6 month review

Now that we've been here almost 6 months we'd like to go over what it is we're doing here. It's not exactly what we thought, and that's ok!

When we came here to visit a year ago (this month!) God laid it on our hearts that this was the place for us. We weren't sure exactly what it would entail but we decided to do it. We knew we'd be doing maintenance but we thought the other couple here would be running teams and that was something we knew nothing about. We started raising support when we got back and it went so fast that we were here by October. In that time however we learned that this mission was for sale, and eventually that the other couple didn't plan on staying. So it wasn't part of OUR plan but like it says in Proverbs 'The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?' So we went anyways and didn't question it at all and knew God had a plan.

So now that we've been here awhile we'd like to let you know what we're doing at the moment.

Joel does the maintenance here at the mission. In the past there has always been men from the village who were hired to do this but in light of Joel coming and the mission's pending sale, Joel is doing this alone. It's a lot of work to maintain a place in this environment, the salt air and humidity make everything deteriorate really fast. I know if you've read our blog before you've seen all the projects he's worked on since we've been here, and the place is really looking great!

But this is just the physical part of it. When we first found this place that was looking for someone exactly like Joel, as far as his skills, we thought it would be so great to be able to work and also be able to do ministry. Joel has started a lifegroup in the village several months ago and this is really his main focus. Getting together with other believers and encouraging and praying for each other, it's pretty great! We had thought of it and then Joel found out a couple guys in the village had been wanting to get together and do something similar, so that's how it started.

Joel also has this really cool fishing ministry which was completely unplanned but very cool. Because we're on the beach fisherman from the village come through all the time and use the mission's boat to fish. Everyone knows Joel loves fishing, so sometimes he'll hop in the boat with them and have 'church' out on the boat. It's so awesome how God works :)

And then there's personal discipleship. Joel is good friends with a guy who is thirsty for the Word. It's so awesome to see someone who's seeking for real! We decided before we came that if we came to Belize for one person, that would be enough. And this guy has actually told Joel that he thinks God sent him here for him :)

Another important ministry is pastor support. We have realized this is super important, especially in an environment like we have here in the village. It seems obvious but there are not many strong Christian men here in the village and a pastor needs people who support him and stand up for him and the Word. Joel meets with our pastor and encourages him and supports him any way he can, even just someone to listen. 

My ministry is to be a helper for Joel and a mom for Sage and everything that entails, the same as it would be anywhere we live. Everything here takes longer. Like way longer lol. Just keeping things clean, cooking (especially), laundry done, etc takes a lot of my time. I also do most of the communications for our ministry - like the blog and pictures, and all the bookwork. I also do that for the finances that we use of the mission, documenting everything we spend, stuff like that. I also help Joel whenever I can, like painting. I try to keep the gardens all looking nice and weeded and watered.
It may seem that we are paying to work here, but as a maintenance person anywhere in the mission field that would be the case - we would have to raise support and work. We wanted to feel that we were earning and working for the money from our supporters by doing physical work and ministry at the same time.  Of course as we move into the next steps in the mission field we realize slowly ministry will probably become the main focus.

I think that about covers it. We don't have any more teams scheduled as far as we know, but that's not our main focus at this point anyways. If you ever have questions about what we're doing here or want to know anything about us at all feel free to ask, we love answering questions!