FPC-Midland Belize Blog

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Blessed to be a Blessing!"

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

WAW Wednesday: "Blessed to be a Blessing!"

Blessed to be a blessing!
That's what you are.
In last week's letter we asked for your story on how God has impacted you through our ministry -- we received some awesome stories and we can't wait to get more!

So we are inviting you again ... Please take a moment and share the blessing. This invitation for stories is meant for both our Belize and U.S. partners. We are confident you've got a story to tell and we can't wait to hear it. (Hey, if writing isn't your thing, that's OK - you could always share a quick video on Facebook!)

And here's another reminder ...

Kenny is coming to the states for more than a month starting October 5! We're putting him on the road to visit churches and friends.

Today while he was unpacking a shipping container from Pennsylvania, he took time out to send you this video message ...

Kenny wants to see you! from The Word at Work on Vimeo.

Exodus Church Starts Feeding Program

Pastor Phillipa opened the program on September 4 in Belize City. She's getting by with what she has BUT she could do so much more with your help.

I asked her how we could help and she sent me this list ...

Whirlpool Stove or Commercial Stove
Hamilton Beach Juicer
Whirlpool Refrigerator
Hamilton Beach Blender
Cuisinart Bread Mixer
Funding for cabinet for kitchen sink

If you can get your hands on any of these, whether used or new, we have shipping containers leaving from Amarillo Texas and Gulfport, Mississippi, next month.

If you want to purchase any of these items just send us the funds and we can purchase locally from Sears….. Where we have inside connections.

Mollie's husband happens to work there ... "Mike, the appliance guy”!

Thanks, friends,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Celebrate!"

WAW Wednesday: "Celebrate"

Connecting the people of God
with causes that matter to God
in ways that honor God

When I mention our name, “The Word at Work”, to someone new I can immediately read it on their face -- whether they are puzzled, or whether they get it. Often I have to break it down for them:

THE WORD ... The one and only ... The Word of God ... The Bible.

AT WORK ... Faith in motion ... Walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

Or as the Bible puts it:

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
James 1:22

The impact of this ministry in the short span of its existence is evidence of God’s favor. He has given us three things to focus on represented by three interlocking rings what you see in our newly redesigned logo. (Shout out to Jonathan Rollins for his great work!)

I think this is the first time for this to be published or publicly explained. There is a definite connection between our logo and our freshly crafted mission statement.

1. Connecting the people of God:

A big part of what we do is create partnerships between churches and organizations in the U.S. with churches and organizations in Belize. We emphasize partnership in Kingdom work; mutuality in ministry. I often say that mission is not a one-way stream that flows downhill from me to bless someone less fortunate. Mission does not originate with me. It comes from God and it is a stream that flows both ways. In God’s eyes we are all poor and needy -- we just suffer with different kinds of poverty be it material, spiritual, emotional, social. So whether from the U.S. or Belize, when we walk together in mission, God heals us both and He gets all the credit!

2. Causes that matter to God:

We work where God works, in places where God’s heart compels him to be most active. Those places aren’t hard-to-find. The word of God gives us the map. In Isaiah 57:15, God tells us that the main place he dwells is with the downtrodden, with the broken, with the needy. So he calls us to join him by serving in these segments of society; with the materially poor, orphans, hospitals and clinics, hospice; with those who are most vulnerable especially children, elderly, women and girls who are sexually abused or trafficked; with those who are listed in Matthew 25 as naked or hungry or those in prison.

I believe the reason we get a front row seat to so many miracles is because we are active where the Spirit of God is actively healing, restoring, setting things right.

3. Ways that honor God:

This has not always been the truth for us ... for me. My motivations were more selfish at first (doing things for my self esteem or the affirmation of others) and operating out of ignorance; trying to reinvent missions on my own. Perhaps we’ve made every mistake there is to make. Though regrettable, it now gives us a place from which we can instruct others in how to go about missions in a manner that is more helpful than hurtful.

(Pause here for a plug…..Go buy the book When Helping Hurts. How I wish I had read this in our early years.)

By and by, we learned that charitable efforts, when misapplied, can cause more harm than good; they create dependency, lower self-esteem, an internal poverty of being.

We stay mindful of the Iron Rule “Never do for others with the can do for themselves.” We concentrate on empowering rather than replacing or displacing. We’ve learned that in the absence of transparency and accountability, corruption can flourish. By and by, God is graciously making lemonade out of our lemons.

Last minute update from Belize ...

Tomorrow, September 21, our friends will celebrate Belize Independence Day! Chepito has been in Valley of Peace keeping up with all of today's festivities ...

