October 2006

Dear friends and family,

We can hardly believe that it has been two months since we left Haleyville! Things have been happening so fast during the last few months. When God calls you to go, He makes things happen. The pace so far is much faster than we ever imagined. What an amazing journey, though! Everything that we do here is possible because of you. Your support has been so overwhelming. We have already been blessed beyond our imagination. We have had so many people tell us “you will be blessed.” It is a blessing just to be here and be able to focus on God and what He is doing.

Our house is now a home. We replaced the broom handle with a shower curtain rod and we have a couch to sit on instead of lawn chairs.

We are still learning how to live in a much smaller space, but we are enjoying being here and cannot wait to have company.

We (our ministry team) have written a proposal for a Christian Development Center. The first phase (year 1) includes the children’s home for girls and a house for the caretaker of the property. There are 5 phases (5 years) which include, but not necessarily in order: building a boy’s home; dormitories, a kitchen/dining building, and a chapel for mission teams; and a high school. This is a huge project that each of us feel very passionate about. We asked for your prayers in the last newsletter and since then, we have gotten approval for the water system, we learned that we have power lines run to the area, and we have written the proposal to the Ministry of Lands. This project is close to our hearts and the reason that Jeff and I moved to Belize. Please continue to pray for it.

Jeff is enjoying teaching very much. In the U.S., we are limited as to what we can teach about God at school but here Jeff has the opportunity to teach over 200 students about Christianity. We are amazed by the freedom he has in his classroom. He also started volunteering at the hospital in Dangriga.

Jeff at Independence High School Dangriga Hospital

I started teaching English as a second language here in San Juan. The intent is to teach the ladies basic English so they can help their children at home before they go to school. The first class, I had 4 ladies attending. We have been having class on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. After three weeks, we have 14 ladies in the class. Wow! How exciting! Mrs. Noelia Ritchie has asked for help opening a preschool in the village. She is asking the banana corporation for funding for the building. The building will be placed behind the primary school.

Tiffany teaching English front of primary school

One or both of us is always home with Ann Marie. She spends most of her day playing dress up, playing computer games, looking at books, etc…She really enjoys her Sunday school class and she has made many friends in the village despite language barriers.

Mt. Zion Sunday School blowing bubbles

We are glad to be busy, but it does not keep us from missing everyone! Hope you are all doing well.

In Christ,

Jeff, Tiffany, and Ann Marie