March Newsletter - 2008

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

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

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