Background Information:

On January 15 – 22, 15 students and three staff members from King’s Christian Collegiate left for a service trip with Worldwide Christian Schools to Belize.  Every year, King’s offers various trips for their students.  Typically there are two service trips and one cultural trip.  As a school, we strongly believe that these trips can be life transformational.  We want to give students an opportunity to see the world differently.  The trips are tightly related to our vision statement: “Equipping students to grow in stature and favour with God and man.”  The trips enable our students to serve another community while learning immeasurable life lessons about God, others, and themselves.  As trip leaders, we work really hard at impressing on our students that these trips are not about us “saving” others.  It’s about serving, learning, and growing.  The importance of understanding that these trips are about personal growth and spiritual significance is emphasized over “doing good” for others.  It is through serving others that we learn about who God is and what He wants to do with us individually and as a group. 

We have been able to establish and excellent relationship with a school in the Dominican Republic alongside Careforce International and every year we send a team to this location.  For our second service trip, we work with various agencies to find a good fit for our group and school.  Two years ago we sent a team to Nicaragua, also with WWCS.  This was an excellent experience and we decided to consult WWCS and see what options were available.  As we discussed various options, Belize became more and more inviting.  Originally we were supposed to work in Caye Caulker which was a sandy island area.  This attracted all sorts of attention from students.  But later on it was decided that Orange Walk would be a better fit because of the work that was necessary and appropriate to our level of abilities.

What did we do?:

The trip was quite structured overall.  Every morning we would wake up by 7:00 and students and leaders were given a devotional booklet that consisted of Bible reading, journal questions, and prayer outlines to follow.  We would all disperse and find a quiet place to connect with God.  This was an invaluable time as students responded very positively and were shocked by the amount of thoughts that were percolating in their heads as they read the passages, answered some introspective questions, and prayed.  There was also a follow up question for students to think about as they went about their day.  We would then leave for the worksite at 8:00 and first have breakfast.  By 9:00 we were all in our small groups and ready to work.  The bulk of our time there was spent painting and varnishing.  At first, our students were a bit disappointed because they were looking forward to doing some hard labour.  This was again a valuable life lesson about serving.  Serving others is about finding out what they need as oppose to doing what we want to do and assuming that it’s in their best interest.  By the end of the week we were able to step back, see the progress of our work and feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that we served in the capacity that was requested.  The principal of the school was delighted with the work we did and the interactions we had with the students.   She was choked up with tears when she testified to God’s goodness in answering prayers and how we were living proof of that.  It was such a joy for our students to be able to connect with the students of Belize.  Since Belize is an English speaking country, all the students were able to communicate with our team.  Any time there was a break, our students would rush to play with the Belizean students.  Whether it was soccer, hanging on the monkey bars, or just sitting quietly, our group was fully integrated with the school children.  We also had the opportunity to lead a chapel.  This was an incredible experience.  Our students are fairly reserved and don’t sing or dance too much at our own chapels.  However, the one we led in Belize was a whole different picture.  We led them in songs with actions and dances, we performed a skit (on the fly!) of The Good Samaritan, and had a time of Q&A led by two of our student leaders.  At the end of chapel we were all blessed by the Spirit that came full force in that room.  It was an experience that is ingrained in my mind so deeply.  After our work day, we would return to our hotel to shower and relax before dinner.  Dinner was at 6:00 and then we would meet for evening devotions at 7:30.  During evening devotions we began with some singing. The singing was like we’ve never heard a group of King’s sing before.  It was as if they actually enjoyed singing and the words of the songs carried meaning. After singing we would discuss our day and plans for the next day.  Then students took turns giving their personal testimony about how God has been at work in their lives.  This was extremely moving as students allowed themselves to become vulnerable, raw, and broken.  Tears were shed, hugs were given, and feeling of community hovered around us.  Many students felt that this was important because rarely do we share that deeply about our personal lives and who God is when we’re back home.  After testimonies we would spend time debriefing about the passage and theme of the day which the students read during their morning devotions.  We would unpack the story and then work through group discussion questions that allowed us to grow deeper in our understanding of the biblical application.  Finally, we would end the evening with small group time.  During these times, we would meet in our small group (it was the same group as our work groups) and share some of the day’s experience further, and delve in deeper to the questions from our morning devotions which were theme based.  We also spent time in prayer with each other.  Once again, there were many tears, many emotions, and many Spiritual discoveries, commitments and challenges.  By 10:00 everyone was in their rooms and it was time for bed…at least for most of us.

