Belize Biblical Resource Center

Getting Beyond "God Bless the Missionaries"

2008-11-17T08:16:00.005-06:00

GETTING BEYOND"GOD BLESS THE MISSIONARIES"

Pray Regularly.

Pray Specifically.

Pray whenever your missionary "just comes to your mind" and you weren't even praying.

DAY 1: THE MISSIONARY'S OWN RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

• That they would put aside all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy & slander so that like newborn babes they would long for the pure milk of the word

• That they would pray without ceasing, praying at all times in the Spirit, ever on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints

• That they would be careful how they conduct themselves, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, continually filled with God's Spirit

• That they would grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

• That they would deny self daily, take up their cross and follow Jesus, submitting to Him, resisting the devil.

DAY 2: THE MISSIONARY'S PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL LIFE

• Adaptation to the climate

• Health in the midst of disease • Safety in danger

• Victory over loneliness

• Victory over depression

DAY 3: THE MISSIONARY'S FAMILY

• Husband/wife relationship

• Children

• Relationship with others

• Family life as a model to nationals

DAY 4: THE MISSIONARY'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE

• Language study

• Continual fluency improvement

• Cultural adaptation and understanding

DAY 5: THE MISSIONARY'S MINISTRY

• Teaching (Col 1:28, 29), preaching (1Cor 1:23,2:2), witnessing (Acts 1:8) making disciples (Mt 28:19-20 2Tim 2:2)

• Pray that God may open up to them a wide door for the Word of the Lord so that it would spread rapidly and be glorified

• Pray for prepared hearts that hear the Word, receive it, and bear fruit with perseverance

• Pray that when they speak, God will give them the words so that they can speak forth the mystery of the Gospel with boldness and without fear.

DAY 6: RELATIONSHIP WITH FELLOW WORKERS

• Other missionaries

• Other mission groups

• National evangelists, pastors and teachers

DAY 7: HIS COUNTRY OF SERVICE

• Government – national and local

• Political situation

• Visas, continued open doors

• Outreach to cities, villages and tribes

**Adapted and modified from guidelines originally published by Overseas Missionary Fellowship

Rapture and the Second Coming

2008-11-04T19:05:00.004-06:00

Listed below are 15 differences between the Rapture and the 2nd Coming.

Rapture = A Second Coming = B

A . Jesus coming FOR His Church. John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 4:14-17
B. Jesus coming WITH His Church Col 3:4, Zech 14:5, Jude 14, Rev 19:14
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A. Caught up with Him in the air 1 Thess 4:13-18
B. Jesus' feet touch the earth Zech 14:4, Rev:19:11-21
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A. Christians taken first, unbelievers are left behind. 1 Thess 4:13-18
B . Wicked are taken first, the righteous (Tribulation saints) are left behind.Matt 13:28-30
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A. Purpose: To present the Church to Himself and to the Father 2 Cor 11:2, Rev. 19:6-9
B. Purpose: To execute judgment on earth and set up His Kingdom Jude 14-15,Rev 19:11-21, Zech 14:3-4
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A . MARRIAGE: Marriage of Lamb in heaven after the Rapture
B . WAR: Marriage is followed by war on earth at the 2nd coming
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A. Happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (too fast for eyes to see) 1 Cor 15:52
B. Slow coming, people will see Him come back.Zech 12:10 Matt 24:30, Rev 1:7
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A. Only Christians will see Him 1 John 3:2, 1 Cor 15:52
B. Every eye will see Him Rev. 1:7
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A. Jesus descends with a shout(for resurrection) 1 Thess 4:16
B. No shout mentioned Rev. 19:11-21
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A . A resurrection takes place 1 Thess 4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:51-54
B. No resurrection mentioned Rev 1:7, 19:11-21, Zech 12:10, 14:4-5
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A. Can happen at any time Rev 3:3, 1 Thess 5:4-6
B. Occurs at end of 7 years of Tribulation Dan 9:24-27Matt 24:29-30, 2 Thess 2:3-8
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A. No angels are sent to gather (resurrected people don't need angels to help them)
B. Angels sent forth to gather people together for judgment Matt 13:39, 41, 49, 24:31, 25:31, 2 Thess 1:7-10
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A. Spirits of those dead in Christ return with Jesus to receive their their resurrected bodies 1 Thess 4:14-16
B. Christians return with Jesus in already resurrected bodies riding on white horses. Rev 19:11-21
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A. Jesus does not return on a white horse
B. Jesus returns on a white horse Rev 19:11
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A. For the Church only (those in Christ) 1 Thess 4:14-17
B. For redeemed Israel & Gentiles Rom 11:25-27, Matt 25:31-46
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A. A message of hope and comfort 1 Thess 4:18, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3
B . A message of judgment Joel 3:12-16, Rev 19:11-21, Mal 4:5

A Child is Born

2008-10-24T21:19:00.002-06:00

Please rejoice with us as a new child is born into the family of God!

Her name is Jenni Markey. This is someone that Janis especially has been witnessing to for some time. This afternoon (10/24/08) she and her husband came over for lunch. After returning home she posted the following description of what happened this afternoon in an online women’s group.

When Janis and I were talking earlier, she told me that the way I lived was like holding on to a curtain in a flood, to save myself. She gave me a curtain to take home and told me to bring it back when I was ready to believe. I couldn't leave with it. I gave it back to her, and saved myself. I have to learn now, not to be afraid of death. I always have been.
My life will be very different now. I had always thought I WAS a Christian, that I WAS of Christ. I was raised in a good Anglican family by parents who were missionaries in Africa. Janis has shown me the way to the true life. I thank you Janis and I thank the Lord for bringing me to Him. I believe. I have to learn to live my life in Christ, and it won't be easy. I've sinned a lot in my 63 years. I'll be asking for lots of help and prayers. Right now I have many emotions, tears and fears.

Jenni

Newsletter - Oct. 2008

2008-10-24T20:57:00.003-06:00

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ from Belize!

We are back in Belize after being in Massachusetts for three weeks. Janis returned to Massachusetts General Hospital for tests to check the results of her surgery last April. The doctors were very pleased with all the results.
We want to thank Pastor Serrano and all our brothers and sisters in Christ at Calvary Baptist Church in Dedham, Massachusetts for hosting us while we were up there. It was a great pleasure to fellowship with you and participate in your missions emphasis month. We have returned to Belize greatly encouraged in the Lord’s work by all your kind hospitality.

