The Work In Belize

Now the Lord said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee, and I will make of thee a great nation, and will bless thee and make thy name great and thou shall be a blessing.

The Lord had a great job for Abraham. He was to be the father of many nations and through him the whole world would be blessed. Well, I can’t compare myself with Abraham, but it’s sure wonderful to know that the Lord has us in mind!

Greetings dear brothers and sisters. My name is Esther Ellington and I would like to talk to you about my experience in Belize. It was great to say the least. We were visiting a very humble home in the country, close to a river here in El Salvador. We’ve only visited for a day, when that night about a block or so from the house, eight of the children from there and myself were worshipping on a full moon’s night, when we heard a scream coming from the house. “Sister Esther, someone is looking for you, come, it is an emergency!” we all ran at once, asking ourselves what could be the matter. When we got up the hill, my heart was beating a hundred miles per hour. When I saw a group of people, I wondered what this could be all about.

We shook hands and we sat down. They began by explaining the work in Belize and the need for lay workers, and also the project of taking the tent and actually evangelizing a place that had English as their first language. Most of the lay workers were Spanish speaking brothers and sisters. Well, definitely a challenge, but that is where I come in. They said that I could help out Brother Rizo the translate the services, and also sing during the crusade. It all sounded great but I asked, when will this take place? It was a Thursday night. “We are leaving Tuesday of next week”, he said. “A little too soon,” I thought.

Brother Lopez said, “This is a puzzle, and we are trying to put it together. Sister Esther, are you willing to go?” I answered without hesitation, “Here I am, Lord, send me! You know I’ll go with my children anywhere!” “But there is something you should know, sister, you can’t take your children.!” “Oh boy, I have never travelled without my children,” I answered. “Well, you see, sister, where we’re going is no place for children, plus you won’t have time to care for them.” I asked the brothers if we could pray about it and ask the Lord for help. After the prayer I felt a complete peace in my heart and I answered, “if there is someone who would care for my children while I’m gone, I’ll be willing to go with you.” Brother Archila said, “I know your family will be willing to help out, they are always willing to work for the Lord.” “Then let us go talk to them,” said Brother Lopez. “But it is almost 9 o’clock,” said Brother Archila. Then spoke Brother Hector, “I think you should try and if the sister is willing to go, you should go.”

We gathered our stuff in a hurry and put it in Brother Archila’s truck, said goodbye to the children in the ‘Tvome and their parents, and we were off to Santa Ana to speak with my family. My mom was very frightened to hear somone knock on the door at 12 o’clock midnight. But they all agreed to help take care of the children.

Tuesday, I was supposed to leave with the brethren for Belize that morning. I got a phone call, it was a school offering me a job! You see, I had been working on my own, giving private classes, but now I’m offered a teaching position in a school. I said to myself the Lord knows what I have need of before I ask Him, so I went to the interview, and I passed the test and got hired!

I thanked the supervisor very politely, but told her I couldn’t take the job. “Why?” she asked in surprise. “You see,” I explained, “I have a mission to take care of. The Lord hasd called me to go to Belize as a lay worker and I can’t refuse.” She looked at me right in the eyes and smiled, “Go child,” she said, “and may the Lord richly bless you! And if it’s God’s will, the job would still be here for you when you get back!” I knew then that I had made the right decision.

Travelling to Belize was very difficult. I was sad because I was leaving my children behind, but was happy because I was obeying God’s voice. We left from Guatemala about 4 o’clock in truck. We travelled almost two days and one night without stopping to sleep with all the equipment, four brothers and myself until we got to P.G. Belize the next day at about 7 at night. What a C’ip! We were tired and hungry. I didn’t Kr.ov; what to expect. I was in a different country with different people, but the beauty of Belize gave me a warm feeling about the place although homesick I was glad I was finally there!

Next day we set the tent. The women did not help in the hard work, but we cheered while they worked! No, not true we were in the kitchen preparing food for almost 20 people! The days that followed were busy days, we had our work cut out for us.

Every morning we would wake up at 5:30, have morning worship and do exercise. Sometimes we would walk to the beach and there have morning worship and enjoy the sunrise, it was ever so peaceful. From 7:30-8:30 we had breakfast, then our work would be given out for the day. Some of the brethren would go do surveys in town. I had to go to the tent with Dr. Rosaura. There were free consultations and also free medicine. Lots of people would come from P.G. and the nearby villages. One of the biggest problems with the people’s health was their eating habits, they consumed too much pork. And about 75% of the people were infected with worms and other diseases caused by pork eating.

Sometimes our routine would change and I would stay home cooking lunch with Sister Aury while Brother Samuel would take my place. There was little or no time for canvassing. Sometimes we would have to go give lectures on health. One of them was given at the local school to the teachers of that school. The results were great! They were very much interested in their health and later on they visited us at the tent. Most of the teachers became my friends. Some of them bought health books the same day of the lecture.

Sometimes I would go canvassing by myself and the Lord blessed me! On exciting experience I had was that I got to be in the local radio station, Wamalily Radio Station. We recorded some messages, Brother Lopez and myself. Govel Morgan, the owner was very nice and we got to be on the air a couple of times! We would invite the people to the night meetings, and also to the free consultations. The results were fantastic! Lots more people started coming.

Soon we made friends with the people of P.G. Whenever I was in the street, the people would come up to me and ask me about the tent! I would explain to them what was our mission and I would invite them and explain to them we had come to give them free medicine for the mind, soul and body!

In the afternoon, Brother Samuel, Jacobo, and Miguel would go in the tricycle and announce the meetings, while Brother Rizo, Brother Lopez and Brother Hunberto visited the people that had come to the service the night before. At 5 o’clock we all had to be at the tent inviting the people to come to the service. Brother Javier was at the keyboard while Sister Monica and Sister Aury would begin singing in Spanish, then I would start singing in English.

Our theme song was “Jesus” from the smallest child to the oldest folk, they all knew the words to the song by memory, and enjoyed singing it very loud. As soon as they heard singing the people would start coming on their bikes and others in their cars, walking and even by taxi. But they got there, the tent got full, the people couldn’t fit inside, they stayed outside to hear! All around the tent looking through the windows.

The arrival of Brother Henry and Brother Pat proved to be a blessing in P.G. To hear the message, clear in their own language was encouraging for the people. I remember one night that Brother Henry had just finished preaching and we’ve said goodbye to the people. The people remained in their seats, and wouldn’t move. They all said as one, keep on preaching! There is no school tomorrow! The next day would be a holiday, but it was already 9 o’clock and we were all very tired.

February 17 was to be the last night that we were going to be there. Brother Rizo had already announced that it was our last r.ight there, but since the people were so sad to see us end the service, they decided to extend it another week, since Brother Archila and Brother Eliseo had just come from El Salvador with more medicine and clothing from the Good Samaritan here in El Salvador to give to the people, and there were still more Bibles to give out. The service had to continue for the glory and honour of God! I had never seen so many people hungry for the Lord.

Sad to say I wasn’t able to stay. I got very sick and was hospitalized in Sister Rosauras Hospital in Guatemala. But I do not regret one minute of the work we were able to accomplish in Belize. There are lots of people interested in the Reform Message. Brother Rizo and Brother Samuel are still working in P.G. There are souls visiting the church and receiving Bible studies. Among those is a young man named Delbert who also helped with the special music during the crusade. My sisters and brothers, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into His harvest.
AMEN.