There were two opportunities for our group to “get away”.  On the first Sunday we rented a van and drove to a nearby lagoon…don’t be fooled by the word “lagoon” which sounds way more romantic than it actually was.  The weather wasn’t very cooperative and the site was very “simple” but we had a fun time connecting with one another, whether it was chatting in small groups, throwing the football around, or frolicking in the water.  The biggest adventure was driving in the van.  Though the ride was only nine miles long, it took over 40 minutes because of the plethora of potholes and rugged road conditions; it was a bonding experience as we landed in each other’s laps frequently and had to hold on to each other’s necks for safety.  The second outing was to the city of Belize.  We spent the morning at the market buying souvenirs and practicing our haggling skills (which btw, we weren’t very good at!).  The afternoon was spent at a place called “Old Belize” where we had lunch, did some zip lining, swam, played volleyball, rested and had a great time together.  This day was definitely a highlight for many of us.

Impressions:

Overall impressions are so hard to describe.  I think I described a great amount of these impressions throughout the first two questions.  The trip was excellent.  I’ve been and led many trips and all the trips have been equally valuable.  No trip has really been better or worst overall, but there have been aspects that change the dynamics of each trip.  This trip was characterized by the tight connection we had with each other as group and by the interactions we had with the school children in Belize.  Many students were already friends but the relationships deepened during our work periods, group devotions, and small group times.  We also had a ridiculous amount of fun.  Everyday our abdomens had a good workout.  Whether it was events that occurred during the day, or just simple exhaustion, we laughed so much. 

Our last night was the most memorable of all our evening devotions.  We spent time completely vulnerable with each other and with God.  It became apparent that so much was being revealed to each member.  The challenge is what we do with all these thoughts and revelations now that we return to our “normal life”.  Were those experiences highly emotional or were they spiritual and require of us a change in lifestyle, attitude or heart.  As the trip leader it was such an amazing experience to see students so open with their thoughts and feelings.  It was also inspiring to see how each individual student had an opportunity to shine during the week.  Whether it was through their hard work, their willingness to be vulnerable in sharing their testimony, their ability to connect with the Belizean students through games and songs, their exuberance and intense energy level during our chapel service, or through individual one on one conversations each student was an inspiring example.   During this trip God was present in all aspects.  We claimed this trip to be God’s from the very beginning and He took control of the trip and blessed us each in such powerful ways.  We are so thankful for the experience we had together.  It will always be in our hearts and minds.  It will be an anchor for many of us to look back on and to remember how God was ever-present during that week and how we saw and heard Him so vividly.   During this week in Belize, it was clearly evident that our students have grown in their favour and stature with God and each other. 

La Fraternidad in El Transito looks like a new school thanks to donations from both WCS and Missionary Ventures which totaled $27,745.  I’ve attached some pictures from Eric’s and my visit.  Below is a link to additional pictures.

 http://picasaweb.google.com/rtpostmafamily/ElTransitoUpdate

The new construction was well thought out with the objective to prevent a large wind storm from destroying the school again.  As you will see from the pictures any roof overhangs were closed up to prevent the wind from catching it underneath.  Even the front of the school is designed to help protect the school from large wind storms.  They have learned that they could not build the school in the same way and have a new design that will last.

Despite these many improvements the school is not yet complete.  There are no more funds available, the reason why the front of the school is half done.  They actually still owe $900 in labor for the project because those who worked on the school were willing to wait for their money so that they had more money for materials.      

Last night we were honored by an invitation from the newly elected mayor.

We visited his office and we received an official Proclamation of Gratitude from the municipal government. Then we were treated to dinner at his home. This was extremely high honor in this community and it also is one of the amazing surprises that the Lord has blessed this school and school leadership with.  I have a signed proclamation that was presented to Worldwide Christian Schools that I will be taking back with me and sharing with you all when I return.