We also want to thank Dr. Price for the invitation to preach at Mattapan Baptist Church. It was wonderful to meet so many more brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you all for you gracious encouragement in the work of the Lord!

It is a pleasure to announce that we have reached an agreement to rent the building down the street for Old Paths Christian Church. This will also be the meeting place for Firstfruits Children’s Outreach. The rent will be $200 US per month plus utilities. While we were away this month the owners did a lot of work on the building by fixing up the bathrooms, putting in windows (wooden slats) and painting. There is still a lot more patching and painting that we will need to do when we begin renting on November 1st. Since the building is concrete with tile floors all the surfaces inside the building are hard. This gives the large open room that we will use for services the acoustics of a really bad echo chamber. We will need to find ways to soften the surfaces and eliminate sound bounce before we can effectively communicate the Word of God in there.

Please pray that the Lord will guide our purchases for the building and strengthen us for the work. Please pray that the Lord will bring those he desires to the meetings. Please pray for the working of the Holy Spirit through His Word.

We also ask that you pray for the health of a dear friend and co-laborer in Christ Brother Troy L. Cope who is such an encouragement to the work going on here in Belize.

Your Missionaries to Belize,
Andrew & Janis Hill

Newsletter August 2008

2008-08-26T12:56:00.002-06:00

Belize Biblical Resource Center
PO Box 151, Corozal Town
Belize, Central America
011-501-422-0180
http://belizebiblicalresourcecenter.blogspot.com/

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from Belize !

While we were in the States earlier this year for medical treatment, the building that we were using for Old Paths Christian Church was sold. The new owners are converting it into a restaurant and we are no longer able to use it for services. We have found another building close by that we expect will become available sometime in September. The rent for the new location would be $250 US per month plus utilities. We have not yet been able to see the inside, but we believe we will need to paint the building inside and out. The purchase of chairs and a few tables to furnish the interior will also be necessary. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance and provision as we move forward seeking a new location for the Church.

The Firstfruits Children’s Outreach is continuing to thrill the local children. Last night (August 19th) was a special “back to school” meeting. Each child received a package containing notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, glue, crayons, scissors and a globe pencil sharpener. Families here are often so poor; they have a hard time affording these basic supplies. The evening culminated with the children having races up and down our dirt road. It was amazing to see them running so fast over rocks and dirt especially as most of them are barefoot! Even so, they squealed with delight and were not the least disappointed when they collected their prizes!

Earlier this month the Firstfruits children were studying Noah and the flood. Then they received a very special guest appearance from Noah himself! Janis dressed up a local friend of ours who is a big imposing fellow, in period costume (i.e. bed linens ha!). She sprinkled baby powder in his hair to make him look aged. He was so convincing that one nine year old boy thought… he was the real Noah! The children are enjoying themselves, but most importantly they are learning biblical truth. Please pray that the Lord will open their understanding to his word and fill their hearts with faith.

HEAT is the only word that can describe conditions down here right now. Almost every day the heat index goes over one hundred ….and that’s in the shade inside our house! Belize electric rates are among the highest in the world so we do not have the option of air conditioning. In October things will begin to cool down…..we can’t wait!

Since returning to Belize we have had to fight some heath battles. Janis had what appeared to be a mini-stroke a few weeks ago. She felt weak on her right side for several days afterward, but is feeling better now. A week after we returned to Belize , Andrew’s lymph nodes began swelling again. Please pray that the Lord will heal us and protect us from major health attacks.

Thank you for your prayers and continued encouragement and support. We pray that the Lord will lead and accomplish his purposes in Belize to the praise and glory of His name throughout eternity….Amen!

Your missionaries to Belize ,
Andrew & Janis Hill

What If No One Warned You?

2008-07-28T19:17:00.001-06:00

What If No One Warned You?

Imagine that you’re driving along a highway and pass a man walking toward you on the side of the road. He waves and smiles; you wave back. But as you round the bend just beyond him you suddenly realize that the bridge across a deep canyon is out!

How would you feel about someone who knew the bridge was out but didn’t tell you? Wouldn’t you expect that a person with such crucial information would do whatever was necessary to warn you of danger ahead?

A greater danger

Most people are heading down the highway of life hoping to be good enough and to do enough good things to someday arrive in heaven. Many were baptized as infants. They attend religious services. They’re trying to follow their pastors, priests, spiritual advisors, or consciences. They provide for their families and even contribute to charities. They depend on these things to be their bridge to heaven and eternal safety. They believe that religious traditions, the decrees of spiritual leaders, or the interpretations of popes or denominations are enough to serve as their bridge.

But listen to what Jesus said to religious leaders in His day: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! Thus you nullify [invalidate] the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down” (Mark 7:8,13).
A Bible author—John—who knew Jesus well when He was here on earth, wrote this about the only way to God: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13). Not “hope” or “think,” but know that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. That simple first-century message is still true in the 21st century!

The ultimate risk

Jesus warned that “wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13). Those people are choosing the road with the bridge that’s out—it will never get them to heaven! You’re taking the ultimate risk if you have doubts about the religious bridge you’re planning to take to cross over into God’s heaven—the consequences of your choice are eternal.

Jesus urged his hearers to “enter through the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13). The person who truly believes that Jesus alone is “the way” (John 14:6) has this assurance in Jesus’ own words: “Whoever hears My word and believes Him [God the Father] who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). The true believer has Jesus’ word on it—the bridge is there, and it crosses over to heaven!

Jesus, God’s sinless Son, chose to come to earth to pay the “eternal death penalty” for the sins of humanity. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). Jesus became the bridge to God by exchanging his righteous life for the lives of all sinners who ever lived—to die “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Then Christ’s resurrection proved that His payment for our sins had been accepted by God the Father.

No place for doubt

Those who accept God’s offer of eternal life, by wholeheartedly trusting in what Christ has already done for them, are the ones who will stand accepted by God. The instant they place their confidence in Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins, they are right with God now and forever.

Traditions may teach it, but nowhere in the Bible does it say that we can be right with God through good works, baptism, church membership or good intentions. It comes only by trusting in Jesus as our perfect “substitute,” believing that His death accomplished the complete payment for our sins—once and for all. Eternal life is God’s gift, “not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Though the spiritual “narrow road” is not the one most people are taking to eternity, it’s the only one the Bible says goes to heaven. If you were that person on the highway with the bridge that’s out, I think you’d warn me, so I hope you’ll understand my concern for your eternal safety. I want you to know that you’re taking the road that will ensure that you arrive in heaven, not hell when this life is over.

