SBC Outreach Camp

Don't forget SBC Outreach Camp is August 4-8! Any youth can participate since it runs like a small VBS for kids at area church centers, so there are many ways you can help. The camp runs from 10 AM-2 PM, Monday-Friday, so bring a bagged lunch Monday-Thursday if you plan to participate and on Friday we'll have a pizza party! The student ministry band will also perform each day, so join us for a fun-filled week!

RIVAH TRIPS!

Just a reminder that Sr. High Rivah Retreat is August 1-2 and Middle School Rivah Trip is August 9. Turn in forms ASAP to secure your spot/food for the trip!

Delayed in Atlanta

Yes. We were delayed in Atlanta. Waiting at the gate now. Hope to be in the air soon!
Blessings,
Michael

Preparing to come home!

We had our closing ceremony this morning (it's 9:15 a.m. here) and everyone is taking final showers and packing everything up. If they are like me, they are leaving some nasty, smelly towels here! This is the final group picture. Our flight is at 3:10 p.m. Richmond time, so we will be heading over in a couple hours to check in and begin our flight home. Thanks for all your prayers and support. I can't wait for you to hear all about our adventures and what God has been doing this week. Blessings - Michael

Friday in Belize

Today was a day we will never forget! The excitement was high this morning as we prepared for breakfast and a day at the Caye, but the weather had something else in mind for us – the beginning of a tropical depression! The thunder and rain were tremendous before we left for our 45-minute water taxi ride. The rain subsided, however, and we went into the market place of Belize city to do a bit of site seeing (and maybe some shopping). The water taxi was ½ covered and the other half was open. It was great fun feeling the water spray back at us, watching the islands and just getting excited about snorkeling. Then, the captain yells – “pull the tarp up” Well, that meant pull the grey tarp we were setting on over our heads as we ran right into another downpour. We laughed and screamed as we scrambled to keep ourselves and our backpacks dry. By the time we landed at the dock at the Caye, the rain had stopped and we quickly got our snorkeling equipment. A large boat picked us up and took us out to a barrier reef where we were able to see beautiful fish, stingrays, and even touch a starfish. The tour guide showed us so much as he snorkeled beside us. Then back on the boat we got for some fresh pineapple and oranges – yum! We moved to another reef and were able to snorkel without a guide. It was great fun to see the fish and explore with each other. Then, the water started feeling a bit bumpy as another shower came in and back to the boat we went. At this point, Katie Moyers got back on the boat and quickly discovered she had a nice size cut just above her ankle. Kathy, our new friend and nurse from St. Johns’ Baptist Church in VA Beach, quickly cleaned her wound and bandaged it up. The rain was not stopping, so back to land we went. Katie, Sabra, and I caught a golf cart to the local clinic while everyone else looked for a dry spot. Katie had 3 stiches and is doing great (yes, her mom and dad know!). The day wound up being great as we found a place to eat, the sun came out and we shopped and walked the island. Then it was time to take the water taxi back to Belize City.. The good news was that the sky had cleared and it was a beautiful boat ride. After we got back to Belize, we waited for our ride. While there, Pastor Lloyd of the church where VBS was held, showed up. He brought t-shirts and key chains for the workers to say thanks and ensure that we continued to pray for the people of Belize. One of the church’s buses (school bus) picked us up to take us back to the Mission Hotel. We got about 1 mile from the hotel, when what happens? The bus stops due to engine problems. We are on the side of the road as the torrential rain begins again – anyone seeing the humor? A van from the hotel came and picked us up in a couple of shifts and we got back to cold showers and low water pressure. If there is one thing this week has taught us it is that flexibility is key. We had a great day that will never be forgotten. Prayer partners have now been revealed and we are going to play some cards. Tomorrow, we have a closing celebration time and then its off to the airport! See you all soon.