Blessings,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Fun Fotos"

WAW Wednesday:
"Fun Fotos"

Hey, Friends,

Mollie and Dyann are pictured here with a canister we received containing hundreds of dollars. from Brad and Abby Whittenburg of Austin, Texas ...

How awesome are these kids???

This year Brad and Abby celebrated their birthdays together and instead of receiving gifts they requested money to be donated to the TWAW Scholarship Fund to help children in Belize go to school.

What a great idea for Christmas!

Would this work for your family?

Meaningful and hassle free.

These next photos are of work that happened Monday.

Belize City church members from First Stone and Exodus working together with funds they raised ... turns out Pastor Phillipa can really swing a hammer!

Kenny was there too if you can spot him in overalls...and Chepito, too!

Bonus pic

I'm sure you're wondering how my dogs are doing.

Here they are with my wife, daughter, and grandchildren.

Blessings,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "A stitch in time ..."

WAW Wednesday: "A stitch in time ..."

Dear Friends,

We've been talking a lot about "back to school" around our offices these past couple of weeks ...

Asher Started Preschool

He's been coming to work with his mom, Jo (our amazing Team Coordinator), since he was just a few months old. We celebrated the milestone, and also realized once again how quickly time slips by ...

Meanwhile in Belize, Kenny & Chepito have been helping teachers get their libraries set up with donated text books and reading materials that many of you have shared with us -- thank you!

OH -- and they've helped put the classrooms together in the new Preschool in Valley of Peace! That's right - the school passed inspection and is open for business! We hear Chepito's son Matteo started preschool also - I think he might be in one of these photos!

Our Belize Scholarship Committee is reviewing our Scholarship Program. Students across Belize are attending primary, secondary, and trade schools because of our friends in the U.S. who are dedicated to improving lives through education!

We've read letters from program recipients - their thrill of having a chance to go to school is inspiring. One student shared, "...even though I don't know your name, I thank you and send you my love because yo have shown your special love to each one of us. Thank you, thank you, and I hope to do the same when I grow up, to help people in need; because God's Word says we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us!"

We've been conspiring about scooping up clearance back-to-school items to ship to Belize -- maybe you've found a great deal? We're lining out shipping container schedules soon - please let Tim Hagen know if you've got school supplies that might be included in our next shipment.

Many Are Learning New Skills

Pedro and Maria Perez, our business development partners in Belize and directors of Christian Sewing Partners of Belize (CSPB), sent us an encouraging report recently about expansion into Southern Belize:

"We were able to start the sewing program in Santa Cruz and Santa Elena with the Rio Blanco Women's group (a beautiful water fall is there) where they have electricity from solar. The program has around 15 ladies and they are right into it.

Maria is pictured (above) with women in the Rio Blanco village (Toledo District) - - 25 women from 2 villages meet together; pray together; and encourage one another. Maria and Pedro delivered machines and material that TWAW donors provided! Students learned about machine maintenance and more.

The building at Santa Rosa (shown below) should be completed next week and in the first instance we will run electricity from the church to the sewing center. As we move we will get our own meter. Since this training center is central to all the programs we now have in the South we will embark on training initiatives; we want to use this as a sewing center and craft training for the area. Team members from the U.S. trained in pottery, leather, lathe, may want to come for short periods to train there. I am also exploring to piggy back with a new program that is planning to work in the area to develop women in crafts and arts."

In Santa Rosa the group hasn't met this summer because they were busy making school uniforms in their homes. Imagine using treadle machines--if you've got one in your attic it could easily be put to good use in these remote areas of Belize where electricity can be scarce!

Maria shares, "We thank God for the opportunity of working with all ethnic groups of Belize!"

The Perez's are looking forward to a visit from Erin & Brad Willcutt from Pascagoula, MS -- the Willcutt's are feeling led to use their gifts to help with bringing the items that are created through CSPB to market where they can benefit the participants even further. Would you please pray with us that doors would open for their efforts?

Prayers for Hurricane Relief

We are praying with so many families from Belize who have loved ones in the areas devastated by hurricane Harvey - - and now here comes Irma, to another area where many Belize friends live. We are really encouraged by the stories of God's Church on the move to help -- and we look forward to connecting resources in the long rebuild ahead.

Pray for those in desperate need.
Pray for thoughtful and effective responses.
Pray for us as we try to coordinate with our friends and partners already on site.

Blessings,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Belize Team in the U.S."

WAW Wednesday: "Belize Team in the U.S."

Hey, Friends,

Earlier this month, our friends from Exodus / First Stone Churches took their VBS Mission to a whole new level...Our partners at Discovery Church in Hickory, NC invited the group, under Pastor Phillipa's leadership, to bring VBS to their community.

