A true place to experience

Belize Camping Experience.  A ministry started by a man and wife who want to shift the way things have always been (Americans and Canadians ministering to Belizians) to having Belizians minister to Belizians.  I will try to do a separate posting just on their ministry, but frankly right now, I am so blown away by what they are doing and how God is blessing the ministry I need more information.  You can visit their website at http://www.belizecampingexperience.com

We headed down the stars from our house on stilts (category 1 solid as Sears) and after taking a few pictures of the beautiful house we had every intention of going directly down to the sea.  Instead "breakfast" was announced and with raising 8 kids in our rear view mirror, we knew that we better not delay getting in there.

Nice kitchen

Dining room and living room without the well behaved young'ins

View from the porch outside the house (boys dorm pictured)

Girls from Spanish Lookout ready to serve (and eat)

 I was honored to be asked to say grace over the meal and pray for a good day camp.  The youths were excited, but in a way that just spilled over with confidence that they knew exactly what they were doing.  In the cafeteria area, the youths and young adults gather for breakfast.  Ladies first, then guests, then the boys go through the line.

My lovely wife looking out from the cafeteria area (Earl juice still on the ground)

Post breakfast (not the bowling pins in the upper center)

Breakfast was prepared by an on staff cook along with several volunteers that came with the group from Spanish Lookout and really hit the spot for these Kansas travelers.  But these youths that came in traveled quite a distance themselves to help the core group.

Quite a haul for these teens

After breakfast, we took advantage of the 30 minutes before rolling out to follow the trail down to the sea that the core group has created.  The land that the base camp is on is being rented for a very generous amount with the understanding that they make the land better while they are there.  Definitely accomplishing that goal with a solid road feeding the base camp, concrete walkways between houses and the trail down to the sea.  Many of the campers and staff use this area for reflection time, swimming or just getting away from it all.  The wind is constantly blowing so it is a very cool spot to be even on a hot day.

Right off the trail heading to the sea

Quite a distance from the base camp so you really feel like you've gotten away

Even Earl with his 4 foot storm surge didn't move the bridge

A small developed beach just for the campers

After coming back from the short walk down the trail, we went back into the cafeteria and got to know some of the voulenteers a little better and managed to get some good shots of the wonderful area they have for times of fellowship and planning (and grub!)

Enough cooking capacity to feed an Army (of The Lord)

Ok, what's with the bowling pins?

Dining table made from the only (failed) bowling alley in Belize

After getting ourselves ready to go, we got in the van and headed out to the site for the day's work.  What BCE does is put on what they call "day camps" at various schools in the surrounding areas of Belize City.  The main concentration of their efforts are to reach the young of downtown Belize City.  This day, we were going to a government school about a 20 minutes away from the base camp.

In the book of Acts Chapter 1:8 The Bible says "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  In an earlier post, I mentioned that when you accept the free gift of The Lord Jesus Christ, immediately this verse happens to you.  Some explain the experience as a ton of weight taken off their shoulders, some break down and cry under the sheer intensity of finally KNOWING what Jesus did for us on the cross.  What happens to all of us, instantly, we become evangelists.  Some nurture and feed the evangelist, some starve it into submission and never share to others what a wonderful experience it is to know The Lord.  These folks at BCE are the real deal.  The ministry was founded because of frustration that after the Gringos have their awe inspiring conferences and lead many to The Lord, the go home with no follow up.  These young adults followed up to over 2,000 children last year.  Clearly, they are not called to go to the "uttermost part of the earth" right now, they are definitely taking the bull by the horns in Belize City...kicking traditions and taking names.