We will cap off this blog with some short reflections from some of our missionaries.
Thank you for your support and following our journey.
May God bless you all!
“I don't have one photo that would adequately encapsulate the gift of this experience. I wanted to be as receptive as possible to the work of the Holy Spirit. Grace came from all directions... Mass, new friendships, labor and rest, and daily reminders of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.”
~Bob Lisi
“For me, it was such a blessing to be able to work with 17 people I had just met. It's amazing how God can work in our lives, and this week served as a reminder that he is always present. I'm thankful to each of you for being kind and caring, and it was remarkable to see the passion you all have to serve others and to love God as well. I am so thankful for this experience!”
~Mike Heller
“A final prayer. Giving praise and glory to God from whom all blessings flow. Thanksgiving for being able to serve the community of poor in Belize with carpentry skills and many donations from home. Thanks to Father Scott and Carol for their work in this continued ministry. Blessings we have received collectively as a group and individually with our personal encounters. Began as Christian friends in Christ and end as brothers and sisters in Christ. I would ask that we each say a silent Our Father for the fruits received. In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. May God bless you all.”
~Cheryl Billman
“I would just like to start out saying how wonderful it was to be surrounded by people who are so in love with God and who live active lives of faith. You guys inspire me so much. I think that my word for this trip is gratitude. I am so excitingly grateful to be able to meet the people of Belize and to be able to serve them. This was a life changing trip and I am so grateful for the gifts that have and will come from it…. …if you look closely you can see a cross in the sky (this was pointed out by Mark). This trip really highlighted for me that Jesus is everywhere, you just need the eyes to see him.”
~Caroline Anderson
“My favorite part about the trip was being able to see the reality that some people are living in, in Belize. It was really eye opening how while some don’t even have a home or a family, they still put all their trust in God that He will help them. Seeing that lead to an increase in my own trust.”
~Isaac Lisi
“It was very humbling to come face to face with such poverty and still find joy. The struggle and the need was still there but joy was not absent. Especially in the children and the childlike we encountered. It made me reflect on my own joy in light of my minor challenges. In addition, the unity of spirit in the group was beautiful, we were tied together by the daily graces of Mass and prayer. What a gift to be a part of.”
~Dee Anderson
“….a total blessing with God all around us in all we did……and with all the prayer-warriors who were 🙏thinking of us.”
~Tricia Lasky
“I was so happy to be able to help the people of Belize in some way. I had a blast helping Mark build this project that I pray will be a beacon of God's love. One of my favorite pictures we took was us finding some shade during one of our breaks. That little palm tree granted us some rest during the heat of the day and allowed us to work 10x as hard!”
“I appreciated the compassion and dedication of all in serving the needs of others in this impoverished community in a variety of ways during our visit. As we built their foundations we ultimately strengthened our own spiritual foundations doing the work in the presence of the Lord who we know was working at our side. The horizon pictures, sunset and sunrise in their beauty make us seem so small in the scheme of things, yet the beauty provides inner peacefulness and calm. We are blessed.”
~Jan Slattery
“This is Miracle (not sure I’m spelling it correctly as a name), she and her siblings visited us on Thursday morning, happy as could be playing around, very inquisitive. While we were packing up to leave, they insisted on helping load wood and unload windows (as seen on an earlier blog post). While I was trying to figure out what to load next I felt a tap on my arm and Miracle asked if I would pray with her. I knelt down, we held hands, she rested her forehead on mine and we prayed together. She recited every phrase after me. I can’t remember everything we said but we prayed for the people of Belize, her family, our group, and our safe return so we could see each other again next year. I can undoubtedly say that I got more out of this trip than I gave. What an incredible blessing all of you are to me. Thank you and God for being a permanent part of my heart forever.”
~Dana Cope
“One of my impressions for the trip was how we all worked together with our different talents to make this all come together with the Lord’s grace. Some painted, some assembled heavy lumber, some put in on roofing, some put on siding, some carried, some drove, and other tasks. It was like a reading we had at Mass not too long ago from 1 Cor 12 about the body having many parts.
A separate experience occurred when all the kids showed up on the last day. I was reluctant to join in on the play. But one young boy kept insisting I twirl him around. So I gave in and had a blast spinning him and a young girl too till I could hardly stand. That was a good reminder for me that we were there for more than just building the two dwellings.”
~Jim Schaff
“I think that this trip really put into perspective how small our world is. We get so caught up in our daily routine doing the same things, driving the same roads. We don't realize how blessed and fortunate we are. Going to a different country is so foreign and it’s humbling to see how others are living but because they know nothing different they're content. I'm glad we were able to make a small difference. And thank you all for your incredible hard work and dedication on this trip!!”
~Andrew Peters
“We were all pieces of the picture puzzle that God created for us to be together and the work to be accomplished. It is so inspiring to be with such a great group to do His work for those who have so little, yet they find joy in their world. We are so fortunate to be able to have experienced this week together.”
~Ann Williamson
“…All I know is that today I feel lighter in my soul and can't get the smile off my face.”
~Sue Meyer
“I have said this to a few people now. Seeing pictures and hearing stories gives only a small glimpse of these trips. Until it is experienced firsthand, one cannot fully understand what it’s like though.
To witness the poverty and squalor some of these people live in day to day, while also recognizing the face of Christ as we gazed upon their faces stirred up such compassion and realization. The absolute JOY most still had despite their circumstances was indescribable. And it was a delightful sight to see the different approaches our missionaries had to interacting with those we met. Some played, some held and others simply prayed. For my part, I hope to hold these people in my heart as I go home and try to make changes in my own life—in how I live AND how I pray and practice my faith.
May God bless the people of Belize and all of our missionary team (including our families who helped make this trip a reality) with continued conversion and strength of Faith.”
~Natasha Deneau
“Great trip great work and better people. God had a mission last week. He touched each of us even before we left. For many different reasons you all were inclined to help make a difference in the world in a small way. We were lead by the Holy Spirit and received more blessings than we could ever give. He filled us with the spirit of love and with all the different gifts within. He created community areas and shelter for his children in Belize. The poor and weak whom lack resources and a path to move forward in their faith journey while enhancing our spiritual growth at the same time. It’s hard to explain how the holyspirit works but we experienced it. On the building side, our goals were very lofty. To get done what we did in a week could only be done with the grace of God. As we move forward as brothers and sisters keep the light shining bright and share the faith. Peace be with you. Amen”
~Mark Billman
“Even though this was my 3rd year going it’s still eye opening every single time looking at how the Belizean people live everyday. It really puts into perspective all that we take for granted even the little things like running water which we’re able to drink. It’s just such a blessing being able to help the people we can in such little time we have. It’s also such a blessing as our group continues to grow every year hopefully it will continue to grow with people strong in their faith who want to help the people of Belize!”
~Vance Baker
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