Alexander and Leah

Belize Camping Experience 2012

2012-02-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

2012 has presented us with many new opportunities and challenges.

This January we had many visitors. The ones who hung around the longest, being from Red Rock Bible Camp.

Their discipleship team helped us out with recruiting young people to help out at summer camps this year. With them we were able to visit Kings College and Corner stone Christian High School. We had a very good response from the youth at CCH and plan to follow up with them latter this school year before summer break.

As a thank you to the Belize City Youth who helped out at summer camp last year, we took them all to Blue Creek for the weekend. Pastor Blain was kind enough to plan many fun activities with the community’s youth. On Saturday evening we had a youth service where the youth from different churches got to show case what makes their church unique. This was very special as we had presentations from a Creol and Chinese church in Belize City and the Mennonite Church in Blue Creek. All of the youth from Belize City returned with many good memories, stories to share and a resolve to make it back there again sometime soon.

Sasha Garnet of Belize City has joined us full time in ministry. Sasha is presently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with an International Studies Minor through the University of Central Missouri. She chose this field of study with the hopes of one day being able to help Christian, non-governmental organizations be able to effectively present themselves attractively, raise funds, and maintain a good reputation in the public eye in order to assist children.

While she is here in Belize saving to return to school, we are working her hard, using her passion and skills with the chapel programs, and fund raising efforts – in return we give her experience in her field of study. Sasha has only 50% of her support raised to continue her work with BCE, and we are looking for people to partner with her in prayer and finances. If this is something you are interested in doing, please contact us at belizecampingexperience@gmail.com.

School Chapels, our follow-up of kids camp, has been going well. We have recently partnered up with another school, Grace Primary to help out with their monthly chapel program. We are excited to get to know these new students and share God's love with them.

Harvest for Kids Belize is BCE’s newest fund raising project. We are challenging farmers of Belize to partner together and plant, corn, beans, rice or sugar cane to be grown. The crops would be latter be harvested and sold with all proceeds going to BCE to continue our camping programs. Latter in March we are hoping to have some informational FASPA’s in Blue Creek and Spanish Lookout to get the farmers motivated with the help of some special guests from Canada.

Spanish Lookout business Expo: February 24-25.

Latter this month we will be representing BCE and our Harvest for Kids project at the Spanish Lookout annual business EXPO. We have big plan for our booth to attract both farmers and kids.

That’s it for now folks!

Oh and did we mention we’re having a BABY!?

Yes a little Perez is due July 8^th. It is defiantly God’s timing as we would never have plan to have a child right at the beginning of camp season – but God is in control and we believe he will provide more then enough help needed to reach 1000kids, with or without Leah’s help.

A picture story...

2011-11-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

Much has happened from the last time we updated. And we all know that nobody likes to ready an essay type review on 6 months worth of information, and since a picture is worth a thousand words let me update you with pictures - and some explanation of course!

Pre-Summer:
Armando moved on to a new ministry at Kings College as Chaplin and teacher of religion. We wish him all the best in his ministry there.

Summer:
5 camps, 45 Youth from 7 Different Churches, 312 Children

Many of the Youth who joined us at various summer camps

Camp at "Western Paradise" 8 Mile Western Highway

EMMC Church Ship Yard

Belize City Christian Chinese Church Kids Camp

Game time with the kids at Queen Street Baptist School Camp

Post Summer:

Build it 4 Kids Belize:
Through this project we raised $20,000 bz, for kids camps.
We also indirectly were able to support other churches in raising money for their summer programs by offering them 50% commission for assisting to sell tickets. We also utilized the help of individuals who had no work to sell tickets for 20% commission. Many of whom were single moms. One mom said she was able to use the money to buy some shoes for her little boy, and student was able to make enough money to help cover his school costs.

Our team in Belize City selling tickets

Winner Nigel Matura from Belize City.

FALL:
Right after the Hussel and Bussel of the B4K project we celebrated Alexander's 30th Birthday.

We surprised Alexander after a long day of paintball

A week latter we visited Blue Creek Elementary school and did a chapel with the kids.

Chapel at Blue Creek

Since school is out we have started school ministry to follow up with the kids during the school year. This involves weekly or monthly chapels (the teaching side of discipleship) with elementary schools, and visits during recesses (relational part of discipleship). So far we have partnered with two schools.

Norman from Orange Walk Belize, leading a Chapel at Queen Street Baptist School

kids entering the sanctuary for chapel at Unity Presbyterian

While Norman took over the school project for us, we took off to Canada, at the request and expense of the Leamington EMMC Church to visit them about partnering in Ministry.

Speaking at the LEMMC church at their thanksgiving meal

tour of a green house during our stay in Leamington

Since we were so close to Kingston (6 hours), we went to spend two weeks with our family there, and speak to Bayridge Alliance Church about what God has been doing in Belize over the past year.

Leading the BAC congregation in the "Jesus is my Super Hero" song, the theme song for our summer camps

Visiting grandma Ramer during our stay with family

AND since we were only a three hour plane ride to Manitoba, we were graciously given Air Miles to visit our Ministry headquarters in Winkler, and family and friends in surrounding area.

Visiting friends from the Burgfeld EMMC church in Altona

CURRENT:
Alexander is in Cuba for a week, while I'm back home getting settled and making plans for the future.

The Coming Months:
In December our Wettlaufer family is coming to spend Christmas and New Years with us.

Then in January the discipleship training program from Red Rock Bible Camp, called "pursuit" will be joining us for three weeks of experiencing and assisting in what God is doing through Belize Camping Experience in Belize.

It's quick and to the point, barely no details at all, but at least now your up to speed. If you have any questions about any of it, feel free to contact us at: BelizeCampingExperience@gmail.com for more information.

Alexander and Leah

UPs & downs

2011-05-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

I just took a look at our last blog update and am shamed to see how long ago it has been since I informed you all what has been going on.

So much has happened:

Alexander and Leah Personally:

You may have heard that we were pregnant. Unfortunately a few weeks ago we lost the baby. How are we doing? Well, God has been really good to us, and his people here in Belize have taken very good care of us. Physically, I (leah), am feeling good. Emotionally I’m stable - Not sure if I’m healed, strong, or just in denial.

On a happier note, I Leah became a Belizean! Yay!

I had just received my nationality papers

Also, God has answered our prayers and is taking care of our physical needs! Last week we received 18 loads of dirt to fill in the land around our house so we can put in our cistern. After they were all unloaded and spread out we were told that 15 of the loads had been donated to us for free! Praise God! We were not expecting that and were left speechless!

Belize Camping Experience:

We have much to be thankful for in the ministry as well. Last week we met with two Christian schools in Belize City. We have committed ourselves to working with this next year through summer camps and assisting them in their weekly chapel programs and they have opened the door to us doing relational ministry with the kids during recesses.

We’ve struggled in working with churches because of the lack of consistency in the children’s ministry. We can’t do the program for them, so when the children’s leader leaves or gives up, we are helpless to help them. We’ve been so very unsatisfied with this because we see the need in the kids everyday and want to reach out to so many more with the hope of Jesus Christ.

In working with the schools, we have a captive audience, whom we can meet with consistently, and we can reach 150-200 of them at a time. We do the teaching part of discipleship through the chapels and the relationship part during recess. To top it all off we are going to do a camp with them to recap all that was learned during the year.

For the first two schools we are working with we are set to do a camp with each of them this summer to introduce ourselves to the kids. PLEASE PRAY FOR SUMMER CAMP HELPERS! We are expecting 150-200 kids at each of our camps, so we need the youth we’ve been training to step up and put their faith into action.

Another prayer request we have is for more workers.

After a wonderful year of serving with BCE, Armando is heading in a new direction. We are very grateful for his guidance, for his help of looking at each situation with new eyes, for his help organizing the ministry in a way that we can function more efficiently. We have learned a lot from his gift of teaching as he over saw the youth trainings, and we wish him God’s blessings as he leaves us to serve God in new ways.

That being said, by the end of this month it’s going to be just me and Alexander again. After having the blessing of a third team member Alexander and I are not satisfied to have only the two of us working alone for very long.

We have been praying about it and have found at least two young adults who are eager and considering joining us. We are praying for clear direction and for provision, as we are not 100% sure where the funds will come to pay them and other things like places for them to live (safely) in the city.

BUILD IT 4 KIDS BELIZE!

God has been showing him self as faithful in the house project.