If you choose Christ’s way, you can express your decision to God in a prayer like this: Dear God, I admit that I have been trying to get to heaven my own way. Now I’m convinced that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I believe that he died in my place and took the judgment that I deserved for my sins. I accept your offer of forgiveness. I want the eternal life Jesus promises to those who believe in Him. Thank you for helping me find the sure way to heaven!

Text: Doug Salser • Copyright © Literature Ministries International, 2008Bible quotes: New International Version. Used by permission.

A New Type Of Preacher

2008-07-18T21:00:00.003-06:00

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. --Acts 20:24

If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation, it must be by other means than any now being used. If the Church in the second half of this century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half, there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting.

Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt- spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the One and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath. A.W.Tozer - The Size of the Soul, 128-129.

Another Welcome Home

2008-07-14T19:25:00.005-06:00

The outside of the card reads "Hope your feeling Better" Then on the inside "feeling Better"

I hope your feeling better. God was right beside you always. I thank god (God) that your alive. I give you this from the bottom of my heart. I hope you feel better"

The back side of the card has a heart with "feel better" written inside and From: Nicole Lopez To: Ms. Watita (Janis translates to Juanita in Spanish, but she misspelled "Juanita".)

2008-07-14T17:08:00.006-06:00

Mr. Quanita, (she meant Mrs. Juanita)

You are the great person I ever meet. Thanks for you being like that with me and others you are a good person with us we think you have done a lot of things for us so we oh you a lot. Mrs Quanita we are asking with many thanks...by being a good person with us. The days you were not here we all missed you so much, we thought something terrible happen to you but know that you are here we give thanks to god (God) by letting you be with us again. We are all glad to see you here, sorry I didn't give you this letter because I was waiting for this day to come. With love your friend,

Kein Shajiry and Axel

I Should Be Dead

2008-07-09T13:45:00.002-06:00

Greetings in the name of Jesus,

The blockage in my carotid artery was OVER 99%! I should not have survived. I should have been dead from the onset of symptoms in Oct. Instead I flew to Mass. the flight should have caused a stroke due to changes in air pressure, but the Lord kept me. The surgeon told me at my check-up that he almost could not keep the artery open and that is why the surgery took longer than it should have, but he kept it open by the grace of God. At my re-check the tech that did the ultra-sound on my neck said that they usually don't see people with a blockage greater than 80% (because greater than 80% people die), but they saw me at over 99%! The following day when I went to see my primary to be released he said "I'm surprised you survived." He is the director of doctors at Harvard Medical Center and he was surprised!

We left Belize and had no insurance, but the Lord provided. We did not have to pay one penny for anything except my prescriptions, which cost $1.00 each. I had, literally, the world's best vascular surgeon do this surgery. That is provision. Provision that only the Lord Himself could have provided.

Satan would have had me dead and Andrew hopeless if he could, but our God is the very God who created the universes and breathed life into us. He is our Sustainer and Provider and King. He IS.

I have a blockage in my right chest. It will be taken care of at a later date.

I return in Sept. for the carotid follow-up. Though my liver was inflamed it has completely cleared up. I do have a calcium deposit (pre-cancer) in my right breast. There have already been two mammogram and I will have a follow-up mammogram in Sept. I was severely anemic, but that is almost a thing of the past.

Today we are back in Belize and have begun to pick-up where we left off. Lord willing we will see people come to the Lord and bring glory to His precious name.

March Newsletter - 2008

2008-03-30T10:37:00.003-06:00

Belize Biblical Resource Center
P.O. Box 151
Corozal Town, Belize
Central America
011-501-422-0180

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! The last month has been an eventful one. We have been excited about the beginning of Old Paths Christian Church and the continued growth in Firstfruits; the outreach to children.

Wonderful things were happening when suddenly Janis was struck with a serious attack to her health. On Sunday morning March 2nd as we were preparing to leave the house for service, Janis suddenly discovered that she could not get her breath. We had to cancel service that morning and some friends drove us to the hospital in Mexico. The doctors there prescribed additional medications which did not help.

Following a second trip to the hospital in Mexico and still finding no relief we decided to fly to Massachusetts for medical treatment. We borrowed an oxygen tank from friends to sustain her while hurried preparations and arrangements for the trip could be made. On March 8th dear friends of ours, Timothy and Eve, graciously picked us up at 2:30 AM and drove us to the bus station in Chetumal, Mexico. I had pre-purchased bus tickets on-line at the bus companies’ web site. When we arrived at the bus station at 3:30 AM we were informed that the boarding pass I had printed out from the on-line purchase was not adequate. The man behind the counter said we also needed a ticket, but the tickets were locked in the managers office and the manager would not be in until 7:30 AM. Our friends, who speak Spanish fluently, patiently argued with this man for more than a half hour, but were unable to resolve this problem. To make matters worse the man working the counter was not authorized to process credit card transactions and we did not have enough pesos to buy new tickets. Since there were no money changers open in the wee hours of the morning we were stuck and in danger of missing our flight from Cancun. Again Timothy and Eve stepped in and helped us. They arranged to get us on another bus and even purchased the tickets for us. We finally left on the next bus at 5:30 AM.. To make sure we received a refund on our credit card, Tim & Eve remained at the bus station until the afternoon and did not leave until they had an apology in writing from the bus company! They were a God send through that whole ordeal. I don’t know what we would have done without them. When we finally arrived in Boston it was 9:30 PM. It had been a long day, but we were relieved that Janis came through it without any serious medical complications.

Since our arrival here Janis spent several days in the hospital while having diagnostic tests, including an echocardiagram, thallium stress test, and CAT-scan. She has been blessed with a very good doctor. He is the Director of Doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital which is the teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. The tests have revealed that she has asthma, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and blocked arteries in her right chest. She is scheduled to see a vascular surgeon on April 2nd, whom her doctor described as being the best vascular surgeon in the world. Even though we are thankful that the Lord has lead Janis to good doctors to help her, we will keep our faith in the Lord to determine the outcome. Please pray for her.

Thank you for all your love, prayers, encouragement and support.

