The Last Few Weeks

So I know that I haven’t updated all of you on these past few weeks. I just wanted to do a quick update post and then a little bit of a sum up of my trip. The weekend of April 8th Debie and I were excited to host the young girls of Los Tambos for a weekend retreat. After eating an amazing hotdog meal and roasting some marshmallows I shared a short testimony. On Saturday I watched Pastor Eric’s wife Magdalena, along with two other ladies and the girls cook tortillas, fried jacks, beans, and some amazing eggs over a pile of wood, some rocks and a couple of pieces of rebar. It was awesome!! I am so humbled by the things that God has allowed me to participate in. It was a joy to share with the girls on the life and commitment of a single woman of God in the only way that I know how, which is to look to keep my eyes in Jesus Christ and know that only He can fulfill all of my needs. Here are a few snapshots of the fun that was had that weekend, and the amazing food (which was totally awesome).

The following Sunday I was able to teach Sunday school in Los Tambos, which is always fun. I taught them my Peruvian version of duck, duck, goose.

I have also been able to spend much time with the young girls at Amazing Grace Christian Fellowship, which are the same group we had up to the hilltop my second weekend in Belize. We sit and eat lunch together often after church. They are all such precious girls and are so dear to my heart.

On April 16th I was privileged to participate in the annual kids bible camp at Amazing Grace. We traveled to some of the local Mayan ruins and explored for a while, after which I taught them a classic Calvary Hanford relay race from the Hickey Park picnic days. It was so fun seeing even the smallest participate. I was especially excited to see this as the youngest don’t speak English very well and I have trouble communicating with them, but a smile and some healthy competition everyone can understand and enjoy. I was able to explore with the girls. Here they are enjoying themselves.

After the ruins we headed to a local pool, which was an amazing treat as many of these days have been in the 90’s and some in the 100’s with around 75% humidity. I am most certain that all had much fun, and I definitely was pushed in several times. What a great thing it was to just play with the children! We then packed all of the kids on the bus and headed back to Spanish Lookout to have a campout at the home of one of the couples from church. At this campout I learned that I don’t know as much about pitching a tent, as I would like to think, but with a little help us girls had ours up in no time. More worship, bible stories, eating, and singing went on to occupy the rest of our evening and morning. I even got my nails painted by my eager friend Connie.

Here is the whole group of kids that attended the camp.

Sunday I was off to my last Sunday in Los Tambos. Here I am singing the fruit of Spirit song with Samuel, Nemias, and Carlos. They are some amazingly fun and high-energy boys. Similar to a normal day at the Rees house, I would say.

After church in Los Tambos I was excited and privileged to attend the baptism of many of my new friends from Amazing Grace. What a joy it is to see God’s children making a public statement that they are no longer under the bondage of sin and have chosen to live a life to glorify Jesus Christ! Here is my good friend Darson getting a hug from his mother after the public declaration of his desire to follow Christ.

My last week flowed on as usual but with some extra time with friends, canoeing, and accepted supper invitations. It’s odd to think that soon this won’t be my life anymore. What a blessing it has been to become a part of this community.

Easter Sunday I was excited to attend at Amazing Grace Christian Fellowship for services except that I had to say goodbye to so many sweet friends. How dear to me all of these people have become. Easter supper was a treat as we hosted many friends from church up on the hilltop. The number of people who attended was close to that of a Rees family dinner. It was a blessed evening spent with friends in celebration of the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ, and I am so glad to be blessed with such friends.

Monday brought my last day at Octavia Waight Centre. Here I am with one of the gentlemen that I walk twice a week. This is Norris whom I have mentioned in previous posts.

Here I am with Susanna who runs the kitchen at Octavia Waight, as well as many others of the daily happenings.

I know there are many things that I have forgotten to mention but this is all I will mention for now. May God bless you all for the continual prayers that you have offered up for me, and what I am doing in Belize.

