Belize-Day 1-A Day of Introductions

Saturday, July 6, the GCC Belize Summer Missions Team met at the Charlotte airport at 7:45am. 

Pastor David and Tracy pose for a photo at home the morning of departure.

 Skye, Kaitlyn and Mikayla

Alaina, Abigail and Jacob

Brielle, Micah and Ross

Staci, Joel and Cade

Karen and Aaron

Our group stopped for a quick bite to eat at “Cheers” roadside restaurant

Pastor Caleb picked our team up at the airport and transported us to Belmopan. For many on the team this is the first time that they had met Pastor Caleb.

Our team finally arrived at the El Rey Hotel in Belmopan mid afternoon.

Pastor Lee and his wife Robyn came over and shared their hearts for Belize, had dinner with the team and helped us get settled in for the week.

Our team sorted through all of the various supplies that had been brought to Belize. Later we had evening devotions led by Brielle and then various teams gathered to finalize their ministry assignments for Sunday morning. Finally, everyone exhausted from the long journey and time change went to bed.

Belize Mission Team Pepares for Departure

Sunday Night, June 30, the Belize team gathered at Aaron and Karen Hosea's house for dinner and last minute preparations.  Tracy Brown kept track of all the inventory.  Lots of ministry supplies for four different VBS's that the team will be running and gifts for an orphanage and churches in Belize were sorted and packed in various suitcases. Staci McDonnell and Karen Hosea made sure that all required items found their way into a suitcase.  Ross Linfoot is our team photographer and snapped several shots of the team in action.

 

Brielle & Micah Palmer and Aaron Hosea practiced five different songs that they will be leading at VBS and church services in Belize.  Cade Ratcliff, Joel Hoffman and Jacob Gordon prepared songs to lead worship on Sunday at Pastor Lee's church.  Cade also worked on how he would present the story of Gideon.  Alaina Huey practiced skits and prepared games for Sunday Children's Church.  Skye Linfoot made sure we had face painting supplies.  Mikayla McDonald and Katelyn Cartee double checked all the crafts and sports supplies.  The entire team learned hand motions to one of the songs we will be performing.

 

Pastor David went over all last minute reminders and details for the trip.   The entire group shared their testimonies with one another as practice before we arrive in Belize. 

Belize Missions Team Flight Information

Pastor David Brown, Grace Covenant's high school and young adult pastor, will be leading a missions team in Belize from July 6-13. Partnering with Foursquare missionaries Caleb Ortega and Lee Brockinton, the team will minister to a variety of people and do work on church projects.  

If you would like to encourage a team member(s) while on the field, please submit notes to the church office by July 3.  Team members are Abigail Banzhof, Pastor David Brown (team leader), Tracy Brown, Katelyn Cartee, Jacob Gordon, Joel Hoffman, Aaron Hosea, Karen Hosea, Alaina Huey, Ross Linfoot, Skye Linfoot, Mikayla McDonnell, Staci McDonnell, Brielle Palmer, Micah Palmer, and Cade Ratcliff.

Here is the flight information.

Outbound Flight

US Airways Flight 1141  - July 6
Leave Charlotte @ 9:55  am.  Arrive in Belize City @ 11:25 am. 

Return Flight

US Airways Flight 1142  - July 13
Leave Belize City @ 1:00 pm.  Arrive in Charlotte @ 6:10 pm.

Grace Covenant Global Mission Teams Alert

Haiti Missions Team Flight Information

A Grace Covenant team led by Duane and Fayetta Wilson is scheduled to host a teachers' conference in Haiti from July 15-20.  Here is the team's flight information.

Outbound Flight - July 15 
                US Airways Flight 1281
                                Depart Charlotte @ 9:55 AM.  Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale  @ 11:55 AM.

                American Airlines Flight 2285
                                Depart Ft. Lauderdale @ 1:45 PM.  Arrive in Port Au Prince @ 3:45 PM.

Return Flight - July 20
                American Airlines Flight 1988
                                Depart Port Au Prince @ 9:30 AM.  Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale @ 11:30 AM.