In the Lord Jesus Christ,
Andrew & Janis Hill
Missionaries to Belize

Message From Firstfruit Child

2008-03-05T17:33:00.003-06:00

As many of you are aware of, I have had difficulties with my heart the past few months. Sunday we had to cancel church, as I awoke in heart arrhythmia. My cardiologist was out of town, so I was sent to another hospital, where a cardiologist was called in. He simply gave me two more prescriptions and sent me home. On Monday night I could not breath. A friend, who has a heart condition, brought me a tank of oxygen. I saw my doctor last night (Tuesday) who told me I was addicted to the oxygen (after one night?) and gave me a different prescription and told me to come back in 30 days. (sigh) It has been frustrating to say the least, but God is in control. We have no insurance in the States, so we appreciate your prayer concerning what we need to do to get a firm diagnosis and resolution to the problems.

Having said all of that, I wanted to share with you that I had to cancel Firstfruits yesterday as well. One of the children, a 13 year old girl named Shajiry, brought a note to me a few minutes ago. It was so sweet I thought I would share it with you all (parenthesis mine):

"Mrs. Quanita (Mrs. Juanita - Spanish for Mrs Janis)

I am sorry of your heart that you had to go to the hospital. I wish you can steel (still) read for us and be well of your sickness. Axel (her brother) and I wish you the best to cure your sickness. We want you to be proud of us and of you. We want you to be good person without your sickness. We all like the Bible class you because you taught us many things of God. I know of your sickness so I wish you the best. thanks for giving Bible class. May God bless you.

Thanks,

Shajiry"

The Meaning of The Folded Napkin

2008-03-01T22:17:00.004-06:00

The Meaning of The Folded Napkin

Why did Yashua, Christ Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? John 20:7 tells us that the napkin, which was placed over Yashua's face, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. Rather, the napkin was neatly folded and placed at the head of that stony coffin.

1) Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.2) She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Master's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they put Him!"3) Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. 4) The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. 5) He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. 6) Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there. 7) While the cloth that had covered Yashua's head was folded up and lying to the side.

Why is this detail important?According to the Hebrew tradition of that day, when the servant set the dinner table for his master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. When table was furnished perfectly the servant would wait, just out of sight, until his master had finished eating. When the master was done he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth and his beard, then wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm done". But if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because the folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

He is Coming Back!

Author Unknown

Newsletter Feb 2008

2008-02-28T19:39:00.003-06:00

Belize Biblical Resource Center
PO Box 151, Corozal Town
Belize, Central America
011-501-422-0180

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ from Belize!

It has been an eventful month here in Belize. Many obstacles threatened to hinder the opening of Old Paths Christian Church. Nevertheless the Church opened on February 3rd as planned.

In our last newsletter we mentioned how Pam, the owner of the church building, was beaten and robbed in her home during the early morning hours of January 19. The man who broke into her home pointed a shotgun at her face and fired. She somehow ducked and the shot missed her - hitting the bathroom wall instead. The intruder them proceeded to beat her with his gun. At some point a neighbor heard her struggle and yelled from outside. This frightened the intruder and he fled from the house. Regrettably Pam suffered some serious injuries as a result of the attack. She had stitches from the crown of her head all the way down the back almost to her neck. Her eye socket bone was broken and she has lost the top half of her vision in that eye. She also suffered many defensive wounds - a broken knuckle and various cuts and bruises. Pam is not a believer, but was present at the first service. We did not see Pam at the second service on February 10th, however that night she had a very serious car accident. Her vehicle rolled over several times and she was thrown out of it. The car was totaled. She was rendered unconscious. In addition to the previous wounds, she now suffers from a broken wrist, a broken clavicle, and a broken neck. She was airlifted to Florida for surgery after 10 days. Later she will be airlifted to Canada, where she is from, for more medical care. Please remember her in prayer, as she needs the Lord.

It is interesting to note the first service at Old Paths Christian Church was held exactly one year to the day of our first morning in Belize. The church building has a thatched roof and lots of ventilation as well as ceiling fans for the hot weather. As the building had been a restaurant in the past there were plenty of chairs and tables already. The only furniture we needed to purchase was a pulpit. We are using a small portable CD player for music and we print bulletins and song sheets from the printer at the Resource Center.

The outreach to children called "Firstfruits" has continued with meetings every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 PM. Word has been spreading among the children throughout the neighborhood, so that new faces appear regularly. The children listen attentively to Bible stories and Janis quizzes them to make sure they are paying attention. This evening they were all singing in unison "Jesus Loves Me". Janis really seems to be in her element with the Children. She loves them and I can see that the children are growing to love her too.
Please pray that the Lord will work in us and through us to reach children and adults for the Lord. Pam has her house and the church building up for sale. Please pray that Old Paths Christian Church would continue to have use of this building into the foreseeable future.
Thank you all for your prayers, love, encouragement and support.

Blessings to you all,
Andrew & Janis Hill
Your Missionaries to Belize

P.S. I always notice that children sing "Jesus Loves Me" the loudest, because they know the words. Adults do the same! Here is the senior version we sang at one church service:

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow.

Though my sight is growing dim, Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS) YES, JESUS LOVES ME...

YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I'll go.

On through life, let come what may,

He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

Though I am no longer young,

I have much which He's begun.

Let me serve Christ with a smile,

Go with others the extra mile.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song.

Telling me in words so clear,

"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,

And life's victories have been won.

He will take me home above,

Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does he know?

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say,

That I love Him every day.

Thanks to The Bible Senders

2008-02-06T11:01:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

We would like to express out sincere thanks to Ryan Olson at Bible Senders (www.thebiblesenders.info)for the box of bibles we received yesterday! It is our heartfelt prayer that these bibles will be used by the Lord to draw others to Himself. We are grateful for Ryan, who has tender heart toward the Lord and a desire to share the gospel with others.

Here is a note from Ryan regarding his ministry;

One million bibles. It seems like an almost impossible amount of bibles to collect and give away. But with God all things are possible. This is my goal for the ministry. Please pray with me that God would provide the scripture and finances for us to send out 1 million bibles before Jesus' return. This means I need help. I need people to 1) Pray for us often 2) Tell others about us 3) Donate Financially 4) Collect Bibles 5) Become a represenative. Someone in every state who would present our ministry in other churches. Someone who agrees with our doctrinal statment http://xsorbit30.com/users5/thebiblesenders/index.php?topic=22.0 and is a faithful man of God.

