FPC-Midland Belize Blog

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

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

"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: "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

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, 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

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Like a mustard seed ..."

WAW Wednesday: "Like a mustard seed ..."

Friends,

Here is just one of the many reasons why you love to support TWAW:

We connect you to causes that matter to God, causes that are near to the heart of God. And you will be hard pressed to find a cause more important than this.

Sell tacos, not children!

Cute slogan, but it’s also the Battle cry of one of our partner ministries in Belize.

It points to the serious, rather, to the horrifying reality of human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

CDF (Child Development Foundation) is a Christian Organization on the front lines and they’re busy fighting the battle at every level.

   • Drafting legislation to protect children
   • Educating judges, Police, School officials and parents
   • Holding sensitization sessions with children in schools across the country
   • Rescuing and caring for victims
   • Helping with recovery and reintegration

But there is one essential piece of their multi-pronged strategy that is lacking. They need a shelter for housing victims that are in danger and a peaceful Christ centered setting for the difficult path of recovery.

Gomer House is the name of this project and it is well underway. Our friend and former TWAW Board Member Cindy Wall and her husband, Lonnie (a gifted contractor), of Clovis, NM, have responded to God's prompting and they're preparing to relocate to Belize to oversee the next phase of construction!

You are invited to join God in his work here.

   • Learn more about Gomer house here (.pdf file).

   • Your Financial Commitment to The Word At Work (.pdf file) helps projects like this become a reality.
Gratefully,

Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Sell Tacos ..."

WAW Wednesday: "Sell Tacos ..."

Friends,

Here is just one of the many reasons why you love to support TWAW:

We connect you to causes that matter to God, causes that are near to the heart of God. And you will be hard pressed to find a cause more important than this.

Sell tacos, not children!

Cute slogan, but it’s also the Battle cry of one of our partner ministries in Belize.

It points to the serious, rather, to the horrifying reality of human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

CDF (Child Development Foundation) is a Christian Organization on the front lines and they’re busy fighting the battle at every level.

   • Drafting legislation to protect children
   • Educating judges, Police, School officials and parents
   • Holding sensitization sessions with children in schools across the country
   • Rescuing and caring for victims
   • Helping with recovery and reintegration

But there is one essential piece of their multi-pronged strategy that is lacking. They need a shelter for housing victims that are in danger and a peaceful Christ centered setting for the difficult path of recovery.

Gomer House is the name of this project and it is well underway. Our friend and former TWAW Board Member Cindy Wall and her husband, Lonnie (a gifted contractor), of Clovis, NM, have responded to God's prompting and they're preparing to relocate to Belize to oversee the next phase of construction!

You are invited to join God in his work here.

   • Learn more about Gomer house here (.pdf file).

   • Your Financial Commitment to The Word At Work (.pdf file) helps projects like this become a reality.
Gratefully,

Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "I'm Baaaaaack!"

Tim Tam (center) during visit to Belize Cenmtral; Prison with Midland, Texas mission team. File Photo by Jeff McDonald

WAW Wednesday: "I'm Baaaaaack!"

I'm back!!!!!!!!!
And I'm writing this letter with my own hands ...
Okay, typing it with my own fingers.

Seven months ago it was obvious that my fuel tanks were low.
Even when I met new people they would comment that I looked spent and that I ought to take some time off.
At that point I had been running full speed non-stop ever since the day we started this ministry, i.e. 14 years without taking a significant break.

But now my tanks are full and even overflowing.

A little less than a year ago I began hearing from God that some exciting things and significant challenges were soon to come. And, that I needed to come aside with him to be strengthened, fortified, and prepared for what's ahead.

Well here I am!
I feel like a new person.
My relationship with God has changed. There's an intimacy like I've never known and my prayer life has been radically altered. I've never been so much in love with my wife, Lisa, as I am now, And God has used this time to help me to reconnect with family and to heal other relationships as well.

I didn't really go anywhere on my sabbatical other than one week in Toronto and a weekend marriage retreat with my wife. Our Board of Directors said I could go anywhere I wanted except to Belize.

And my co-workers were instructed not to talk to me about “work”, only personal stuff was allowed, keeping up on friendships. More than anything, my time was spent reading and in prayer and taking care of some major chores around the house.

So for this set period of time my life was almost perfectly stress-free. And I found out just how important it was to guard that time,
Like I always say in our island debrief time, "The quieter you get, the more you hear.”

I've never been a person who keeps a journal.
But taking the time to be quiet and rest in God's presence led to a writing frenzy.
New stuff was coming in everyday. My journal filled up in no time.

And now I'm excited to see God actually bringing about some of the things that I've seen in dreams and visions.

My reentry has purposely been rather gentle, only starting full-time capacity two days ago.

Mollie had to field lots of questions.
   "why isn't he back yet?”
   "is he really coming back, or his sabbatical a euphemism for retiring?”
   "what's really going on? Is he sick or something?”

Well, in the coming month you'll be hearing directly from me just like old times. I hope to see so many of you in person real soon.

Please be patient with me ... I have seven months of emails and phone messages to catch up on.
I expect to travel back to Belize in just a few weeks.

The sabbatical was such a gift.
I owe so much thanks to our board and the TWAW staff and generous friends for making it possible.
And thanks to all of you who prayed for me during this time. Prayers were answered beyond what I dreamed possible.
And a special thanks to Pastor Malcolm Sobers who was my mentor on this journey.

Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Are we there yet???"

WAW Wednesday: "Are we there yet???"

Hello Friends,

Mollie here - I know you're anxious to hear more from our founder Tim Tam - stay tuned for more from him next week, please!

In the meantime, I thought I'd share some pix and update you on happenings recently in Belize ...

This week Kenny is leading a team of physical therapists from Twenty-six:12, an organization that encourages service by providing opportunities for those employed by Accolade Home Health. The team is traveling all over Belize, seeing patients who are under care of Belize Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation. They'll also train volunteers and caregivers to keep the therapy going. We're really grateful for this partnership!!!

You may not recognize this fellow -- that's Pastor Marvin Meza from Ebenezer Church in the Burial Grounds. What's he doing up there? Preparing forms for the roof beam on the new church building! We are beyond excited for this new building to become a reality!

And this lovely lady? Yup, that's Pastor Phillipa Miller from Exodus Church in the Pickstock neighborhood of Belize City! The kids at Easter VBS had a blast (and so did Phil) playing on the inflatable that was donated to TWAW by our friends the Straub's in Paoli, Pennsylvania.

It sort of feels like the calm before the storm around here -- anxious for Tim Tam to be back and for all God will do through our U.S. teams and Belize partners in the coming weeks and months. Our summer teams are forming and training has begun - we'd appreciate your prayers for them!

Blessings, Mollie
#wearethewordatwork