AMA in Belize Today
By Galen Stutzman
Belize is a small Caribbean country—approximately the size of Massachusetts—that has a lot of natural beauty ranging from aqua blue water and sandy beaches to mountains and tropical rain forests. This natural beauty makes tourism Belize’s most important economic sector. Yet in spite of all its natural beauty, there are hurting, needy people in Belize, creating many opportunities for ministry. Here is a peek into the two current AMA missions in Belize.
Red Creek School (Cayo). The Red Creek School is an arm of the Cayo Christian Fellowship church and is leaving a positive testimony in the local community. Only about 35% of the students come from the Cayo church families; the balance is made up of locals, some who are church-going people and others who are not. An interesting fact is that some students that had attended Red Creek are now parents that are sending their children to the school. Enrollment for this year is 89, and every year there are parents that would wish to send but can’t—it is simply too full. While the academic standards are excellent, another very important question to ask is, does the school have a spiritual impact on the students?
There is a brother in the church who, as a young person, attended Red Creek School. He is a member today. Another man that attended Red Creek is also a member of a Mennonite church. There is a young man currently in high school that attends church quite often, as well as most youth functions. He recently asked to see a copy of the “church rules.” Is he perhaps “counting the cost”? There appears to be a spark there.
In summary, the school gives the local church a ministry opportunity. Aside from the obvious fact that the school provides the local church a place to send their own children, it also helps community children build friendships with church-going people. Red Creek provides a quality education in a safe environment. Recently one of the kindergarten parents commented that “this is the right school for our child; it is safe.” Community parents appreciate a school that teaches how to be respectful. Not only do the students get exposure to the truths of God’s Word through Bible memorization and daily devotions, they also get to see a godly example set forth from their teachers.
Haynes Street, Belize City. The mission is located in a poor section of the city, across the street from the church (Belize City Christian Fellowship). This provides a “front row seat” to many different ministry opportunities, so many that it is sometimes a challenge for the mission staff to know which ones to pour their energies into.
Common law unions have increased in the past decade in Belize. The reality in Belize City is that it is not uncommon for children to live with their mother and “her man” …sometimes the father of the children, sometimes not. So, these children grow up not knowing what a structured home is like. They are often looking for love and acceptance. There are times their home situation affects how they do in school; for instance, if the “boyfriend” does not treat the children nicely, or the ‘parents’ throw a party and blast pulsating music late into the night. The mission staff have many opportunities to minister to these children’s needs. Sometimes Miss Janice and Miss Carmen help them with their homework. Sometimes they play games or just simply spend time with them. During the summer, they offer remedial reading classes. In school, the teachers are typically stretched, so the struggling students don’t get the extra help they really need. Miss Carmen and Miss Janice also have kid’s clubs (different groups, by age and/or gender). On our recent delegation trip, the girls in the one club that recited their Bible Memory portion were treated by going out for ice cream. The Friday evening we were there was youth night. 5 young men showed up. After a devotional meditation, we played Apples-to-Apples, then served a snack before they went home. One of these young men comes to church, and another is a committed Christian, in spite of living in a poor environment. On Saturday evening this young man came to get water from the vat. I happened to be outside, so he said he had a question for me. “If people chase me for singing Christian songs, is that persecution?” I was impressed with his perception, and we talked about this for a bit. What an opportunity to nurture this young man!
Miss Janice knows sign language and has contact with some deaf people in the city. The deaf are often misunderstood. Many families with deaf children think their child is also mentally challenged. Although a lot of parents send their children to a school to learn sign language, family members generally put little to no effort into learning the language themselves, thus greatly hindering communication with the child. There are 6 deaf people who regularly attend church, with as many as 6 more that have attended on occasion. Once the deaf community gains confidence in a person, the opportunities to interact increase greatly. Could Belize City Christian Fellowship become a church where the deaf would feel welcomed and understood? Would there be someone that could shepherd these people, teaching and guiding them through life?
There are neighbors to visit. Some are not in the best of health, some are elderly, some have material needs; they all need encouragement. Many of the church people are elderly, and a visit to them means a lot. There is a weekly jail ministry that is a joint effort of Belize City and Hatteville. There is a Mt. Zion Literature ministry that has room to grow. So many opportunities for the kingdom of heaven to make a lasting difference in this needy neighborhood. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? … How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15) “Who will go for us?” (Isa. 6:8)
