Dear Life Church,
Man, I really miss you guys. Sunday’s haven’t been the same without your wonderful, friendly faces. Nevertheless, The World Race has been great. Though ministry is not what I expected, it is fruitful.
My first month in Belize was not as taxing as I thought it would be, I didn’t face any crazy spiritual warfare or witness any miracles. However, I learned how to practice patience and love my community well. I was living with eighteen other women and by golly it was a blast. Lowkey, I thought I was going to live in hell, but once again I was wrong HA.
My first month on the Race I worked with four ministries:
Hope For Life – This was a Center for Pregnant Mothers. My team and I only worked here twice. The first time we helped tidy up the office area by washing dishes, folding clothes and cutting out paper crafts for the women’s bible study that they host. Miss. Jadine, the sweetest woman in Belize, runs this organization in hopes of providing a safe place for mothers who are walking alone in parenthood, mothers who are underaged and mothers who are struggling financially. Jadine speaks fluent Spanish, she hosts Bible studies twice a week for the women who come to Hope For Life, she runs them to the Hospital when they are in crisis or even when they aren’t. This woman is making BIG moves for the Kingdom and edifying mothers by building them up in the Word. I was able to play a small part in this ministry by watching babies for the mothers who attended Bible study for a day. Although it was short lived, the impact was long lasting because the mothers who attended had the greatest appreciation for anything and everything they received from Hope For Life.
Freedom House – The Freedom house is a prison ministry for men who are transitioning back into civilian life. My team and I were able to have two meals with all of the men and hear their stories. This was a ministry that I was able to enjoy because I was to B.L.E.S.S the men. We prayed over these men, listened to their stories, I cooked a meal for them, served them and shared Jesus with them. Although, it was more like they were sharing Jesus with us because they were so passionate about their new found identities in Christ. We felt safe in this ministry. We were not in fear of these men, we were not uneasy, we were grateful to know them and be reminded of the heart that the Father has for us.
Pastors Craig – Y’all, Pastor Craig was the sweetest man (He is married to Miss. Jadine). He has been a missionary for half of his lifetime. We served him by helping him prepare a home in his backyard for a young woman in their youth group, who needs a safe place to live.
Marla’s House – This is an all girls home and I absolutely loved spending time there. We helped the girls with their homework, talked to them about Jesus, wrote them encouraging notes, reminded them that they are loved and seen, played with them, braided their hair, worshiped with them and loved on them. This ministry reminded me of our youth ministry at Life Church, I miss all of the kids and hope I can talk to them soon. (Hint, Hint Matt & Chaca)
St. Michaels R.C School – This was just a one day job. My team and I went and painted the fruit of the spirit on the school wall, as well as animals. This was also the day that a little girl ran into my arms and rocked my world with love. I wrote a blog about it called, The Arms of the Father. ( R E A D I T !!)
So, now that I have updated you all on month one, I can get into the real reason I am writing to you. I know that updating you on ministry is important, I want y’all to know that because of the way you have poured into my World Race, you have allowed me to go out and represent Christ and Life Church on a whole new level.
I am writing to say thank you and to also encourage you, call me Paul (;
Life Church,
I love you. I am grateful for you and I love that I get to share this journey with you. Because you believe in me, I am able to be fully obedient to what the Father has called me to. I love that I have a church family that is just as excited to take part in walking with the Father as I am.
Now, for some encouragement. There is something that stands out about my squad and our church that I have been greatly impacted by and it is: Authentic Community!
This is P Squad:
These are my people for the next year and I have to say, I am STOKED. These men and women love fiercely, give cheerfully and pursue each other intentionally. We have reputation of tenderness and every time we meet new leadership or other squads we are complimented on how refreshing we are. We are truly something special and I am so glad that I am apart of this squad. The community we have created has been modeled by our leadership and living it out has not only been an easy choice for us but it’s been a fruitful one.
Life Church, you are just like P Squad. You are tender. You are giving. You are loving. You are Christ like. You are obedient. You are bold. You are faithful. You are family, you are something special and you are mine.
I want to encourage you to continue to uplift one another and hold each other accountable. Continue to pursue each others and reach for new people to join our family! Please don’t grow weary in doing good, push each other to continue to walk in grace and freedom. Uplift the leadership in our church and remind them that you love and value them. Just continue to love each other and Arizona like Jesus loves you, it’s already evident that love abides in our church and people need that light to walk to. I find comfort on this squad because the Lord dwells here but also because I feel like I am surrounded by you, always. Keep Living like Jesus, Loving like Jesus and Sharing His message everywhere you go.
Yours Truly,
Marissa Morales
