Friday, March 30

Friday, March 30 - Day 10

Wow what a day we had today. It started at 5:00an with chaperones helping prepare breakfast which was scrambled eggs, beans, fruit and of course fried jacks. We said our tearful goodbyes to our friends at the base and headed out to Belize City to spend our day snorkling and exploring the island. We are all safe and sound at our hotel for the night and looking forward to seeing you all at the airport tomorrow night at 10:04pm.

Thursday, March 28

Thursday, March 28 - Day 9

Hellooooo!!  Salutations from Kylie, Naomi, Jonah and Shana! 

Can you Belize our time here is almost over. So sad😩. 

Anyway today was fun day so guess what we did... Had fun... yay!!! The kids loved it they had a blast. At least it looked like they did. I had fun. The slip and slide was a hit and they really enjoyed all the activities that they got to participate in. Some of the activities that were offered were face painting (an absolute distaster, but quite a lot of fun:)), soccer (the kids are soo talented!), volleyball (there could be some improvements...), an art station, anddddd a bunch of other little activity's that just ended up a mess! We started the day off by helping out in the classrooms (sweaty and dirty but with smiles on our faces)  and ended the day a compete mess of watered down mud and soap suds. (also accompanied with smiles:) As you can probably imagine, hygiene is our number one priority. Our lovely day and week at the school was celebrated by a delicious chicken bbq! Lucky us! 

For our devotions today we talked about systemic poverty, a very interesting topic! We had a great discussion that we can't wait to chat about with you when we see you in two days! We miss you!

Ywam Belize has been fantabulous, but it is now time to be tourists for a day and experience beautiful Belize in another way! Tomorrow will start with an early morning wake up at 5:30am! So it's time to get some sleep! 

Thanks for checking in! 

See you soon Calgary! You are missed! (the people that is.... Not so much the snow ;))

Wednesday, March 27

Wednesday, March 27 - Day 8

Hello people of CANADA!!!!! 

Today's blog post is brought to you by Jenessa, Nadia, Nolan, Brittney and Ali. 

Today was a fantastic day. We started the day off with a hearty breakfast of toast and cereal and a multitude of fruits. Then we went off to begin our workday. Some of us finished the YWAM sign while some of us painted the Canada house at the YWAM base. Those of us at the  school helped in classrooms while teachers tried to finish report cards and others painted the playground. Sorry to the grasmeyers because Micah is coming home with a hair cut as she is very clumsy and she use her hair as a paint brush by accident. 

Let me paint a picture for you to describe what really goes on in the classroom. Picture this, 20 young students who can all communicate in a language that you do not understand all team up agianst you and create a never ending storm of chaos in which you, a lonesome high school student, flounders. But yet we go back day after day because those kids are so darn cute, their smiles make everything worth it. After the day at the school we hopped on the totally-not-broken bus, if anyone is looking for around 30 youth to sing songs from a start is born I know a group willing to put on a very good show. We traveled to the western dairy in the Mennonite community at the Spanish lookout. The ice cream was amazing and we relished the air conditioning. To wrap up the day we came to the base, went swimming in the river and some had well deserved naps. We then celebrated Kevins big 18th birthday with cake and a movie (aquaman at Kevins request :) ) 

Each day is a new blessing and we are so blessed to be in a place we can see the stars, wear shorts and get a tan. But we are more blessed to be able to learn more and more about ourselves and God with each interaction we have with a kid or everytime we get a smile from an overworked teacher. 

Thanks for reading 

Mom I'm not burnt yet 

Love you all, can't say we miss Calgary but we miss you. 

 Peace out 

Live long live well 

Tuesday, March 26

Tuesday, March 26 - Day 7

Yo yo yo friends and family! 

It's the Spice Girls aka Michelle, James, Kevin (who turns 18 tomorrow... go him!) and Noelle writing to you from this lovely Ywam base in Belize. 

Here's a little poem we wrote about our fantabulous day;

Today was super sick, 

we worked a lot

and it was hot, 

Unfortunately for our friend Scott, 

He got a little cut which was not, 

That small. 

PS he's okay. 

We finished the Ywam sign, 

The swings were set up in a line, 

And the fence now has a new shine, 

And our newly red Canada house is lookin’ quite fine. 

The art camp went quite swell, 

And the kids are doing really well, 

A few times off tall ladders we almost fell, 

We got up early to get to the school before the first bell. 

Today there was some rain, 

But it didn't make us feel that much pain, 

Micah suffered from some yellow paint stain, 

But it was all worth it for the gain. 

So here we are, writing to you from under the stars, 

We can't hear any cars, 

And from all our family and friends we’re all little too far. 

