Hearts of Christ UT Concession Booth

Hey Everyone, tomorrow night is the first home UT game!  Hearts of Christ will be on the third level in concessions.  Our booth is 331 and we would like to invite you to come and buy your hotdogs and soft drinks from us!  This is one of our biggest fundraising events for the ministry and every sale helps out a lot!!  Come and see us; we will be at every home football game.  Lord Willing!

Have You Made a Difference in Someone's Life?

We met these children in August while working the school distribution in Roaring Creek Village.  Their neighbor called our coordinator, Alicia, and told her to come and see the conditions they were living in.  It was devastating and hard to describe their home; slapboard built under a stilted porch just to get them out of the rain.  No shoes, very little clothing, no beds... just surviving on what the neighbors and friends can spare to give them.  We are trying to get them sponsors for school; shoes were delivered to them yesterday.  Pray for these children; you may be the called one that can help a child and make a difference!

780 Sponsored Children Thank You!! Bless You Sponsors!!!

 

 

 

Pray for us as we leave Belize in the morning for a bitter sweet trip home.  As much as we can't wait to see our families, it's hard to leave our friends and loved ones in Belize.

 

 

Korie and Alicia, thank you and may God bless you for the sacrifices you make to coordinate the mission teams in Belize.  This has been a great week to serve along side you on the mission field.  May God continue to bless Hearts of Christ Children's Ministry as we serve in His Holy Name.

 

Hearts of Christ August Mission Team

The school sponsorship distribution is in full swing!  The team has been working for three days now and we have seen over 700 sponsored children.  The number of mothers and children coming to ask for sponsorship has been overwhelming!  Everyday many stand at the mission site gate for hours just hoping that someone on the mission team might want to sponsor their child.  Tomorrow we travel to one remote village to distribute backpacks, textbooks, school uniforms and school supplies and our distribution mission will be completed.  It has been a great week!  The Lord has kept us safe and very busy!!

 

Sponsors have sent requests to purchase food for their sponsored child's family.  We have delivered several boxes of food in several villages. 

 

 

 

Even Missy our mission "Guard" dog is very tired!!

 

Take a Look at the new Hearts of Christ addition

Hearts of Christ has tried to purchase this land for several years.  It borders the mission property on the back side.  The red building is empty and frequently visited by drug dealers and users.  The property owner finally agreed on a purchase price that the ministry could consider.  The loan for the property came quickly and now the land is titled to Hearts of Christ; Praise!  The ministry is now in the process of raising funds to repay the loan and to fence the property.  Please join us in prayer as the ministry grows and prospers.  Many thanks to so many that have already helped in repaying $7,000 on the property note.  

My First Trip to Belize, Part 2

Today, we have more of Tara's story from her first trip to Belize. If you missed part 1, read here! And here is Tara's blog if you'd like to read more. Thank you so much for sharing with us, Tara! And if any of YOU would like to share your stories and experiences with Hearts of Christ, please let us know! 

What's it like in Belize?

Well, in some places, it's beautiful.  Take the Maya Ruins for example.  It's gorgeous to look at and climb.  You experience an incredible view of Belize and Guatemala from the top of the ruins.  You see nothing but jungle and just a few roads.

And I mean, few.

There are only two main roads in Belize.  They are paved.  Most other roads besides that of the couple of big cities?  Dirt and gravel.  It's tough on your vehicle to say the least.

The sky and natural settings are immaculate...

...while most of the houses and buildings you see are decrepit.

The heat is intense, and the money is sparse.  So drinking often comes out of a pouch instead of a bottle.

And at Hearts of Christ Children's Ministry, people come to the gates every single day, wanting the help of people who  know Jesus.

Only HOC is without a missionary/missionary family to live on their grounds to help these people.  The only exposure they are able to have with the people of Belize right now is through the sponsorships of these children.  By ministering to the children, HOC ministers to the whole family.  By giving an education and clothing to the children, the family has higher hopes of having a healthier state of living.  And most importantly, by HOC ministering to the children, the entire family gets to hear and see the gospel.

The most important part.

My First Trip to Belize

Today, our friend, Tara Kirk, is sharing with us about her recent trip to Belize! 

Over a week ago, I was in Belize.  And on one of the first days there, I was approached by this little boy's face:

Sweet, tiny little man of probably 5-6 years old, teeth that looked of wood, asked me if I had a sponsor for him.  Being my first trip with HOC, I did not know what to say as I didn't know the protocol for those who did not have sponsors.  My job was to make the snacks and take the pictures.

Children in Belize have to pay to go to school.  In a recent speech, I heard that about 49% of children can actually afford and go to school.  Out of that 49%, about 60% of them graduate.  Children are faced with the responsibility of making the money for their families, therefore school is not an option or not encouraged.  But through sponsorship, the family is loved on by families like yours, and school is an opportunity and encouragement.  Sponsorship covers their school tuition for a year as well as their uniform.  You can send the child Christmas gifts and letters too, if you desire.  Which you will.  More importantly, the gospel is shared, lives are changed and Jesus is a part of their lives.

Hearts of Christ gets sponsorships from everyday people like you and me.  But if they are out of sponsors, then these kids are simply and sadly left unhelped.  I know HOC would love to sponsor every single kid that comes to the Gate.  But if there is no money to give to the schools for the sponsorship, then it is monetarily impossible.

Throughout the next few weeks, I will be sharing stories through photographs about our life-changing trip to Belize.  Even though my bunk looked like this...

...we didn't wanna come back.  We weren't ready for America again.  It will never be the same.

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you."

Matthew 28:19-20 HCSB

Check out Tara's blog at 29:11 Studios!