Next Steps of Faith

Wow. Words can’t do this day justice. It was beautiful from beginning to end and such a powerful reminder of why we love coming back to this community year after year.

We started our morning with breakfast on the rooftop at 7:00 a.m., and Belize definitely reminded us that it’s still capable of being HOT HOT HOT! The sun was shining, the air was still, and before long we were all praying for even the slightest breeze. Breakfast was Johnny cakes, eggs, beans, sausage, fresh fruit, and juice. As always, it was delicious and gave us exactly what we needed for the day ahead.

After breakfast, we spent time with the Lord through our daily devotional before finishing up a few last-minute preparations. Then it was time for something our team had been looking forward to all week. We had planned a morning of Belize adventures, but we had only shared a few hints, so everyone was excited to see where Estellyn would take us first.

Our first stop was Marie Sharp’s Factory. If you’ve ever traveled to Belize with us, you know this stop has become a tradition! Our team stocked up on plenty of hot sauce, making it a very successful visit. While we didn’t get to see Marie herself this year, we did get to reconnect with a sweet friend who works there and faithfully attends our programs each year. 

Seeing familiar faces like hers is one of the things that makes Belize feel like home. It was so funny because, when we arrived, she saw us and took a video to send her mom! Hahah! She knew we were there before we did!

Our next stop wasn’t originally on the schedule, but it quickly became one of our favorite moments of the morning. Throughout the week, we’ve been giving “For God So Loved Belize” tote bags to families across the valley. The night before, one of the leaders with All 4 Jesus Belize sent us a message saying how much she loved them. So we decided to surprise their team with a few bags for their local staff.

When we arrived, they were hosting a medical clinic, and they graciously invited us inside to see the work they were doing. It was such a beautiful reminder that God is moving in so many different ways across Belize through His people. Even though each ministry serves differently, we’re all working together to point people to Jesus.

From there, we made our way to Dangriga for lunch at Pelican Beach Resort. Earlier in the week, everyone had placed their lunch orders, so all we had to do was show up and enjoy being together. The excitement on the bus when everyone realized we’d be eating right on the beach was contagious.

The staff at Pelican Beach Resort took incredible care of us, and before long our table was filled with delicious food. Jennifer and Eli also surprised the team by treating anyone who wanted one to a milkshake, which was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. After lunch, we wandered down to the water, took pictures together, and simply enjoyed soaking in the beauty of Belize. It was one of those moments where no one was in a hurry. We were simply grateful to be together.

Before heading back to the hotel, we made one final stop at the Pomona Shopping Mall. Despite the name, it’s nothing like the malls most of us think of back home! It’s a small local shopping center that has become another favorite tradition. Everyone enjoyed picking up a few snacks, drinks, and last-minute treasures before we returned to prepare for one of the most meaningful evenings of the week.

Back at the hotel, everyone jumped into preparation mode. Some of the team assembled care packages for our friends with Dunamis Ministries, while others helped carry stage pieces across to the football field for Night of Worship. The heat made every task a little more challenging, but we worked as a team and got it done. We also packed additional resources for another village that hadn’t received Love Center supplies this week. It was another reminder that God always seems to provide exactly enough to bless even more people than we originally planned.

Once everything was ready, it was time for an early dinner before the Night of Worship. We changed clothes and gathered around the dinner table. Tonight’s meal was barbecue chicken, rice and beans, coleslaw, plantains, salad, bread pudding, and watermelon ginger juice. It was the perfect meal to fuel us for what we knew would be a full evening.

After dinner, we began making trips over to the football field in our ministry vehicle. Every time I drove another group over from the hotel, there were more people gathered beneath the tent waiting for the evening to begin. Families started arriving nearly 45 minutes early, and we watched people walk down the Hummingbird Highway just to be there. It was one of those moments where you knew God was already at work before anything even begun.

If you’ve been to Belize before, you know things don’t always begin exactly on schedule, and honestly, it was perfect. Every extra minute gave another family time to arrive. Before long, the seats beneath the tent were nearly full, and people had begun filling the bleachers along the side of the field. There was such a sweet sense of expectation in the air. Around 150 people gathered to lift high the name of Jesus.

Pastor Fredrico Lord, our ministry partner and pastor of The Gathering, opened the evening in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to move among us. Then Dunamis Ministries led us in worship, preparing our hearts for the message that followed.

Pastor Kevin Tzib shared from the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 and Psalm 51:12, which says, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” One statement especially stayed with me. He said, “The enemy cannot steal your salvation, but he can steal your joy. And if he can steal your joy, he can silence your praise.”

When Pastor Tzib invited anyone who wanted prayer to come forward, people responded. Our team prayed with people throughout the evening, and we watched God move in powerful ways. Lives were changed. People were saved. People experienced freedom that only Jesus can bring.

One moment we’ll never forget was watching one of the little girls from Bible Adventure Camp give her life to Jesus. Tears streamed down her face as she looked around and hugged each of us standing nearby. The joy on her face is something I don’t think any of us will ever forget. After spending the week pouring into her, watching her take that next step of faith was one of the greatest gifts we could have received.

When the evening came to a close, Amy stepped forward to dismiss everyone…but no one moved.nInstead, we simply sat beneath the tent in the quiet, overwhelmed by the presence of God. No one wanted to rush away from what He had just done.

It’s hard to put into words moments like these. They’re the reason we keep coming back. They’re reminders that God is still changing lives, still drawing people to Himself, and still writing stories that only He can write. Tonight we were standing on holy ground.

Eventually, it was time to pack everything up and make our way back to the hotel. As we loaded chairs, folded tables, and carried the last few pieces back across the field, none of us could stop talking about what we had just witnessed.

We’re so in awe of what God has done and continues to do in this community. Nights like tonight remind us that this mission has never been about programs or events. It’s always been about people encountering Jesus. 28:19 Ministries exists to go where we are called in Jesus’ name, expressing our love for Him by serving others and empowering them to take their next step of faith in Jesus.

As we climbed into bed tonight, our hearts were overflowing with gratitude. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for our final full day in Belize.