Mission Efforts

BELIZE MISSION TRIP

Mission Trip Moment – ORLC’s 2023 Mission Trip will be July 22nd – 29th  with the Belize Mission Society in Seine Bight and Georgetown, Belize. The Mission Team will also include members of LCMS congregations in Mansfield, Texas and Kansas City, Missouri.

The Belize Mission Society uses the image of a palm tree, the words from Psalm 92:12 and the following explanation as inspiration and encouragement for their volunteer, short-term missionaries.

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Psalm 92:12  “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.”

Belize has thousands of palm trees. There are many different varieties. They all share 4 characteristics.

Missionaries also share these four characteristics:

1) Deep Root System: Typically, the need to go deep for water and this gives them anchorage during hurricanes.

2) Tough Bark: Center part of the tree is where the life is; which is the opposite of deciduous trees. They can take some hard knocks and still flourish.

3) Flexibility: Bends under high wind conditions and doesn’t crack or break when stressed.

4) Sweet fruit: The fruit gets sweeter with maturity. Spiritual maturity takes time and the prize is sweet.

Missionaries have Four Values:

1) Relational: Developing friendships that are long lasting and have the sharing of hope for the future.

2) Strategy: Having a plan and being willing to take the hard knocks to see it through and see God’s Kingdom grow.

3) Missiology: Not every situation brings about the expected results. Being cautious not to develop dependencies, but to build capacity so that the we and the people we are serving will be able to be flexible when we are stressed.

4) Transformation: Changing lives and being changed is a sweet fruit.

During the Week Remember: it will be hard to be out of view of a palm tree! So, when you need refreshment of the Spirit; look at a Palm Tree.

1) If it is still, know that it is being fed from a deep source and so are you.

2) If it has scars or bark falling off, remember the center part of the tree is where the life is. Deep within you is where your Spirit and your Heart are. God will strengthen you.

3) If it is swaying, it’s displaying its flexibility. God grants us this life skill so that we may successfully adapt in the places He has chosen us to serve.

4) If you notice the coconuts, remember there is sweet fruit. Look into the faces of the people and see the sweetness of God’s promise of Hope.

By looking at the palm tree, God can speak to our needs. We just need to remember to seek His lessons for us daily. I think this would be good for all workers in the Kingdom to remember when they need encouragement.

BELIZE MISSION 

- ORLC sent 10-15 person mission teams to a small non-denominational church in San Jose Village, Belize each year form 2016 – 2019. Our mission trips focused on sharing the Gospel message and God’s love. Even though we’ve not been able to return to Belize, ORLC continues to share God’s love by providing some support to this congregation. Last year, we found out that their traditional Christmas meal consists of smoked ham, a treat many families cannot afford; but for Christmas 2022, we were able to send enough for all 36 families to have a special Christmas treat. Pray that if it is God’s will, we will be able to return to Belize in 2023. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)