Blessings, Michael

Thursday in Belize

Wow! I am tired from the worksite today. My group and another joined forces today on a new project as we finished our original projects yesterday. The work today was on the river about a mile and half from the airport, so the setting was beautiful. A new mission hotel is being built by the owner of the one we are currently in (as the one we are in will close upon the other’s completion). The team’s job today was to mix concrete, haul the concrete, place it in buckets, and lift them up to a roof that was being completed. The good news in this story was that we had a mixer! Everyone really worked hard whether hauling the concrete or shoveling sand and rock. The owner of the facility we are staying is John Collier. He was a medical missionary and author of “Two Minutes to Live”. He has been here in Belize for 34 years.
Tomorrow is our free day. We will be taking a ferry from Belize City out to one of the local Cayes (pronounced Keys). From there we will get a chance to shop, sun, swim, and snorkel.
Did I tell you that yesterday the Pastor’s wife at the church I was working brought the team Fruit Bread. Her mother had picked it from a tree in her village. It is cut into wedges and fried with salt. It was delicious and had a potato consistency. That was also the day some of us got to see the monkeys behind the pastor’s house – amazing! We also saw God’s pharmacy in the jungle.
It is quite amazing what God is doing in our hearts as we are learning so much through this experience about His power and ourselves.
On Tuesday, July 20 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. we will have a picture sharing time in the Youth Room of the FLC. I hope you will come out and hear more about our mission to Belize.

Blessings,

Michael

More Pictures from Belize

Wednesday in Belize

It has been another amazing day in Belize. The people here are so gracious and hospitable. We have truly become immersed in the Belize culture, gaining an understanding of what being the hands and feet of Jesus to the world is all about. While the days have been long and the work hard, we are all growing in an appreciation of how much we have in America. The question now starts to become what will we do with that knowledge and this experience as we head home.
We talked last night as a church group about what God is saying to us through the experience so far. The answers were ones such as “I have too much”, “patience with another way of doing things”, “that sometimes all Jesus wants us to do is love the people by being with them”. My challenge to all of those on this trip is what will you do with the experience of this week that is different when you go home?
Many of the projects ended today. In fact, the “Holy Rollers” team completed painting their second house. There were 36 children in VBS, and new projects are being identified for tomorrow!
This morning our girls led the entire 70 Virginia and Belize team in the Cupid Shuffle dance! It was great and imagine 70 people in a room with no air conditioning and high humidity!! The showers are still cold, but it’s ironic how much better they feel when you come back from a hot work site.
Enjoy the pictures!
Blessings,
Michael

New Pictures from Belize

Monday in Belize

So, today was our first day at the mission sites. My day was personally spent with the Pastor of a “little church in the middle of a pasture”. The church currently draws its congregations from nine neighboring villages. He became pastor of the church 2 years ago and started with 4 members. He now has 61 members and over 100 children in VBS this year! His name is Pastor Floyd. He and his wife Dahlia, and three children Micah, 19; Abigail, 12, and Miracle, 7.(see the picture – Micah is at his grandmother’s in another village) They live in a parsonage across the street from the church with no running water. In order to use the bathroom, we had to empty water into the toilet to drain it (I know too much information). They pick up 80% of their membership and bring them to church each day – usually takes about an hour and costs $150 (Belize dollars) to run their van (donated by a church in TX). God is really blessing their efforts among the people of Belize.
The work that we did today was to finish putting a zinc roof on what will become the youth space and Sunday School space. We also worked along with Norman, a deacon at the church and Anthony, not yet a believer, but attends the church, to build a small room on the back that will be for storage. The work was good, but the time spent with these church leaders learning about their culture, politically, spiritually, and economically. Do you know that 80% of Belize does not have hot water and that the normal weekly pay is about $100? God is truly doing a good work here and its wonderful to see our students making a difference!
Attached are also pictures from the site that Bob Riley and Elizabeth Gerndt are at. They are building a meeting center for a year round children’s homeless shelter. You will also see one of some of the VBS children with Nicole.
There will be more mission experiences to report on, so stay tuned. . . today there was VBS, painting of a house, demolition of a house (oh, it’s about 12x14!!),and so much more!

Sunday in Belize

Today we worshipped alongside the members of two Baptist churches here in Belize. It has been a great day. Tonight we will find out our mission sites and begin planning for the day tomorrow. Everyone is safe and well.

We also got to go to Brodie's today to pick up some snacks and drinks. You would have thought it was a carnival ride! The AC was strong and snacks are now in the rooms for all the bugs to come to.

It's even ben said that our female chaperones are having slumber parties - only issue is they missed a game :-)

Blessings,
Michael

Hot in Belize!