We have been receiving many generous donations from businesses and individuals alike. This week Alexander, Armando and some amazing friends have been working on the house. The shell of a building is slowly looking more like a home. How amazing to see a project started in faith, materialize.

1st day of work in the interior about to start

bed room

loft

really nice loft and wood ceiling

looking down from loft into kitchen

kitchen and living room

Remember to check out the B4K’s blog regularly at: buildit4kidsbelize.blogspot.com

If you wish to receive email updates on the project email us at buildit4kidsbelize@hotmail.com

Thank you for your prayers. KEEP THEM COMING!

Alexander and Leah

(long over due) HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-02-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

Since returning to Belize from our holiday in Canada, BCE’s been running full Speed ahead.

We stated to raise money and recruit help for our “BUILD IT 4 KIDS!” house project. On Sunday Feb 6^th we held our first informational FASPA on the fund raising project, in Spanish Lookout. We had a short presentation where we explained the project then gave out sponsorship packages for individuals and businesses to consider, fill out and send back in. People were eager to give and we ended up with $1,450 in donations that evening. Next Sunday we will be in Blue Creek presenting to the businesses, church and community how they can get involved with the project.

The Project:

We are constructing a small 16x24 house, with the purpose of raffling it off. The money raised from this project will go into our continued effort in reaching the Children of Belize though the ministry. We chose the method of a house raffle for raising money because we wanted to maximize the impact we can make with this project. We have set it up in a way that not only the end result will impact the lives of kids but also the construction.

We have chosen 7 kids from Belize City’s south side, whom we have been discipline for a few years, to help build this house. Their job will be, to be there on site learning work ethics and skills from the volunteers, passing nails, carrying boards, being personal assistances to the workers.

Another person who will greatly benefit from this project is of coarse the raffle winner who will be able to have the fully furnished home placed on the yard of their choice.

We are putting together a list of 10 families from different areas of Belize, who really need a home. Then when you go to buy a ticket or two you now have the option of either writing one for your self, or for someone else who needs it. Of coarse we cannot manipulate who will wins the house, but we can put the odds in the favor of a needy family, like Tyreece’s or Pastors Edgar’s from Belize City.

(Pastor Edgar and family)

For more information about this project and updates check out:

buildit4kidsbelize.blogspot.com

To receive updates specifically related to the “Build it 4 Kids!” project email us at:

Buildit4kidsbelize@hotmail.com

And we’ll put you on the mailing list.

Something else is also now on the radar screen here at BCE.

It’s a desire God has always placed on our hearts and as of lately it seems like it may become a reality sooner then we were expecting. I’m referring to a Camp Facility.

Accompanied by a lot of prayer, we are exploring the idea of buying land just outside the city. Our desire is still to keep the focus on the spiritual life of the children and follow-up programs and not to get caught up in physical buildings. But we see many new opportunities to encourage and strengthen local churches by having a place close by to the city, for such purposes as church retreats, kids camps in a safe and equipped area, discipleship training center etc.

Please pray with us for God’s direction, open doors and that we will recognize God’s timing, and not run ahead in our own excitement.

Amidst all this planning and praying and project preparing we are still focused on our trainings and preparing youth for camps this summer. End of January we spoke to the Youth in Blue Creek and this Saturday we are gathering youth from Belize city to continue our series, this time on DISCIPLESHIP. How it is every believer’s job to make disciples.

Below are some pictures of our BZE kids from our personal discipleship girls and boys groups.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Alexander and Leah

THE GOOD NEWS!

2010-11-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS!

That is our theme for our first lesson in our new Councilor training manual.
We spent the month of September developing an official BCE Councilor training manual and this month we have begun to teach it. Our first training was in the Ship Yard EMMC church on October 13th.

We will also brought the same message to the Blue Creek EMMC youth on the 27th.

And we hope to bring it to the youth in Belize CIty, Orange Walk and Spanish Lookout withing the next month.

With this training manual we will be able to keep our trainings consistent and build upon the last lesson. By the time summer rolls around we will be ready for a councilor training camp to solidify everything taught over the months and prepare for the summer camps.

This past month we had two friends from Canada visit, Ernie and Agatha Weiler. They traveled with us around the country as we did our trainings and church visiting, and of course we made time to show them the beauty of the islands.

On October 7-9 was the annual Pastors and Leaders Conference. Once again we were able to represent the ministry, be challenged, encouraged and connect with other pastors and leaders.

MORE GOOD NEWS! We Survived Hurricane Richard, and so did our house.

Richard was a Catagory one hurricane and it was heading right at Belize City. Thankfully for us, but not so luckily for our friends in Spanish Lookout, at the last minute it took a southern turn and missed us. Even so the winds and sea surge did enough damage to the city. Roofs blew off, homes destroyed, houses even washed away!

The only thing that happened to our house was that the sea rose to our house 4 feet and it swept all the dead branches we had laying across the yard right up to the house. Under the house is an inch of beach sand. With all that pressure the house shifted a little bit. We can tell because the doors don't close well like they use too. But no water damage and no broken windows or leaky roof!
Thanks for praying, it could have been a lot worse.

Plans have been made for us to travel to Canada for the holiday season. We’ll be getting to Manitoba on Dec 17 and heading to Ontario Dec 30th and leave back to Belize on Jan 13th. While Leah was dying for a white Christmas, we are also coming back to share with you all what God has been doing in Belize this past year.

Please continue to keep the country of Belize in your prayers. We are the second most violent country in the Caribbean, with over 105 murders this year – and a few more months to go! Continue to pray for our safety, but please also remember our city kids who are so much more helpless then we are.

Check out this beautiful Video of Belize!

2010-09-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

About Time for an UPdate!

2010-09-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

So on July 28th Alexander headed to Cuba once again.
While he was there he got to witness 3 camps get started and a large youth event as well as connect with more pastors who are on fire for the Lord.
For more details give him (alexander) a call, so many stories to tell I just don't think I could do them justice.

From there he flew to Canada where I (leah) met him.
We were there for CCI's Fundraiser event: Harvest for Kids. We got to help out a little and witness 200 combines coming straight at us! What a sight!

Besides that we spent our time there visiting many (but still not enough time for all our) friends and people we consider family. We even got to make a new friend...

Can you guess who this is?

If you didn’t get a chance to see us, don’t worry we are hoping to make it back for christmas. And even make a stop in Ontario for New Years. Not exactly sure how we’re going to get there yet ($$$!), but we are determined.

Just a day after returning to Belize we helped a local church with a Camp for their 8 youth boys. It was a beach day on the Friday followed by them joining the regular Paintball event on Saturday. They had a blast.

The following week we helped the same church do their Children’s camp.
6 of the churches children came out and we had lots of fun coloring and playing around on the near by park.

We had to opt out of the first day of the kids camp, because we had to clean up our house which was a mess. Stupid thieves!
They came through the WALL! Can you believe that! I laugh about it really. They didn’t make off with as much as we had originally thought… some cash, our DVD, player, new bottle of perfume, and leah’s engagement ring.

We’ve concluded that it’s not worth in investing in a lot of expensive stuff (guess we’ll have to put off getting one of those new 3D tv’s… ;). Perhaps it’s God’s way of keeping us humble – but since we’ve had to patch the wall we’ve used it as initiative to keep working on the house. Color is making its way onto all our white walls (by the way the whole house, inside and out, is white!), and we’ve just hired some guys to finish our bathroom. So our house may not have fancy things, but it’s gonna look good. (They can come through the walls, but they can not take the color off them! Suckers!)

Anyways back to ministry…
After those camps, it was only a few days before everyone was back in school.

This month we’ve focused on putting together a Councilor Training manual. The purpose is to have something more professional to offer the churches and to keep our trainings efficient and consistent.

We are also gearing up for a Children and Youth Worker Seminar we are hosting next week. Alexander, Armando and I will be leading some workshops, and we’ll be discussing relevant issues and strategies for reaching the Children of Belize.

Speaking of the Children of Belize, an 8yr old girl was shot and killed in her own bed this past weekend. Apparently somebody thought it was the room of their intended target and sprayed the wood house with bullets.

In a report last night it was stated that the murder rate is up 22% this year compared to last. As of Sept 15th of this year already 93 people have been murdered in this small country (of about half a million people) compared to last year 71 had been murdered at this time. And 63 of those murders have happened here in Belize City.

Things are really out of control.
You can read more for your self at these links:
http://www.7newsbelize.com/index.php#story1
http://www.lovefm.com/ndisplay.php?nid=12654

So that is what going on around here.
We could really use alot of your prayers.