Love y’all! Peace peace love love ❤️ 

-spice girls 

Monday, March 25

Monday, March 25 - Day 6

Another wonderful day in Belize as well as a very hot one. The team spent the day helping out and teaching in the classrooms at school as well as running the art class throughout the day. A group of students also continued to work on fixing and extending the fence at the school as well as rebuliding the swings. The building projects are also going well back at the base as well as the design of the YWAM sign. Tonight we were able to go into Belmopan and watch some of the boys play football. What a great opportunity for everyone to watch Soccer in a place where they are passionate about the game. 

The team is really working and serving well together and we are looking forward to another productive day tomorrow working together. Please continue to pray for us as we serve here. 

Sunday, March 24

Sunday, March 24 - Day 5

The day started with a legendary spread of pancakes and turkey bacon which was a new concept to almost everybody. Who knew that bacon was allowed to come from turkeys? Anyway, everyone got dolled up in their Sunday best, and headed down to living waters church for Sunday servce. The sermon was enlightening and very unique, and demonstrated a different style of telling the gospel. Nevertheless, we all enjoyed it. Then, we headed to the mayan ruins which are extremely close to the Guatemalan border. We all climbed up the main temple and took in one of the greatest views of Belize that you can get. After two failed attempts to throw a frisbee from the top of the temple to someone at the bottom, we headed down. Then, we went to hodes restaurant for an absolute feast. I personally got the large fried chicken. Normally, people separate the thigh and the drumstick for general ease of consumption, but at Hodes, they deep fry the whole leg and just slap it on your plate. Sorry, also two of them on your plate. It's delicious. After dinner, we headed back to the base and had some excellent devotions. The topic was emotional poverty and many people had excellent sessions in the small groups we broke off into. 

• Melissa, Beth, Luke, Andres 

A.k.a Sharknado 4

P.s. Hi cam - beth

Saturday, March 23

 Saturday, March 23 - Day 4

Whazz up Calgary,

It's the Eh team(Brooklyn, Micah, Lincoln, and Isaiah) coming in with some hot news from Belize, literally it has been a hot day and we are all fried. Today we spent the morning at the Preserving Grace Church. We lead stealar activities with the kids, which included coloring, painting rock and really terrifying faces. We also played some Americano football, and throwing of the upside down plate. After the tedious job of getting paint out of our skin and hair we got to enjoy some ice cream with the kiddos. The afternoon was spent eating the traditional rice and bean based lunch. It was unbelizable (ba-dump tisk). Then we proceed to fly through the jungle on a zipline, like Superman on steroids. On the bus ride home we were exhausted and hungry, so we went swimming instead of eating, and it was a refreshing splash to the day. Our day is coming to a close and we will have to leave you to play some capture the flag. But before we end we would like to tell you about are amazing devo time. It was on physical poverty and how it is present throughout the world, and how we need to meet people where they are at. Today was a great day, we love it when a day comes together. Eh team out. (Lincoln does not approve of this message)  

P.s. Hi Cam! -Beth

Friday, March 22

Friday, March 22 - Day 3 

Day three had many opportunities for the whole group to participate in. We continued on at the school with the art camp, began working on the new sign for the base, worked in the classrooms, started the building projects at the school and on the YWAM base, played Volleyball and had some amazing devotions led by Madeleine, Allie P, Madi and Colten.  

We woke up with the sound of rain on our tin cabin roof and as we stepped outside into the day we new it would be a good one.  We had a hearty breakfast of french toast, sausage and assorted fruit.  Some of us skipped off to the school to spend another day with the little ones and they were super excited and had lots to tell us - Madeleine was invited for the second time to a little girls birthday (which is in December...)  The rest of our team stayed at the base and worked on tearing down some buildings and scrubbing off the paint on a sign that will be repainted.  

We then had a lunch of nachos and scurried off looking for rocks to paint with the kiddies at the church tomorrow!  After the rock picking we went for a quick dip in the creek which was refreshing and tranquil.  Then we came back to the base to go to the Art Box, where we were astounded by the incredible art and delicious frozen treats. :)

After the art box we split up again!  Some of us went to help coach and play volleyball with a local club and it was very exillirating!  We were able to really connect and relate to the girls and they were very talented and dedicated to their sport.  

The other group came back and ate a dinner of homemade tortillas!  And then played cards and games with the kids on the base until the volleyball group came back.  

When we sat down for devotions we began with singing.  After the chorus of song we listened to John speak about some of the amazing work that YWAM Belize is doing and heard a bit of his story.  John is the assistant director of YWAM.  Then the amazing ”Forest and the Gumps” lead devotions and we played a fun and meaningful game to demonstrate material poverty!  