You might wonder...wait a minute, folks from Belize came to the States on a mission? Yes! They answered God's call, trusted and believed that God would make a way for them to answer the call - and stepped out in obedience.

The team first arrived in Pascagoula, MS for a couple of days to reconnect with friends from First Presbyterian. "The time with the Belize team was awesome! Our church loved them ... the kids loved it and really connected with our families. It was great all around!" said Pastor Matt Mitchell.

The group then hit the road and were met halfway by leaders from Discovery who brought them back to NC. International Mission Coordinator Susan Hefner tells the story:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

Like so many other teams before in post-Belize-trip conversations, we asked ourselves, "How do you get the entire congregation excited about what God is doing here?" Prayerfully and faithfully, God answers in His own time. Fast forward a few months and He plants a seed, "Let Me show them what I am doing here in Belize by letting My children worship with one another."

Discovery Church had never held a vacation Bible school before, and Exodus church delivers VBS to hundreds of children in Belize each summer. So, God sent Exodus to deliver VBS at Discovery. But just labeling it "VBS" is inadequate to describe what happened over the week. Worship happened, relationships deepened, future plans developed, perceptions about both cultures changed, and we served people in need together.

What is the result? 500 people, many of whom would never go to Belize, were able to love God through unbridled worship; find freedom by hearing His word; see God through prayer and answered prayers; experience healing by serving together; and discover the joy of following and living in God's will.

Going forward, there are 500+ people in Catawba County, NC excited about what is happening at Exodus & First Stone Churches in Belize City. 500+ people who want to invest in the lives and futures of the youth leaders whom God will use to make a difference in their country. God is on the move!

Here's what the trip meant to a few of the team from Belize:

"I felt God's spirit overflowing within us, not only through worship, but through our conversations and interactions with each other. I can honestly say I experienced joy, love, and a bond I can't even describe. I know in my heart that I didn't leave the same way I came and I know that was only through God."

"This was my first time traveling to the States and I enjoyed every single moment at Discovery Church. I saw God at work by bringing the children to VBS with us; in the love and the encouragement that we shared with each other; seeing that the children were ready to learn what we had planned for them. God was working with us, His presence guided us through each day."

"While I was on the trip I saw God in many areas -- doing what He is capable of doing. I saw God working in us while we sat together many days, talking and encouraging one another."

Pastor Phillipa was heard saying, "You showed up and God showed off!" That's what happens when we listen for God to lead us and we follow.

Is He calling you to serve in Belize? In the U.S.? Will you put His word into action?

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey ...

"When the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will raise up a standard. " Isa. 59:19

Presently the enemy is a flood of incomprehensible proportions.
And still ... the Lord raises up a standard.
The Body of Christ is mobilizing and the stories of it are coming in from everywhere.
A great mission network is putting God's word into action.
Churches, organizations, and individuals that serve with us in Belize are praying, planning, and heading toward the southern coast.

Pray for those in desperate need.
Pray for thoughtful and effective responses.
Pray for us as we try to coordinate with our friends and partners already on site.

Thanks,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Kenny coming to visit you ???"

WAW Wednesday: "Kenny coming to visit you ???"

Hey, Friends,

About a month ago while in Belize I snapped this photo of Kenny's boots.

Just now while I was clearing out my photo library I came across it and in the calm of my comfy chair I stared at the photo and began to ponder its significance.

"how beautiful ... are the feet of them that bring good news!”
Isaiah 52:7

Be it on the mountain; deep in the bush; in towns, villages, or urban squalor; when these boots appear they bring hope and joy to so many.

You can imagine the shout of his name, “Kenny!!!”, and the smiles that dawn on the faces of adults and children alike.

Nobody says "Kenny who?” He's one of those people, like Madonna, that can carry it off with one name….. at least in Belize. And we always joke about how he either knows or he is related to everyone in the country.

Wherever these boots step…... Good news is not far behind.

A couple of weeks ago I was talking to Kenny about finances, keeping the TWAW boat afloat, and some ideas on some new direction I believe God is taking us.

He offered to come to the states, visit some churches and friends, and try to raise some money.

Sounds good to me.

This fall let's bring these boots and the feet that mobilize them with their good news to the U.S.

Would you welcome a visit from Kenny?

Pray, and see if God puts an idea in your head.

Print this photo ... put it on your refrigerator or somewhere where you'll see it so you will remember to pray for Kenny.

These boots carry a lot of weight and we need your prayers to keep them moving.

Speaking of Footwear ...

This is our friend, Pedrito.