You can email Ryan at http://www.thebiblesenders.info/ for more information.

Andrew and Janis

Announcing...

2008-01-28T21:16:00.000-06:00

Announcing the opening of
Old Paths Christian Church
Old Paths Christian Church will hold its first service on Sunday February 3rd at 10:30 AM. The meetings will be held at the former "Latino Taste Restaurant" aka "Crazy Canucks" in the north end of Corozal.

Andrew Hill of the Belize Biblical Resource Center will be speaking on the subject: “What's Religion Got To Do With It?”

Old Paths Christian Church is Nondenominational. Dress is comfortable.

For more information please contact Andrew or Janis Hill at
011-501-422-0180

Wish List

2008-01-26T15:48:00.000-06:00

KJV Bibles for Old Paths Christian Church (Giant Print)

Bible Based Coloring Books for 'Firstfruits' children

Screenprinted T Shirts for 'Firstfruits' children

Bible Story books for children (Firstfruits)

A set of Hymnals for Old Paths Christian Church

'Chick' Tracts

How To Pray For Missionaries

2008-01-25T21:40:00.001-06:00

“Brethren, pray for us” – Missionary Paul
1 Thessalonians. 5:25
Every true and obedient Christian should be concerned for and striving to labor in the work of the Lord. If the work of the Lord is a war against Satan, then it is only through the prayers of the saints that any Christian warrior can do anything.
Many Christians in the states are highly concerned about advancing the work of the Lord around the world through missions, but they wonder how can I do this best? How and for what should I pray for these warriors on lonely and spiritually dry fields of service so far away? We will try to give some tips that should help. (The author is a missionary of 20+ years on the foreign mission field, the first 9 years as a single missionary.)
Workers to the Harvest
“Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that he will send laborers into his harvest” Mat. 9:3. Perhaps the first thing that we should concentrate on is the need for workers. Unfortunately in our day there are more and more workers, and less and less good workers that are truly qualified and doing a good job. So often our modern world has opened up the ministry to being just “another job”, and so many in the ministry work as unsaved secular people would, building groups of people that are undirected, unshepherded, or worse, not even really saved. There is a great need for dedicated men and women that will sacrifice all including their own health, personal wealth, fame, and prestige, even their own expectations of what they will do in the ministry, and go to work in unglorious fields, doing the work of God as God directs and desires.
One of the most important things to remember in regard to your missionaries is that they are just ordinary people with much of the same problems as you or your pastor would have where you live. They get mad, bitter, frustrated, lose their tempers, and sometimes do things or say things that they shouldn’t, depending on how they walk with the Lord personally. It is also important to remember that just like you or your pastor, their usefulness in the work of the Lord is directly tied to their personal life, their spiritual life, and their holiness. This is where Satan always attacks and makes them useless for God.
Physical Health
So often missionaries labor in places that are just plain unhealthy, even dangerous. Whereas others enjoy the sanitation of the states, the missionary must live, eat, bathe, sleep, and even get medical and dental attention where the concerns of sanitation are just not high. Stress, long hours of work, problems, and other factors wear the missionary thin, and he must find his rhythm in life and keep it up. Often it is very upsetting to have a full ministry on the field and then have to return to the US to travel and visit churches, try to raise more support, “start a new life”, and just when you get adjusted anew, it is time to return to the field. In 2 Cor 12:7, Paul mentions that God gave him a special thorn in the flesh. This irritated and hindered Paul in his service for the Lord, but in the end, Paul got the victory over this problem by understanding and living, “My grace is sufficient for thee: For my strength is made perfect in weakness” (12:9). His point here is that God never took away the problem, but wanted the problem to stay in Paul’s life in order to teach Paul that he should lift his eyes above his own problems to fix his gaze on our Lord, and that Paul should depend on God, not on his own strength or powers of prayer before the throne of God. This point of never being overly self-confident and proud is difficult to keep in focus.
Personal Spiritual Life
The quality of ministry a person has depends directly on his relationship with the Lord. It is so important to personally and individually grow spiritually with the Lord every day. Preachers often preach to others (serve the food) but sometimes they forget to “consume” of the word of God for themselves. Wives often work in Sunday School and other ministries, and they end up not being in services where they can grow too. Pray for the personal Bible study and prayer life of your missionaries (not forgetting the wife and children). In Paul’s ministry he sought the Lord to direct what he should do and where and how he should do it. This comes only from a good personal relationship with God.

Personal Prayer Life
“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Luke 18:1. If it is correct and extremely necessary that people back stateside be constantly praying for their missionaries, it is no less true that that missionary should also be soaking his ministry and life in cleansing prayer before God. It is so easy for ministers to fall into a habit of prayerless service. If we truly want to see the work of the Lord go forward, prayer for our workers’ prayer life should be a constant concern in our prayers.
Family Life
Another area where missionaries are often battling is within their own family. Wives that are not content with the way things go and want to push their husbands into doing what they want (we remember Eva in the garden here), husbands that get irrational or impatient, children that go crazy because of stress or problems. Col. 3:21 instructs parents to not provoke their children, lest they get discouraged. In 1 Peter 3:7, after Peter instructs the women to be humble, meek, and submissive to their husbands, he then instructs the men to dwell with them wisely (“according to knowledge”), giving their wives honor or special treatment as being more precious (like the special treatment fine china deserves versus cheap plastic), so “that your prayers be not hindered”. When our family life is in conflict or crisis, our ministry goes south fast. We should pray for family harmony and unity. A stable family life is often the best retreat and refreshment a person can get in this world apart from a good time in the word of God. Pray for their family lives.

Temptation and Flesh
In Matthew 4, Satan led Jesus up to the wilderness to tempt him. No matter what the weakness of a person might be, Satan is always there with that temptation. As humans we never get away from this problem of temptation. The specific temptation may change, but the presence of temptations never goes away. God exhorts us in Mat. 26:41 to “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” We must keep a constant, diligent guard against temptation, never letting up. Even when a person is victorious, so often pride and arrogance enter their heart because they are victorious in their Christian life and this prevents humbleness, meekness, and contrition from forming their hearts and blessing their lives.
So many missionaries have simply failed because of temptations, and this has often taken the form of sexual temptations because they are not following the Lord’s command in 1 Corinthians 7, or because other things hinder them from doing what they should be doing in this regard. For others the demands of the ministry are just too much for them, and they decide they want a “regular life” like others have. For others they prefer a “soft job” back in the states. For others money needs cause stress that over time lead to discouragement, frustration, or bitterness, that also trip up many into leaving the ministry.