Prayer Requests:
Pray for protection for us but especially for our kids
Children and Youth worker Conference happening next weekend (Sept 25th)
Leah would get her working permit and Belizean Nationality papers soon, and without problems.

Thanks for your support.
GOD Bless
GO Bless

COMMING TO VISIT a Town near you... if you live in southern MB

2010-07-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

So Alexander got his Canadian Visa earlier this month. Thankfully this trip was a lot less eventful then the last time he went to get his visa (and his bus got hijacked and he got beat up!). No problems this time.
So with that shinny stamp in his passport he is ready to take Canada by storm!

CCI is having many of it's international camp directors come to Canada for their HUGE combine fund raising event! Come on out and see us and enjoy the day with your family as CCI hopes to break a world record.
Alexander will also be speaking in some churches and visiting our many friends and family and supporters too.
I'll be joining Alexander in Canada.

But first Mr.Globe trotter is first making a stop in Cuba, before heading to Canada.

Alexander is leaving to Cancun tomorrow (tues July 27) and be catching a flight to Havana on the 28th.
Please pray for safe travels, and wisdom as he goes.
Being the way it is there, there is always a sence of risk in what you say and where you can go etc. So just pray for him as the Spirit leads you and we'll let you know how it went when he gets back.

Pray for me also as I will be staying here in Belize the week he's in Cuba. I do have one youth girl who said she'd stay with me and keep me company as our 10,000 of God's meanest, strongest angels and out 4 dogs watch over us - in faith we'll be alright, but pray for us anyways.

When we get back from Canada around the 18th things will be busy as we have a big seminar BCE is putting on. It is our second anual "Children and Youth Seminar.

This year we are doing things a bit differently. We are incorperating workshops in the attempt to be more interactive and practial in meeting the needs of ministry workers.
Please pray for the presenters that are preparing, and that ministries leaders would find the time to come out and be encouraged and inspired in their work.

We'll try to keep you posted.

Alexander and Leah

Up and Running and Loving it!

2010-06-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

I Leah have returned from a brife visit to Canada. I was in Ontario, visiting my family and church family, keeping connected and taking a bit of a much needed break.

I returned to Belize about two weeks ago bages full of blessings: roller-blades, craft supplies, Sunday school material, house hold items, books, cd's, and some money for another (much needed) guard dog.

There was no time to waste.
Alexander had been busy my two weeks away, visiting youth and pastors, and aquanting our new team member, Armando Reys to how things roll with BCE down here.
So I had one day to fight off the flu and prepare lessons for camp the next week.
On sunday Alexander preached at his home church in Carmalita Village, then we headed off to Ship Yard to prepare for our first camp the next day.

Camp was great!
We had about 10 kids, and 3 amazing youth from the Ship Yard EMMC church lead the camp. Those youth did great! They led the games and activities, took on the challange of presenting the chapple lessons and streached their comfort zones by helping the kids prepare skits.
The kids had a great time, and learned alot about how Jesus can come to our rescue!

After that 3 day camp, we headed back to Belize City to prepare for a leadership training in OW that saturday. This group of youth leaders asked for our help, because they have such a great desire to serve their congrigation and comunity and wanted to be better equiped and trained to do camps for them selevs. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT FOR THE CHURCHES AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF BELIZE!

We had a full day of practical tips on orginizing and planning a camp, teaching on the importance of leading skills in the way of taking care of your own spiritual and physical self as a leader, and of course Leah's team challange activities.
The youth were so pleaseed they asked if we could come back every other month!
While that's no so practical (we encourage them to first put into practice what we taught), we will continue to meet with them and encourage them along their journey of ministry and leadership.

Then that night we went to help Alexander sister Marisol with her youth Church in Carmalita. What a night that was, Leah teaching on 'respect' - respect for God and Church, respect for our haters, and our fellow christians. It really seemed to sink-in near the end, hopfully it sticks for good!

This past week, we've spent a significant amount of time meeting with Armando orginize how we're all going to work as a team and plan for the summer.
We are all really excited about the direction God is leading us in.
While we will still be doing some camps this summer, we are wanting to spend more time focusing on building up leaders.
The hope is that instead of pushing camp programs, and being surprised when things don't go much further then a one time program, we want to build up leaders who understand the need and have their own desire to serve. Camp would then turn into an obvious opportunity for service and follow-ups would be the natural next step.
July is already booked with one camp, three trainings and one large "Children and Youth" seminar for the city of Belize.

Something else that's sure to keep us busy is PAINTBALL!
On Tuesday we finally received the shipment of 144,000 paintballs we had been waiting for for three months! Praise the Lord they are still in usable condition after sitting in a sea container for so long.
Saturday will be one big event to kick off the summer as we start to go through the 69 boxes of paintballs.
We'll keep you posted on how those events go.

We'll there's lots to do.
Keep in touch and we'll try to keep you up to date.
Lots of love from Belize!

Alexander and Leah Perez

Exciting News!

2010-04-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

Some new things are happening around here.

We are pleased to announce that our good friend, and fellow SBC grad Armando Reyes will be joing us in God's work down here with BCE.

Three heads are better then two! and We are excited to see what fresh ideas and direction Armando will bring to this ministry.
Armando is currently in Manitoba raising some support to join us out here end of May.
Please pray for him as he prepares to join us, and consider finsncially supporting him in this new path God has led him too.

This Saturday we have our regular board meeting. So we ask for your prayers that we may all be of one spirit, seeking God's direction and confirmation in this childrens work.

The weekend of May 7-9, we are planning on taking 8-10 kids to the comunity of Blue Creek. The kids will help us do a councilor training with the youth, and also get to experience what life is like outside the city in farm country.

Have you heard about the 'house project' Alexander is working on?
To help support the costs of the ministry, we are putting together a house raffle. With the help of local churches and businesses we are trying to organize the construction of a small house, that will be raffled off for $10 a ticket. It will be a small wooden cottage like house, fully furnished ready to be placed at any location of the winners choosing. The proceeds will go directly to support the kids ministry we do, and the house will go to the lucky winner.

But there is more to it then just building the house. As the house is constructed we are wanting to bring in some of the kids we work with and teach them carpentry skills by having them work alongside the knowledgeable volunteers working on the house.

This same fundraising concept was done last year by the Belizean Crime Stoppers. They have decided not to do it again this year and have supported us with the house plans and trailor they used to transport the house.

We are looking for persons such as your self who would be willing to donate some building materials, contents for the house and manual labor. The more donations we recieve the more money raised goes directly to the kids programs. Please consider lending us a hand.
Be looking for more updates on this project, and a complete list of needed materials looking to be donated.

Thats all for now folks!
We'll keep you updated, keep checking back.

Alexander and Leah Perez

Easter season

2010-04-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

On Thursday March 18th We were in Blue Creek doing a training/recruiting session. We had 6 youth come out, and were very encouraged that half of them were there for the first time, wanting to know how they could get involved with us and the ministry.

We shared the basics of who we are and what we do, and challenged them with stories of our kids. We also had a lot of fun testing our puppet skills on each other.

On Saturday the Spanish Lookout youth came out again to help with a kids program. We had 100 kids in a small building with no yard, so things got a little complicated with some of the planned activities. But the kids had a blast anyways singing the songs and playing with a giant parachute in the road.

Then on March 22nd Alexander and I headed to Cuba to see about starting camp/children's programs with the local churches.

CCI and World serve have teamed up to support the church in the way of kids ministry and Alexander and I have the privilege of getting things going there.
We were please to meet with our contact John as he showed us around and gave us some insights to the country and the churches history.

We went with one goal: finding someone to start the ministry. A person we could encourage, to do the same work there, as what we are trying to do here. We feel satisfied that we found that one person and are looking forward to her adding others to her team.

Cuba is like no other place in the world. The churches work together like real Christians should, because there they actually need each other for support. I (Leah) am still soaking in all that I learned and saw.

What is for certain is that it's not going to take much for the ministry to grow and bear much fruit. The people are willing and eager to serve one another, especially the children, they are just lacking the resources - and we are going to see what we can do about that.

We would love to share more with you, so give us a call, or ask us the next time we meet. God is alive and well in Cuba - but please keep praying for the church there.

We got back early morning Sunday on the 28, and had little time to recover before camp started on Tuesday.

Camp took place at our house, making use of the beach and new concrete floor (thanks again Bayridge!). Ten of the oldest kids stayed the night for a sleep over.

