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For Belizeans…Run by Belizeans
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Thursday, March 1, 2018, marked a very special day for IHF as documents were signed in Belmopan registering the ministry as a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in the country of Belize. Doing so means that we are officially recognized in Canada and Belize. With this, Lazarus Pop, our ministry leader, has been promoted to director of IHF operations in Belize. This has given him further assurance that he and Alicia have been called into this work and that they have the abilities to grow it in Armenia village. Also, with this comes the increased possibility of raising financial support within the country. This moves us one step closer to realizing our goal of a ministry run by Belizeans for Belizeans.
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Not the Gringo Way!
[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]IHF wishes to put out major thanks to Youth for Christ/Emmanuel Christian School (Montreal) for returning to Belize for the fifth time to continue their work in Armenia village. Under the gifted leadership of Dave Tracy, These teams truly do leave every place they serve better than the way they found them. Outreaches that YFC have initiated over the years include tutoring and teaching at the village schools, hosting youth retreats, offering hospice care for the poor, sick and elderly, and connecting with the girls at Marla’s House of Hope. Dave’s desire to establish long term partnerships with village stakeholders was inspired by his reading of “When Helping Hurts”. He became very excited when the vice principal of the village school observed, “Oh, I see you don’t want to do things the ‘gringo’ way.” Understanding how to give ministry ‘ownership’ to the community is challenging, but Dave joins us in believing that this a more sustainable ministry approach. To give you an intimate glimpse of ‘working it out’, he has given us permission to share the link to daily blog: (https://emmanuelmissions2018.wordpress.com/). It testifies to how much it has blessed IHF, the village youth and the personal lives of his teams. We are pleased to announce that Dave has offered to be a consultant to the IHF board.
Note to those of you working with youth: while in Belize, Dave takes his team through a Spirit filled teaching called ‘Fan or Follower’. Check it out and see what you think![/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”inherit” font_style=”inhert” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”18″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]
A Much Needed Women’s Presence
[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]IHF wishes to introduce the latest additions to our board: Rachael Heyns, Audrey DeWeerd, Mandy Jagt. All have been part of previous IHF teams and through that experience have decided to continue to be part of this important ministry. Rachael is a Redeemer College graduate who works as a Certified Child Life Specialist in the emergency department at McMaster Children’s Hospital. What made her decide to join? “I absolutely loved the trip I took to Belize with IHF four years ago and I have felt a stirring as of late to join an international organization as I want to be more committed to one other country and group of people that I can maintain a long-term relationship with.” Her focus will be ministry promotions.
Audrey is working on a Bachelors of Science degree in Medical Radiation/Radiography. What inspired her to come on board? “I have previously spent a month living on the IHF base when I was 18, and found a lot of peace there. When Wil approached me to become more involved, I was excited by the opportunity.” Her focus will be on ministry publications.
Mandy earned a BA in Anthropology and International Development from the University of Guelph and a post graduate diploma in Government Relations from Seneca College. She has just completed a certificate in fundraising from Mohawk College. What inspired her to come on board? “I am volunteering with IHF because I truly believe in the work that the organization is doing in Belize. I went on two trips with IHF during the building stage of the project, and saw the impact that IHF was already having in the community. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for IHF in the future.” She will serve in the area of fundraising. We are so pleased to have all three of you to freely offer your services. They will be joining Zach Fennema, Jonathan Wissink, Peter VanderMeulen and Wil Kamphuis in continuing the work of this ministry.
Poverty is rooted in broken relationships, so the solution to poverty is rooted in the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection to put all things in right relationship again. – Brian Fikkert (When Helping Hurts)
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Moving Forward!
[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Having NGO status in Belize is a major step forward in realizing IHF’s goal of a ministry “run by Belizeans for Belizeans”. More ministry development decision making can now take place in Belize.
Current ministry goals:
Skill Sharing Programs: In addition to the present wood working and baking programs, plans are in the works to add welding, sewing and haircutting. They would be offered either on or off the base due to equipment requirements They hope to begin them in the fall of this year. On the base, small engine repairs has been added to baking and carpentry.
High School Student Sponsorship: Surprisingly World Vision and Compassion do not offer child sponsorship in Belize. IHF hopes to break new ground by offering support to young people desiring a high school education in nearby Belmopan. Acceptance requirements include additional family support, good attendance and behavior, achieving their best work academically, and giving back by performing voluntary community service hours. The first students selected will begin in the fall of this year.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”inherit” font_style=”inhert” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”18″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]
Praising God the Mayan Way
[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Lazarus, Alicia and their family are blessed to be part of a fast growing church focused on spreading the gospel to the Mayan people within their village. With a growing number of Spanish refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador moving into the village, the Mayan population had become an underserved minority, especially within the church, which is why this new church is so exciting. Lazarus has stepped up by taking a leadership role as a deacon and with his and Alicia’s heart for service towards those in need, this position in church is a natural fit for them. Together they also serve as leaders for a rapidly expanding youth group. This is also a natural fit because mentoring youth is what IHF is all about. We pray a prayer of blessing up the Pops as they minister to the body of Christ where the Lord has planted them.
Care To Find Out More About IHF and Our Service Opportunities?
www.footprintsbelize.org info@footprintsbelize.org
We would love to hear from you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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