April 2020                                                                                                      

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14) 

There is so much going on all around the world. This is an update on what is happening in our lives here in Belize. 

March 20^th the schools were closed until further notice. Children were sent home with schoolwork to be done in the coming two weeks. They normally get two weeks of vacation for Easter. 

We have had our first death from the virus and seeing this is not a big country, they have closed the borders and want everyone to stay home. I am the only one who leaves the yard to get groceries when needed. I have started a daily routine of doing some math and reading/spelling with Jeffrey (8) and Jessica (10).  

Cory is doing well in his walk with the Lord. He has made a more serious commitment to the Lord this past year and is now leading worship in church. He has also been asked to teach on youth nights. His goal is to help the youth develop a closer relationship with Christ and the importance of it.  

The country of Belize relies on tourism and with all the borders closed, tourists are not allowed to come in. The families that really suffer are those who live day to day from what they go out and earn. I have thought of buying extra bags of rice and beans so I could hand them out when there is a need around us. Also, it is predicted that Belize will be in another drought this year, worse than last year. I am not sure what will happen if the farmers cannot harvest and provide food for the country.  

Jessica has been part of a worship dance group. This has been wonderful for her coordination, and it is building confidence in herself. She loves life and learning in school as well. 

Jeffrey loves his LEGOs and is very creative in his building. He is also very good with spending time with little ones who come for a day or two. 

Tino is in his second year of pre-school and I am amazed at how well the children have taken to him. They see he is different; but yet, they want to help him when they can. Tino is six now and keeps growing and doing well. Yes, he is getting heavy to carry, I pray for the Lord to give me strength for each day.

Thank you so much for your love, prayers and support. 

December 2019

Every year my intention is to send out an end of year letter but often my December becomes way too busy and I do not get it done. 

December 2018 Jeffrey and Jessica joined our family. Jeffrey was with us for three weeks in 2017 and was reunited with a grandfather at the time. This time his sister Jessica came with him. Jeffrey completed 8 years in July and Jessica will be 10 in November. They are doing well in school and truly enjoy making new friends.

January, Cory and I were blessed to have the opportunity once again to attend Calvary Chapel missions conference in Murietta Hot Springs, California. This is a time of reconnecting with like minded friends and a spiritual feeding. 

Bruce and Pam from Global came to visit us soon after we got back from the conference and was an encouraging visit.

When I took Bruce and Pam to the airport I picked up my nephew Jeremy and his wife Alana. Was a lovely visit with them and fun to show them around our town. 

February was a time of getting ready for my annual ladies retreat. It is always a pleasure to work along side of Anna and Rachel as we do the planning of this retreat. 

At the end of February my childhood friend Dora came to visit and she stayed for the ladies retreat. God knows what we need and was such a blessing to have her come share in my life here. 

Wally and Kathy Chopee came from Winnipeg. They have been coming almost every year since 2010. They are a blessing, helping with some minor maintenance  that need to be done and most of all some good fellowship and food.

In March my cousin Loretta came with two of her children. Jeziah came for the first time and Raquel, who served with us for five months, four years ago. It was a blessing to spend time and fellowship with them as well. 

Cory has picked up  jobs here and there and in June he committed to work with Word of life for part of the summer. He has also been working on his paper work for Canadian citizenship, he has mailed in his stage two papers and this is when he will find out if he gets accepted. Praying for God’s perfect will in his life.

I had the privilege to join my family in Canada in the celebration of my parents 60th anniversary in July. The first week of August I was able to join Global Outreach Mission in Ontario for their 75th anniversary. 

September my three youngest are back in school. Jessica is in fourth grade and Jeffrey in third with Tino in his second year of pre-school.

Wishing you a blessed year ahead! 

God bless you! 

Love,

Margaret

October 2019

WE were blessed to have Annie and her mom Kelly come from Kodiak, Alaska. We had the opportunity to make a trip to the Mayan Ruins with them before Kelly had to head back home. Annie has been helping with Tino in pre-school and also helping Jeffrey and Jessica with homework. 

The other question that I have been asked is about what are some of the needs I have around my yard and home. In the years past some of you may know I have had problems with bats getting into the roof or walls of my house. Other times I have had some bees making nests inside the walls of my house. I do believe we have solved the problem of the bees coming back. 

Mr Carlos is one of the men locally that I would ask for advice when things need to be fixed or done. He helped Cory pick out paint for the painting job Cory did on the lower part of my house. They were not able to match the exact green that we had on the upper part of the house but it works. The bigger issue at hand right now is to close in the small holes for the bats to no longer enter in and the trim is in real need of some paint as well. 

Mr. Carlos informed me that the reason the paint was pealing on the bottom part was I need rain gutters. He gave me an estimate of $1,600.00 for all the material and labor for this job. He says he also has a solution to fix the beam at the top where the woodpeckers have done a lot of damage. 

update:

WE had the holes fixed the best to their ability and also the rain gutters put up. The woodpeckers seem to really like the east side of my house and keep coming back. 

Was able to get a couple of guys go up on the roof and put some poison under the roofing so that the bats would leave and find another place to call home. They also saw that the zinc needed some more screws to help keep the roof down when we come into hurricane season. 