Thanks to some of our generous donors he's had surgery to repair a condition commonly known as "club foot". The surgery was a success and Pedrito is attending school and thriving. Sometimes he gets going a little too fast and reverts to the gait he had before his surgery. This could be avoided with the proper shoe for his right foot.

We are searching for an orthotist who can help make sure Pedrito has the shoes that he needs as he grows up. Maybe that person is reading this message now; or maybe you know someone who could help? Use the following link to share that with us. Thanks in advance for being an answer to Pedrito's prayer ...

Preview of coming attraction

Here's a sneak peek at what God did through the Belize Mission Team from Exodus and First Stone Churches who came to the States -- stay tuned -- next week we'll give you more about this very special and unique trip! .

Thank you for praying for and supporting The Word at Work.

Let me know when you'd like Kenny to come for a visit --

Gratefully,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "In the Zone"

WAW Wednesday: "In the Zone"

Hey, Friends,

It was so good to be back in Belize this month, catching up with friends that I haven't seen since before my sabbatical…….almost a year.

It's also a great feeling when you know you are right where God wants you.

And when God causes things to work together for good ... Things beyond our control ... I do get a kick out of that!

I had a team in Belize that wanted to visit with Dr. Beatriz Thompson about the hospice ministry. We set up a time to meet and Beatriz mentioned that the Belize City Hospital was asking her to help with grief counseling.

So many deaths had happened over the past couple of weeks - including young teenagers. Nurses were having difficulty dealing with it. Literally weeping while they worked.

Beatriz asked if I had any pastors on the team who were experienced with grief counseling. Wouldn't you know it….. the day of her request…... one of the team members that JUST flew in "happened" to have experience for this need, in this exact setting. He too was blown away by the “coincidence”, having worked for years in a hospital setting doing grief counseling with nurses and doctors. So he was an answer to their prayer as we instantly put it together.

Also during this last trip, I got to worship with the folks at First Stone Church in Western Paradise. We were short on chairs, so we had to quickly make pews for the back rows out of long planks and cinder blocks.

Pastor Phillipa had been pricing chairs, but she said they were too expensive. I asked how many she needed. Between the two churches she works with she could use 100. I just got the word that 200 chairs we're donated to our partner church in Paoli Pennsylvania ... Where they were ALREADY in the process of loading a shipping container headed our way in three weeks!!!

We've set the dates for our 2017 Christmas Project - December 9-16 - is God calling you to join us?

For this week, I pray that you be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding and that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord pleasing him in all respects, Bearing fruit in every good work, And increasing in the knowledge of God. Col 1:9-10

Thanks, friends,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Beyond Expectations"

WAW Wednesday: "Beyond Expectations"

Dear Friends,

With the full heat of summer on in Belize, a breeze can be the most welcome thing ever. Our team from Pennsylvania (made up of folks from Paoli Presbyterian and Ardmore Presbyterian Church) is working hard and grateful for any breeze that God provides! This morning I received this report from Amy, one of the team members:

"Teams from both churches have gone on various vision trips; worked pouring concrete floors in Valley of Peace; and, worked on and completed raised garden beds at Marla's House of Hope. The reports the teams share each night are invigorating."

Amy continues, "From the perspective of one person from PPC, the experience has been very much out of my element, but up-lifting. While I expected some hard work, I did not expect the grueling lifting, shoveling, digging, and MORE shoveling. I also didn't expect the delicious food prepared in outdoor kitchens over open fires.

I didn't expect the appreciation from a family that just had their lives changed because we replaced a dirt floor with a concrete one.

I didn't expect a teenager (whose life has been pretty rough) to come up to me on a picnic bench, sit down, and serenade me with praise songs that moved something in me so powerful that I had tears in my eyes.

As I enjoyed a breeze and exclaimed how good it felt, I didn't expect a seventeen-year-old mother to share with me that her mother used to say, 'A breeze is God whispering to us.' I didn't expect to share love and be loved back so openly and freely.

So, while I have experienced some hardships so far this week, the gifts I have received have been much more powerful. God is definitely present through each action. I haven't always been so aware of His presence. Maybe it took a fifteen-year-old girl singing to me in the light breeze, 'Holy Spirit, you are welcome here . . .'"

WAW Photos

Speaking of expectations ...

We didn't expect to see 3 of our friends together in New York City last week; but, lo and behold, Sheelagh, Dave & Matt (who met on one of our Christmas trips in Belize - hailing from Pennsylvania and Florida by way of New Mexico) reconnected and shared this photo. Another beautiful way that God reveals himself in our work is through friendships in the U.S. that began in Belize!