On Wednesday night the children's camp ended with their regular church service where the kids presented a puppet show. Leah then addressed the adults about the Biblical importance of each individual being involved with training up the children.

On Friday Alexander and I headed out to help the “Chinese Christian Church Belize“ with their first youth camp. They did a great job of putting everything together – and oh what the food good! Alexander spoke to the youth Friday night for chapel about not being ashamed to be a youth for Christ and standing up for what’s right. Leah spoke Saturday night at the camp fire about “Christian Character,” acting like a Christian and making the right choices even when nobody’s looking.

On Sunday the whole congregation came out for church service and we all shared a meal together after – reminded me of the ol’ days at Bayridge. Then before heading home we went down to the river and baptized one of the youth. What and amazing time!

We had a great time getting to know the youth and adults of the church and look forward to working with them more in the future.

The kids don't go back to school until the 12th so you can be sure we'll be doing something with the kids, planned or not, until school resumes. We'll keep you updated as it happens.

Some things you can pray for:

Our Marriage - the devil likes to try to set us against each other when things get busy

Cuba - guidance and opportunities for our worker there as they get things off the ground, as well as for the finances needed to supply it's needs

Councilor training / Recruitment - after Easter we will start traveling training and recruiting help for camps this summer.

Keep in touch

Alexander and Leah

"to the point" Update

2010-03-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

Whats been happening:

Thursday March 9th:
We had the opportunity to do a skit at Queen Street Baptist School for their chapel.

Saturday March 11th:
Alexander was busy all day with a paintball game, having a chance to talk to the young men about Brotherhood.
Leah was busy baking and cooking and swimming and some Bible study with a group of young girls at the house.

Coming up shortly:

Thursday March 18th: Heading to Blue Creek for a Recruitment/training session with all persons who are interested in helping out in camps these up comming holiday seasons.

Friday March 19th: hoping to visit Ship Yard and other Orange Walk church's about up coming camps and summer activities.

Saturday March 20th: Spanish Lookout youth coming to do a kids program at Alpha and Omega Church here in the city.

Sunday March 21st: We head to Mexico on an overnight bus to catch a flight to Cuba the next morning

Monday March 22nd: catch a 10am flight to Havana Cuba.

Please pray for safe travel. That we will get to see and meet everyone God has in store for us to meet. For clear communication and understanding between two different languages and dialects of Spanish.
Also pray that we will meet the right people who have the same vision that things may move forward to expand the kingdom.

Saturday March 27th:
Fly back to Cancun Mexico.

Tuesday March 30- 31st:
Easter camp at our place with Reyo de Luz.

Also ahead: a leadership training camp to be confirmed shortly

A lot of work and lots of People.

2010-02-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of this month we were super blessed to have 4 men from Bayridge Alliance Church come on down for a week to help us get some work done on the house.
With them came Leah’s parents.

In four days they removed the stair case, extended the porch, constructed a new stair case, created a stair case to our toilet room, prepared and set a concrete floor for our down stairs. That’s not including the children’s church they helped us out with, the fellow-ship they shared, the sermons Pastor Ben preached and the encouragement they gave. They are some pretty awesome guys.

Thanks very much to their wives and families who sacrificed them for a week to help us out.
Thanks to everyone at Bayridge who sent down money, materials and puppets. I am so excited to get these things out to the local churches.
Thanks also to mom and dad. Dad for arranging and overseeing everything and mom for helping me cook and clean for all these men.

The week after, Leah’s parents stuck around for some much needed R&R.
Leah was also blessed to have two of her college buddies – JoLynne and Amber, stop in for a quick reunion and visit.

But the ministry did not stop while all these guests were here. Plans for this weekend’s fundraising BBQ have been on the go, Alexander’s kept up with his group of boys and their working program and plans for March’s ministry trip to Cuba is in the works.

On Saturday we are having our first fund raising BBQ at Quality Poultry in Belize City. Wanting to make this a regular event, we are having church follow-up leader, Nelly and her husband run it to keep our schedules open for ministry on Saturdays. Please pray that everything will go smoothly, that we will have a good response from the Belizean people and it will be a nice sunny day.

A date will soon be set for our visit to Cuba. We are still looking into taking a team of believers from Belize to encourage the Cuban people in the area of ministry. Please pray for these things, as well as for Leah as she’s still working on her Spanish skills.

We’ll try to keep you updated, if you try to keep us in your prayers.

Lots of love – from a country that needs a lot of it,

Alexander and Leah Perez

Let there be LIGHT!

2010-01-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

GOD said let there be light, and there was light.
Leah said let there be light, and seven months latter to the day – somebody finally got around to doing something about it.

Yes after 7 months of living beach front, in the swampy bush, we finally have power to the house. The past 7months have been a time of stretching our patience with weekly visits to the power company, broken promises and many changed plans. But as always God has shown himself faithful and we are now living in the light.

We feel more secure now, having electricity to aid our dogs and 10,000 angels who watch over our house. For the past 7 months every time we came home to find everything in place, we have thanked God for his faithfulness – while also reminding our selves that even if it were not so, God would not cease to be good.

Belize city is becoming more hostile as time passes. While you couldn’t tell it by the 5 cruise ships parked out front – a quick read of the weekly headlines is sobering:

The Amandala January 13, 2010: “Gangs’ truce ends with a grenade blast… The gangs agreed upon a cease fire – a truce that would end the violence that had just closed out the old year, during which ninety-four murders were committed in Belize – most of them occurring in Belize City’s south side by waring gang members…
in May 2004, 24 L109 grenades had gone missing from [British Army Training and Support Unit in Belize]… the first of the British-made grenades surfaced four years latter in Belize City, in September, 2008, during the Carnival Road march when someone threw one in front of a crowd of spectators in front of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (side note: we were there that day, with friends, in front of that same hospital but only heard about the it after we got home)… that grenade did not explode, but two others did in the same neighborhood in a matter of months, the last grenade incident being an explosion on December 30, 2009, which claimed the life of a teenager, 14.”

Another headline: M4 carbine stolen from BDF (Belize defense force) Guard Room at Price Barracks… the gun said to be a smaller version of the M16 machine rifle has not been recovered and the matter has been reported to the police.

Those are the stories that make the news, but here is one headline from our own experience this week:

Increasing problem, Child Beggars. Spotlight: Zron, age 8, mother deceased, abandoned by father, sent out on the streets by grandmother to beg, beaten when he gets home if he does not come home with enough money – has the scars to prove it. Boy requests’ asylum at Perez residence, “My grandma would be glad to have me gone. She can not handle me because there is nothing to do, but you make me work, Mr. Alexander, I’ll listen to you.” Request still pending.

These events make us look forward to heaven all the more. I encourage you to call and ask Alexander some of the things God seems to have in store for us this year: A trip to Cuba, Children’s training/work program, building and raffling a house off for the ministry, Easter leadership camp, and more! Alexander will talk your ear off in excitement!

out with the old in with the NEW YEAR!

2010-01-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

Below are some Updates on What we've been doing (If it's too much to read atleast look at the pictures!)

December 13 2009
Sp.Lookout EMMC members bring gifts for BZE kids
Six couples along with their children and 4 youth came for a service at Alpha and Omega Church in Belize City. We joined the Spanish Church (Reyo de Luz) from down the street. Had approximately 125 kids ranging from ages 2 to 16.
The Sp.Lookout guests participated by leading songs, and doing Sunday school with the kids. They also brought gifts for each child to take home – Pencil, Note book, Christmas baking, chips, juice, 5lbs beans, 5lbs Rice, two baby chicks and feed.
(P.S I'm still waiting on pics from those of you who were there)

December 18 2009
“Girls Thing” – Incarnation Celebration
Three girls and three mothers came. Did a devotional with them about the significance of Christmas and the wonder of the prophecies. We enjoyed chocolate cookies, chocolate pieces, candied popcorn and drinks. Each went home with a Christmas tree decoration with their names on it as a reminder of what we had learned.

December 22 2009
Speak at Ship Yard Youth Group
We were invited to speak at the Ship Yard youth group for 20mins on why we celebrate Christmas. 25 youth and leaders were in attendance. Many expressed appreciation for the lesson - when we in fact learned a lot and were challenged ourselves in preparing for this.We stayed an overnight at Pastor Henry and Tina's house - goodness we love them!

