March Trip Report

Below are a few stories from our recent trip to Belize-the team was from First Baptist Church, Trussville, AL.

Carl Grimmett (Veterinarian): I had the privilege of being the first veterinarian to work under Fishers of Men. My team consisted of myself, Dr. Victor Gongora (of Belize), Larry Payne, and Matthew Cooper. The first requirement from Belize was that I speak for 2 hours to school children. Unlike here in the States, I was able to present the plan of salvation as a part of my talk. On the second day, we worked at the Belize zoo. We worked with eagles, owls, and a tapir. Day 3 was spent with a very conservative Mennonite community, vaccinating their horses. Day 4 consisted of setting up rabies clinics in poorer villages. We had to be accompanied by officials from the health department. Before the end of the day one of the officials prayed to receive Christ! This trip will forever be a highlight of my life. The work of Buddy Hardy and Fishers of Men is amazing and I look forward to another trip.

Bobby Erwin (Construction Team) :We began our work early on Tuesday morning. The demolition was easy as the structure was very much in need of replacement. The work was hard and hot, but I can say it was more than worth the effort! To go into a situation with so many needs, and three days later leave having finished a structure which will significantly improve a family’s living conditions is very satisfying. But more than completing a physical structure, we followed the example of Jesus, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me.” Throughout the week we gave to the people of Belize, but God gave back to us. I believe God will use the “seeds” we planted to bring spiritual fruit in the lives of the people we touched.

The medical and dental teams saw many patients each day. There were many physical needs met, which gave us the platform to share the gospel with them as well. We are grateful for another successful week of serving in Belize and are already planning to return in 2012. The highlights of the trip was serving at CDI and attending the kids' music class and hearing and seeing them sing--they are always an encouragement to our teams.

Who would have thought a Veterinarian would be on a mission team?! Well, God clearly was in control and used him mightily in this week serving in Belize-he spoke in a school, worked in the Zoo, and saw many animals and also shared the gospel with many.

February Trip Update

We had 40 missionaries from 17 churches serve together in Belize from 12-19 February 2011. Our team consisted of 4 medical doctors, 3 dentists, 3 nurses, 5 hygienists, and numerous support personnel, and we provided medical and dental services in villages, clinics, and hospitals. With God’s blessings, we treated more than 650 patients for medical problems and more than 525 patients for dental cleanings and treatments. Additionally, 10 hospital surgeries were performed. Many people trusted Christ as their Savior during our trip. We will post some pictures soon!!

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.