We've set the dates for our 2017 Christmas Project - December 9-16 - is God calling you to join us?

We can see the word at work in all of our partners in Belize and our teams. It's a humbling thing, and we pray it all brings God glory! Please continue to pray for these groups and those preparing to make the trip soon.

Thanks, friends,
Mollie Swafford
#wearethewordatwork

P.S. Just as I was about to hit the send button for this missive, I received a message from our Mt. Calvary Baptist team. On Friday, the VBS they are sponsoring in partnership with Luz del Evangelio in Orange Walk was WAY beyond their expectations with 439 children in attendance...just imagine! This week, they are conducting medical clinics and this morning they saw 69 patients in San Jose! Isn't God good?

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Right Now in Belize"

WAW Wednesday: "Right Now in Belize!"

Dear Friends,

July is an incredibly full month for us as we have teams from Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico traveling to Belize to serve along side their friends. Here's an up-to-the-minute report from Tim Hagen, currently working with Chepito in VOP:

Our group from St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Amarillo, TX ( with parishioners from other churches in the Diocese of Amarillo) has just finished their second day partnering with Our Lady of Peace in Valley of Peace, Belize. The team is spending time teaching and playing with kids from the church, remodeling a building on the church property, and spending time with their friends.

Fr. Christopher Schwind will be busy this week celebrating mass each night, offering reconciliation (confession), and anointing the sick. He will preside over a funeral mass tomorrow as well as celebrate a baptism and a Quinceanera on Sunday.

Families in VOP continue to demonstrate God's love by serving along side the team and opening their homes and lives to us. Our common faith transcends small cultural differences.

Later in the week the will have an opportunity to celebrate God's provision for a family who lost their house to fire in March of this year. Our Lady of Peace and St Mary's partnered to care for the family in their distress. The team will be able to see the new house--better than before--finished and ready to receive the family again. God is good!

There's a lot going on in Belize this month. Please pray that God will be glorified by the efforts of our friends and partners.

Praise God with us for each and every commitment we received during our #wearethewordatwork fundraising campaign!

Kenny and Tim Tam are getting ready for teams arriving this weekend - please pray for safe travel and supernatural energy!

TWAW recently submitted a grant application to USAid. If we were selected, the grant would provide our Redemptive Recycling Program with funds to ship several containers over the next couple of years! Please pray with us that our application might be selected. We hope to hear a decision by July 25.

We are anxious to hear what comes out of your prayers. Feel free to email me back – or use this card and send it in.

We’ve reached 30% of our annual goal as of today!

Please Pray if you’ve not made a commitment and Give as you are led; and, Go with us to Belize soon! Together we are the Word at Work!

Gratefully,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Summer is on! Pray! Give! Go!"

WAW Wednesday: "Summer is on! Pray! Give! Go!"

Dear Friends,

This month I’ve been catching up on all I’ve missed while on Sabbatical; and I’m even more convinced that God is not only using The Word at Work in mighty ways today, but that He has great plans for our future!

Thank you for standing with us financially so that we are able to link the people of God to the causes that matter to God. Our partners in Belize are working hard to bring hope to the hopeless and help to those who cannot help themselves.

Just last week we were encouraged by the progress our friends at Eben-Ezer are making in the Burial Grounds. Dreams for a new building that will hold all of the children who matter to God in that area are being realized. The rooms were overflowing at worship last week!

We know this ministry matters to God and we are grateful for the church partners and individuals from the U.S. who have come alongside this community of faith. We’re excited to see relationships continue to grow!

In Belize, and in our U.S. office, our TWAW team is preparing for the arrival of many groups over the next 2 months. Team members are anxious to renew friendships; our friends in Belize are also anxious to see their friends and see how God will move during their time together. And God will use His people to care and provide:

     • Progress on church buildings and homes;
     • Physicians and nurses will provide care and compassion at medical clinics;
     • Youth leaders will be poured into as they prepare for a reverse mission trip to the U.S.;
     • Teams will meet new partners and pray about where God is leading them to serve long-term;
     • and those are just the things we have planned! What will God do? We can’t wait to see!

And now I invite you to play your part.

     • You know giving to TWAW is a smart investment of your charitable dollars.
     • You know how much you have to invest.
     • But you DON’T how much you should pledge,
     • Until you pray and ask.

We are anxious to hear what comes out of your prayers. Feel free to email me back – or use this card and send it in.

We’ve reached 30% of our annual goal as of today!

Please Pray if you’ve not made a commitment and Give as you are led; and, Go with us to Belize soon! Together we are the Word at Work!

Gratefully,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork