphanage, an under-served Christian ministry in Punta Gorda that is developing a home that will serve upwards of 75 children once it becomes fully-functional. Our goal is to serve in construction projects for the orphanage, which is severely lacking in man-power and funds, a role that we are honored to serve.

* TOLDEO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, a Christian school dedicated to teaching youths from pre-school to middle school ages. Their purpose is to prepare children educationally and to cast a vision for their 100 students to live a God-centered life. Our goal is to serve them by funding and building a full-service kitchen which, once operating, will serve the children and the community by providing hot meals to students daily.

* HILLSIDE MEDICAL CLINIC, a health clinic dedicated to serving the underprivileged communities in and around the Toledo District of Southern Belize.

It's amazing for me personally to step into a position of serving people who, at this point, I have never known. I am excited to be even a small part of this team and will enjoy sharing the experiences that we encounter after returning from our 9-day journey. Our vision is that Christ will be known, praised, and exalted-- and now we simply step into it with faith!

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CONSTANT SUPPORT and for considering us as we journey through Mexico and Belize!