It has been a inspiring and fulfilling day! 

Belize 2019

Belize Day 1 - March 21

After the long day of travel yesterday the whole team was in bed by 9:30 last night.  The first day was split with all the students and half the chaperones going to Raymond Shepherd Nazarene School, a short walk from where we're staying at the YWAM base in Roaring Creek.  Once at the school the team met a bunch of excited students!  Kylie and Ally P started their senior "art" project with a couple of the older classes.  The remaining chaperones identified the construction projects we'll be doing at the base and school. We are about to start our devotions and sharing time together for the night.    

We're thankful to God for safe travel and a great start to our service!   

Stay tuned for future blog posts that will be written by the student groups assigned to devotions each night.

Final Blog 2018

My heart is full since our group returned from Belize early Easter Sunday morning!  This year seventeen grade 11 and 12 students, along with 6 chaperones served on our school’s thirteenth trip to Belize.  It’s amazing how God has used Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Roaring Creek to teach us part of what it means to serve him in other parts of the world and grow us all as Jesus’ disciples.  Mr. Bonk does an incredible job preparing the kids to serve and inviting students into Jesus way.  This is not a missions trip , yet we also prepare students by introducing them to the ideas in Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions.  Access to this short video series by emailing Pastor Layne.

The trip may be summed up best by Jesus words:
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:26-28
 
We had lots of fun in Belize zip lining, cave tubing, swimming with nurse sharks and stingrays.  Yet the main purpose of our trip is to help students learn by supporting local missionaries.  We partnered on three projects:  
Started building some additional bathrooms at YWAM Roaring Creek
Facilitated a fun day for the students at Raymond Shepherd Nazarene School (Grade K - 8) in Roaring Creek
Lead a Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Persevering Grace Church in Georgeville

Projects 2 and 3 were lead primarily by our amazing students!

At the close of each day, a group of students take turns leading prepared devotions on a particular type of poverty.  After singing and discussion, students given time to journal about the devotion and their day.  The journal reflects the value of their learning.  Below is a list highlighting some of the students learning.  Some entries have been adjusted to give more clarity and no names are given to maintain anonymity.  Enjoy reading some of what God is doing in our students through this service trip to Belize!
The Belizian kids  may be materially poor but they are rich in is making the most of what they have - I’d like to be better at that!
I think as much as we have been a blessing to Belize, they have been a blessing to us as well. Belize has helped me strengthen my relationship with God and overcome the pain in my life.
We gave the kids dental floss and they wanted to share with me - I want to be more selfless and giving when I get home!
I learned a lot more about others in our group - when I get home I want to learn more about people’s stories before I make harsh judgments about them.
Sometimes things run completely different in another country but things still work well and get done.
After the emotional poverty devotional I learned that my problems are a lot easier to go through if I talk about them with others, I’d like to open up more
When this trip began I felt like an outsider in our group but realized I’m not.
At first I was not comfortable leading devotions and being the person in charge, however, being with this group from over the past number of days has allowed me to get to know some of people better and take away some of my introvertedness.
The staff and boys at YWAM brought out the best in the team and I’m glad I got to see that more than anything!
Because my family isn’t that open and doesn’t seem to talk that much, It was a challenge to be open with those in my cabin and during devotions. I did it though and I think that will help me be more open to others when I get back to school
Belizians don’t seem to plan as much as we do back home.  I learned that it’s okay not to know what’s going to happen and hope for the best. If I work through it with God I’ll end up where I’m supposed to be.
The Belizian kids were amazing to be around because I know that lots of them do not have much at home but they still live with joy and happiness and it’s really motivating to see.
The devotions on the trip as well as the singing helped me get closer to God and it’s just an amazing feeling!
I went thinking I’d focus on what we have and what the Belizians don’t. What I discovered is that in many ways we are we the same, we share the inner longing and need to be loved.
I think the purpose of this trip for me was to remember how much of a blessing we can be to others and how much others around you can bless you!
Students: Ethan Bomhof, Madison Breadner, Liam Brouwer, Meredith denEngelsen, kevin Eklund, Elias Grasmeyer, Lauren Grasmeyer, Lincoln Harder, Kate Laughland, Ben Niven, Keziah Nongo, Luke Oostenbrink, Nathaniel Pawlowski, Melissa Rainbow, Madison Souster, Mason Unrau, Chantel Vanderveen
Chaperones: Mr. Bonk, Mrs. Bonk, Mr. Barthel, Ms. Monson, Bruce Brown and Pastor Layne