In Jesus,
Your little traveler
Hannah-a bondservant of Jesus Christ

In Unity This Family in Christ Shall Stand

So it’s been more than a week since my last post, but here is the rundown. March 28th brought a visitor to Octavia Waight. Fletcher is a Physical Therapist as well as a Physician’s Assistant. I was able learn many things from his knowledge and experience. He has been coming to Belize for over ten years and is very good friends with Dorothee (The nurse I am working with at Octavia Waight). He was here for two weeks and left today. We were able to work with the patients at Octavia Waight and further develop their individualized exercise programs, as well as work with a local clinic in San Jose Soccutz. We were also able to make some house calls to a few patients that have had joint surgery in the past few months. I’m trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible, and there have been many opportunities. This is Becka working with Norris who is one of the amputees that I walk with every Monday and Wednesday and also my new partner for singing duets with.

This past Friday and Saturday I was able to attend a local youth conference in Belmopan with some friends. Fun was had by all I’m sure and all I have to say is where can I get some of that Reggae worship?! Here’s the whole crew.

This past Sunday we were able to have a one-day clinic in the village of Los Tambos. Dr. Sanchez (who I worked with when I came last February with a team from Lemoore) was gracious to come and work with all of us in order to bring some medical care to the people who don’t have much available locally. Pastor Eric and his wife Magdalena worked faithfully to bring the word of God to the locals while Debie, Becka and I worked in various capacities. We were able to see a little over thirty patients and I will be returning this Sunday for some follow-up care. Praise be to our heavenly Father for His never-ending faithfulness!!
God is showing me many things through my daily devotions. Here is an excerpt from the selection I read this morning.

Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. Thus Josiah removed all the abominations from all the country that belonged to the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the LORD their God. All his days they did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 34:31-33

Wherever I am, am I willing to take a stand for Christ? Josiah was eight years old when he took the throne of Judah. He was twenty-six when the book of the law was found and he took a stand for Christ by holding the Passover and tearing down the high places. Am I willing to tear down everything in my life that is not of Christ? Because of what Josiah was willing to do the scripture says, “All his days they did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers.” My prayer is that my stand for Christ will lead others to not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers. Thank you to everyone for all of your prayers! Seems hard to believe that I only have three weeks left. God bless you all!

In Jesus,
Your little traveler
Hannah-a bondservant of Jesus Christ

Please pray for:

A retreat for the girls of Los Tambos here on the hilltop this weekend-that I would share the heart of Christ on his plans for the single woman

Follow-up with the patients seen in Los Tambos this Sunday

Praise:

For Debie’s safe arrival back and Belize

For Jim’s safe arrival back in the U.S.

And Yet God's grace is sufficiant for all my needs (John 14:8, 2 Corinthians 3:5, 12:9)

This week has been another week in Belize of molding of hearts and new challenges. I was able to spend my two regular days at Octavia Waight, Monday and Wednesday, as well as take part in two youth groups, Tuesday and Friday nights respectively. We also went to mid-week service at Amazing Grace Christian Fellowship in Spanish Lookout, as Jim was teaching for Pastor Rudy. We were able to finish a few work projects on the house as well (I now have a basic knowledge of house painting received from Jungle Jim). Today we finished out the week with the Saturday morning market and will be attending a dance performance in Belmopan with a neighbor tonight. Now as to the aforementioned molding of hearts I can only directly report my personal experience.
When one has prior experiences in certain areas (such as missions), at times it is easy to brush things off with a simple “Oh yeah, I’ve done this lots of times” type of attitude. Although I may not have thought, in the past, that I would be one to do this, I find there are many things in my heart that I would not approve of myself, if I had spoken them out loud to another person. And is this not what Paul declares in Romans chapter 7?

Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ out LORD!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:13-25

