Mission Point: Aguirre Testimony
I had never considered doing a mission trip before, but the Sunday they announced the Belize mission I felt God calling me to this mission. I felt he had been preparing my heart for this over the last couple of months. My husband Carlos did not hear the same thing that day but when I brought it up to him he was open to attending the information meeting with me. A few weeks later on the day we had to give our decision, the Lord convicted Carlos. He had been trying to come up with an excuse not to go but after the Sunday service the mission leader David came up to Carlos for the decision and he heard God say “stop making excuses!” After that, we both decided to go on this mission. We felt inadequate and unprepared for what God was calling us to but decided to commit to this mission unless something stopped us. One of our main concerns was about the funding but, God provided and we were one of the first couples that were fully funded! Then Carlos was having a hard time getting his time off of work approved and God adjusted the mission schedule by one day and he was able to get it approved. God just kept removing every obstacle we were trying to use as an excuse not to go.
With six couples going, Carlos and I were happy to be in the background because we felt other couples had more to offer than we did. Then two of the couples were not able to go and this forced us to take on a bigger role. The weeks leading up to the trip were challenging because Carlos and I were each getting attacked with doubts and fears but we persisted and trusted God was leading us there for a reason.
The first part of the mission was a marriage retreat. Our group worked with Pastor Kenny who oversees both churches in Belize City and Gales Point village. We were able to bless eleven Belizean couples from both churches with a marriage retreat to support and help strengthen marriages. Even though Carlos and I went into the mission feeling inadequate and unprepared we were humbled to see God use us and our testimony. God showed me that you don’t have to be prepared you just need to be willing and obedient. We shared how God has worked in our marriage over the last 17 years through our experiences and hardships. We were able to show the couples there that marriage is not perfect and it takes work but with God, in the center, we can overcome anything. We were encouraged by the couples and their desire to learn and work on their marriage. Most of the couples were young and just starting out but they recognized that marriages are vulnerable and constantly under attack. Each of the mission leaders (Carlos and I, the Gamels, the Noels, and the Swerbenskys) were able to share what we have learned in our marriages during each session, and uniquely speak to each couple. The Belizean couples were inspired by the concept of small groups because even though they go to the same church they do not often get together for fellowship. For these couples to be able to take a weekend to spend together, learn what God’s plan for marriage is, bond with other couples in Christ, and connect with a mentor is priceless.
After the retreat, we headed out for the second part of our mission to Gales Point Village. Driving into the village was a shock. We didn’t know what to expect. The way of life there was a lot harder than we had anticipated. Pastor Kenny and his church in Gales Point are the light of the village but apart from that, there is darkness. It is evident that the people of that village need God.
During our time there, we ladies were able to go to the school. We brought donated school supplies and worked with the children doing art projects. I loved seeing their hunger to learn and how excited they were to work with us. One of the little girls did not want to let go of Sherrie’s hand after we were done for the day. We helped to clean and repair the church building in preparation for the Wednesday night service. The men fixed plumbing, ran and fixed electrical outlets, sanded and re-varnished doors, and installed new locks. The women did organizing and cleaning at the church after the school day. The night of the church service we had almost the entire village show up. One little boy about seven or eight years old showed up with no pants and we were able to clothe him so he could attend the service. Hearing the voices of the youth singing praises to the Lord at the top of their lungs gave us hope for the future of that village. When Tara and Stacy asked if anyone needed prayer, so many people came forward and we were blessed to pray over them. After the service, we handed out 20 suitcases of donated clothes.
Carlos and I cannot express how the Lord has touched our hearts during this trip. We fell in love with the people that we met there. This has been a life-changing experience for us and we could not have done it without the help and support from our church, our donors, our friends and family, and our life group. God has given Carlos and I a soft spot in our hearts for Belize and the people there. We are also so thankful for our mission leaders Angela and David who put so much work into this mission and for our mission team and the bonds that were formed during our time together. We hope and pray we are able to continue to serve in this ministry. John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Jamie Aguirre