Sixth Time’s the Charm

​I've been to Belize six times this year - perhaps more than I've been to any given country in any given year. Had things gone according to plan - my plan, anyhow - my last visit would have been late August. Alas, they did not, so there I found myself there in mid-November building a playground at Little Lambs Lutheran Preschool with my favorite (read: only) all-male team: Trinity Downtown from Houston, TX. 

Like me, two of the team members arrived early to do some on-ground prep work. Somehow all of THAT is going to turn into a playground.

BBQ dinner on team arrival day. 

We were privileged to receive God's gifts alongside the congregation at Iglesia Luterana El Buen Pastor, next door to the preschool.

After a scrumptious sandwich spread courtesy of missionary wife Markie (in absentia!), the project began with a "mustering" by team leader Thomas (left) and a prayer. 

The Rev. Benjamín Flores invited the men of the community to work alongside the volunteers and later, join them for a Bible study. Several did, including Uris (pictured), some of whom weren't previously connected to the church or preschool.

The team enjoyed getting to know - and practicing their Spanish with - their new friends. 

Improvements all around! Whilst the Trinity team toiled away a stone's throw away, the mission's go-to construction foreman and his crew were hard at work adding bathrooms and a sacristy on to the back of the church. 

I will admit I was VERY apprehensive about the possibility of rain heading into this trip. It rained on and off all Sunday afternoon, until eventually, the skies yielded this view. Looking at the forecast for the rest of the week, the team decided to take drastic measures and forego a Monday workday in favor of indoor cultural activities. It was a calculated risk...that paid off when Tuesday stayed dry. 

Bible study, part I on the centrality of God's Word in the home + burritos & empanadas on Sunday evening. 

Tuesday began with joining the preschoolers for chapel, a surprise schedule addition that became a highlight for all. 

Consult the instruction manual twice, screw once...

Rain and all, the structure was ready for a dedication ceremony earlier than expected on Wednesday. 

I think the students like it! Not only will the finished product be a major draw for parents deliberating where to send their preschool-aged children, it will give the church & school leverage within the community - reason for churched and unchurched alike to set foot in a safe, beautiful space where Christ is truly present and proclaimed loud and clear. The volunteers can be proud of what their hands built, but every single one of them acknowledged, in word and deed, that completing a playground build was tertiary to strengthening a) their personal walk with God; and b) their congregation's relationship with the Belize Lutheran Mission. 

I, too, left having accomplished more than keeping one more team fed and happy for a few days. They were more self-sufficient than average for various reasons, so I found myself with long stretches of unanticipated "free" time on multiple occasions. Aside from keeping up with administrative work, I made significant progress on cataloguing and stickering books for the preschool library, enjoyed "me" time - and chai - at a local coffee shop, watched Christmas movies with encouraged fellow missionaries, and stayed off a left heel that had randomly been bothering me. Perhaps the most charming thing of all, though, is that after a [planned] overnight in Miami, I came home to a six week stretch with no travel. Never mind the fact that five colleagues serving on four continents arrive into Santiago today for a 2 1/2 day conference...

Until next time, blessings in Christ!