17 Surgeries later....

There was no doubt that we were in Central America yesterday morning as we began the day…it was about 80 degrees with 100% humidity at 7 a.m.! But I guess I would rather be enjoying the heat than the snow that’s hitting our neck of the woods. The heat didn’t stop us, and it surely did not stop the villagers at “Trial Farms” from coming to see the medical team and our ministry team!

The medical and ministry groups that traveled to close-by “Trial Farms” village yesterday packed up crafts, toys, pharmacy equipment, and other medical equipment. Over the course of the day they gave out 500 scripts and saw over 350 patients. They wrote about 2/3 the amount of scripts in one day that past mission trips have written in one whole week!



The ministry team worked hard in the heat entertaining hundreds of kids. The village children seem to have an endless supply of energy and without the 10 teenage members of our team, we would have fallen behind quickly. We provided bags for the children to color and fill with candy, bubbles and other gifts that brought smiles to every face.


The surgical team spent their day in the Orange Walk Hospital. We arrived at 9 a.m. and did not leave until 9:30 p.m. It was a full day of surgeries ranging from Tonsilectomy to partial Thyroidectomy. Most of the surgeries that are scheduled throughout the week are for the tonsils. The tonsils that have been seen here tend to be much larger than the ones that the doctors have seen in the US. This is probably due to the fact that when in the US, doctors do not allow children to keep their tonsils as long if they are too large. This is only one of health differences that we have seen between life in Belize and life at home; we have learned that the health problems in Belize are not necessarily worse than in the States, there are simply different means to approaching and dealing with them.

There are two more related mission teams that are coming to Belize over the next two weeks. A group with two plastic surgeons and one ENT will be working from February 4-11. The third group will be staying from February 18-25, which will be performing village medical and will be building homes. We have run into a few government officials along our journey and they continue asking if we can send more groups. They are so grateful for the work that we have done for their people and would love to have more groups visit. If you are in any way interested, even if you just want to know when other trips are coming next year, please contact the church. They would love to send more groups each year. It is an amazing experience.

Busy in Belize

The HCC group has made it safely to Belize! After a day of travel we all converged at Tony’s Inn and Resort in the town of Corozal. This morning, following our much-needed night of rest, we awoke to the gorgeous view of the ocean and palm trees and got ready for breakfast and worship, which proved to be the best way to start our day!

Today we all traveled to the hospital in Orange Walk Town to perform patient screenings for the days of surgery that lie ahead. The medical team saw more than 250 patients over the course of the day and scheduled over 35 surgeries. The most amazing part of the day, from the medical standpoint, was the fact that these hundreds of patients arrived at the hospital before 9 a.m. and waited patiently the entire day to have the opportunity to visit with a doctor. It is very difficult for most Belizians to obtain healthcare, so mission visits are often the only time they will travel to see a doctor concerning their maladies. They’re gratefulness and willingness to wait for attention was astounding. Can you imagine any American waiting more than 30 minutes, happily, to see their doctor?

While the medical team was busy cycling patients, the ministry team was working hard in the sun playing with children and teens and praying with patients and families that wanted an extra prayer for their healing. With the daily motto of “Equipo de Oracion” (Equipt to Pray) we look forward to reaching out to those in need and giving them a hopeful word whenever it is needed.

We gave Bibles, painted faces, decorated flip-flops, played soccer, and painted nails! There were children everywhere who were excited to play with the “new kids” in town.

Tomorrow the group splits for our day of service. The surgical team will head back to the hospital to begin their first full day of surgeries. The ministry team will travel for their first village visit. The nurses and physicians will perform check-ups with villagers and the rest of the team will meet, worship, teach, and play with more new friends.

Please keep our travels and activities in your prayers. We are so excited to touch the lives of those that we meet, and there is no denial that they are already touching ours!

2 Days and Counting

Welcome to the official blog for the 2010 Dwelling Place mission to Belize. Myself and 46 others are taking off Thursday morning and landing Thursday evening in the beautiful country of Belize.

The Dwelling Place in Cincinnati, OH has been traveling to northern Belize for the past 3 years lending a medical, physical, and spiritual hand to Belizeans of the "Orange Walk" district, also known as the Sugar District.

A bit of history:
Sugar production makes up the bulk of agricultural growth in Belize. The production began shaping the history of, what is now, Belize as early as the mid-19th century, and although sugar cane is produced throughout Belize, it is all collected and processed in the Orange Walk District.

In addition to sugar cane, Belize is home to the world's second largest barrier reef (second to Australia's Great Barrier Reef) and beautiful, lush jungles.

I hope to bring photos, fun-facts and stories from the trip to our friends and family at home. Feel free to pass our blog along to your friends. Maybe our stories will inspire others to join the mission next year!