Day 10

Last night we had our final devotions together and closed with a very special and genuine time of sharing about our week working together. At 7:00am we packed up and headed out to Belize City on the old bus to spend a day at Caye Caulker swimming with the sharks and stingrays. What an awesome and amazing experience to spend together. The team is very tired tonight and ready for a much deserved night of rest. Tomorrow we head home! I know that the team is excited to come home but also a little sad as they would like to stay longer. When you get a chance please ask your child about their experience on this trip. Hopefully they have learned something new about themselves and what it means to serve and be a blessing to others. Tonight at supper we were blessed by a couple who saw our team interacting together around the table and were so impressed by them that they paid half of our total bill! What an amazing group of kids and chaperones living out Gods grace in Belize.

Day 9

Today we had our last day serving at YWAM on the building project and at the church with David and Dupe. Watching our tired students serve the children at the church with a smile and with energy today was a blessing. Seeing Ben wield the bubble machine as kids ran after him laughing and giggling was something to witness. Face paint, colouring, football, story time and seeing the church kids get ice cream cones and their backpacks was also a real highlight. The church and children were so grateful and happy that we spent time with them and our kids displayed Jesus love as they served. Back at the YWAM Base, the remaining boys worked hard and YWAM is hoping to get the bathrooms completed for the mini Discipleship Training School in July.  As chaperones, we are so thankful for this group of students and can’t wait to hear how they grew is love for God, neighbour and themselves tonight and in the weeks to come!

Day 8

The group at the church had another amazing day of running VBS with the group of students doubling in size to almost 80 children! The team did an outstanding job of welcoming the new faces into the group and including everyone in the activities. Seeing all the happy faces of the kids was a highlight for me and one that I will remember for awhile. Children who are so excited just to colour and draw, something we just take for granted at home but is a special activity for them. The rest of the team worked on the building project and have been able to get all the walls up about halfway.
Today we also celebrated Luke, Keven and Nathanial's birthdays with cake, ice cream and a live Reggae Band called Ripple Effect played for us during supper also during that celebration Santie & Lilliana thanked our team for coming this year as well as recognized all the years of service from the teams that have been coming from CCS over the years. It is such a blessing for us to be able to continue building this partnership with the people here in Belize and with Santie & Lilliana.
Tomorrow is our last day at the church and Lauren has all of the backpacks ready and packed for us to take with us tomorrow for the children at the church. Please continue to pray that our students continue to serve and to understand a little more about Gods amazing grace for each of us.

Preserving Grace Church 

Birthday Celebrations

Preserving Grace Church

The Wall

The Football Boys at YWAM

Day 7

Day seven has come and almost gone and it was another doozy.  Our ladies started the day by awaking at a most ridiculous hour to make their way to the local market.  They joined some resident YWAM ladies (who are reaching celebrity status with their patience and gourmet cooking) and got to see where the locals buy produce and fresh fruit.  When I got out of bed, the ladies had already returned with deliciousness all over with the highlight being a sour sop to share - can anyone tell me where to get one of these fruits in Canada?

After breakfast, our crew once again split into two groups with group one heading to Preserving Grace Church and group two staying behind to sling mortar and concrete in between big rocks.  Group one continued to work alongside groups of children as they sang songs, performed skits, and made pinwheels all in an effort to learn the story of Gideon and Rahab - stories that remind us that God is with us and always for us.

God was definitely with group two as the mortar, concrete, and big rocks began to form actual vertical walls.  Straight ones.  The crew worked hard to mix concrete and mortar by hand to keep up with the growing walls.  Overall it was a great day of progress as walls for both the male and female washrooms are starting to take shape.

Currently, our students are sorting through the massive amounts of generous donations to create over 50 backpacks for the children here in Belize.  We also purchased all the fuzzy fleece blankets from the local store alongside many other items to create 17 first aid kits for the classrooms at the Nazarene school.  

We will finish tonight with student-led devotions, worship, and journaling.  Belize continues to provide challenges in all sorts of areas but the students are tackling them head on.  They continue to impress as we move into Day 8.

Subbing in for Mr. Bonk,

Mr. Barthel

Day 6

Awesome day for our students!  We upgraded the swings at Raymond Shepherd Nazarene School; started on the bathrooms at YWAM Roaring Creek kitchen; and began a Vacation Bible School at Preserving Grace Church in Georgeville, led by Madison B, for her Senior Project.  Our group has also been enjoying the boys at YWAM and God is encouraging us to be content and have joy without some of the comforts of home.  Please keep praying that we can serve well and have eyes to see and ears to hear what God is teaching us here!