I have been reading a book and I recommend it to anyone that participates in mission work including financial giving.  It has really challenged me and made me rethink how Terry and I “help” the people of Belize.  The name of the book is “Giving Wisely?” by Jonathan Martin.

I have realized positive and negatives about some of the things we have been doing.  I want to start with the positive and boast, in the Lord of course, a little about Kingsway Baptist Church.  The first principle shared in the text is Relationship.  It speaks to the importance of having a relationship with the people or organization supported by you or your church.  This gives an expert opinion on how the funds should be used.  The expert is, of course, the person living on the field, in the culture and customs of a foreign land.  It challenges the church to use a more biblical send approach in regards to missions.  To quote, the church is to “send our one of you own, rather than simply giving money to someone from outside.”  This is where I want to start bragging about Kingsway.  I began going to the church at a very young age with my family and was a part of GA’s and learned about missionaries and the importance of praying for them.  Terry has been a part of the church his whole Christian life and has participated in many different missions, at home and abroad.  I say this to testify to the fact that Kingsway is a mission minded church and when Terry and I felt the direction from God to become full time missionaries, our church family was behind us 100%.  They are implementing the mission approach God has.  Now whether or not they realized they were raising up missionaries to send, I do not know, but what I do know is that without the teaching and focus they had on missions, we may not have heard God’s calling to us.

This section of the book goes on to talk about some advantages of this sending approach.  First, is knowing the ones you are supporting.  We share the values and principles, we know Kingsway is praying for us because they know us and love us.  People in the church “will pray so much more for someone they’ve known for some time.” Second, when missionaries have the majority of their support from their home church, they do not have to go from one place to the next gathering support.  By supporting us significantly, we can actually enjoy some rest in fellowshipping with our Kingsway family.  Terry and I want to make sure that we share our time equal or more to that of our support.  Meaning, Kingsway provides about 80% of our monthly support so we should, in return, spend 80% of our time with them.  This was a point that hit me because I’m not sure we have been doing this.  Lastly, because of that personal relationship with the missionaries, short term teams can be sent to empower them and the ministry.  We have proof of that, in the month of March, we were blessed with people from many different churches within our home area that came to serve.  They truly said, “what can we do to help” and when we told them, they overwhelmed us and provided the finances needed for the projects, plus some.  They strengthened us in two ways, first, by helping us to begin the next chapter for the ministry with the workshop but also emotionally and spiritually.

These things are critical for doing mission work in a way that will help to far greater extents than we thought.  I am so grateful for the people that love us so much.  I have spent most of this blog talking about Kingsway but I do not want to forsake speaking about that other 20% support.  People from many different aspects of our life have committed to helping us.  From the Highlands Emmaus Community, to the Lebanon Baptist Association, to families that decide on their own to send us something each month.  In addition, there are even more that give on a need basis, so we can call on them when we have a specific need.  It is amazing to me that God connects with people throughout our lives to fulfill His special purpose for us.  I would have never guessed that this would be my life or that I met someone for this purpose but I am so thankful that it is and I did.  We love you all very much and could never express how much you all bless us and impact us here in Belize.  We continue to pray that we stay as close to the center of God’s will as possible and are able to hear His direction for us.  We want to know Him better each day.

Well, the last time I blogged we were in the middle of the team from our home town.  They were such a blessing to work with and what a group of hard workers they were.  They finished the house and we were able to give keys to Maria the evening before the team left.

The workshop has been up and running since then with 2 young men and just this week a third has been coming to observe while he is out of school for Easter break.  We are so excited at what God is doing and how He continues to expand our territory and give us purpose.  The first order of souvenir bats is almost finished and will head to the states in a week.

The week after our home group left, Terry worked with a team from Alabama building a house with another ministry.  They also completed their project and everyone was blessed by it.  We were able to fellowship with them a few times during the week as a family and each night they would have “choir practice” which sounded like angels singing.

Then, last week we had the blessed opportunity to work with a team from Newnan, Georgia.  Last year we worked with their team and were very excited to get to be apart of their ministry again this year.  They are a two part team.  One part does puppets and music for kids of all ages and the other part organizes a bible school element for the kids.  They visited 5 different villages doing a show and bible school for them.  This gave an opportunity for them to share Christ and just play and build relationships with the people of each village.  It was a privilege to watch and take part in.  They are an incredible team with great people.  I’m not sure I have laughed so much in a while.

