"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: "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
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!"
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
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!
