Mission Team Report-North Alabama Family Mission Team

Below is a brief update from a mission team that served in Belize January 29-February 5. The team, from North Alabama, worshiped at Belmopan Baptist Church and Faith Baptist Church on Sunday and served at the Cayo Deaf Institute (CDI) during the week.


A week at CDI (By: Ingram S)......... How do you begin to describe an event that turned out to be nothing like you expected? As I prepared for this trip to Belize I began to make assumptions and have expectations of how I hoped to impact those I met. As it turns out when I reached the deaf institute I was the one who was changed. This realization occurred to me when I realized I was not going to be able to see them again for a whole year. That thought made me so sad.

Though facing a troubling environment and facing the additional challenges of a life without sound, these children radiate with joy and cast this happiness onto those around them regardless of familiarity. These experiences led me to believe that though we have materialistic advantages to offer, the children of this deaf institution have a much better gift. The gift of joy! The joy of these children was evident as their innocent, life-filled laughter radiates into your heart. The time you spend with these kids is what they hunger for not money or pity. They relish (and even find humor in) the time we take to attempt to “talk” to them by signing. They also are free with spontaneous hugs and laughter. They lead simple and pure lives. They don't wish for things that we think might make them happy. Love and acceptance of who they are and the assurance that they are wanted is what these children starve for.

A four letter word L-O-V-E. It really is simple. A home is where this love is present. It is in this such place the children of CDI are flourishing. A home, where they are cared for. A home where there is family, friends and God. It is in this place where I found myself, right in the middle of these children's home, yet I did not feel like an outsider. Though I had never met any of them, these children made me feel like I was a part of their family. Among all my experiences I believe I will most sincerely miss the time I shared with these children. Though the experiences that occur can never be written down on paper they are forever imprinted upon my heart.

Mission Team Report-January 2011

Wow, what an amazing week! It was another life-changing week in Belize. Our team, 9 from Texas and 2 from Alabama served in Belize January 15-22. We worshiped at Santa Elena Baptist Church Sunday morning and San Ignacio Baptist Church Sunday evening. We hosted our 2nd annual men's gathering at the Aguada Sunday afternoon. We had about 35 men joined together for fellowship, worship and sharing. We focused on how we can improve in our walk with the Lord in 2011. It was a very encouraging time and we concluded with a meal together.

The power of prayer was very evident from day 1 in Belize! Many at home and in Belize were praying for our team and opportunities to share. He answered more abundantly than we could ever imagine!! Burt Odom shared in the morning service Sunday and Wayne Sanderford in the evening worship service. Brian Witty and I were asked to appear on the Rise and Shine TV show on Belize Plus TV. This a live show seen on cable in Belize. The host, Fem, led worship for us Sunday afternoon.

The team served at both the Good Shepherd Clinic (GSC) and the Cayo Deaf Institute (CDI) . At GSC, the 3 members did some plumbing work and installed a much needed security fence for Nurse Juan. At CDI, the remainder of the team worked on Bldg 1 and Bldg 8. At Bldg 1, we removed a rotten porch and beams and put a new one up and also removed a room from the back of the house. At Bldg 8, the team installed foam in the ceiling, drywall and some electrical wiring. While the work was great, the time with the kids and staff was even better! They are all so sweet and content in their situation. Their joy for life is so contagious! Many relationships were renewed this week with he kids! The most moving moment at CDI was seeing and hearing the kids sing in worship to our LORD. Although they cannot articulate the words, hearing them try to sing as they signed the words was very moving and brought us to tears!


The TV crew from Plus TV came to CDI on Wednesday and filmed a special on the Institute and 2 of our members were interviewed. The special ran on the evening news 2 nights. This was another example of God answering the prayers for opportunities to share the gospel. God is Good!!

The week was capped off with a night of worship Thursday evening with Fem. He is a gifted musician and worship leader. We also had a few guests to share the evening. Gene and Jo Hardy, cousins from Ohio, were visiting Belize for a few days to see what Fishers of Men is all about. It was great to share a portion of the week with them. Fem closed the worship time by singing one of our new favorites, "I command my mouth to praise the Lord......." 

These are just a few highlights from our trip. Thank you for both your prayer and financial support to make this trip possible and to help in sharing the gospel of Christ with the people of Belize. It is our prayer and earnest desire that a trip like this will ignite our passion for living out the Great Commission here at home for the remaining 51 weeks of the year.

Please continue to pray for Fishers of Men. Please pray as we serve in Belize and also as our team begins to look forward to returning in January 2012.

