January - February 2021
Greetings from Belize! We rejoiced in February when churches were finally allowed to reopen for services. After ten long months, it was a joy to gather as a body of believers and worship the Lord together once again. Our hearts also rejoice from the fruit we are seeing in the small group Bible studies we do three nights a week. Two of the young men who have been coming since 2019 received Christ this past month! We praise God for how He works in the hearts of souls that are seeking Him. Elizabeth has also seen some deep and valuable growth taking place in the ladies Bible study group. The ladies are all faithfully reading their Bibles daily and eagerly discussing the things God is teaching them. The power of God’s Word never ceases to amaze us.
| One of the Young Men Who Received Christ |
When we moved to Belize in 2018, we never envisioned that homeschooling would be possible for Belizeans. Though foreigners such as ourselves have always been given an exception for homeschooling, the requirements for Belizeans were so rigid that most people never even considered it as an option. We are amazed by how God is reversing that mindset in a country where quality, Christian education is greatly needed. The past two months have been filled with many organizational meetings, planning days, and phone calls as we move forward with the homeschool association. Government authorities have given their verbal approval and appreciation for the association. Only God could take the crisis of the pandemic and turn it around for His glory. It has also been exciting to add several more shelves of books to our resource room. God also brought a Belizean mom into our lives that has a great desire to help with the association. Her insight and advice has been a tremendous asset to us during the planning phases. Upcoming preparations for March and April include building a playground, making banners, completing the resource room, and interviewing families. We will begin promoting the application process this month. Please pray earnestly with us that God will continue to bring families into the association that are seeking not just a good education, but also spiritual truth. We already see God answering that specific prayer in the families we are meeting. We truly need God’s help and wisdom as we learn to show His love in a very new realm here in Belize.
| Homeschool Association Logo |
Our family has been memorizing 1 John 4:16, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” Our greatest joy so far this year was watching our oldest daughter, Rachel, experience that love through salvation in January. God’s love is so abundant to all! Thank you for your own faithful love and prayers for us. We consider it an honor to share the Gospel on your behalf here in Belize.
| Our Oldest Daughter, Rachel |
Sharing Christ in Belize,
Jonathan and Elizabeth
with Rachel, Josiah, Anna, and Julia Shertzer
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