What do we do...

Plane tickets have been purchased, Tony's hotel and Pancho's rental vehicles reserved.  Logistics are the easiest part of planning a trip to Belize ...the hard part is What do we do?  The reason for mission trips around the world is to serve others and to show our love for them.  So its really important that we work in partnership with our Belizean partner (Mr Rafael Cob and Brother John Eustice) to plan projects that will have an immediate impact on the people we serve.  This year we will continue with our Computers in Schools program but we are improving some things.  We will implement more advanced laptop computers that are efficient and lower cost to maintain and support.  We will also provide some training for the schools on computer classes and how to fully leverage the computer lab.  We plan to implement three computer labs with 10 computers each in three villages (Chonox, Sarteneja and Buena Vista).  My second big focus for this year is to crack the nut on micro-loans.  I hope to get several small loan applications prior to June with the goal of loaning 2-4 loans for $500-$1000 BZE.  For perspective an individual could start a small village chicken farm with less $300-$400.  My hope is leverage the Kiva.com model as best we can to allow for a few folks to start creating commerce in their village.   While in Belize I will also invest time connecting with government agencies or local organizations that are involved in the micro-loan system.  My hope is to get our vision integrated into existing programs vs creating something new.  This one is harder to do but I want to simple "Get started" to learn and have an IMPACT! 

Fund Raising...its Hard Work

I have tremendous respect for people who are able to raise the finances to support their mission work and their family.  I have a good friend who moved his family to China and was able to get sufficient support to work and live with his wife and family of four over several years.  This was no small task.  I do believe that people are looking for good causes to support.  I know this because many of you have support my work in Belize and I know how passionate you are about helping people around the world.

The most difficult part of my Belize mission is fund raising. Mainly because I am personally not comfortable asking people for money.  To be clear, I am not even asking for funds to support my expenses.  I pay for all my trip and personal expenses and we also donate to the mission.  So even though I am asking for fund to help someone else...its still very difficult to do.  I always push it off as the last thing that I do.   Over the years I needed to raise between $4000-$8000 for a trip...and every year I over deliver on my goals.  Here is what I do know...every year an Angel will come to my rescue.  Just this week two Angels came to my rescue.  Two great friends of mine made significant donations to the Belize mission.  I am completely at peace now because I know I will very easily reach my goal.  My hope as always is to exceed the goal so we can do even more work in Belize...or so I can have a head start going into next year.  Talking money is never easy so I appreciate your gift either financial or spiritual support and encouragement.  I need both.  Please follow your heart and contribute to the cause.  Thanks for putting your trust in me to do work on your behalf. 

My Vision to Impact Belize

I took some quiet time to prepare for my upcoming trip in June.  I wanted to spend time reviewing and evaluating what I learned over the last 5 trips to Belize.  Every trip I learn something new and different...that because every trip I travel with new people who see Belize through very different lenses.  For me its great learning and growth.  I am thankful for all the folks who travel to Belize to offer help.  I have been amazed at how people who have never been to Belize will fall in love with the people.  Its Amazing to watch. 

Over the years I have led many projects from building a new home to presenting seminar on starting up a small business (I will tell you more about how the seminar went some other time :) .  Two insights have stuck with me and is a major influence in my vision for what I do in Belize.  The first, is about education.   I have learned that education is essential to economic development as it provides the basis for all future learning and growth. My second big insight is that enabling small businesses and opening up more opportunities for commerce in the villages and larger communities will allow for greater independence.  Mirco loan programs like Kiva.com is an easy way to provide funds (small loans of less than $1000) to enable individuals to achieve their dreams.  My hope is that someday the mission trips to Belize are no longer necessary.  The vision is that the people of Belize living in these rural villages are able to achieve independence and someday they may provide service and help to less fortunate communities around Belize.  That is my dream.

Getting Started

I am getting ready for Belize 2013 trip.  Its been a very busy year but now its time to get started.  Its always difficult for me to get started because the first step is fund raising and its just really hard to do.  I don't enjoy fund raising but because I am passionate about the work we do its usually not difficult for me.  I usually try to work on the project plans first just so I can be clear with potential donors on what the funds will do the change the people in Belize.  Together we can Change the World!