The puppet team has started a tradition, I think, and we went to the market again this year.  It was so amazing.  On the way there we prayed that God would open up a spot for us to set up the puppets so we could share.  Market day is a very busy day and vendors are there from 5am to get a good spot to sell their product.  However, we knew God provided last year and we knew He could provide this year.  Well, I was not able to get us a tent to set up underneath for some shade this year.  I was apologizing to the group when Dave Almen, who was driving us to the market, said “Ya know, if God knows you need a tent, He will provide you with one.”  We all agreed of course.  When we got there, within just a few minutes we found an open spot but no tent.  I told the team to wait there while I went to look and make sure God didn’t want us somewhere else.  Well, He did.  On my way back to the team, after making a full circle around the market, there was an open tent sitting just a few feet away.  Right in a spot where everyone has to walk through to get to the other side of the market.  I found the owner of the tent and he gave us permission to use it after a bit of explaining and persuading, but it was perfect.  God had saved this spot just for us and kids came, their parents came and it was awesome.  You could feel the presence of God there.

By the end of the week we have made a whole bunch of new friends and deepened the friendships we had from last year.  I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next year, maybe two trips even.

What a blessing, I cannot say thank you enough to God for letting us work with these incredible people.  Each team has a new dynamic and different skill set and they each are perfectly designed by God to do the work He needs done.

Today, our awesome friends from Texas are flying in and we can’t wait to spend a week with them in fellowship.  They are always such an encouragement to us and hold us up before the Father in prayer.

Looking back over the past few weeks and then celebrating Easter I just cannot express enough that we are so blessed to be here and doing this.  We even got to see Khayden last week and he spent a few days with us.  Addy is almost walking and we are in the final stages of her paperwork.  Life will be weird for a little while without her but her story is unfinished and I can’t wait to watch the next chapter unfold with the McAmis family.  Clowy is so very precious and always knows when you need a hug or can make you laugh like nobody else.  Rianna becomes more beautiful each day and I am so proud of the young women she is.  I never imagined this is what God had for me but I’m so glad it is.

Much love to all and hope to see you soon.

We need everyone to pray for the lady that was cooking for us, Mrs. Ellie.  She has come down with the flu and can’t continue cooking for the team.  The whole family was up before the sun to go get breakfast done.  Once we arrived at the camp we were blessed by Mark Powers, Billy Fraizer, Bill Pittman helping to cook pancakes, sausage, and cut up fruit.  Everything was ready more than 30 minutes before time.  Addy and I were able to get turkey sandwiches and chips and cookies together and delivered.  Mrs. Ellie’s sister and Ms. Yvette stepped in to help me get supper done and served in time to get to church.  The whole day seems like a miracle, honestly.

Electrical is finished in the workshop and the siding is up at the Jaimi house.

Im sorry that this blog is not very informative but I am a little bit tired so I will go to bed.  Thank you all for reading and

After lunch we all headed out to a couple of villages that are in need.  Rice and Beans were given to families in La Gracia and Buena Vista as well as some candy and toys for the kids.  Many prayed with families.  One family touched us in Buena Vista where the husband is dying from cancer.  They had no food in the home and were waiting for a donation to come from a nearby Mennonite community when we passed through.  Mark Powers and Gene Eller prayed with the family and gave them food to eat.  It was a blessed experience.

Supper of stew chicken, rice & beans, fried plantain, and potato salad filled our bellies, well whatever room was last after ice cream anyways.  We were so close to Spanish Lookout we had to stop for ice cream.  Devotion was shared by Gene Eller and he walked us through the bible.  After he finished I had the great privilege of sharing the God story about Addy Grace.  I nearly cried a few times and from the beginning I had goosebumps.  All are hopefully asleep by now and I am on my way myself.

To all who are praying and keeping up with us, thank you and may the Lord return to you great blessings.  We are sure blessed on our end.  Much love and goodnight.

Twenty one servants of Christ arrived on Friday afternoon.  After a long day of traveling and losing two hours we stopped at Cheers for a bite to eat then headed to Baptist Training Center to get them settled in and unpacked.

We took advantage of a free day on Saturday and went to Caye Caulker in the Caribbean Sea where most of the team went snorkeling while a few explored the small fishing island.  Clowy and Addy played in the ocean and sand for a couple of hours and I have the sunburn to prove it!  I did a great job at remembering to keep sun screen on the kids and I put it on me as well just not enough coverage, but, so goes life.  :)   A handful of team members decided to stay back in the village and visit some folks they knew and ended up doing a little bit of work as well.  I know they were a great blessing.

This morning, Mrs. Ellie fixed french toast and sausage for breakfast before we all headed out to Bethel Disciple International’s ground breaking service in Belmopan.  This is the church that Terry and I attend regularly on Sunday mornings and it was a great blessing.  Many other churches came out to take part in the service and give praise to the Lord for making this project happen.  It was estimated that 300-400 people were there.  After hearing a word from Pastor Han prayers were lifted up, literally, tied to balloons, and given over to the Lord.  We enjoyed lunch at Omega Restaurant with a variety of common Spanish foods.  No one left hungry.

