Hope For Life

Last month a new ministry opened up here in Belize!

Hope Life is a Christian organization that is dedicated to offering love, emotional support, and material help to women who are faced with an unintended pregnancy.

The director/founder, Jadine Fritzler, worked with us at CDF and was one of the eight students who graduated from the two year course in Christian Counseling that Tom teaches at Belize Bible Center.

The Mayor, Simeon Lopez, and Deputy Mayor, Anna Banner Guy, were in attendance.

 Judy Vasquez, Director of Seeds of Life in Belize City

 The pastors in attendance prayed over all the board members and the center

 Mayor Lopez and Jadine cutting the ribbon

 Pastor Craig used these figures to explain pregnancy development to these little twins...

 They asked their mom if they were ever that little!!!

Josie, is one of the volunteer counselors for Hope For Life and is also one of Tom's counseling students! 

 Jadine being interviewed by Luis Wade of Plus TV, and by Brother Fem of My Refuge Christian Radio

The directors of the various pregnancy centers here in Belize. Margaret Robinson and Perla Chable of Seeds of Life in Benque, Jadine of Hope For Life in Belmopan, and Judy Vasquez of Seeds of Life in Belize City.

I took these photos at the Grand Opening & Dedication on August 14th. And the center opened it's doors to clients on Monday, August 18th. They are now open three days week; Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10-6.

Keep this ministry in your prayers. It is very much needed here in Belize! 

Back to class

The counseling classes are in full swing again. We had 19 students in class today. It is so exciting to see people learning and growing personally. It's such a joy to know how many lives can be changed through these students as they reach out to help others.

End of Semester work...

Tom is grading homework and final exams! 

We had 35 students finish the semester.  It is exciting to see the changes in the students over the past six weeks.  And to hear about lessons that they've learned in class being implemented at their churches, organizations, and in their personal lives. 

The next semester begins in February...if you're here in Belize come on out and join us!

Week 3 Course 1

 

 

 As I looked around the room while Tom was teaching all I could think of was how precious each one of these people are in His sight.  Age, race, religion, are all things that could segregate us from one another. However, dysfunction knows no boundaries and does not play favorites with one group or another.  How exciting it is that those called to be people helpers in this class come from various ethnic groups, cover a wide range of ages, and represent various churches found here in Belize.  What a joy it is to see such a such diverse group come together from around the country with the common goal of bringing hope and healing to others!

Please continue to keep Tom and these students in your prayers!!

Day 1 of Course 1...

On Saturday the Christian Counseling Course at Belize Bible Center started up again.  This class marks the beginning of the second group to start the two year program.  A handful of students were returning to pick up classes they missed during the first two years.  But the majority of them are brand new.  They represent different churches and different ethnic groups here in Belize.  Teachers, pastors, missionaries, homemakers, youth leaders, grandmothers, managers, children's workers, all came together because they want to grow and help others to grow and find healing as well. 

 36 students plus Tom and I were packed into the classroom of Belize Bible Center!

 Tom was excited to be teaching again!

And we are grateful for the provision of a camera so that we can now record the sessions...

It was great to see the small group participation and hear the lively discussions!

Pray with us that God will strengthen these students over the next six semesters and help them to finish out the entire course.  We look forward to seeing transformation in each of them and are excited for the future of Belize as each one reaches out to others in their various communities with the knowledge and insight they will gain! 

Highlights from Graduation...

Two years of hard work finally came to fruition as 8 students from the inaugural Christian Counseling class held at Belize Bible Center graduated on Saturday!  

 Diana Shaw and N.T. Dellinger 

Diana gave an inspiring charge to the graduates!

 Pastor Craig and Bethany looking on...

 Rosa and her family...

Rosa, an elementary school teacher, is able to use her skills to impact her students and their parents in the Spanish speaking community of San Martin.

 Jose and Tina

Jose was the only male student to finish the course.  He faithfully rode in each Saturday from Belize City on his motorcycle.  An hour ride one way...sometimes in the rain!  Jose is with for Youth For Christ and is able to use the skills he has learned in his work in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. 

 Johanna and her daughter...