Ministry Update-Prayer for Mission Team

Today, 9 men from Texas and 2 from Alabama are traveling to Belize to serve for a week. Please pray for us as we travel, serve, worship, fellowship for the next week. Below is a prayer calendar and we appreciate your prayers and support:

Saturday, January 15: Pray for safe travel and team unity. Phil. 4:7 and Phil. 2:1-3

Sunday, January 16: Pray for our worship at both Santa Elena Baptist Church and San Ignacio Baptist Church. We also be hosting a men’s gathering Sunday afternoon. We will enjoy a time of fellowship, worship and sharing. Acts 1:8 and Hebrews 12:1-3

Monday, January 17: Pray for strength as we begin our week of construction work. Most of the team will be working at the Cayo Deaf Institute, with a couple guys working at the Good Shepherd Clinic. I Cor. 12:12

Tuesday, January 18: Pray for our families at home and safety for our team as we continue our work. Also, pray we see the opportunities HE has for us to share the gospel. Ps. 27:1 and Jer. 33:3

Wednesday, January 19: Pray for continued strength, good rest at night and good health for our team. Col. 4:2-6

Thursday, January 20: Pray for continued strength as we wrap our work today. Pray for extra energy! Ps. 18:2

Friday, January 21: Pray for rest. We are having a “fun day” today and also pray as we reflect and share what God has taught us this week. Matt. 11:28-29

Saturday, January 22: Pray for safe travels home! Ps. 62:1-2

We will update the blog upon our return.

Hurricane Richard Update

Thank you to everyone for your prayers during the past week as we have been through Hurricane Richard and now assisting with the cleanup. The pictures are of a house we assisted with a new roof-A single mom and 5 kids reside here. We partnered with several ministries to complete this project. The house is in Camelote Village. We have also worked at Blue Thumbs Mission and Belize Christian Academy.

Lastly, we continue to need prayer support and also financial support. We are committed to continue assisting with the cleanup but are in need of funds. Please prayerfully consider supporting this effort. Please make checks to Fishers of Men, with Hurricane Richard in the memo line. Please mail them to P.O. Box 387, Selma, AL 36702. Our goal is $2000. Thank you for your continued support!!

Hurricane Richard-PRAYER UPDATE

Fishers of Men, along with others, spent today with chainsaws and moving lots of trees. Tomorrow, they will be replacing the roof on the home of a single mom, 5 kids. Please pray for the many, many families effected.

Below is an update of areas that many of you are familiar with:

CDI is ok, just trees down like everywhere but they are all safe.

Nurse Juan reports no major damage at the clinic the roof is fine! Great job on the roof!!

Joe and Piper are good, just lots of trees down. A coconut tree hit the white bus and the windshield shattered.

The Baptist Training Center appears OK structurally, but an estimated 40% of trees down. There is quite a bit of damage in the village where the BTC is located.

Johnny (ArtBox) has quite a bit of damage.

Oh, I did not ask about Western Dairies but will ask to make sure ice cream shop sustained no damage.

Please keep praying for everyone in Belize! We will update as new info is available.

Hurricane Richard-PRAYER

Hurricane Richard is moving our way and land fall is expected around 7:00 PM CST this evening. The current path will place it coming on land just south of Belize City. Right now here in Belmopan, we are experiencing some rain and light wind. Kathryn and I are as prepared as possible with ample food and a generator that is set up and ready should the need arise. Join us as we pray for those here that are less fortunate and blessed to have adequate shelter and food. We are poised to help others in the days ahead when and if the need arises.

Please pray for safety and shelter for all. Please pray for FOM as we are available to assist.

School Uniforms and Supplies

Fishers of Men has been working with the Iguana Creek Primary School in Selena for at least 3 years with Dental and Medical teams. In 2009, FOM conducted a VBS and Ladies Ministry week for both the Selena and San Marcos villages which are close together and are both visited each year by our teams. It was decided after our dental/medical team visit in February, that FOM would provide 2 school uniforms per student and provide the teachers with proper attire for their duties.

Buddy and Kathryn and Jack Barnes had the pleasure of going out recently and giving the uniforms to the students. The students were most appreciative for these gifts. In addition, FOM provides school supplies for the Iguana Creek School as well as San Marcos and the 3 schools in Valley of Peace. FOM provided uniforms to the Cayo Deaf Institute last year and will be getting theirs for this school year real soon. School starts here around the first of September.

If you would like to donate toward this effort, please contact us through our web site or email us at serve@fishersofmenbelize.org and we’ll be happy to give you the needed information. In addition, FOM volunteers in the Decatur, Alabama are receiving school supplies and flip flop shoes to be used in our ministry here in Belize. Thanks for praying for us and we invite all to “come and see”.