The afternoon allowed for a short nap time and then checking out the work sites for the next four days.  Everyone had the chance to meet Ms. Jaimi and her five children.  She couldn’t get the smile off of her face.  I am so thankful that God is allowing us to take part of His miracle for her.  From nearly 3 years ago after her husband was killed and they were nearly starving and today she is supporting her family and being blessed by God’s people with a practically new home, I’m just in awe.  The team also got to come to our house and see the work God is doing in Terry’s workshop and get prepared for the next step to completion.

Tonight, we all were blessed by the service at Faith Baptist Church back in Roaring Creek.  From the worship to special sharing of testimonies and songs to a great message by Pastor Ron Gilbert, we are thankful.  One thing I hear many Belizean’s quote is “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord” and as always, we were glad today.

Looking towards a very early start in the morning and concrete poured by 10 then handing out rice and beans.  We use this as a tool to begin a conversation that leads to a relationship and sharing of God’s love through the Gospel and prayer.  How blessed we are, truly, truly, blessed.

Terry and I just got back home to Belize and the kids on Sunday and jumped right back into the grind.  We were sooooo blessed by you, our family and friends, during our visit.  The hospitality from Fellowship Chapel and their members allowing us to make ourself at home in their mission house.   We loved being back home at Kingsway Baptist Church seeing the love of Jesus all over.  A lot was accomplished in 13 days, God lead us to a work truck for Terry that will serve him much better and it is packed to the brim with tools donated for his workshop.

We had the chance to meet with the team coming on Friday.  They are made up of many different churches and God has put together an awesome team we are very excited to work along side.  We will be finishing a house for a widow with 5 kids.  They are a great family who works hard in everything they do.  I think Terry and I are as excited as they are.  The second project God has provided for is the finishing of Terry’s workshop.  I took pictures today as concrete was poured and smoothed.  The guys worked so hard in the hot sun to get it done in a day.  I will post pictures and you should be able to view them tomorrow.  Electrical will be done next week to power all the tools.

We are amazed at the growth God continues to lead us to.  As I watched the work and thought back to where we began when we first moved.  It brings to life the Prayer of Jabez and that God would enlarge our territory.  God speaks to me in the hustle and bustle of life because I feel like He is with me and moving things forward.  That is how I know we are as close to the center of His will as we can be.

So, the weeks to come will be busy but filled with the love of Jesus.  We are so happy and blessed to be here at this time.  Love to all and we could never thank you enough.

The New Year came in with lots of fire crackers. Terry and I spent that weekend together for some quality time and of course Addy.  She is just growing so much and so quickly.

Terry has spent the first part of 2012 upgrading his workshop.  God provided the funds to be able to put up a larger building with zinc and wood siding.  This work space will be much better for the young men to work and even allow more to come in and learn.  Although it has a roof and sides, there is still no floor so that will wait until God provides as He always does for the work to glorify His kingdom.  He has also completed a couple of building projects.  One big one is my completed kitchen.  I have beautiful cabinets, counter tops, an island, and a bathroom vanity and it is all amazing.  I thank the Lord above for the blessing of Terry Stinson being my husband.  He is so talented and driven to complete his work.  We praise God for all He has done for us in 2011 and look forward to what He will do in 2012.

I began online classes to obtain my Master’s Degree in Nursing with St. Xavier University on the 9th of this month.  I’m still not sure what I was thinking when I applied but I know what God was thinking.  That assurance that this is God’s will is the only thing getting me through.  Already into my second week and I still lack one book.  The professors have been awesome, working with me to make up for that short coming.  Just praying it arrives next Saturday with a team from Alabama.

Addy Grace is 6 months old today.  I think we should have her a 1/2 a year old party.  Any excuse for cake, right!  She is so strong sitting up and moving toward her favorite toys.  She eats cereal from a spoon and loves it.  Now if she would only sleep through the night, I would be set. LOL.  I know we will get there at some point.  She continues to be just the happiest baby, smiling and laughing all the time.  People that meet her are just taken by her and love her immediately.  I know God speaks to people when they see her.  Something about a twinkle in her eye.  This past week, I have been blessed by a couple of great friends that have watched Addy for a few hours so I could work on my school work.  One has already volunteered to do it again next week.  I am very blessed to have such a great network of people to support me.

Well, I did it.  My first blog of 2012.  I can’t believe it took me 19 days to do it.  I would promise to do it more often but I’m afraid I would begin rambling on about nursing theory or health care systems and then you would stop reading the posts!!!!  Anyway, I have to say that we love and appreciate all of you for you prayers for us, support sent to us, and the stories you share about us.  With one united purpose, to glorify God for all the things He does for us.

I have spent the evening posting pictures of the past week.  From distributing shoeboxes to enjoying sometime with great friends.  We have laughed and cried together and at times, just sat in God’s amazing glory and power.  I has been wonderful.

