As I look back, here I am 5 years ago standing by the wall of the Caribbean Sea in front of the pastors house in Belize City, Belize. Back then I was reminded of the story in scripture when Peter walks on the water. Although Peter's lack of faith forces him to sink and Jesus saves him, on a positive note, Peter needs to be commended for stepping out of the boat.
I remember being a little uneasy about coming here. I was afraid, much like the other disciples, to step out of the boat. I was disappointed in myself, that there were too many times in my life that I never "stepped out" and I nestled myself in my comfort zone, and missed out on God's calling. I certainly didn't want to leave my wonderfully air conditioned house to be in Belize. But that nudge and still, quiet voice kept calling me to "step out", and I did. I remember on that day by the wall, I had already seen God at work in my life and He was about to do so much more. In the midst of all these thoughts about going to Belize the day I arrived I sensed so much "brokenness" and poverty was everywhere. I was so eager to serve.
I found out that the vision of Belize City was to build a Church and a School in the burial grounds a place where the poorest of poor
live. When I got to the site this is what I saw. And we began to work on this empty piece of land. There were other aspects of this trip like visitingorphanages and holding orphans but this image will be forever imbeded in my head.
The progression here is not hard to see. And all the while, and over the years, I needed to be reminded of the initial feeling that I got here, that we live in a lost and broken world, outside my comfort zone. I remember praying to the Lord and asking Him "How long have I been numb to the darker side of reality?
So I stepped out into the unknown and I trusted God to keep me strong and hold me up. And when I start to sink because of my shortcomings and my selfishness, I know He will carry me the rest of the way and He did and still is.
