Enoel shares his burden...

Two years ago I lead a small team to Bolivia to help missionaries Enoel and Leisa Suarez in the work there. They are on furlough in Canada right now but are receiving calls for help from his people in Bolivia because of serious flooding that has affected vast regions of the country. He sent me an update today which I want to share with you for prayer and consideration. He writes...

"Please read...Some time ago, I read about the flood that had affected Bolivia……especially Trinidad and the surrounding area. I thought…surely I can help them, so I began to pray for them. However, the news kept coming, and friends described the situation.
After I arrived from my trip to New Jersey, Leisa told me that Dr. Placido Mercado had called and would call again. I talked to him last Saturday, and he informed me of the need.
Doctor Placido Mercado and Brother Julio Acosta have suggested taking items needed. The people are suffering with fungus, diarrhea, dengue fever, breathing problems, and they need to hear the gospel in this difficult situation. We need some antibiotic creams, pills to purify the water, etc.
If anyone would like to join me on this trip to help the needy, please contact CMML at (732) 449-8880 Or MSC at (905) 947-0468.
We are here to make a difference; let’s do it (Gal. 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, ‘let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith”). Now is the opportunity!

Your Servant in the Lord,

Enoel Suarez"

Jeremy on top of Xunantunich

Hi,
I mentioned that we had other videos of our short-term mission. Erin sent us a dvd with all the pics and vids, so we are trying to get some uploaded. Here is a shot from way up on top of an ancient Mayan ruin. We can see Guatemala from our vantage point. It is truly amazing to think of the work and expertise that went into the construction of these temples. What happened to the people? What happened to thier civilization?

Flooding in Bolivia

I just got a call from my good friend and missionary Enoel Suarez. A couple of years ago I went to assist him in the work in Bolivia. He has been in Canada on furlough with his family for almost a year now. He just called me bacause of the desperate situation in his country. They have had terrible flooding since January (see exerpt from website below). Doctor friends of his have called asking for his help; they need antibiotics, children's vitamins and parasite medicine and people to help. Just returning from Belize it would be hard for me to go, but I'm willing and praying.

Bolivia Floods Update: shelter for the homeless
28/02/2007

The devastating floods continue to cause devastation and mayhem in much of Bolivia, with almost 70,000 families falling victim to the effects of "El Niño". The climate phenomenon of heavy rainfalls and floods has meant thousands of children and their families have had to flee their homes and are at severe risk of disease.

Months of heavy rain have affected the whole of the Latin American country, although the rural districts of Santa Cruz and Beni have been most severely hit, with 17,000 families and almost 13,000 children affected.

Mission House Completed

Immigration, customs, flight delays, time changes, sleep deprivation...these are just a few of the challenges we met as we made our way home. But, praise God, all are home safe and sound and glad for it! In due time we will have more pics and vids to post, but in the meantime I wanted to publish a couple of photos of the building completed...at least at the stage that we came to complete. It sits on a lovely piece of property in a growing neighborhood. At 20 ft x 24 ft it is quite compact but will serve as a mission house and Bible study hall, and later will be a nice little residence for a worker.

Trusses set in place

We have a bunch of video clips from Cave Branch river, Xunantunich and Sunday services to share but not much time. Here is a clip I managed to get while the trusses of the building were being installed.

Today we were with the saints at Grace Chapel and Berea in Belize City. This afternoon we will be joining them again at 8 Miles for a special meeting in about an hour. This evening we will all go to Bethany Chapel in Burrel Boom again.

Today's verse is Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want."

Adios for now,
Sean

Team Canada visits Shark-Ray Ally

Tonight we wanted to give you a view of last Saturday's excursion to Caye Cualker. Erin (Auburn Bible Chapel) produced this video clip for us.

Tomorrow we hope to finish putting the roof on the mission house under construction. Today the trusses were placed and braced. The Lord has blessed us with beautiful weather, health and strength and unity. Janie who was injured in a shower continues to improve - thanks for praying.