Thanks for Praying for us!

Steven Geurink, WWCS Field Director for Central America & the Caribbean

Just when we thought that our HANDS team knew how to work hard, one of the local cooks demonstrates how she can carry blocks up the stairs to to the third floor of this school building. Even though we tried, myself included, none of us were able to even come close to what this local worker could do.

Great photo from Guatemala!

Keep praying for this project and the leadership team at this school. The number of amazing surprises that the Lord had in store for this school and leadership just keep piling up! To God be the glory! Take a look at the final photos from the DeMotte Team, www.eduguate.com/blog

Serving a Mighty God with You,

Steven Geurink, WWCS Field Director for Central America & the Caribbean

Just a quick note to let you know that the work in Guatemala is going very well. The size and scope of this three story school project is hard to understand unless you are here on site. The team is working well and over 1/3 of the roof was installed today by the team from DeMotte. Tomorrow we are expecting to install a majority of the second side of this building.

Our relationship with the local leaders is touching as they ponder and wonder at the miracle that is going up in front of them. This prayer and dream of reaching many more students in the region is being supplied through the combined efforts of nationals and our WWCS HANDS teams. Tomorrow the mayor of the town has invited the whole team to a special meal in honor of this construction project. Last night I was able to attend a Quiche Indian church service and it was filled with Indians that loved the same Lord our God.

We will be celebrating with the school children, teachers, board members and parents on Wednesday morning with a dedication as, hopefully, we put on the last two sheets.

Well… if you want to see some pictures check out the blog on the www.eduguate.com site.

Again, thank you for your prayers and support (special thanks to the Tech group at Comprenew for getting the laptop set up for future groups to use).

Serving a Mighty God with You,

Steven Geurink, WWCS Field Director for Central America & the Caribbean

Thank you to all of you for your support and encouragement to the DeMotte work team during the WWCS Honduras worktrip.

Marv and I [Bob G.] left Catacamas on Monday afternoon about 3 hours after his fall. The best I know so far is that there was a loose piece of roof sheeting that shifted slightly under Marv’s foot which resulted in his fall through the roof from about 12 feet above the concrete classroom floor. When he fell, his upper body went first and he broke his fall with his hands. This resulted in several bones in each wrist being broken; the doctor described these fractures as “the normal kind of fractures when you break your wrist.” He will require surgery to make sure the bones are aligned as exactly as possible by the joint to help avoid any future complications of arthritus. Marv also struck his head on something, but we really don’t know what. He is skinned up on the right side of his face, with stitches on a good cut above his eyebrow. Whatever he struck must have pushed his jaw to the left enough to cause the left side of his jaw to fracture. This will also require surgery. The jaw surgery took place on Friday (Feb. 3) and went well according to Ruth. Marv is experiencing pain in the jaw as well as pain and discomfort from the wires and rubber bands in his mouth. Surgery is planned on Monday (Feb. 5) for Marv’s 2 wrists.

When Marv fell God was there! And God was clearly holding Marv in his hands when he fell because, to have a person fall from 12 feet up down to a concrete floor with his upper body first, it is truly a miracle that far more serious injuries didn’t occur. Marv has no leg injuries, no abdominal injuries, no chest injuries, no back injuries, and no neck injuries! And we saw so many other examples of God’s intervention in this situation too! A good, well equipped clinic with an English speaking doctor and American nurse was 6 blocks away (a mission outreach clinic); an orthopedic surgeon from Holland, Michigan was on the other work team and went to the clinic to supervise Marv’s treatment and he set the splints on Marv’s wrists; the work team had 2 supplies of Vicodin along which Marv appreciated immensly; Continental Airlines had several open seats and we were able to fly Marv and I home a day earlier; we were able to meet up with Jorge Gomez, President of the Honduran Bible Society, who took us the last hour of the trip back to Tegucigalpa, took us to our hotel, and then picked us up the next morning for the airport; the night went well for Marv and he got a lot of rest; the airline flights both went very well; and Marv was checked over last Tuesday night at St. Anthony’s Hospital on our way home and a precautionary CAT scan showed no other difficulties.