Conflict and Stress
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18. The ministry in any country is the same, dealing with people’s problems in the light of the word of God. The human stubbornness and deviation from God’s norms are not limited to one race of people. When confronted with their sin and the word of God, many people will either flee that ministry or oppose it from within. Both cause the missionary great stress, discouragement, and grief of spirit. For some missionaries the solution is to stop preaching strongly the Word of God, to water it down so that it is easier on the people and so that he gets fewer backlashes. This is where the first steps toward neo-evangelicalism, compromise, and sin start. Conflict with other missionaries and coworkers is often a great problem that destroys the ability of a person to serve the Lord with gladness. The missionary must keep 1 Pet 5:7 always before him, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Biblical Evangelism
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” Acts 20:27. So often it seems that churches, ministers, and ministries lose their grip on just what is the gospel, and its character of confronting sin. Today the thrust for success (to get funds from churches) so often causes ministers to water down the gospel to get large crowds and apparent success. Methods are used that are unbiblical, lies become acceptable, and false presentations become common (Rev. 2:2). Again here the gospel message is changed by some to be more accommodating, easier to swallow, and to not cause conflict between the minister and individuals that influence his ministry. True Christianity costs us greatly even though it is free. This cost is realized in our lives after we are saved. In 2 Thess. 3:1 Paul asked that others pray that the gospel might have “free course”, which means to spread unhindered. For a person to truly get saved is a difficult thing. Those that make it easy so often do so by gutting the gospel of its real force (confrontation and victory over sin) and thereby make it another gospel (Galatians 1.6-9).
Discouragement
“Go up and possess it… fear not, neither be discouraged” Deu. 1:21. Perhaps the greatest factor that destroys God’s servants is discouragement. Simply put, things do not go very well like the minister expects. Evangelism is not producing converts, people who come and supposedly are saved are not serving, giving, or praying, and generally everything goes wrong. We must pray that our ministers keep their eyes focused on the Lord, and keep their lives free from improper goals that we so often set for ourselves. Simply put, it is God who decides how successful you are, and it is not up to you, nor a combination of factors in your life always. Our part is faithfulness, not success. We can hinder God’s work, but even if everything is right in the minister’s life, things still may not flourish as he wants because it is not God’s will in that particular situation, people, or time.

As those who send out our missionaries, we must not neglect our spiritual responsibilities to these people any more than our financial responsibilities.

Author Unknown

2008-01-22T18:18:00.000-06:00

Greetings from Belize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:11)

It would seem that a high stakes battle is raging here in Belize. Some weeks ago we made an agreement to rent a very nice building for Old Paths Christian Church. Our plan is to hold the first service on February 3rd. We had agreed with Pam, the Canadian owner of the building, to meet with her this morning (January 19) and go over the details of what needs to be done to prepare the building for the first service. When we arrived at her home, which is next door to the church, we found her vehicle was there but all her doors were shut. After calling to her for a few minutes (there are no door bells here in Belize), a neighbor came out to tell us that she was not home, but was in the hospital. Someone had broken into her house this morning at around 1:30 and beaten and robbed her! We are asking everyone to please pray for Pam’s recovery. Please also pray that this attack will not hinder the establishment of Old Paths Christian Church at this location.

We are pleased to announce that an outreach to children, called Firstfruits, began on January 15. The meetings right now are being held in front of our home. It has been very gratifying to see that the parents are taking these meetings very seriously. The children all arrive cleaned up and the boys have their hair carefully slicked back. We think the growth of Firstfruits could be explosive. Please pray that the Lord will guide the teachings and open the minds and hearts of these young people to believe His Word.

Thank you for all your prayers, love, encouragement and help.

In His Service,
Andrew & Janis Hill
Missionaries to Belize

Update on Janis’ condition: Janis has now recovered from the serious infection she acquired following the angiogram. The doctors in Mexico were unable to diagnose the cause of the severe chest pain she had been experiencing. One thing that we noticed was her blood pressure was much higher on her left arm than her right arm. With this information and a few other details her doctor in Massachusetts believes that she has Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In short this means that an artery from the heart which passes below the collar bone is being pinched by either a muscle or bone. This is inhibiting blood flow and causing the symptoms that Janis has been experiencing. As we could not afford to continue our US health insurance please pray that the Lord will provide a solution to this problem.

2008-01-08T17:33:00.000-06:00

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ from Belize !

As we come to the end of 2007 I think it is a good time to look ahead at the work for the coming year. Last year we set up the Biblical Resource Center and have been providing food support to Christians in the wake of Hurricane Dean. We believe that this is only a beginning of the work that needs to be accomplished here. We think the following spiritual needs should be addressed.

1) There are many Americans and Europeans relocating to this area. The locals call these people "gringos". Gringos are never fully accepted as part of the local population. In addition the Belizeans consider all gringos to be rich. This can create a problem when they try and attend a local congregation and find they are treated differently from the locals in the congregation or are eyed as a potential source of money. As a result expatriates have complained that they do not have a place to worship. We would to like to begin Old Paths Christian Church with an emphasis on expository preaching as an outreach to these people.

2) Many of the local pastors and church leadership here do not have any formal Biblical training. They have zeal, but their lack of knowledge results in false doctrines being taught to their congregations. Neither are there any Bible schools in this area. Pastors and others who desire to grow in the knowledge of the Word of God are poor and often have families to support so that they cannot afford to go away to school. Our desire is to establish the Belize Bible Institute so these obstacles can be overcome. The school would be complimented by the library of the Belize Biblical Resource Center.

3) Almost 40 % of the population in Belize is under 14 years of age making Belize a nation of children. The median age of the population is 19.9 years. Because the weather here is warm year round we see children hanging out on the streets every night and weekend with nothing to do. We would like to begin a children’s outreach to be known as First Fruits. Bible studies would be held on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons and then expanded with other Bible teaching activities for youth.

Please pray for experienced pastors and teachers to come and share in this work. Please also pray that the Lord will bring those that he desires to be a part of Old Paths Christian Church and bring the students for the Belize Bible Institute and First Fruits. Most of all please pray that the Spirit of God will work in the hearts of men…anything of eternal value must be accomplished by Him.

