The Kingdom Is Near

Our first full day in Belize is in the books! We kicked things off bright and early with a 6 a.m. wake-up call (shoutout to Doug and Alex for the knocking at 6 and 6:30). It might have been early for Belize, but our bodies were still on Virginia time, so it felt more like 8 a.m. After a long day of travel, those several hours of sleep felt especially refreshing. A handful of our team members are early risers and were already up on the roof by 5 a.m. Holy cow, I’m not sure how they did it! We all met for breakfast on the rooftop at 7 a.m., where we had fry jacks, avocado, pineapple, beans, bacon, and juice. It was so nice to sit together and fellowship before jumping into today’s activities. After breakfast, we took time individually to do our devotion and pray. Some were on the rooftop looking out at the mountains. Others were in their rooms or in one of the lobbies. This quiet time truly sets the tone for the day.

After quiet time, we gathered in the upstairs lobby for our first of four breakout sessions. The first timers met with Amy to learn more about Belize and 28:19 Ministries. The others divided up to work on sorting supplies or preparing for a specific program. In our second breakout session, we got to dive a little deeper into the curriculum for the programs we’ll be hosting. In the third breakout session, our Bible Adventure Camp teachers and squad leaders got to learn more about their role for the week. We’re so excited to jump into this program tomorrow morning, and we can’t wait to reunite with the kids we know and love! During the fourth breakout session, we started preparing our resources and gathering supplies for each of our programs. Getting to see everything put together made it all feel so real!

One of the most beautiful things about today was watching our team come together so quickly. Whether it was organizing supplies, brainstorming with their program team, or just encouraging each other along the way, there was a sense of unity that you could feel in the room. Everyone jumped in with such joy and willingness It’s already clear that God has knitted this group together for a purpose.

After our breakout sessions were complete, we gathered for lunch on the roof. We had the most delicious chicken quesadillas with freshly made tortillas and pico de gallo. The flavors were fresh and comforting, and the breeze made it the perfect midday pause. There’s something about sharing a meal together in the open air that makes the whole experience feel even sweeter. 

After lunch, it was time to head to the school to decorate! We host all of our programs at St. Matthew’s Anglican School, and we’re so grateful for their partnership. Estellyn, our driver for the week, picked us up at the hotel—decorations and all—and brought us to the school. Once we arrived, we moved desks out of the way and got to work. We had three different spaces to transform at the school: the building for Warriors Camp, the big room for Bible Adventure Camp, and the Special Needs Center for Sister Squad.

The room for Warriors Camp was turned into an open and engaging space where teen boys can feel free to connect and have fun. The Special Needs Center became a pink and purple wonderland, complete with sparkling disco balls. And the main room for Bible Adventure Camp? It looked like something straight out of a fairytale, perfectly matching this year’s theme: Once Upon a Time.

One of the sweetest parts was seeing the reactions from team members as they walked through each room. Everyone was amazed by the creativity and transformation happening all around them. It’s amazing what a couple of hours, a lot of heart, and a little creativity can do to bring a space to life!

You’re probably wondering why I didn’t mention decorating for the women’s conference. That’s because this year, we get to host it in a brand new space! The Pomona Community Center has recently been refurbished, and it is absolutely beautiful. It has white floors, gorgeous light, and best of all, air conditioning. If you’ve been to Belize before and have helped us host programs, you know what a big deal it is to have AC. After a couple of hours working at the school, part of our team headed over to the Community Center to prepare for Activate Conference. They set out tables and chairs, did the table settings, and hung banners to bring the space to life. It’s the most beautiful and welcoming space, and we can’t wait to gather with the women there this week!

Once we finished all the decorating, it was time to scurry back to the hotel for a quick dinner before The Gathering. We had Sunday Dinner, called “1-2-3.” It’s stew chicken, potato salad, and rice and beans. We also had fried plantain, bread pudding, and horchata. It’s always a team favorite and a tradition here in Belize.

We quickly changed clothes for church and headed back upstairs for The Gathering. The Gathering is a church that 28:19 Ministries planted here in Belize in 2023 after a powerful move of God during the Night of Worship. It has grown so much in just two years, and so many lives have been changed. Today, we had the chance to talk with a few members and hear their hearts for The Gathering. Their hope and prayer is that the Kingdom would continue to grow through this church, and that everyone would keep using their God-given gifts to share Jesus with their community and deepen their faith. One of the women we spoke with was baptized in March. God is doing incredible things through this space, and we feel so honored to partner with them. Being there tonight was a reminder of God’s faithfulness through each season. 

Zarahlee led us in worship at The Gathering, and it was such a powerful time. We sang “Battle Belongs,” “Good Good Father,” and “Alpha and Omega.” Even though Pastor Lord, the pastor of The Gathering, is currently out of the country leading a mission trip, the service continued strong. Raymond stepped in to preach, and he delivered a message rooted in Matthew 4:17 — the call to repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. He challenged us to live lives that are worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. It was incredible to see how God is already weaving things together. So much of what Raymond shared overlaps with the curriculum we’ll be teaching this week. His message was especially timely, reminding us that the way we live our lives might be the only experience someone ever has with Jesus or the Church. That truth is both sobering and inspiring.

Back in Virginia, we have a small group of women who are part of a new ministry we’ve launched called “Stay and Go.” They’re going through the same devotional our team is doing here, but instead of being on mission in Belize, they’re learning how to live on mission in their everyday lives. They’re stepping out of their comfort zones, becoming bolder in their faith, and looking for ways to reflect Jesus right where they are. How amazing is it that God is teaching and training all of us — whether we’re in Belize or back home — to live on mission for His Kingdom?

During The Gathering, we got to partake in communion and bring an offering. Cara volunteered to collect the offering. At the end of The Gathering, everyone in attendance took a turn at the microphone to introduce themselves. It was such a sweet time of fellowship and made us even more excited to jump into our programs tomorrow. The ladies of The Gathering prepared empanadas and chicken salad sandwiches for our team, which added to the family feel of the evening. I have to say, the boys were especially big fans of the empanadas! It was so hard to part ways tonight because we were enjoying each other’s company so much! But we went our separate ways and started winding down for the night.

Tomorrow is a BIG day for us! As we wound down tonight, there was a quiet, unspoken bond that had settled among us. A full day of working, worshiping, and sharing meals had drawn us closer, not just as teammates, but as brothers and sisters in Christ. The laughter, the prayers, the hustle, and even the sweat are already shaping this into something more than a trip. It’s becoming family. We appreciate your prayers as we step into the reason we’re here in Belize — to share the Good News with children, women, and teens. The presence of the Lord is here. What an honor it is to be in this place with this team.