Psalm 107:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

August 2018

Many changes have happened and it is time to do the update again. First of all I want to thank you for words of encouragement and being prayer partners in what the Lord is doing here in Belize. 

Cory has graduated and is looking for a full time job and seeing what God has for him. Please continue to pray for Cory.

Samaritans purse sent down 100 shoe box gifts to our church in May. They also gave us books to do a 12 week follow up study with the children. We had several students from different ages that were faithful in coming Sunday mornings to study God’s Word. We had a memory verse each week and we had several students that did memorize many of the verses but we had one that could recite the 12 verses without a mistake. 

I had several little boys ages 6-8 that were working hard at changing their behavior. They wanted to please Jesus and no longer fight with their cousins, brother or fellow students in school. 

Jim and Kelly Wheaton came to stay with Cory and Tino when I had to go back to Canada for my week orientation with Global Outreach Mission. I had a super special time meeting other missionaries and servants that serve missionaries. 

While I was being refreshed, blessed and meeting new family Jim and Kelly took on the challenge of getting to know Tino who cannot talk and getting in some valuable time in with Cory my teenager. 

After I got back we took a few days to spend on the beach in Placencia. There are many Mayan ladies that walk the beach looking for tourist to sell their crafts. They all see Tino and the know he is Mayan and ask me questions about him. This one lady in particular wanted to know if Tino would be able to walk. I told her I take him for therapy and that Lord willing I believe he will be able to walk some day. She asked if we believed in prayer and if she could pray for him. As you know I would not ever turn down prayer. She knelt down in the sand and started to pray for Tino. AS she got up she handed me this craft and said this was a gift for Tino. I was filled with such joy in this special gesture, I know God provides in His perfect timing. 

As Tino is getting bigger he is getting heavier. Please continue to pray that I would have the strength to care for him and not hurt my back. 

AS I have mentioned in the past about our desire to start a home for children or adults with special needs. We are moving along with raising funds for Casa de Shalom and if anyone has questions please feel free to email me. WE have selected some of the Santa Elena Baptist church members as the local board. 

We are so blessed that Graeagle Community church has taken on being the board for us in the USA. There are several options we have with buying property. Could be anywhere from 30-50 thousand dollars. I know God already knows where this should be and I know He will provide the money for the place. 

If you feel led to donate to help us get this home built please send money to:

Make checks out to Graeagle Community Church

Graeagle Community Church, PO Box 1208, Graeagle, CA 96103

Memo ; Casa de Shalom 

June 2018

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in

everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

As I mentioned in the last update that Cory finished his high school in

January and this coming week we will be traveling to Southern California for

his graduation. I thank you for your prayers for Cory and if you could

continue to pray for God to guide and direct him. Cory will be joining Barry

Wineroth on a mission trip to FFHM in Mexico June 10-16th. I am excited for

this opportunity that he has. The week following he was invited to a

backpacking trip with Jim Wheaton and the group from Graeagle church.

Praying for safety and a blessed time for the men and teen boys to get to

know each other and learn from one another.

I want to thank each of you that prayed for Tino as he was healing from his

surgery. He is wearing braces and his feet are looking great! Tino continues

to receive therapy twice a week and making progress. A year ago I thought

Tino would be close to walking by now but with the relapse he had in fall has

set him back. He is now doing much better and we praise God his health has

been good as well.

A four year old girl joined our family two weeks ago. She came to us

because her dad brought her into Belize without papers and not sure if he

had legal papers to come into the country. I do not know the details, we are

just praying that four year old Nateli will be reunited with her mom, Lord

willing, back in her own country of Honduras.

She is a delight and full of energy. She speaks only Spanish and this is good

practice for me to brush up on my Spanish.

WE had our 12th annual ladies retreat the last weekend of May. Our theme

was Faith Without Borders. It was a truly blessed time for all and I thank Gail

and April for taking time out of their routine and spend that time ministering

to the ladies here in Belize.

WE are working on the paper work for starting Casa de Shalom; this will be a

place where children and adults with special needs in our community

are celebrated and nurtured so they can reach their God-given

potential. As I see my four year old Tino growing and I have met

many moms with children much older then Tino that have physical

challenges as well.

I am excited that many have expressed an interest in helping out

with this project of Casa De Shalom. We have a few leads on

property and praying for God’s guidance as He sees the bigger

picture of where this ministry will go. Santa Elena Baptist Church

where we attend is fully supportive and willing to be on the board for

this home here. We covet your prayers.

Psalm 116:1-2

I love the Lord, because He has heard

My voice and my supplications.

Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

Thank you so much for your love, prayers and support.

God is faithful!!

God bless you!!

March 2018

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

This past month has been a whirlwind but the verse says it all. I can do all

things through Christ who strengthens me. We started this year attending

the annual Calvary Chapel missions conference at Murietta Hot springs,

California. God provided for us to visit my Mexican family whom we

ministered to so many years ago. These three weeks were packed filled

with blessings from the Lord.

