Auburn Youth at Burrell Boom - Day 2

The Auburn youth enjoyed the challenge of the excellent turnout for VBS at Burrell Boom. Fourteen kids from a neighboring village have brought the number of campers to over 60. The children practiced with drills and played lively games. Esther taught origami and the team is sharing Bible stories through skits. The children who are usually quite rambunctious were riveted to their seats as Chance, Jessie, Amy, Jeff, Rylan and Derry acted out the story of Adam and Eve. The memory verses helped to reinforce the lesson. Tomorrow we will be inviting the parents to a special evening of awards, special music and a movie. Here are a few shots of the team; notice the smile beaming from the guys as they try and catch Chance with the 'futball'...

Soccer Camp at Burrel Boom - Day 1

Just a quick note to update today's progress. Over 60 kids came out to the first day of soccer camp at Burrel Boom, a little community about 1/2 hour outside of Belize City. The youth from Auburn Bible Chapel in Peterborough, Ontario and leaders Jeff, Derry & Esther are doing a great job teaching the kids 'futball', crafts and the good news of the gospel. Hopefully we'll get a chance to post a few photos tomorrow. Thank you for visiting our blog and please remember us in prayer.

Today's verse: "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3)

Final day of tournaments and the Chronicles of Narnia

Team two is just getting ready to go to Burrel Boom to be with the saints at Bethany Chapel where we will hold the VBS and sprots camps this week. Below are a few shots of the final day of basketball in Belize City as well as the movie night. Last night we projected the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and over 80 people attended. It was special to share with the young people how Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah died for us and rose again, just like Aslan in the story. Mr. Tumnis said to Lucy, "After all, He's not a tame Lion", to which she replied, "But He is good." He is good and it is a joy to serve Him.

Team 2 - BE STRONG BELIZE
Some of Team Two singing some special numbers before the movie

Chance with some of the youth watching the movie
Trying to dispense the drinks to all the moviegoers
Again we have to mention just how impressed we were with the Belizean's play. There was a ref and scorekeeper for each game, but the matches were self-policed and the guys knew and played by the rules. The play was truly amazing and in almost unbearable heat and humidity. (Photo by Derry O'Byrne)
The senior MVP checking out his sports Bible. The New Testament features Christian pro basketball players and their stories
The top team won basketballs or soccer balls and every participant received a sports Bible
Derry with the junior tournament MVP and his new basketball
Some of the champions with the sports Bibles that Team two brought down
My twin Derry and Chance organizing the juniors on the last day of tournaments
Scorekeepers in the blazing sun

Team 2 (Be Strong Belize) Day 1

It's midnight in Belize and the heat is not letting up. The fans are humming and the dogs outside are quiet for now... Team two ran the second last day of basketball games in Belize City. The tournament has generated quite a bit of interest as the local news station came and interviewed us. It was so cool to watch ourselves on the evening news when we got home from the movie. Tomorrow we will have the final day, the last prizes and a special evening of singing, testimonies and a movie again.
You can see pictures below of team one's movie night.
This afternoon, after a quick swim to cool off, the team headed to Burrel Boom to hand out flyers door-to-door. We stopped at the court where the team will have the hoops component of the camp next week. Before long there were a few locals and Jeff and Chance played a couple of games. We are looking forward to working in Boom next week. Praise the Lord for His guidance and protection all along the way. I hope you enjoy a few photos from the tail end of last team's mission and a few from team two - "BE STRONG BELIZE" (Ephesians 6:10)



Movie night at Grace Chapel
Team one was very gifted and talented with music. We will miss them. Here they are ministering in song during the open air meeting.
Channel 7 News of Belize City came and interviewed me during the second day of tournaments. We will try and post a link to the website where you can watch the interview.
Jeff Pascoe (Auburn Bible Chapel yout leader) signing up kids for the second tournament
Team two arrives as the court in Belize City
Some of team two (and Joyce, a Belizean youth working with us)stopping for a water break during today's door-to-door visitation in Burrel Boom
Some of the children in Burrel Boom that the team invited to the soccer camp.

