Monday with Mom – You Better Belize It – Know Your Flocks & Herds

When I was offered an opportunity to go to India last year, my skin rash was not very comfortable. That is an understatement. But I remembered Mom. I recalled mom’s heart and could hear mom joyfully talking about her trip to Belize when she was a frail, older woman. If she knew I had an opportunity, she would encourage me to go in faith and serve the people in India.

Mom liked to listen for opportunities and had a heart to serve. When many would consider themselves “too old to be a missionary,” Mom learned that a group from her church would be traveling to Belize to help with a training mission where young men are given skills training. I am reasonably certain that she went to Belize Vo-Tech, where their web site declares they want to make, “a difference in the lives of the boys here, as we train them to be men of God.”

The travel was not easy for a seventy-five-year-old woman with heart troubles. I can still hear her laugh as she told about the more difficult portions of the trip from the airport to the school. Walking across swinging bridges was not mom’s idea of a good time. Nor was crossing through a river in a bus. She didn’t like big bugs.

But there was Someone calling her to serve, and she dare not miss the opportunity to give love, encouragement and training to some young men. It didn’t end with her trip. She told everyone she could about the trip. She wrote to the “boys” as well. Her job wasn’t done when the trip was over. Some do the trip and may forget the people. Mom always remembered the people. Perhaps that is why she overflowed with laughter and joy. It was what her Savior would have done to give young men a future and a hope.

If you look closely at the picture of mom, you will see the words “You better Belize it.” Mom believed God called her to serve and her faith took her to Belize. Mom’s obedience to God taught me that I shouldn’t give up when the way is hard – see the future and the hope.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)