I feel as though these words have jumped right off the page and into my experience right now. “I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,” What a struggle it has been for God to reveal these things to me and help me to remember them yet again. There is so much freedom in Christ and yet I allow my flesh to enslave me again, when I have the power, in my God, to walk away free. How much of my life have a wasted in self…….. in my flesh? What a gift my life in Jesus Christ is. Do I see it as such? Do I really believe that to live is Christ but to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)? What does living that out on a daily basis look like? These are many questions that not only peak my curiosity but push me to seek out the answers in God’s word. How long has it been since I have actively sought answers in God’s word? I don’t really know the answer to that but I know that that definitely means to long. Where do we get the mentality that once I am in high school then me life is really going to start, once I am in college, once I get married, once I have children or once I (fill in the blank here)? Why do I actively seek out new and exciting opportunities to minister in other places (which is not to say that this is necessarily a bad thing) while ignoring what God has put right in front of me, right now? Yes, God wants to do a work in my life but God is also DOING a good work in my life if I care to see it. I would bring attention again to Paul when he says in verse 24 “ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” But (and there is a big one) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)! Paul (1 Corinthians 1:2) and Jude (Jude 1:1) both divinely declare that as a Christian I am sanctified in Christ. What a great feeling to know one’s chains of slavery to sin (Before I was a new creation in Christ) have forever been blown out of the water!! Colossians chapter three talks about how we are to put on the new man (Colossians 3:10), which is in Christ, having been shown our inability to follow the law as imperfect beings…………………………….am I getting a little to preachy for you guys? I speak from a changed heart and an opened mind to the amazing adventure and freedom there is in submitting to my heavenly groom and the love He put into His plan for my life. I hope each of you reach out to our Savior today and spend some time just in awe at His feet in worship.

In Jesus,
Your little traveler Hannah-a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and more free then imaginable!

Please pray for:

Clinic in Los Tambos and that we would have a successful planning meeting with Pastor Eric tomorrow.

Debie’s safe arrival home to Belize on Wednesday.

Jim as he prepares to return to the states to take care of Granny’s house.

Ongoing fellowship and discipleship with the young girls of Amazing Grace Christian Fellowship as well at the church in Los Tambos

Anther week within the will of God

So I am a little late getting out another update. I will try my best to convey the events of the past week and a half.

Last week at Octavia Waight we were privileged to host a team of two nursing professors and two nursing students from Nazarene College in Rochester, New York. It was a full week of learning full head to toe assessments and helping irrigate ears. They also invited us on Thursday to go with them to visit Clarissa Falls, which is one of the local attractions near San Ignacio.

We had a great time with them and I learned a lot from the professors, as they were both nurse practitioners. They even invited me to come out to New York when I feel like becoming a nursing instructor.

We were also able to go on a tour of one of the local hospitals. The hospital is brand new and the only fully operational wards are the labor and delivery ward and the emergency room. It was interesting walking the yellow halls of San Ignacio Community Hospital.

Tuesday nights I’ve had the Joy of helping one of the couples at church with youth group. They alternate weeks of teaching in English, where Danny Barkman teaches, and Spanish, Where Pastor Eric from Los Tambos (which I just figured out that I have been spelling wrong in my previous posts) teaches. Danny taught on Luke chapter 13. In verse six Jesus teaches on the parable of the barren fig tree. Jesus speaks of the importance of fertilizing the fig tree to give it another chance to bear fruit after three years of barrenness. God had given me the task of fertilizing Belizean hearts with the word of God. Please pray that God would give His eyes as I go about this task.

On Friday Becka, Jim, and I set out on a little weekend trip to the town of Punta Gorda in the south of Belize. This is where Melodie Tucker (now Viafranco) spent so many great years as a full-time missionary down here. It is also where I spent the majority of my time the first time I came to Belize in November of 2009. Just seeing the ocean and smelling the salty breeze was very refreshing. We then went to Placencia on Sunday where we met Maria and Emily who are good friends of the Tuckers. We were happy to host Maria and Emily on the hilltop for Monday and Tuesday. We waved goodbye to our visitors on Tuesday as they headed back to Placencia on the bus.

The days pass by one by one and I am over half way done with my time here already. God is teaching me so much living in a place where life is very different from what I am used to. Every challenge that arises I am reminded of God’s constancy and faithfulness. God has shown me this in little things such as passing notes with the young girls from church, getting letters from my grandma, the not so amiable residents at Octavia Waight remembering my name or asking for me, a cool breeze on a hot day, and wishing a brother happy birthday. God doesn’t just want three months of my life in Belize He wants every moment. Why would I spend my time doing anything else anywhere but serving The One who sacrificed His life that I might live. Praise be to God for His immeasurable blessings!!