December 28-30 2009
Youth Camp
We had the privilege of helping out our friends Jeff and Shira Ellsworth of Destiny ministries in a Youth Camp. Leah was asked and had prepared a lesson on ways to lead children in a Sunday school type program, with the purpose of getting these youth excited about getting involved with the kids ministry at their church. Unfortunately we never got around to the lesson as Leah led the youth for many hours in team building activities. All the youth struggled with very low self-esteem and little respect for themselves and others. By the end of the three days, the group was slowly learning on how to work together better. The lesson is being saved for another time when we are invited back to help out with these youth.

December 31 2009
Carmalita New Years Celebration and sermon
Alexander’s sister in Carmalita has been developing a youth church over the past year. We have visited many times to assist her.
For New Years Eve she asked both Alexander and Leah to prepare sermons for their 5 hour service (8-12pm). Unfortunately due to a late start and over scheduling only Leah was able to speak.
Leah layed it down hard on the people that evening. She started out talking about how meaningless new years resolutions are, then walked through the book of Eclesasties, before asking them "have you ever considered that you may not live through this next year?" Goodness the people were thinking. Don't worry she didn't leave them hanging in dispare but told them of the goodnews and Saving Grace of Christ and gave an invitation for anyone who wanted to accept Christ as their saviour. One adult and a handful of children indicated that they had done so.
There were approximately 10 youth, 15 adults, and 25 children in attendance.

January 6 2010
Alexander's Working Program
Alexander Perez man is a man of vision and action. His latest program is a boys working program. As of late, when the kids are not in school, Alexander has been picking up a handful of boys to work. These boys have shown a huge potential in leadership skills and hard work. Alexander brings them to the house to do odd jobs like washing the truck, leveling the drive way and painting the house with black oil to get rid of any bugs. He works them hard, and gives stickt direction and disciplin - but we are sure to feed them and take them for a good swim in our ocean. But not before we take turns, reading through a chapter of the Bible (currently working on the book of John).

It doesn't take much - just love, direction and patience to win these boys over (all whom do not live with and some do not even know of their father). Everytime we pass their neighborhood boys come running out of the house asking when Mr. Alexander is going to come pick them up. We've even had one of the boys - the youngest one, ask if we could take him in... but thats another heart breaking story for another day....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

It was a green Christmas down here in Belize, but a beautiful one for sure!

Hope to update you soon!

Blessings to you and your family this holiday season

- Alexander and Leah Perez

BCE Christmas Wish List

2009-11-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

6 WEEKS till Christmas!
Can you believe it?
Have you started your holiday cards yet? Put up any decorations?
Already receiving request from the kids their list of demands... I mean wish list?

Well we've put together a wish list for our ministry of some things we need and would like to keep our ministry effective and blessing the Churches of Belize:

Stickers
Craft Supplies - kids scissors, glue sticks, etc.
Puppets
Bible times Costumes
Nerf/foam balls
Kids Christian video's
Sunday School or Camp Curriculum - We are starting a Curriculum Sharing Program where we are making different resources available to churches. Click here to check it out. We are looking for anything that would be a good addition to the selection, including youth and leadership training resources.
German kids curriculum/Bible stories/Christian material - we are working with an Evangelical Mennonite Church who is trying to reach out to their conservative community through the kids but are lacking children resources in their language.

Enjoy the holiday prep, it happens but once a year!

Busy Week

2009-11-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

It was a busy week getting ready for paintball on Saturday and hosting some heard working Blue Creek men who came to work on our house.

Check it Out!

Thank you very much Blue Creek Church for sending us your men and helping to pay our bill that we may be able to get electricity. May God Bless you for the Blessing you have been to us!

Saturday's paintball game was a success despite the rain.

We had guys come all the way from Blue Creek and Spanish Lookout and even some girls got in on the action too! WE also had the DJ's from the local radio station come join in the fun, and youth groups from around town.

Below is a video of the ending talk Alexander gave during the day, A challenge to the guys, not to be good guys, or even be "really good guys," but to be what God created them to be - MEN of GOD.

This Monday morning the guys from the local christian radio station were talking about the event on the air. They were met with one angry caller who kept calling back about his displeasure that Christians would be promoting "violent games" in a country who has MAJOR a problem with gun violence.

We acknowledge the concern but in no way are we at anytime promoting violence - but discipline and control when using such equipment, as well as team work in completing tasks during a game of paintball.

One person compared it to sex. Which is better to teach, safe sex or abstinence? So is it not better for the church to be promoting abstinence concerning guns, then to be encouraging games of it?

Our response to that: who would you rather have teaching your young daughter about sex? The sly, smooth talking guy down the street or her parents? Who would you rather have teaching young people about violence and gun use? The gangs here in Belize who glamorize violence or the church.

That is exactly what we're trying to do. Provide a safe, controlled venue for games that promote team work, disciple and control. While using the opportunity to address issues young men face, issues that are not being addressed in the church - shacking up before marriage, pornography, violence, abuse... etc.

And lets be honest, the ones causing the problems are not the regular Sunday church attendee. They are the ones you will maybe never get into a church to talk to them about such important issues - but perhaps we'll get them out to a paintball event.

And we're not doing this as a ministry for the sake of ministry. We are doing this as a tool for churches to use to reach out. So that if a young man does happen to make a decision of faith on the paintball Field, they can be connected to a church immediately.

We know the implications and concerns of "Paintball Ministry," and that is why we are being very intentional with how we do things.

Please pray for us as we address these issues and face these concerns and try to take what the devil intended for evil and use it for God's Glory.

Pastors, Puppets and Paint

2009-10-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

Pastors Conference - Great Success!

Alexander spoke on some foundational Biblical teaching kids need to know before they reach the teen years and Leah spoke on different approaches to youth ministry, including Contemplative Youth Ministry (thanks prof. Garth).

We met many new pastors there and made many more contacts.
Shared our new curriculum sharing program with children's leaders and our new paint ball ministry with pastors, who welcomed and were even excited about such a creative way to reach out to young men.
Alexander and I were greatly challenged, empowered and refreshed through the many speakers especially that of the Evangelist Andrew J. Willis. (http://www.ajwillis.info/).

Since the conference we've focused ourselves on helping out our churches with encouraging them in their follow-up programs. We spent a few hours meeting with each children's leader and prayed with them. They are each facing many struggles and we try our best to help them in any way we can. One Church is struggling with lack of support from the pastor, another has family issues to fight though, for another it's lack of resources, and for all of them it's lack of helpers to meet the needs of so many kids that show up each week.

One way we are trying to help is by meeting with the young people of their churches regularly to disciple them and encourage them to participate in the church.

Another thing we're starting is a sort of curriculum sharing program, where churches can donate their old curriculum and be free to sign out/photo copy or take curriculum they need to meet the needs of their church's children. We presented this idea to those we talked to at the Pastors Conference and got a good response. SO since then I have been compiling an inventory of what resources we already have, and will be going out looking for more from other churches.
One thing that many churches are interested getting a hold of is puppets. One church even uses the puppets to teach the older children puppet shows that they then go out and evangelize with.
So if you have any good puppets you're not making use of, send them on down!

Belize Camping Experience
P.O Box 161
Belize City, Belize
Central America

We're gearing up for a Big Paintball Event on October 31.
We've done two small games since last last event we reported and both went really well. It may seem like and games but it's not. WE take the opportunity to speak God's truth in to the young men's lives. Gun Violence is a big problem here in Belize City. When Alexander gave a talk to the youth group last week, he asked them - how many of them had a person close to them die from gun violence, and just about all of them had.

The 31st we're expecting close too, if not more then 100 people to come. Some will be "churched" but quite a few wont have. Alexander's working on a "straight up, manly" talk/devo to present the young men who come. Pray for him as he prepares to challenge these guys to step up and be real men power and strength - Men of God, and make some serious changes in their lives.

Keep Praying, We'll Keep You Posted!

Sorry for the late update... we've been busy!

2009-10-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

First of all we would like to say a special thanks to all of those who have come to help us in fixing up our house over the past month.
Shout out to Father Ron and Mother Mim.
Big thanks to Spanish Lookout men.

Our Appreciation sent to the Ship Yard youth group!

Keep a lookout in your mail - we just sent our semi-annual news letter. If you don't get one, let us know and we'll put you on the list!

Tomorrow! Please pray for us. October 8th -10th is an annual Pastors and Leaders conference here in Belize City. Tomorrow Alexander and I are going to be part of a panel discussion talking about issues relating to children and youth. We will be there for the rest of the days at our booth representing BCE reaching out to pastors and leaders who will be coming from all over the country.