Yes, we are all hurting because Marv is hurting and will continue to hurt for awhile; but if you step back and look at the Lord’s intervention in this situation. you realize what a LOVING and CARING God we have! He held Marv in His hand during the fall, during his treatment, and during the last two days of travel; and He will continue to hold him during the next weeks of treatment and healing. Marv and I had that discussion several times over the 2 days we traveled together, and Marv fully appreciates how good God was to him!

I would request 3 items for each of you to pray about:

1. Pray for Marv and Ruth and the doctors as they all work through his care, and pray for Marv and Ruth to have patience during healing process to be able to deal with the pain and extreme inconvenience of jaw problems, eating difficulties and two rather unusable hands for a number of weeks.

2. Pray for the work team members as they deal with their emotions about an injury to a close friend and fellow worker.

3. Pray for the teachers, parents, pastors, and fellow Honduran workers; they are hurting because it is very hard for them to see a U.S volunteer coming down to help them build their school for their children, and then see him injured like this.

Thanks again for your support, encouragement and prayers. God is clearly a Mighty God, but He is also a LOVING and CARING God!

Serving Him,

The DeMotte Work Team

This morning, while working on the roof, Marv fell when he slipped on a loose roof panel. He fell headfirst to the floor below, first striking a metal water bucket before landing on the cement floor. He sustained 2 broken wrists and a broken jaw. He was taken to a medical clinic a few blocks away where he received x-rays. A doctor from the Michigan team accompanied him to the hospital and worked with the staff there. His wrists were put in splints, and a small cut over his right eye was stitched. He was given pain medication and by the time he left the clinic, he walked out to the van and said his wrists were not hurting. The decision was made to have him return home a day early for further medical attention. John Pippel drove Bob and Marv to Tegucigalpa this afternoon and tomorrow they will fly back to Indiana.

The rest of the team will continue their work tomorrow and fly back on Wednesday as planned.

Please keep Marv and Ruth in your prayers as well as the rest of the team. We sincerely believe that the bucket broke his fall enough to prevent more serious injury.

When Marv and Bob left the school grounds to head to the clinic, the DeMotte team, the Michigan team, and all the local workers gathered for a time of prayer. We all held hands and prayers were lifted up in English and Spanish. We were able to sense God’s Spirit among us and when we conveyed this to Marv at the clinic, he said he felt at peace as well.

Continue to pray for us as we work one more day on the roof and also for the Michigan team as they will continue through the end of the week working on the roof panels as well.

The DeMotte Work Team

On January 16 (about 1:00 AM!) we board our church bus and head for O’Hare Airport to fly to Houston, and then to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The flight is followed by a 4 hour drive in a rented van and pickup truck to Catacamas, Honduras where we will be part of a 3 team effort to rebuild the Escuela Luz Y Verdad (translated: Light and Truth Christian School). The school was built with a clay tile roof supported by wood trusses and stringers; however the roof is badly deteriorating and needs to be totally rebuilt, so we will be fabricating and installing a welded steel roof structure with Jondulite sheeting for the roofing (Jondulite is a corregated cement board material). The school building is 222 feet long and 29 feet wide, consisting of 10 rooms and 2 washrooms, serving 100 to 150 students at present.

The parents and teachers removed the thousands of clay tiles and the old wooden structure in December. The first team (from Ontario, Canada) is now forming and pouring a concrete bond beam around the top of the wall of the entire structure to strengthen the building and give us a good solid wall on which to build the new roof. We (the second team) hope to start work on Jan. 17 and have the entire roof completed by Jan. 30, the Lord willing. The third team (from Holland, MI) will overlap us a few days and will do electical wiring, windows, doors, painting, etc. so the school can reopen by February 12.

This is a big project and we ask for your prayers for safey and health for all the workers. Please remember, this project is not for our glory; all the glory goes to our God who gave us, and you, the privilage to participate each in our own way to help grow the Lord’s Kingdom a little bit more in this small Central American country, Honduras.

We hope to update this site each day so you can share the joy we will be experiencing with the progress being made on the project. Here is a link to our photo albums of the trip on the First CRC website!

The DeMotte Work Team