Everyone seems happy now with their rooms. It's been a fun night out at Old Belize. We got to zip line , go down a giant slide (the slippery conch), and eat a great dinner. We did, however, find that the way people drive in Belize is interesting to say the least. The bikes think they are cars and pull right in front of you. The bus we needed to come back in didn't have any headlights, so we waited for one that did! There is no hot water, so it's cold showers for us all - that is not a bad thing as we are all sweating excessively and being eaten by mosquitos.

Tonight there will be a brief orientation. Tomorrow, we will worship at two different Belizian churches and find out about our mission projects. Enjoy the pictures.

Blessings,

Michael

On the Way to Belize . . .

Well, we are in Atlanta's airport waiting for our flight to Belize! Everyone is safe and sound. . . and yes tired. It was great fun taking the tram from Concourse A to Concourse E. Not everyone from our group got on the same time, although we tried! Karen Richardson almost got stuck between doors. Attached are a couple of pictures. More updates to come . . .

Blessings,

Michael

Preparing to Leave for Belize

So, are you getting ready for Belize? There is so much to pack! I don't know about you, but I've checked and double checked to make sure nothing gets left behind. God has great things in store for us this next week as we minister amongst the people of Belize! I can't wait to see what project I get assigned to. How about you?

Double set your alarm tonight as we meet at 4:30 a.m. tomorrow at the church. Thanks to Mr. Kelly who will take us to the Richmond airport! Don't forget your passport or your secret prayer partner

See you all tomorrow!

Blessings,
Michael

Home from Passport

Well, we are all finally home. Actually arriving 1 1/2 hours earlier than we thought. I don't know about you, but I didn't realize how tired I was until I sat down on the sofa at home - finally waking up at 1 p.m.! What did I learn on this trip besides the fact that buses are not a great place to get any REM sleep?

I learned that
1. Second Baptist students have a heart for missions - while they are still students with all the temptations and bad decisioning that comes with that, they really want to make a difference in this world!
2. That God provides in abundance - great chaperones, wonderful Passport leaders, a bus driver that participated in all we did, and so much more!!!!
3. That the world is not as big as we think and we are the one's that need to do something about all the injustice that exists. God does not expect any less of us as his hands and feet on this earth.

There's more that I learned, but I'm interested in what you learned at Passport? How will you make a difference, how is God speaking to you? Post a comment and let's find out!

Blessings,
Michael

On The Way Home!

We are on the way home, somewhere North of Auburn. Everyone has had dinner and we should be around Atlanta as night falls - just in time to see some fireworks from the highway! We were told today during the closing celebration today that the camp as a whole raised $2758.43 for the Ricks Institute's solar panels http://www.ricksonline.org/ and put in 2290 mission work hours this past week in New Orleans. What amazing gifts of grace and love!

You may be wondering what's up with the pictures - for example, the one of the feet under the fence! Who is that person and why is it significant to the trip? Come on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the youth room and find out!

Hey, check out this site and provide rice to those in need http://www.freerice.com/index.php

We are still planning on arriving home around 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. So, we'll see you then!

Passport, July 3

Wow! What an amazing day God gave us today. God is realy moving in the hearts of our students. Tonight there were many responses to the voice of God calling them to be the one that can make a difference in our world.

Today we spend time looking at the story of Martha and Mary and how God's response and relationship to them is really an example of how we need to embrace gender equality and the empowerment of women across the world. Yes, both of these women were empowered to be followers of Jesus when the women of that day were not spoken to let alone touched by a rabbi.

The mission sites were unbelievable - today was the day that the reality of the work we were doing was effectin real people and families. Wait till you hear the stories of the prayer walk through an abandoned home, the pictures, sotball, and even false teeth!

We had two teams in the Volleyball tournament, but unfortunately did not win either game. The missions offering and Variety show wwere also this evening. Our students and chaperones gave sacrificially to make a difference in the lives of small children at the Rickert Institute in Liberia. There were also two great acts from SBC in the show.

We are headed home tomorrow and are currently scheduled to arrive around 8 on Saturday morning. Keep us in your prayers and plan to come to the Passport Sharing Party on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Youth Room. There will be lots of pictures and testimony from our students and chaperones.

Enjoy these pictures! - Michael