So there is a new album Big John & Terri visit and I added to the Shoebox shipment album.  We also have posted a video to our Facebook page and I am going to try to post it here as well.

We were definitely blessed by all the events of this week.  We first thank God for allowing us to spread His love in this way and then we thank you for spreading the love God has given you in this way.

We love you and wish you a very, very merry Christmas!

Last night was a lot of fun.  Khayden is here for the weekend and we decided to put up the Christmas tree.  I had found some plastic ball ornaments at one of the Chinese stores in red, blue, green, and purple so each child had their own color to put on the tree.  Before we started we sat down and read the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke and talked about the real reason that we celebrate Christmas.

This year will be different for Terry and I because it will be our first Christmas away from family in Virginia and with our family here in Belize.  We are excited to be able to share in this holiday with them.  They are truly like family and seem very excited that we will be here as well.  We are planning to celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Christmas Eve and have a little party.

In a little over a week we will be going out to distribute the shoe boxes that have been sent.  We are planning to visit with those receiving the boxes and reading the story of Jesus’ birth to them.  Above all other things we want to remind everyone that the reason for getting the boxes of treats is representing the greatest gift that was ever given to us in Jesus.  That the wise men offered gifts to Jesus as He was the Lord and Savior and anything we receive as a gift should remind us of what was given to us and how we should also give.

Terry has been working with a team from North Carolina at a nearby camp in Camelote Village.  They have almost completed a house for fellow missionaries that work with the camp.  It has been a week full of hard work and fellowship with servants of our great God.

We do ask that you pray for us specifically in this season.  Also for our families as it will be hard for them as well.  Pray for the shoe boxes and the children and families that will receive them and for us as we talk with them about Jesus.  Your prayers are felt each day and cover and protect us from so much.  We love each of you and again thank you for you love and support for the work that God has chosen us for.

We watch Addy grow and learn new things.  She is now 4 months old and it is just amazing how God creates a life and doesn’t stop there.  She does something new all the time and I wonder how she learns.  I know that our awesome God has put instincts in each of us that I didn’t necessarily realize or understand until I watch this baby grow.  We are so blessed and thankful for this opportunity.  Please continue to keep the paperwork in your prayers.  For some reason it feels as if it is at a stand still and we honestly have no way of knowing when it will be complete.  I also ask you remember the McAmis family as they stand through this trial.  They want so bad to have this beautiful baby made just for them and the devil is doing everything to hinder God’s plan.  I praise God that we have victory in Him and He will soon crush satan under our heel.

Tomorrow we plan to go to the port in Belize City and pick up the shipment of Christmas Shoeboxes and personal items.  We are so excited to be able to hand out the love of Jesus to these kids and share the reason for Christmas.  We will post pictures of all the happenings by Christmas.  We were blessed to find out that friends from Texas will be coming the week before Christmas with a few people and will be able to help us hand out the gifts.  We ask that you pray for the shoeboxes and for us as we distribute them.  We have folks in mind to send them to but also know that some of these are going to folks that God will just show us.

Terry has been very busy the past few weeks.  Helping many other ministries complete construction projects and just being available to help when needed.  He has wired a preschool in More Tomorrow Village, as well as, installing two bathrooms in behind the church.  He was able to help a fellow missionary with some personal wiring needed to secure his property.  He had the opportunity to help Hearts of Christ pick up a huge shipment.  God will bless many lives through the donations made to that ministry.

We have begun to expand our property, laying block columns to be able to eventually enclose for additional bedrooms.  Also, we received a donation from Yalbac Lumber to be able to expand the workshop.  We are currently saving money to be able to put a zinc roof on and need to pour a concrete floor.  Joaquin, a local Belizean, continues to work and build out of the workshop teaching one full time young man and a second one that comes part time.

Next week Terry will be working with a mission team from North Carolina, helping build a house at a nearby mission.  He will also be in Valley of Peace Village to work on a building that was damaged in Hurricane Richard last year.  He is hoping to begin work on the kitchen cabinets for our home.  You all know Terry and know that he likes to keep a full plate and get as much done as possible.  We will be celebrating Thanksgiving with our friends and fellow missionaries on Friday evening.

As the Christmas season approaches it is bittersweet.  We are excited to be able to spend Christmas with our new family and friends here in Belize but will terribly miss our family and friends in the Tri-Cities.  I have already started preparing the house to set up decorations and talking to Clowy about the reason we celebrate Christmas.  We plan to have Jesus a birthday party and remind as many as we can the reason for the season, maybe starting a tradition for Belizeans.  Please pray for us and our families back home as we spend this holiday apart.

We look forward to the plans that God has for us and are thankful that you are a part of that.  Without you we could not keep this up.  We need your support and prayers to keep us going.  We pray blessings on each of you.