On behalf of the team,
Sean

Day 7 Vidoe + Mark's comments...

The latest footage of progress of Team Canada's mission project in Corozal Town. Today I'm handing Erin's laptop (a Mac!!!) to Mark (from Bancroft Bible Chapel) who will give us a few words for today's post...

alrihgt .. well the project has so far gone very smoothly considering the tools we have to work with. the team is getting along very well together and it is visible to see God working here. the last of the blocks were laid today and we will begin to assemble the roof tommorow. it will only be a few more days before our part is complete. It will be a blessing to see the building complete, however, it will be upsetting to leave so soon. we are looking forward to the next few days and we keep you informed with what is happening here. God bless.

Thanks, Mark! Today's verse from this morning's devotion by Bob Vaillancourt (Grace Bible Chapel, Timmins) will complete our late blog entry: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved" (Romans 10)

Team Canada at Cay Caulker etc....

e-greetings to our praying friends in bloggerland! Here are a few shots of our mission as we continue to enjoy Belize. Most of the team is here at the Leslies resting after a day at Cay Caulker, a tiny island off the coast. We are having so much fun working, fellowshipping and enjoying the sights. There have been setbacks. Bob Hoover from Bancroft was bitten by a scorpion the other day - it was hiding in his workboot! He is fine; he actually insisted on going to work after we got him some medicine. Also, Janie slipped in the shower at the Dr's house. Please pray for her as she is in a lot of pain.
Other than that the project is pregressing very well. The pictures show Jeremy trying his hand at laying a few block with his uncle Derry. Mark is seen at the top of the wall as they place the last row of blocks on the wall. Next week we hope to finish the cement work and put the roof on. One of the shots pictures the team enjoying a hard earned meal on the island of Cay Caulker.
Tomorrow we will be at several assemblies with some of the team members speaking and shareing testimony. In the afternoon we will visit 8 Miles where the previous team helped renovate the building into a little chapel. All of us will be joining the saints at Bethany Gospel Chapel in Burrel Boom for a gospel meeting. Let us keep this wonderful news of God's love for us in Christ ever at the centre of our hearts and lives.
Now, it is late and others are waiting to check e-mail. Thank you for visiting our blog and stop in again sometime soon. We appreciate your prayers.

Sean on behalf of the team....

Corozal: Day 2

Hello folks,
Due to heavy rainfall we had time to edit and upload the latest video. The rain just stopped though and we're going to try and go back to the site again. Hope you enjoy our little video clip. The team is working well together and sends greetings to all at home.

Thanks for your prayers,
Sean

Team Canada arrives in Corozal

Hey! We made it! After a long day traveling we finally made it through costoms and were met at the airport by our Belizean friends, including Shannon. He helped us transport all our gear to Corozal Town about 2 hours north of Belize City.

The ladies made a trip to a local supermarket to buy some supplies.




Today we were able to begin laying the block (208)! The foundation was finished before we arrived so we could begin the structure. It's not too hot and the food has been great. The internet is slow though and people are waiting, so I will sign off now. Hopefully we can post further updates soon and possibly a video or two.

The team sends warm Belize greetings to all. Thank you for praying!

Yours truly,
Sean

Jars of Clay

Greetings from Fonthill!

We are at Eric's house. The team is scattered between here and Buffalo. Jeremy, Erinn and I were at Ridgeville Bible Chapel this evening. We looked at the Potter and the Clay from Jeremiah 18.

1. God is the Potter
2. We are the clay
3. Life is the Wheel
4. Marring is Disobedience
5. Trials are the Furnace

As the Potter, God has power over the clay and if we yield to Him he can mold and make us into a vessel of honor, useful for service.

In a few hours Eric and his dad will transport 7 of us to the airport, with a pitstop at Tim Horton's of course. Hopefully we can bring you up to date soon after our arrival in Belize. Please pray for the team as we travel.

But we have the treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Corinthians 5:17)