Thank you all for your prayers, love and help.

In His Service,
Andrew & Janis Hill

2008-01-08T17:30:00.000-06:00

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ from Belize!
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1
This is a time of thanksgiving not only in the United States, but also here in Belize. Not because of the special holiday called "Thanksgiving". No, that is not celebrated in Belize. But because the Lord has been gracious to his children and preserved the life of my dear wife Janis. About a month ago Janis was sitting at a meal with me when her vision suddenly went black. She went on to experience severe chest pains. This created a difficult situation since the local hospital does not even own a heart monitor. The best treatment option available to us was over the border in Mexico; however this was difficult as we don’t speak any Spanish. Nevertheless we were blessed with the help of local Belizeans who recommended doctors and transported us back and forth across the border many times and served as translators. Notably the help of a local pastor Ermilio Guerra and his family was key to our success as they would willingly drop everything day or night to rush Janis to the hospital in Mexico when necessary. Janis is doing much better now after experiencing some very difficult moments and I expect to see her back in action very soon.
There is even more to be thankful for here in Belize. Since hurricane Dean struck here late last August we have been concerned with trying to provide food to needy Christian families who were badly affected by the storm. We have been very blessed to see that other Christians also share this concern. This loving concern of Christians, one for another, is actually an evidence of our salvation. The Word of God states: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (1 John 4:7) I am pleased to report that due to the love and generosity of Christians for other Christians over 3000 lbs of food have been distributed so far. Because the hurricane destroyed the large papaya crop here, many workers will continue to be out of work for many months. Organizations - like the Red Cross and others that came to help immediately after the storm - all left some time ago. However, we have received enough donations to continue the food distribution for the next two months and expect to bring the total amount of food distributed up to almost 9000 lbs. The only other person we know of who is still trying to help these people is a Christian man who has been coming up from Belmopan (central Belize) to help families put roofs back on their homes.
We also noticed that after the hurricane a local bank was offering 9% loans to parents so they would be able to purchase the necessary supplies to send their children to school. We have received a few of donations specifically for this and are helping Christian families with this need.
Thank you all for your prayers, love, encouragement and support. Indeed, there is much to be thankful for during this time of Thanksgiving!
Yours in the Lord Jesus Christ
Andrew & Janis Hill
Missionaries to Belize

Janis' Testimony

2007-09-24T12:40:00.000-06:00

Janis's Testimony
October 9, 1966. Not so distant past, but yet a life time ago. I don’t remember what I wore. I don’t remember what the weather was like. I couldn’t tell you what the sermon was about, however the words to the old song ‘Just As I Am’ were fresh to my ears.
Those words talked about me, Janis. Without a plea. That was me. I had no defense. That His blood was shed for me. Me? His blood was shed for me? I realized that indeed it was. Jesus the Christ had shed His very blood for me and I needed Him. I was a hopeless sinner and I needed a Saviour.
One month shy of ten years old, I could not have explained grace removes sin, or mercy removes guilt. I couldn’t have vocalized what salvation means, but yet I knew in my heart that I needed...and that I wanted Jesus to cleanse me.
With tears streaming down my checks, I walked to the front of the church. Though I couldn’t have explained it I must have known the answers...for that old pastor asked many questions. Then he stood and welcomed me into the body of Christ.
I don’t have a startling testimony, as many others do. I was never an addict, a prostitute, or an alcoholic. I was a young child, but I was a sinner and desperately in need of the salvation that is only found through the blood of the Lord, Yashua, Jesus the Christ.
Many times along the way I have stumbled and fallen, but my precious Lord has always reached out and picked me up, wiped me off, and given me yet another chance...just as I am.
Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Andrew's Testimony

2007-09-24T11:20:00.000-06:00

Andrew's Testimony
I was raised in a Roman Catholic home in the Boston Massachusetts area. My father was a self made man who, by my teen years, had become quite wealthy. My parents invested in my education by putting me through some of the best prep and pre-prep schools in the Country. I then went to college - first in Indiana and then in Virginia. It was during my schooling in Virginia that I came to the end of myself. I was living alone in an apartment and become very lonely and depressed. One night I went up on the side of a hill overlooking the City, and I sat down there and called out to God and told Him that I just could not go on and that he needed to take my life.
When I said this a strange feeling of peace descended over me and it was as if someone had said to me “you are going to be alright”. I walked back to my apartment that night still feeling that peace and strangely knowing in my heart that I was going to be alright. A short time later an acquaintance of mine invited me to an Andre Kohl magic show which was being held on campus and was sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. This was a large university of over twenty thousand students. When I arrived at this auditorium it was already packed with a few thousand students. I remember very little about the performance, however at the end of the show they announced that they were going to have a brief intermission so that whoever wanted to leave could, but they came back they were going to talk about Jesus Christ. When they called the intermission the place just emptied out! There were very few people left, but I stayed. I JUST KNEW that the Lord was the answer I was looking for. They asked us to pray a prayer, as sincerely as we knew how, to receive the salvation that Jesus Christ offered.. And I prayed as sincerely as I knew how! But I felt absolutely nothing! Until about two weeks later when I was walking to classes one morning and I felt drawn into a chapel that the university had at one end of the campus green. I went inside and knelt down to pray and something strange happened. It just felt good! I mean real good! Being raised Catholic I thought prayer was supposed to be hard work - even painful - but this felt really good. So good that I didn’t want to leave and go to classes. I know now that the Holy Spirit was all over me manifesting Himself to me and drawing me in. Eventually I left the chapel and went to classes. At the end of that day I was walking home from school and I had an idea. I said “Lord would you give me a ride home today?” I had been walking home from classes (about a mile and a half) for about a year and had never had a ride before. I promptly turned around and put out my thumb for a ride. Immediately a car stopped! I thought this is nice . I got in and the person gave me a ride to the top of the hill - which was most of the way home. I thought I would walk the rest of the way home as it was not that far, but as I was getting out of the car I noticed a sports car pull off the road in front of us and the passenger side door opened. The car was a convertible with a plastic window in the back that was so fogged up you could not see through it. I began walking and planed to walk past the car, but when I came abreast of it the man leaned over the passenger seat and asked me if I wanted a ride. I was dumbfounded! I had not asked for this ride and I had never seen this person before so why was he stopping and waiting for me to give me a ride? I wondered if it was safe to get in the car, but I got in anyway. This person gave me a ride to the bottom of the hill (about 100 yards) where he was taking a right onto a side street. I thought how strange it was that he stopped to give me such a short ride. From there I only had to walk across a four lane highway and up the driveway to the house and I would be at my door.. When we came to the bottom of the hill I got out of the sports car and closed the door behind me As the sports car drove off - before I could even take a step a pickup trick stopped! The man driving offered me a ride. I got in. This man drove me across the four lane highway and up the driveway right to the door of the house. I was in shock! It had taken three rides to get me home and the last two I hadn’t asked for. I walked in, went upstairs, and walked into the bathroom to look in the mirror to see if I was still there. When I looked in the mirror I saw that there was a big black smudge in the middle of my forehead!
Having been raised Catholic I was very familiar with what is known as “Ash Wednesday” - when the priest would rub ashes on your forehead and say “from dust to dust you shall return”. It was about death. On the side of a hill some weeks before, I had asked God to “take my life”. I had literally asked Him to kill me or give me death. He had answered my prayer, but He answered it in a way I had never expected. The death He gave was a death to the world, so that I could love Him! I asked Him to take my life and he took it...so that I could live for Him. I did not understand all of that back then. I only knew that God was real. I now knew He was not far away from me, but that He was very close and was taking an active interest in my life. I knew He listened and heard every word I spoke and that He had manifested Himself to me in a little thing - like a ride home.
This was the beginning of a life long journey down the narrow road home.