Inbetween teams...

Hi to all our friends in blogland,

This post is going to have to be photoless and we're sorry we did not get a report in for the last couple of days. Just as soon as we can we'll give a complete update. Right now we just dropped off the first team at the airport. We've gased up, bought 15 gallons of bottled water and we're just about to go and pick up team two.
The first team finished the basketball tournament and then showed the film, Facing the Giants. There was a great turnout with over 50 in attendance. The film was projected outdoors in the courtyard of Grace Primary School. Many of the youth from the tournament came and enjoyed the film. The team sang some special numbers and Sean gave a brief word of testimony. After the movie everyone enjoyed a sandwich and drink.
Yesterday the team spent their last day in Belize at Cay Cualker. A 45 minute boat ride takes you up the coast to a tiny island right on the second largest barrier reef in the world. Instead of trying to describe it for you I will try and post some photos later.
So, please pray for the teams as they pass each other somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico. Jeremy and Rachel are here with me which makes it a bit easier for me as Vera my bride has gone home with the first team. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We remain your servants for Christ's sake.

Sean, Jeremy & Rachel at the Leslie's
Philippians 1:21

Basketball Tournament - Belize City Day 1

Day one of our very first basketball camp featured some spectacular play by the youth of Belize City. Both Canadian teams are running two day tournaments. We were not sure how many would show up or how it would go, but by mid morning there were 5 teams playing under the blazing sun. Tomorrow evening, after the results are all in, we plan a special outdoor meeting for awards, singing and testimonies and the movie "Facing the Giants".
Rob explaining the rules of play to the first teams to sign up.
The city of Belize has given team Canada use of the court free of charge. Located directly behind Grace Primary School, it is ideal for outreach to the community.
Some jaw-dropping layups!
Rob organized the three-on-three tournament. The champions will win a brand new Nike baskeball.
One of the players wowing us with his skills
One of the coaches commented that the Belizeans knew and played by the rules (better than some Canadians!)
Some umbrellas were purchased to prevent some scorekeepers from fainting in the sun
Supper by the Caribbean Sea by moonlight

Be Ready Belize (Team Canada 1) Days 5 & 6 - Awards night

Team Canada is snoring once again...and do they need a rest! From early morning 'til late at night, days are jammed with activity and ministry. The photos below highlight unforgettable moments: soccer camp, youth meetings, Mayan ruins and awards night at 8 Miles. The campers used their hard earned points for prizes and the MVPs were awarded brand new soccer balls! Our program, BIBLES FOR BELIZE, began with distribution of 70 Gideon New Testaments given to every child in attendance. The 108 people enjoyed hamburgers, special music and a movie.
Tomorrow the team has a full day planned to visit a number of assemblies in Belize City, Burrel Boom and the work at 8 Miles again.


Last minute of the final game!!!
New friends!
Awards night at 8 Mile
Rob's team wins again!
Puppets are a huge hit at 8 Miles!
Some of the team atop a Mayan Ruin
Youth night at Grace Chapel, Belize City: testimonies, singing and some crazy games

On the bus with Charlene

From 8 Mile to Tropical Park is a 10 minute bus ride

High Power Soccer at 8 Miles, Belize (Days 1 & 2)

Team Canada arrived back at the Leslies late last night after prayer meeting at Burrel Boom. Just as we shut the van off the power went out so we just fell into bed, exhausted. So, our blog had no entry.
The soccer camp at 8 Mile has been wonderful. Over 50 kids have been attending. Tomorrow is the last day and then we plan a barbecue and gospel film for the parents. Here are a few shots from the last couple of days. As you can see the kids are having lots of fun and the team is working well together. One of the biggest challenges has been keeping the water bottles filled and re-filled as it is blazing hot and humid!