                US Airways Flight 1840
                                Depart Ft. Lauderdale @ 2:50 PM.  Arrive in Charlotte @ 4:55 PM.

Linefork Final Day

We  reached Ms. Mary's place before service started, so we all took the prayer walk and prayed.  It was a great time.  A friend of Ms. Mary's talked about living with the Spirit for Sunday school and next the Ignite team led worship service.  Alan played the guitar with them.  After service it was sad to say good-bye to everyone.  We're so grateful for what God has done through us and in us throughout this trip to Linefork.

Linefork Photos for Days 3 & 4

Here are the pictures from days 3 and 4 in Kentucky!

Linefork Day 4

Today God held off most of the rain for us.  Howard took Christina, Ana, Abigail, and Drew up the prayer walk.  After lunch, everyone except Alan, David, and John (who stayed behind to finish the fence) went to Cumberland to drop off the clothes to a great mission called United for Jesus.  We sorted some of the clothes and the people came to pick up them up.  We gave them Salvation bracelets and helped them find lots of new clothes.  Each of them had different stories and we were thrilled to share some love and pray with them.  Tomorrow we will go to Ms. Mary's church. Sunday School at 10:00, Lunch at 11:00 (yes that is correct) then service at 12:00! We will be heading home after that. We should be back at the church by 8.

Linefork Day 3

Last night Larry and his two truck loads full of food, meds, & clothes, so today everyone helped unload them.  After that, we continued the work we had started yesterday.  Drew, Paul, Sherry, & Lynda went to donate a trailer full of clothes to another ministry nearby, which will distribute the clothes to the comunity.  David, Ken, Chistina, Abigail, & Ana stained the back deck.  The men and the Ignite team finished taking out the railroad ties and started on the fence.  After lunch the girls all prepared for the kids' birthday party.  John grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for everybody.  Everyone enjoyed the party.  The kids (and Ms. Mary) loved the many cards the children made at Global Express.  After the party, Ms. Mary inspired us with her testimony.  Tomorrow we hope to do some witnessing in the community.

Linefork Pictures from Days 1 & 2

Due to internet connectivity, the team has not been able to post pictures with previous blog posts.  Hope you enjoy!

Linefork Day 2

We arrived at Ms. Mary's with plenty to do.  The girls worked on Theresa's garden while the men worked on the front yard.  Hector was in the garage fixing everything.  The Ignite team was very helpful.  After lunch the girls scraped paint off the back porch while the men still worked on the front yard. :)  The railroad ties at the driveway took lots of manpower.  All the men had to help.  We ended with a happy (and exhausting) dinner of Ms. Mary's Rueben sandwiches.

Linefork Day 1

We arrived at Ms. Mary's at around 1:30 today.  We went straight to work.  David, Christina, Sherry, Lynda, Ana, & Abigail pulled the weeds out of Miss Mary's front yard.  Hector went to work fixing the weed-eaters.  Alan, John, Ken, Paul, & Jason worked on Ms. Mary's fountain.  Drew was the "gopher" for everyone.  That evening we introduced each other to the Ignite college students team.  We made plans and got excited for upcoming ministry together.  Everyone had a good time after a long (hot) afternoon.
(Due to technical difficulties, we are unable to upload pictures.  We'll try again tomorrow.)

Linefork Missions Team Has Arrived!

The Linefork team has arrived in Linefork, Kentucky.  They are busy unpacking and preparing for the remainder of their stay.  More posts to come!

Nicaragua Construction Team Flight Updates

The team is expected to land in Charlotte tonight at 11:35 PM, American Airlines flight 3533. For flight updates, go to https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/fsnAccess.do?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav.  You will need to enter the following information and select the method for which you would like to receive notifications (email, text or voice message).

Departure Date: 1/25/2013

Departure City: MIA

Flight Number: 3533

Arrival City: CLT 

Friday before Departure

Getting ready to board the van for the airport.  See you soon. Dios le bendiga.

Ended our final morning praying for the city from the roof of the hotel and praying for Pastor Alan and Sylvia.