A Blessing In Belize

 

 

 

            We returned this week from one of the most amazing mission trips I have ever experienced—and that’s saying a lot coming from an old codger who has been taking young people on mission trips since 1974.  Twenty-nine youth and adults from First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches joined together for an experience that brought three churches from two churches together in one powerful mission.

        We had the very best group of young people.  They took the initiative, never complained, exercised leadership, and opened their hearts that were overflowing with compassion and love.  We saw our youth come together and bond with the Belizean youth and each other.  The youth led in Bible School with enthusiasm and joy, they led the excellent devotions each night—they just called on me for announcements. They demonstrated maturity and wisdom.  They lived for each moment and celebrated the joy of God’s wonderful creation. 

        We started out with 30 children in Bible School the first day but by week’s end we had 70.   Our youth led worship at Belmopan Baptist Church last Sunday.  They spoke of their experience, sang beautiful songs, and were filled with the spirit of God.  Last Sunday night we attended a holiness service and our youth embraced this new experience with joy and excitement. 

        Some wonderful blessings came out of this trip.  One was working with Lee Mabe and the youth and leaders from FUMC.  Whatever differences we may have in our churches did not matter.  We were on a mission together, ambassadors for Christ.  We look forward to more joint endeavors in the future. 

        Everywhere we turned we saw the power of God.  From angels who appeared when we had flat tires (even one on the plane!) to children who remembered our youth from two years ago, to a children’s home where a simple gift became a powerful and emotional blessing—we knew God was smiling on our journey. 

        Perhaps two of the greatest blessings came on the last day of our mission.  Two years ago we celebrated baptism in the Caribbean Sea, but since we were with youth from the Methodist Church and baptism is understood differently in our churches, I didn’t consider this to be an option.  But I was approached by one of the Methodist youth who had never been baptized.  After quickly consulting with Lee to make sure he was with me if we get excommunicated, we all gathered on the south end of South Water Caye and without any notice, or bulletin, or planning—we had one of the most powerful baptisms I have ever experienced.  I told the youth this may be the closest thing to a true New Testament baptism we could have.  Many of our youth, and adults, were baptized or re-baptized in the warm Caribbean Sea.  And at the conclusion of the baptisms, the youth surrounded me and I, too, made the confession that Jesus is Lord and was baptized by all of them into the flowing waters of life. 

        That night we gathered for communion.  Rather than wine or grape juice we had pineapple juice and the bread was Casava Bread.  Just before we started, several of the Belizean workers—the cooks and maids—came to join us.  Lee Mabe and I served the elements, inviting all to join in the body and blood of Christ.   Then, when the service was over, the Belizean workers asked us to bless them.  We all gathered around these dear people, laying our hands on them as we prayed.  We prayed that God would bless them—but God had already blessed us in a powerful way we will never forg