End of January Cory finished high school and he did not take long to go

looking for a job. He soon had a few interviews that now has been working

full time, Monday through Friday for a calling center for more then a month

now. This job has its challenges but he is persevering and hoping to save

up money to buy a motor bike.

We are looking forward to taking a trip to southern California beginning of

June to attend his graduation.

February we had a lot of different challenges. First I started off with a

pinched nerve in my lower back causing a lot of pain and after some

treatments with a chiropractor, massage therapist I was able to move

around a lot better. The week after I was getting better Tino went in for his

surgery. WE had a three hour drive to Corozal where World Pediatric from

the states were performing surgery for the many children in need. There

were many sleepless nights after the surgery as Tino was healing. Tino is to

be in a cast for six weeks. Surgery was February 20th. Tino had his Achilles

tendon lengthened on both legs. This will help him to put his feet down flat

when he starts to walk.

We have had to change the cast twice in the past week. Sunday (11th) we

had to get it changed because the cast was slipping and his feet were no

longer in place. We could not find an orthopedic so we had a regular

doctor do it. After a few days we could see his feet were not straight so we

found an orthopedic that could re-do the cast and that was Thursday

(15th). Seeing his toes are sticking out, I noticed today that one foot looks

swollen. I have given him some ibuprofen that the doctor prescribed and

hopefully that will help us through the weekend and if the swelling

continues we will need to see the orthopedic again.

The past two days Tino has has many crying spells and sounds like he is in

some kind of pain. When he is not crying he is laughing and being his

cheerful self.

We are still in the planning stages for Casa De Shalom and would

appreciate prayer for God to show us who needs to be on the board and to

bring someone with administration skills and I guess like minded Christians

who want to help see a home get started for the children and adults whom

we want to give a chance for them to grow to their potential

Prayer and praise

~ Pray for Tino’s continued healing

~ For me as I try to get Cory’s Canadian Citizenship papers done

~ For Cory to stay on track with his relationship with Christ, stand up for

what is right and for all those struggles teenage boys have.

~ Continued good health and strength to do what is before us.

~ God’s will and provision for Casa De Shalom

July 2017

End of May we had our annual ladies retreat and our theme was Abiding in Christ. So very blessed to have Gail from Graeagle come and share God’s Word with us. Also Dottie and Brandy came along with her and we were blessed to have all three ladies attend and come along side of the ministry God has for me here in Belize. 

Beginning of June, Chris and Jana Nelson came to serve and be an encouragement to both Cory and myself. Painting was done, many fix up jobs that were needing attention and last but not least we got to enjoy a trip to Placencia with them. They went snorkeling with Cory while I stayed behind with Tino and had some relaxing time at the beach and walking around town. WE also spent some time with Jim and Anna while we were down there and that is always a blessing for us as well.

As I have mentioned before, Tino has responded well to therapy and with the orthopedic team coming this past month they recommended Tino for surgery so his feet would be able to stand flat. Did not take long, I was told his appointment will be for mid August. I would appreciate your prayers. 

There is a team from Texas that comes to serve along side of San Ignacio Baptist church and this church had invited the youth from our church join their VBS. One of the young ladies in this team, her name is Kaylee, she fell in love with Tino last year. When she went home she created a blog to raise funds for Tino’s therapy for a year. This year she was back with the team and it was a blessing to see Tino and Kaylee get reconnected again. 

Many of you know it has been my heart and prayer for a home to be started for children with special needs. This year has been a break through with a mission team coming to build a clinic for children with disabilities where they can get therapy and the help they need. My prayer is once this is in progress and looks like this clinic will be up and running by next month. Then I am looking for open doors for a respite center and playground where parents that need a break can have professional loving people care for the loved ones. I know the Lord can do above and beyond anything I could imagine. As I pray I am seeking His will and His desires for this. 

After the clinic was built someone came and stole all the windows and the door out of the building. Praising God for the donation for us to get a fence around this property and the windows and door as well. 

WE continue to pray for God's will and His provision as we seek to help those in need of physical therapy and children needing a home. 

May 2017

Looking back at the past few months, I praise God for continuing the work He began in us. We have been blessed with some visitors during this time as well.

First Wally and Kathy Chopee came from Manitoba for a month and many mending jobs and fix up type of jobs got done around this place. Blessed with a motion light that is powered by solar and some frustrating plumbing jobs got done as well. 

Ken and Mary Ann came from Virginia to celebrate their birthday month in Belize and they took time out to join us at church and have Easter Sunday lunch with us. Merri Lynn came for a few days from California to see what was happening in our ministry. Super blessed to have gotten to know her and for her to share her wisdom along the way. 

The youth in our church put on a beautiful Mother’s day program/banquet. Cory said that God has shown him that hard work and perseverance pays off. It took a lot of practice doing the skit called “baggage”. 

Tino continues his therapy and keeps improving. He was chosen for a free wheelchair and stander that we are to pick up on the 29th of this month in Belize city. 

In our ladies study we have been going through scripture in what God says who we are and what He expects of us as His children. I am looking forward to this years ladies retreat once again and I know God has more to show us about His love for us and how He chose us. 

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.