Last Saturday we had a trail paintball game with selected young men and church leaders from around Belize City. To say it went well would be an understatement. The men had a blast and are all asking when we're going to do it again.

So that's the quick update for now... we'll write again when we have time.
Blessings to you all!
Leah and Alexander Perez

“Summer ’09 in Review”

2009-08-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

SUMMER SUMMARY

“Unity Presbyterian” Belize City - Camp July 14-16
21 Campers – 5 Helpers
*still waiting on pics from councilors*

“Solid Rock Academy” Dangirga Town – Camp July 22-24
84 Campers – 10 Helpers from Blue Creek EMMC and From Belize City

“Life Church Belize” Belize City – Camp Aug. 7-9
26 Campers – 8 Helpers from Spanish Lookout Fountain of Life Church

Curriculum taught covered – story of Rahab “anyone can come to God”
story of Esther “God defeats evil”
story of Jesus “death and resurrection”

“Ship Yard EMMC” Ship Yard - Aug. 13-15
10 Campers – 4 Helpers from the Ship Yard Church
Curriculum covered: “Heaven”, “the problem – Sin,” “the solution – Jesus”

Totals: 141 Campers
27 Helpers

Those of you asking “How many Children accepted Christ as their personal Saviour?,” our answer is “we don’t know exactly.” We have all of our councillors make the invitation to the kids, and most if not all of them “pray a prayer.” A seed has been planted and more then numbers, we are interested in seeing changed lives as we follow up with these Children.

Here is a wonderful example of changes we’ve already seen:
Word of Life Church, a new Church plant in the city, did their first camp this summer. A mom who had been attending convinced her 14 year old son Gabrial, to come to camp at least to help. Reluctantly he came along, bringing 3 friends for back up.

We had our hands full directing and disciplining these guys for their foul language and misbehaviour. But they kept coming back each day. We were sure that was the last we saw of them.

Then to our surprise, Tuesday evening when the church met for service, all of the guys showed up for the first time. We found out that some had never been to church before and one had never heard about Jesus before.
The next Tuesday meeting, again the boys showed up this time bringing more friends and even came when Gabriel’s mom couldn’t make it. Due to the sudden influx of youth, the church is now starting a youth night to meet the needs of these young people.

Right now, we are trying to organize our selves, by fixing up our house (which is also our office).
Besides our regular follow-up programs, continued youth training and promotion of the ministry, we are looking into a new project – a curriculum sharing program. It would be a library of sorts, where different lay ministers could contribute and borrow Sunday school and camp curriculum and materials. We’ll give you more information as it develops.

Please keep us in your prayers, even though our busy season is coming to a end.

GOD Bless
GO Bless

Alexander and Leah Perez

things keep on rolling....

2009-08-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

The summer keeps on moving forward and we’re trying to keep up.

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday we have a camp here in the city with “Life Church Belize.” They are a newly established church focusing on young people and it is their first camp, so we are excited to see what kind of fruit this camp ministry can bring to their church.

Then the next week on the 13-15 we are having camp in the Mennonite community of ShipYard. It is their second camp, their first having being held two years ago. We are excited to have youth from the Ship Yard EMMC church ready to be involved.

Please pray for these camps.

There is one more church that is planning on having camp yet this summer, but the details are slow to be worked out. We’ll keep you posted.

On another note, you’ll never believe the special guests we’ve had drop in!
Our dear friends from SBC Henry and Tina Redekopp were down this way checking out the country and we had the pleasure of spending some time with them.

Also Alexander’s mom, who he hadn’t seen in 20 some years, surprised us with a visit yesterday. She is only on the country for a week and we are trying to spend as much time with her as possible between sharing her with Alexander’s brother and camps.

Something else to pray about, I Leah, put my papers for my Belizean Nationality in on Monday and have and interview scheduled for next Monday. Not sure what to expect, or how quickly this means the process will go, but please pray that everything will work out well.

Sorry for not having any pictures up, I know some of you only check on here for the visuals but, I will upload them when I have the time and the internet available.

Keep in touch,

Alexander and Leah Perez

2009-07-25T11:01:00.001-07:00

CAMP 1. July 14 - 16 was our first camp here in the city. We did camp right at the church property and had approx. 64 kids our second day. Because of the lack of organization and leadership and organization on the church's part we were not able to provide the kids with lunch, but after we sent them home, we always had more kids come back after lunch for the fun.

The topic's for this summers lessons are: Jesus came to seek and to save the lost - the story of Rahab; Over come evil with good - the story of Esther; and Romans 10:9,the message of salvation. Each one of these lessons is showing to be quite relevant in the kids lives as they are learning about God's love despite people's reputations, loving instead of revenge, and how they can be part of God's family.

MOVED IN. During our first camp we moved into our new home. It took a bit of coordinating but both camp and moving went very smoothly. Please continue to pray for us as we live "back-a-bush" (as they would say it in creol). So far God has been very faithful in protecting us and we have no reason to believe he will let us down in the future.

CAMP 2. Just yesterday we returned from doing our very first camp in Dangriga. We had great support from Blue creek, sending 5 youth plus their youth leader Blaine. We also had some extra hands come from Belize City as well as a handful from Dangriga. We had lots of kids, starting with 53 kids on the first day, and we ended up with 84 kids on the last day and ranging in age from 4-13. We are so very pleased on how the camp went with most of the kids praying with their councilors desiering to follow Christ. Please pray along with us that these seeds will have fallen on good soil and take root in the kids hearts. We look forward to working with them again soon.

CHECK BACK SOON FOR PICTURES.

NEXT. The next camp is planned for August 7-9, but I'm sure atleast one more camp can fit in before that. And we're working on organizing more camps for after that.

US. Alexander and I (Leah) are doing really well. We are in good health and our sanity is almost normal. Thanks very much for your prayers and emails of support.

$$$. It's the thing we hate talking about most, money. BUT the subject is a necessary evil that we subject our selves too just because we love each of the kids soo very much. Our work would not be possible if it were not for your financial gifts. Please do not forget to send in your pledges and donations to:

Children's Camps International
300-571 Main Street
Winkler, MB, R6W 1E8
Canada
Phone:(204) 331-4003
Email:info@ccicamps.com

GOD Bless

GO Bless

Alexander and Leah

Ready… Get Set…

2009-07-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Update.

EQUIP, EMPOWER, ENERGIZE!

The children’s and youth’s seminar, months in the making was a huge sucesss. There were 62 people in attendance representing about 17 different churches. Issues related to young people were discussed and ministry workers were encouraged. Due to the great responses we are getting we are planning on having another one in November. We are also considering on gathering resources to have a sharing library of children and youth material. God has started something great and we are excited to see where he is going to take it.

TRAINING
We completed three summer trainings in preparation for the camping season that is upon us. The first in Belize City, we had 7 youth and leaders come from 2 different churches. IN Blue Creek we had 8 young people come out, and in Spanish Lookout we had 14 youth and leaders attend from two churches, EMMC and Fountain of Life. We are excited at the many new people who are interested and willing to help us out at camp this year.

Sp.Lookout Training

CAMPS
Dates are starting to be finalized. Our first camp is scheduled for only a week away, and much planning has yet to be done.
Unity Presbyterian Church will be starting their three day camp July 13.
On July 20th we will be in Dangriga preparing for our first camp in that area, scheduled to start on July 22, going until the 24.
And Life Church Belize will be holding their first camp (currently scheduled but most likely to be changed) on July 29-31st. More dates to be set for August.

HOUSE
This week we are starting to slowly move into our new house. Our house has a long way to go – it’ll be a few months yet before we have electricity, and we’re praying for rain that we may have water to use out of cisterns, and Alexander is going to set up a make shift shower outside cuz we don’t have a bathroom – the real missionary experience, so Alexander says… please pray for patience and endurance of the bugs.

We’ll keep in touch as best we can. Once moved our internet access will be limited, so rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you to pray for us until the next update.

GOD Bless
GO Bless

Prayer and Praise

2009-06-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

Things you can PRAY for:

TOMORROW’S TRAINING.
Tomorrow we are having a councillor training for Belize City Youth who are planning on helping us out at camp this summer. Please pray that we will have a good turn out and that it will be a productive time of preparation and soul reflection as we prepare for the summer. I am hoping to have some key people show up that we may start dividing out camp responsibilities so that people may be well prepared come camp time.

