Logston (Belize) Update – October 2023

J4 October 2023 Newsletter

What an Amazing, Crazy, Difficult, Wonderful Year

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Missionary kids enjoying the Independence Day Parade in Belmopan! L-R: Lukas, David, Lydia, and Malachi. Thanks for checking out our latest newsletter!

Greetings dear friends in Christ,

As we have reached the one-year mark since our arrival to Belize, we thought it prudent to take a moment to reflect on the milestones and challenges of the past year. Obviously, it’s enjoyable to look back on the good times and see how God is working in us and through us in this corner of the world, but it’s also important to reflect on the tough times to see how God has carried us through, and how we might prepare and adapt in the future.

September 16, 2022 – Our arrival to Camp Concordia and dinner with Pastor Herb & Markie Burch!

Three days after our arrival to Belize, Malachi was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. After spending two nights in the hospital, we were able to return to Camp Concordia.

In October 2022, we hosted and aided a short-term team conducting an eyeglass clinic in Valley of Peace. We helped more than 160 people during the two-day event!

On Reformation Sunday, we officially dedicated and celebrated Good Shepherd (El Buen Pastor) Lutheran Church in Valley of Peace!

Last November brought Hurricane Lisa, our first hurricane experience. Thank the Lord there was no loss of life, just lots of debris to clean up.

In late November, we visited and helped at the feeding program at Christ Lutheran Church in Seine Bight (pronounced “Sane Bite”). More than 50 kids come to the church for lunch Monday through Friday. A lovely local woman, Miss Harriet, leads the program. She is such a blessing!

Candlelight Christmas Eve service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, led by Pastor Benjamin.

Since Christmas, there has been an amazing influx of baptisms at Christ Lutheran Church. We are so grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in this community!

In January, Jordan began teaching weekly ESL classes in Valley of Peace, the first program of this type to be offered in the community. It has been awesome to watch the students progress!

It was BYOPB (Bring Your Own Palm Branches) to Palm Sunday worship at Good Shepherd Lutheran!

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

We’ve been blessed to be able to make many home visits during our time in Belize, including learning how to make pupusas (El Salvador’s national dish) from Lilian, one of Jordan’s ESL students. Delicious!

Justin has been able to share his musical gifts playing clarinet during church services, as well as teaching and playing for the students at Little Lambs Preschool in Valley of Peace.

In June, we hosted a short-term team from St. Louis, MO, who helped revitalize a community library in Valley of Peace!

With the help of a short-term team from Cape Girardeau, MO, we held the inaugural English Family Camp at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in July! More than 30 kids and adults attended the three-day event to improve their English skills and hear God’s Word.

The parade train in Valley of Peace was at least a half-mile long!

September is a month-long celebration of Belize’s independence. The entire country is decorated with flags, banners, and balloons. We had the opportunity to walk in Valley of Peace’s Independence Day Parade on September 20 with Little Lambs Preschool, which is part of Good Shepherd Lutheran. Braving the sun and heat, we walked through several of the main streets waving, cheering, dancing, and handing out informational flyers for our church and preschool. It was a wonderful experience!

Celebrating Belize’s Independence! L-R: Pastor Benjamin, Karina & Lukas, Jordan & Malachi, Robin, and Lydia.

On September 23, 2023, Jordan and Malachi were blessed to witness the first two baptisms at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Valley of Peace! Brothers Angel and Darwin were washed clean and welcomed into the Lord’s Family. Their mother, Karina, was glowing with happiness!

L-R: Karina, Angel holding baptismal certificate, Pastor Benjamin, and Lukas (Pastor Benjamin’s son).

Angel being baptized by Pastor Benjamin (left) and Pastor Micah (right).

Pastor Benjamin baptizing Darwin, Angel’s brother.

With Justin serving as Communications Specialist, opportunities arise for him to travel to nearby countries to share how God is working in other Latin American countries. From September 21-26, he journeyed to Comayagüela (pronounced “Coma-ya-goo-ay-la”), Honduras for the Honduras Fall FORO meeting. That Saturday, the FORO group met to discuss the blessings and challenges of the past six months, as well as how best to serve the Honduran mission moving forward. On Sunday, the group worshipped together at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Comayagüela in the morning, and enjoyed a cultural outing to the small town of Ojojona (pronounced “Oh-ho-ho-na”) in the afternoon. Praise God for the mission-centric hearts of this group as they continue working to spread the Gospel, plant Lutheran churches, and show mercy to our brothers and sisters in Honduras!

Members of the Honduras FORO group at Ojojona.

At worship, Axel, a young man of the congregation, was baptized and confirmed!

Prayers

• Thanksgiving for the safe and successful relocation of Jordan’s parents, Dale and Deb to Florida. We pray that God will bless them with a smooth transition.
• Prayers for Pastor Benjamin, his wife Karina, their son, Lukas, and Baby #2, who is expected to arrive any day!
• Prayers of thanks for a successful knee surgery for fellow Belize missionary, Sue Kessler. We ask for a quick recovery so that she is able to soon rejoin us at Camp Concordia.
• Prayers of thanks for the safe arrival of baby Elena Grace to our dear friends in the Dominican Republic, Jamielynn and Rafa!
• Prayers of comfort for our dear friends, the family of Eleuterio & Elisabeth Sanchez in Valley of Peace. Elisabeth’s mother passed away in late September after a long battle with illness.

Thank you for your ongoing love and support of our little family serving The Lord in Belize. We would not have reached this one-year milestone without you. We are thankful for opportunities of growth in our faith and are grateful that our Victorious Lord walks with us every step, often carrying us on His shoulders.

Vivit,

J4 – Jesus, Jordan, Justin & Jamie Malachi