Johanna is a nurse and worksat the University of Belize, Central Farm Campus.  She is using what she has learned to enhance her interactions with the students she comes in contact with.  

 Marlene and Alvina

Alvina is one of the volunteer counselors working at CDF.  She also sees clients in the Mennonite community of Spanish Lookout.

Alvina, Johanna, Alida, Jose, Marlene, Tina, Rosa, and Jadine 

Of the 22 students who took the first class these are the 8 faithful souls who persevered until the end!

This candle holder made of Belizean wood is Tom's gift from the graduates!

 We enjoyed a meal together after the ceremony...of course!

I am  so grateful to be finished with the course!  

Below is an excerpt from my speech:

I have learned a lot over the past two years. I've learned how to listen more effectively. I've learned about the importance of being a safe person and how to provide safety to those who are brave enough to come into the counseling office. I've learned the importance that God places on relationships and how He designed and created us to need one another. We cannot grow and heal in isolation...we grow in loving and safe relationships with others.  I've learned about emotions and the role they play in how we cope with life. I've learned about family dynamics, defense mechanisms, healthy boundaries, and I've learned different theories and methods for helping others. I've learned about our brains and how they develop and function.

It is not easy to sum up six semesters into one neat little package and get you all to understand what this course has meant to me. Over the past two years I realized that a new avenue of ministry was opening up for me. And that I could use the comfort and healing that I've received over the years to help others find comfort and healing as well. I feel more confident in providing help to others because of the skills and understanding I've gained from this course.

One of the verses that Tom used several times as he was teaching is Isaiah 42:3...

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

Our healer is gentle. He is compassionate, faithful, and patient. He allows each one of us the grace, truth, and time needed to bring healing into our lives. And I'm excited that myself and the other seven graduates are on the same path...to continue to grow and heal ourselves, and also be available to help others in their journey of healing and growth with the same compassion, gentleness, patience, and faithfulness that God has shown to each one of us.

It's that time again!

Tom starts teaching the counseling class again at Belize Bible Center tomorrow.  We are eager to see how many students return and if there will be any newcomers or not. 

Tom is excited about this quarter.  He enjoys teaching about character and developmental stages.  This is the fourth semester of the six semester course that began last year.  Soon there will be more trained counselors to work in churches and various places throughout Belize. 

During the break between semesters some construction took place at the center.  It looks like the new classroom is almost ready too! 

Girl, if only this chair could talk...

Each week we have clients who sit in this chair.

Male, female, young and old...all with one thing in common...pain.

If this chair could talk you would hear it gossip about the intimate details of those who have suffered through various traumas.  Thank goodness that chair keeps the confidence of those who sit for an hour or so seeking relief.  

We cannot talk about the details either.  However, to update you and to ask for prayer I can say that this was a tough week.  We had a few new people in the chair.  Word of the counseling center is spreading and we have gotten referrals from schools and other programs in the area.  And we are grateful for that.  

Please pray for the teens here in Belize.

Pray for the children.

Pray for those struggling underneath the weight of a secret that they feel could destroy them or their families.  

Pray for more social workers to be appointed in our district. 

Pray for the lone social worker here in Cayo and her staggering work load.

Pray for students that Tom is currently training in the Christian counseling class he is teaching on Saturdays.

Pray for the upcoming Healthy Woman Conference that CDF is putting on next weekend.

Pray for us to have wisdom, insight and compassion to relate with each individual who sits in that chair.  

We truly appreciate your prayers...we are already seeing the payoffs of working here.  

We give praise for the referrals we have received.

We give praise for school principals who see the needs of their students and take action.

We give praise for foster moms, youth workers and teachers who care enough to intervene.

We give praise for the breakthroughs a few of our clients have experienced.

We admire the courage of those who choose to sit and share their pain with us.

We are grateful for each one of you who are supporting us with prayer.

Those petitions are truly valuable...and we cherish them!

something new...

If you are in the area come and join us and bring a friend!

We have been told that this is the only course of this kind being offered here in Belize.  Many of the volunteers with CDF will be taking the course (including me) and we hear that there are eight others from the community who have registered.  We are hoping for a great turn out and for many to stick it out for the full two years.  Please keep Tom and all of the students in your prayers!