Hurricane Dean Newsletter

2007-09-20T13:19:00.000-06:00

The Belize Biblical Resource Center
PO Box 151, Corozal Town, Belize, C.A.
Tel: 011-501-422-0180
www.belizebiblicalresourcecenter.com

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ from Belize !

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. (Psalm 107: 25)

It is difficult to imagine all that has happened here in the last 30 Days. As I was writing the last newsletter hurricane Dean was strengthening and heading toward us. Immediately after we sent that newsletter out, it became apparent that the category 5 storm was going to hit us. As the Biblical Resource Center (a.k.a. home) is only a couple of feet above sea level and about 200 yards from the edge of the water, we began to scramble for options to preserve and protect the many books the Lord has entrusted to us. We only had about 14 hours to come up with a plan and implement it before a 9:00 pm curfew came into effect. It was expected that the full force of the storm would hit us some time after midnight .

We didn’t know where to go, however we believed that the Lord would lead us. Our first idea was to try to escape the storm’s fury by leaving town. We would need a trailer large enough to carry the many things we wanted to try and safeguard. After searching all over town I was only able to find one available trailer, but it was too heavy for our small Tacoma pickup truck to pull.

At this point we had about 9 hours left and it looked like we were not going to be able to get out of town and escape the storm. We inquired about a strong looking cement house - that was vacant and is on top of a hill - on the other side of town, only to discover that other people had the same idea and it was already occupied. The Presbyterian Medical Clinic in the nearby village of Patchakan offered us the use of one of their houses, but the structure had a tin roof, which was risky. A local pastor offered to allow us to move everything into a very strong house he had built. He discovered that plywood - to cover the windows - was no longer available and as the house did not have storm shutters this, was not a good option.

Time was running out.

If we stayed at the Resource Center we could be caught by rising waters and possibly drown. The house also has thin jalousie windows that provide little protection from the wind. We tried not to contemplate what it would be like to face 160 MPH winds in that kind of an exposed building.

Suddenly, we received a tip that a concrete house located on the higher north side of town might have rooms available for rent. We rushed over to discover that there was one room available and that we could move our belongings in and endure the storm there.

We now had eight hours left before curfew.

We arrived back at the Resource Center as the skies turned dark and it began to thunder. We began pulling the books off the shelves and packing them into boxes for the trip across town. The move was continually hindered by having to wait for downpours to stop so that we could load the truck. By 9 pm we had moved four truck loads of books and electronics across town; as well as our mattress and some clothing. The items we couldn’t take with us: dressers, book-shelves, appliances, etc., we stacked as high as possible in the bathroom - hoping that the water would not reach them.

By 11:00 pm we had everything stacked in the rental room with enough space left over for our pets. The only thing left to do was to cover the truck with a tarp in an attempt to protect it from flying debris. I was thankful it had stopped raining, but noticed the air was very still. This must be the “calm before the storm” I mused, as I worked tying the tarp down on the truck. No sooner had I finished my work and stepped inside when the rain began to pour and the wind began to howl.

We hunkered down in our room on the second floor and prayed that the building would stand.

We listened as the sound of the wind intensified while it blew against the storm shutters. At 2:00 am the lights went out and I lit a lantern. Then the banging began as the wind intensified even further and things were being torn loose outside. We prayed that the storm shutters would hold and the windows would not blow in. At 4:30 am there was an incredible gust of wind that caused the whole concrete structure to tremble. We were a little concerned and hoped it would not get any worse.

Finally, after dawn, the wind eased up and we carefully peered outside. The two story house across the street had lost its roof and some walls. It was barely recognizable as a house. We hoped no one was in it. Trees were blown down, phone poles were broken or leaning and wires were on the ground everywhere. There was water overflowing the ditches. Amazingly the tarp had stayed on the truck throughout the storm and the truck was not damaged. Gradually the wind calmed down and we headed across town to check the condition of the Resource Center . We got an eye full on that trip across town as there was extensive damage: mainly to stick houses, wood framed structures, electrical poles and trees. The concrete buildings had relatively little damage but there were a few notable exceptions.

When we arrived back at the house we found that all the trees had been blown down. Wires were down everywhere, street lights were dangling and phone poles were leaning or broken. There was standing water in the back yard. On the corner of the house that faced the worst winds, the paint had been blown off! We were very relieved when we opened the front door to find that there was only a little water in the house.

None of the items we left behind had been damaged and not a single window in the house had broken!

We had survived. The books and other items had been preserved. Thank you each and everyone who prayed for us through this most difficult time.

Although we were worn out after our frenzied move the day before, we discovered that the work had just begun! Next month we will tell you about the aftermath of the storm and the way the Lord used it for His glory.

Yours in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Andrew & Janis Hill
Missionaries to Belize
www.belizebiblicalresourcecenter.com

How many days do you have left to prepare for eternity?