Please pray

Upcoming clinic in Los Tambos with Dr. Sanchez possibly on April 3rd

Debie’s safe homecoming

His Mercies Are New Every Morning

Another week has past and I find that I have been here in Belize for over a month now. I am getting to know the people and they are getting to know me as well. I almost can recognize certain streets and how to get to certain locations. Jim was in the States for the first three weeks I was here, taking care of some business for their family. The week that he arrived back home Debie’s mother’s heath declined rapidly and two days after he arrived we were taking her to the airport to be with her mother. Her mother passed away a few days ago so prayers would be appreciated for their family. In Debie’s absence Becka has come back to stay with us which has been a blast. It is an adjustment to function at Jim Tucker pace, but we are having much fun.
Friday brought much excitement as we went to watch the start of the Ruta de Maya. It is an annual canoe race that lasts four days. It starts in San Ignacio and goes all the way to Belize City. It looked like almost the whole country came out for it.

Last Saturday Becka and I were able to go with Magdalena, Diana and about twenty of the kids from Los Tombos on a field trip. First we went to ice cream, then to the river for swimming, lunch, and singing songs. I attempted to learn the kids’ names and was only about half successful. It was such a blessing to be invited by Magdalena to come. We had so much fun. I was able to talk more with both of the ladies as we watched the children swim and learn more about their lives. Here is a picture of us all stuffed in the back of the pick-up.

We had so much fun that the little guys fell asleep on the way home. This is the pastor’s son Samuel and his best buddy Nemia.

This past Sunday morning Magdalena asked me to teach Sunday school so Becka and I were able to take the kids while she was able to sit in service. The lesson was on Joshua and the battle of Jericho. After studying for that lesson many of the tasks that God has given me don’t seem as difficult. Afterwards we were able to play games with the kids, which was of course great fun. While some of the adults don’t speak English many of the children do, except for the little ones, so I was able to teach in English. The main church service is always taught in Spanish as Pastor Eric doesn’t speak English.
Monday was a holiday, as it was the last day of the big canoe race so it was a bit of a quiet day at Octavia Waight. Tuesday we had to go in Belmopan, the capital, so that I could get my passport stamped as I have been here for a month. Wednesday was another day at Octavia Waight, which I am getting more and more comfortable with the staff and the residents. Some of them call me by name now.

There is so much that I have learned from Belize
1. Guano on your bare hands feels the same as mud
2. A little itch never hurt anybody
3. I like the echo of geckos at night
4. Not only am I a bad volley ball, I’m a really really bad volley ball player
5. There is nothing like the feeling of liquid plastic (aka bug spray) first thing in the morning
6. 80 degrees is the new 60 degrees
7. Sitting in a hammock does require a certain level of skill
8. Butter and cheese may look the same but it tastes a little different when you bite into a chunk of butter
9. Water pumps are definitely a gift from God
10. Don’t leave the full jug of laundry soap on an uneven surface but if you do make sure you angle it so it dumps in the washer
11. Frogs aren’t so bad if they are being flushed down the toilette

These are lessons that I’m sure will come in handy in the future.

Something I read in my devotions the other day struck me.

Then the King said the Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
2 Samuel 24:24

Eternal life is free to us but it cost God His only son. Why do we expect our service to God to cost us nothing of ourselves yet our salvation cost Jesus His life? God wants my everything but He takes my everything, shows me that its really nothing and then gives me His everything which is more than anything I could have ever imagined. Am I willing to serve God by following His will for me life even if it costs me everything? Am I willing to take that step so that I can discover how infinitely more valuable a life lived for His truly is?

Pray for

Debie and family as they grieve and rejoice at her mother’s homecoming to Christ

A possible clinic in Los Tombos

A group of nurses that are coming to Octavia Waight next week from New York

Jim as he teaches in Los Tombos Saturday night and Sunday morning for Pastor Eric

Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape (Just so you know I'm aware these are not God's words)

So the Second Saturday I was here I had the blessing of helping Debie host seven young girls here up on the hilltop for a sleepover. We played crazy eights followed by a lively game of spoons (during which somehow a rip was made in the tablecloth, of which I shall only say that it was a group effort). We partook in a lovely meal prepared by Debie and then enjoyed a lovely campfire of which, I might add, we a group girl effort and turned out quite splendidly. We then toasted marshmallows. I taught them the fruit of the Spirit song, and we talked about Psalm 139 and what it said about our lives. I had an immensely pleasing time and was so overwhelmingly blessed by the girls! Here we all are by the fire.