MORE TRAINING.
We are also in the middle of trying finalize plans for more training in Blue Creek, Spanish Lookout and Dangriga. Pray that these dates and time can be confirmed quickly that we may have time to prepare for what the Lord would have us teach to these youth.

CAMP.
We have two weeks of camp confirmed; July 13-16 and July 29-31.
We’re still waiting to confirm camp dates from at least two other churches.
Pray that God will start preparing the Children’s hearts for the message God has for them

EQUIP, EMPOWER, ENERGIZE!
That is the name of the pastor’s seminar coming up NEXT SATURDAY. It’s been along time coming. Alexander could use your prayers as he is busy contacting pastors and leaders encouraging them to come together and unite around the subject Youth and Children. Pray also that Alexander would be able to put his thoughts together clearly for the speaking he is preparing for the conference.

VISIT.
Our boss and Friend Steven Zechariahs will be joining us next week for the seminar and be spending some time encouraging and guiding us. Please pray for safe travels for him and that we will be able to make arrangements for our other guest that we may be able accommodate Steven upon his arrival.

PRAISE report!

HOUSE.
Thank the Lord our house is finally together! While there are some repairs to be done… water to be hooked up, electrical re-wired, bathroom to be built, etc… we are grateful that the house was able to be put together only one day before the rainy season started – and it’s rained ever since!

PAINTBALL GUNS.
Praise God! Thanks to the generous donation of Bayridge Alliance Church in Kingston, Ontario, we have been able to purchase 32 paintball guns for the starting of our paintball ministry here in Belize City. Our co-conspirer Jeff Ellsworth is heading to the states to pick them up this summer, and if we keep getting more support like that of Bayridge, we are hoping to open up this new ministry this coming Christmas Holidays (sounds far away – but there is lots to do before then!).

WHATS HAPPENING:

2009-06-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

EARTH QUAKE. So we experienced our first major earth quake the other week. I thought Alexander was just twitching in his sleep. But when I noticed the whole room was moving I woke him up and we took shelter under our heavy duty kitchen table. Later the morning we found out that after the quake there was a 90min sunami warning for the area. Thank God he spared us from such a disaster! Only some water towers in southern Belize were damaged or distroyed.

GDOP. May 31st was our 1 year anniversary, but also the Global Day Of Prayer. Being the first time this event was held in the city, we were a little sceptical as we helped with preparations – but God’s name was glorified as 9 Pastors from different churches and denominations came to lead in prayer, and over 200 people showed up. While this may not seem like much compared to other gatherings, it was an amazing show of unity – something that the Belizean Churches struggle with, working together and supporting each other.

Alexander was honoured to be able to pray for the Children of Belize City and the country.

GAZI. Last week we accumulated a teenage son for the month -Gazi 16yrs old. He is originally from Albania but has been living in Belize for the past 2 years. His adoptive father had to go to the states and back to Albania this month to work out something’s before Gazi is able to join him. So for the mean time, Gazi has been and will be working with us helping with moving and some kid’s ministry.
SPANISH LOOKOUT. Next weekend we are excited to host the Spanish Lookout Youth, from the EMMC Church. They are staying near the city for their Summer Youth Retreat, and have asked us to organize for them some city outreach projects for them. Some will be helping us around our property where we are moving, or at the garbage dump doing some ministry there, others working with kids and youth in the city or doing some street ministry talking to folks about what they believe in God. Please pray for this event, as we want it to be a time of growing for some of these youth who would never come to the city to do ministry other wise.

CUBA. Unfortunately it seems that Alexander’s trip to Cuba has been put on hold. The Christian event that Alexander was asked to speak at had since been taken over by the government, to which the churches then decided to back out.

PASTORS CONFRENCE. Things are moving forward for “Equip, Empower, Energize!” Steven Zacarias our boss from CCI, will be joining us a few days before the event and will contribute to the dialogue about what God is doing around the world in the area of Kids and Youth ministry. Please pray specifically for Alexander that he will be able to organize his thoughts as he prepares to be a main speaker at the event as well.

CAMPS. We are getting ready for camps this summer. We are expecting to run about 6 camps and have atleast 310 kids in attendance. Please pray for us as we are trying to get details prepared and dates orginized - which can be a difficult process in a culture that typically works last minuite.

MOVING. Please pray for us as we are in the process of moving our house. The work has been put on hold, due to circumstances and it is causing some major stress as the owner of the property our house is currently sitting on, has been harassing us, our workers and has threatened to burn down or break it down himself. Please pray for peace, protection and love for our enemies.

PAINTBALL. Have you heard about our vision for starting up a side ministry relating to paintball? We want to offer Churches and Youth Groups of Belize a venue for intentional outreach through the sport of PAINTBALL. It is not an official ministry and it is not a money making business – just a service to the Churches and Young men of Belize. Currently we have some resources (including 1.5 acres of land just out side Belize City) avalible to get started. But we’re looing to you for your interest, feedback and support. Look for our first official letter (below) in your church for more information. Don’t see one in your church but want to know more? Let me know and I’ll be happy to forward it on to you.

SO that’s what’s going on for now. We’ll keep you posted!
Alexander and Leah Perez

2009-05-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Exactly one year ago this month, Alexander and I got married.Its been a rollercoaster of a year but at the end of each day we still love each other, and people still believe in and support the ministry – so we must be doing something right!

I (leah) just got back from a short visit to Canada. I would like to say a big thank you to all of you who came to listen to the presentations on the ministry, the show of support was really encouraging and uplifting. I am really happy to be back at home in Belize with my husband – it really does feel like home down here.

While I was away Alexander was busy. The Spanish lookout youth returned for a Saturday afternoon program with the kids; He was helping to prepare with a pastor friend for the Global Day of Prayer; He’s been getting ready for the pastors and leaders conference on June 27th and also preparing the land for moving our house this next week.
(He even had the house and truck clean for me to come home too!)
I got myself a hard working man!

The pastor’s conference that was planed for May 23 had been postponed because of the swine flu. While there were, and still are no confirmed cases of the flu in Belize all public events and gatherings were pushed back. So please continue to pray that God will prepare the hearts of the people who will be attending and the speakers. Pray that people will catch the vision and be moved into action as it related to working with children and youth.

Something else that’s coming up!
Alexander is planning to return to Cuba the first week of July. He has been personally invited to come speak and encourage the church there. Details are still in the works, but please pray for inspiration as Alexander prepares himself, as well as for his safety.

Meanwhile, here in Belize we are working at trying to organize dates for summer camps, as well as trainings before that. There is curriculum to be written, supplies to be gathered, locations to be confirmed and councillors to be found.
Please pray for us as we head into our busiest time of the year.

GOD Bless
GO Bless

Alexander and Leah Perez

IMPORTANT NOTICE

2009-05-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

We are NOT able to access our ministry gmail account: belizecamp@gamil.com

Our new ministry account is : belizecampingexperience@gmail.com

Spread the word!
We're not sure how to contact people with out haveing their email address!

Sincerly, Leah

Cross-Current Good-bye and Gone onto other things…

2009-04-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

This past Saurday, Winkler Bible Camp's Discipleship team left after three full weeks of helping us in ministry. We got a lot accomplished with their help: five councillor trainings, three camps, two follow-up camps, three youth events, as well as some extra ministry opportunities we gave them like ministry at the garbage dump and rebuilding a Christian school’s playground. Seems like a lot – and it was, but we also made sure we gave them lots of time for rest and some sight seeing.

Our councillor trainings were in Blue Creek, 2 in Spanish Lookout (EMMC and Fountain of Life Church), Ship Yard, and Dangriga. It was our first time training in Dangriga. We were invited by the Assemblies of God Church of the town who also happens to run a Christian school. We spoke to the 15 attendees, a mixture of teachers and youth from 3 different churches, about what we do and some practical tools they can use. We look forward to meeting again with them in June to help them prepare for a day camp.

We had three Easter camps happen the week before Easter when the kids were off school. One of which was an overnight camp and the other two were day camps here in Belize City. The overnight camp was a church’s experiment at a camping program bigger then just day camps. While it did go well, there were some organizational issues that will need to be worked out by the church before they attempt overnight camp again.

They day camps went very well. The first was three days long with the Children of Unity Presbyterian Church. About 60 kids showed up, so we were very glad to have the help of Cross-current and some youth from the Blue Creek Church.
The other day camp was only for one day, with about 30 kids, a mixture of kids from two different churches. We gathered them at BTL park for an afternoon of games, stories and fun.