The next day being Sunday we all piled in the car and returned them to their respective families. I hope fun was had by all!!

The next Sunday I was able to attend a church in a village called Los Tombos, which is a village just passed where Amazing Grace Fellowship meets (which is the church Jim and Debie currently attend). Eric and his wife Magdalena are serving there. They are Calvary Missionaries sent out from El Salvador. The entire service was in Spanish so I've been really working to improve my skills. I feel like I understood a good portion of the message. During the service we had a visitor. This is Paco.

One of these days I'll actually get a picture of his face. Paco, I'm told, lives with a local family and comes often to visit at church. Pastor Eric says he likes that children and comes whenever they are gathered. Please be praying for me ministry in Los Tombos. I spoke with a local Doctor in San Ignacio today and he is interested in doing a clinic with me out there. These people have very limited access to medical care. The closest hospital is about thirty minutes away but many of them may not have any transportation. I am looking at the possibility of teaching simple hygiene classes to the kids. Magdalena and I get along swell and I'm hoping that she will help me with my Spanish and I know she is hoping that I will do the same for her English.

On Tuesday Jim arrived back home from his trip to the states to take care of a flood in Debie's mother's home. We soon found out that her mother is not doing well and Debie traveled back to the states on Thursday to be with her as her health is fading fast. Please keep this in prayer as well.

God is quickly showing me that His will is to be done with this trip and not my own. Of this I am very thankful for because I would come back the same self-absorbed person if it were not so. I am reading through 2 Samuel in my devotions which is greatly reminding me of my Calvary Hanford family. I have also enjoyed some wonderful devotion time with Debie as well. Nothing like going through Psalm 119 to remind you of how dependent we should be on the word of God.

I have also had the pleasure of having another intern visit this past week. This is my new friend Becka!

Becka is interning with Pastor Patrick and his family in Cayo. We had the pleasure of borrowing her for a week and we had a blast. She is actually back with us now while Debie is in the States.

Blessings to you all and thank you so much for your continued prayers!

Prayer requests

For the ministry in Los Tombos and the possibility of a clinic with Dr. Sanchez.

For Debie, and the Tucker family, as she is with her mom while she is preparing to be with Jesus.

That I would be pliable clay in the Potter's hands while I am here.

The Dentist

So we had a visit from the Dentist at Octavia Waight yesterday. I was able to assist her in cleaning all of the residents teeth, dentures and remove some plaque. I have a new respect for Dental Hygenists and a very thankful heart for my dentist and healthy teeth. Thanks to my mother and father for paying for my healthy and expensive smile!! The dentist was very informative and Octavia Waight is very thankful to have her come several times a year.

I am trying to put a picture in this post but I'm not sure if I'm smart enough.

It's a picture of Me helping the dentist clean Hilda's teeth. Hilda is a resident whose family doesn't live locally. They paid for a small house to be built attached to the end of the porch at the center. It is such a blessing to get to know all of the residents. Dorothy is the nurse that goes to Octavia Waight three times a week and cares for the 29 residents along with a very capable 24hour staff. I'm enjoying to get to know each of them. They are helping me to brush up on my Spanish, and learn a little Creole as well. Dorothy and her husband were missionaries to Africa for the greater part of their lives and have retired to Belize where she still serves as a missionary nurse.

This is Dorothy with the Medical supplies that were provided for with donations from some of you back home. Thank you so much for blessing these people!!

This past Sunday Debie and I had a great time attending the anual local (don't be envious dad) airshow. Who would have thought I'd be going to the airshow in Belize.

This is me standing by a Belizian crop duster. All that good food Debie is cooking me is beginning to show. We had a great time and got to visit with some neighbors as well. I will have to write another post dedicated to the girls night we had last Saturday.

Here is a verse Debie and I came across in our devotions last week and I have been thinking on it often throughout the week.

Remember the word to Your
servant,
Upon which You have caused me
to hope.
Psalms 119:49

God has caused me to hope and I am so excited for what tomorrow may bring.