It was great having the team here, but now that they are gone it is back to the usual business. Alexander is busy preparing for a Pastors and Leader’s seminar on Children and Youth Ministry (May 23), and Leah is busy preparing lots of pictures and stories for her quick visit to Canada (Speaking at Bayridge Alliance Church May 17 and Burgfeld EMMC May 24). We are also both preparing for trainings and summer camp.

Thank you for your prayers and please keep them coming. Please pray for the churches that we are currently working with. This summer, the churches we are experience success with are going to be challenged to work more independently on creating and running their own day camp program. Please pray that God will prepare the hearts of those who will need to step up and take on this challenge. While this has the potential to move these churches a huge step forward in their own growth, it also has the potential to expose a huge problem the Belize Church deals with – lack of discipleship and commitment. Please pray that this will be an opportunity where God’s people will rise to the challenge, not crumble under pressure.

GOD Bless

GO Bless

Alexander and Leah Perez

The calm before the storm…

2009-03-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

This Friday the discipleship team from Winkler Bible Camp, “Cross-current” is coming out for three weeks. So Alexander and I are busy with the last minute details. We have a lot going on while the team is out – three councillor trainings and three different Easter camps.
We’re going to have our hands full, so we could really use your help.

How can you help?

1) If you’re living in Belize – the one church that we are doing an overnight camp with, is having a hard time getting responses from their business sponsorship letters they sent out – so if you would care to donate something, anything (craft supplies, rice, flour, etc) it would really help them out.
Also, we are in need of some extra camp councillors. You don’t have to be a youth to be a camp councillor – have kids? I’m sure we can make room for you to bring them too!

2) You can pray for us:

That the van we arranged to use, would be working by Friday or that we can find another affordable transportation to use.
We would get enough camp councillors for Easter
Safety as we travel up and down the country, and work in the city
Health that as we are kept busy, we or any team members wont get sick
That God will speak to the youth and children we will be ministering too through camp and councillor training

And anything else the Spirit leads you to pray for us about…

We’ll try to keep in touch over the next three weeks, but if not, we’ll be sure to have a big update at the end on how everything went.

On another note we have just started with a new Church Plant that is going on in the city. We will be working with them to reach out to the children and develop a strong young people's focus. What is unique about this church is that it is a church plant started by young people for young people. They have strong accountability and a big vision. We are excited for what God is about to do through them in this city.

GOD Bless
GO Bless

2009-02-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

This month has been that of ups and downs.
Alexander was sick for two weeks with Dengue Fever – but thankfully he was well enough in time, to head to Cuba as planned to meet with leaders about Children’s programs in their country.

While Alexander was away, I was holding down the fort here in Belize City. A couple of days into Alexander’s absence my sister Becky came out to keep me company since she was on spring break. I spent the time alone preparing for a workshop I was asked to do at a Belizean Youth Conference in Balmopan. Last minute they didn’t end up needing me, but my sister and I hoped on a bus to Balmopan anyways. It was a good chance to meet other youth workers in the country and connect with the youth we’ve been working with over the past year.

Alexander’s adventure in Cuba was a bit more interesting. I’ll let him tell it in his own words:

(I flew from Cancun; I got to Havana and ride the bus for 12 hr to the City of Holguin. Then I visited churches and camp site on all the Orange Stars. I visited 4 cities and 2 were poor. I also got taken into place where the Government do not allow foreigner.)

Thankful to God for the opportunity to represent CCI in Cuba. It happens that I was going to meet with Ray Wieler and Steven Zacharias in the City of Holguin and the Representative of World Server - the Organization CCI is partnering with to reach Cuba. Unfortunately Ray and Steven missed their flight because of a snow storm. So I got to observe the Cuban Church on behave of CCI with goal of planting camp ministry into the heart of the Cuban Church.

(Play Guardalvaca was where I visited the church that was hit by the hurricanes 6 month ago. To Sad to say that the church does not have any roof since then. Lack of mullah.)

Some things I got to see in the church: their were more youth than children, their were some children programs and lots of interest on the development of children outreach, need of Children resources and training, the churches are oppress by the Government however there is a big movement through house church plant, 95 % of church are poor, a pastor gets 35$ U.S dollar a month full time ministry.

(Small village of Cacocum. 1 hr drive from Holguin we visited the Church by Name of “En Espiritu Y Enverdad” 200 hundred members not including the children. )

I visited 4 cities in Cuba with ministries and I meet the most outstanding leaders and pastors of two denominations. I visited many churches and camps site that were run down. House churches in Cuba were 18 ft by 24 ft with an average of 200 people. Cuba government does not allow building churches on empty property. The only way to have a church is in a house. In other words, Cuba Church is trusting in the Lord, and doing good, and they feed on God faithfulness."

The saturday after Alexander got back he spoke at a Children's rally that had been postponed from January.

Also, that same Saturday Spanishlookout Youth made their monthly visit to the City. Below Elsie and Nancy are doing an object lesson for the kids.

Coming up:
Training in Blue Creek this weekend
Soccer camp on March 9th Baron Bliss day
Cross-current comes on March 27th

Easter camp April 6-9th

Pray, Pray Pray!

2009-02-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

We really need the prayers of our friends and family right now.

AS most of you know Alexander has been battling Dengue Fever, and while he's slowly (very slowly) getting better we still need your prayers. Especially because on Monday Alexander is booked to fly out of Cancun to Cuba for a week with Children's Camps International.

Pray that he will be much better by the time he has to leave. Also pray that even though he is sick, God will prepare him for whatever lies ahead of him in Cuba, that he may be an encouragement to the believers there.

Please pray for me as I hold down the fort here alone. I feel safe staying by myself and my sister will be coming out for her reading week so it wont be so bad.

The Valentines weekend coming up, my sister and I will be heading to YC in Belize's Capital of Belmopan. Its a youth convention for the Christian youth of Belize. I've been asked to put together a worship for the Saturday afternoon. I plan on speaking to the youth about their roll in the church, and trying to encourage them to get involved. Through that I'll be presenting to them what we do as Belize Camping Experience.

Pray for me as I put the last touches on my talk. I really want the discussions to be relevant for what the youth are experiencing and hope to be used by the Holy Spirit to move these young people to action.

Thanks for all your support - this past week would have been unbearable without it.

GOD Bless
GO Bless

Busy busy busy!

2009-01-19T10:03:00.000-08:00

A few things have happened so far:
Leah turned 22, Denis and Janice – Alexander’s Canadian parents came out for a visit and while we were here we dragged them across the country as we did ministry.

On January 9th we had a meeting with a youth group in Christo Rey where we spoke to them about the children’s ministry we wanted to help them start. On the 10th we traveled down to Dangriga where we met with Pastor Mike Evan’s to arrange training with local churches, youth and Christian leaders. We also connected with another pastor in Mayan King about future work we could do with them.

Taking hold of the opportunity, we went down to Placencia where we met a wonderful young couple traveling from Hawaii, whom we ended up snorkelling with. (He is a professional photographer, and just look at the wonderful shots he got!)

Then on the 13th we headed to Spanish Lookout, where Denis got a tour of the Belizean farming community, and we connected with Walter Thessien about challenging the local church to support the ministry.

We finally headed back to the city on the 15th to do laundry, to only take off the next day to Orange Walk for lunch with Marrisol (Alexander’s sister). There was a Children’s Rally at which Alexander was to speak at on Saturday, but it was cancelled due to rain.

Back to the city Saturday afternoon for supper and a night with Karl and Laura - church Sunday morning with a wonderful message from Karl, then more visitors for lunch… another church service in the evening – sleep finally, and then this morning Alexander took Den and Jan back to Mexico.

It’s been a whirlwind but great and encouraging. We are so grateful for the visit, and all the cards and letters and gifts, (and chocolate and coffee!) that were sent along with them from friends.

Things coming up to pray for:
Preparations for a pastors and leaders forum we are planning in Belize City on March 28th
Inspiration for creating curriculum
Arrangements for Alexander to go to Cuba for a week in February
Preparations for Cross-current to come end of March to April

Please also pray for us as a couple that we may able to keep a balance between marriage, ministry and our own personal quite time with God.

Thank you for your prayers and support – Alexander and Leah Perez
GOD Bless
GO Bless

Welcome!

2009-01-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Our next blog will be at this address - figured it was about time that our blog represented both members of this ministry and marriage... Alexander and Leah!