Prayer:

For me as I continue to adjust and that I may be and light and encouragement to the Octavia Waight staff.

That God would continue to open doors for ministry.

Week One

This past week was full of new experiences and reacquainting with the people of Belize. I started helping at Octavia Waight, which is a geriatric nursing facility. I'll be helping Dorothy who is the nurse here. Dorothy is a missionary from Switzerland. It was a privilege to give her the medical supplies I brought from the US including some things donated from friends from work and bought with money that was donated to my trip. I'll be working with her on Mondays and Wednesdays. I was also able to spend Tuesday with a family from church. Danny and Tina open their home to the youth on Tuesday nights and every other week the study is taught in Spanish. I have already been asked to translate but I think I might need a few weeks to warm up my Spanish skills. Saturday night was the big bonfire and sleepover with the girls from Amazing Grace Fellowship. Seven girls came from ages 8-12. We had tons of fun from singing campfire songs to playing an agressive game of spoons to studying the word of God. It was great. Please continue to pray that I may adjust to life here. God bless

I Love Airports- They Mean That You Are Almost Somewhere

So this trip is definitely not what I planned so far which I am glad about because I wanted to go into it with not many expectation but to only be looking for God’s open doors.  God has already taken some of the expectations that I formed, but intended not to, and thrown them right out of the window.

            After saying goodbye and my father driving me to the airport I discovered that my morning flight had been canceled due to weather conditions in Dallas, Texas.  I am grateful that my Daddy came with me into the airport to help me check my baggage and then later sort things out with my flight.  The attendant at the airline counter was very helpful and after much debate and evaluating the options I decided to take a later flight yesterday, and here I am now spending the night at the Las Vegas airport waiting for my 7AM flight to take me to Dallas and then on to Belize City.  I almost laughed out loud when I read this verse as I was sitting here.

And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.”

Numbers 9:8

Jesus just decided that I needed more time preparing my heart and maybe a little rest as I spent most of yesterday afternoon catching up on some much needed sleep.  He needed me to “Stand still.”  I have been able to spend much of the travel time in reflection and prayer.  Please pray for me that I may be able to “hear what the LORD will command concerning me.”  Also please pray for the safety and wellbeing of Debie Tucker, as she has had to stay in Belize City, as it is to far to travel home and then back out to the airport the next day.

Prayer

1. For myself that I would wait on the LORD

2. For Debie’s safety tonight and tomorrow as we travel back to the Tucker’s home

A Little Introduction

  Thirteen years after leaving on my first mission trip I have decided to document my travels for those who wish to follow my adventures.  First I’d like to introduce you to the ministry I will be involved with while in Belize.  It is called Calvary Chapel Reaching Out to Belize and Jim and Debie Tucker, who were my associate pastor and his wife for the majority of my childhood, and are still dear friends, started it.  You can visit the website of their ministry by going to http://www.calvarychapelmissionsbelize.com.  Belize is a very multicultural, multiethnic country.  It has been exhausted by many forms of religion but is parched for the truth of Christ.  Very few bible-teaching churches can be found therefore it has become part of the Tucker’s ministry to come alongside those leaders who desire to light their country on fire with the love of Jesus Christ, and equip them for the good work the Lord has for them.  I will be working with a nursing home locally and also one of the local doctors and well as many other opportunities that I will know more about as Jesus opens those doors.

            After many years of going on short-term missions I felt God tugging at my heart to become involved in missions some way or another as a full-time commitment.  This time it is to Belize for three months but who knows where God will lead from there.  At that time God put this scripture on my heart.

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:  Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

            Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.  Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.”

            Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

            Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.

1 Peter 5:1-11

            I know it sure is a mouthful but through it God gave me the vision that I was to serve under my leaders being an example to those around me and be vigilantly on the watch for the attacks of the devil.  Maybe this is all to prepare me for full-time missions to Hanford, CA but we’ll just have to wait and see now won’t we.

            Your prayers would mean so much to me as I prepare for this trip.  I leave early morning Wednesday February 9^th.  I’ll try to update my blog once a week, but we’ll see how God needs my time when I get there.  Please feel free to e-mail me and ask questions.  God’s blessings to you all and I hope I will be able to share many hosannas with you all.

~Hannah~