Saturday, November 8, 2008
BCE Christmas Wish List!
Would please put a shilling in the poor kid’s hat.
If you haven’t got a shilling a small sweet will do
If you haven’t got a sweet... (Run away real fast!) ...the kids comin after you!
Enjoy my Belizean rendition on the classic Christmas carol? I thought it was pretty clever myself!
Christmas is coming. Tis’ the season to remind the children that it is better to give then to receive. So with that spirit we present to you the:
BCE Christmas wish list!
Filing Cabinet – we currently don’t have any place to put our papers. This makes it really hard for two naturally unorganized people to stay organized.
File Folders – These would come in really handy if “Santa” or “The Christmas Angle” (which ever you prefer) were to actually bring us a filing cabinet
Power Point Projector – Not only would it come in very handy for some of the councillor training that we do, but it is easier to present to churches and business people pictures and video of camp – without having to have everyone crowed around the computer
Soccer Balls – all of them were destroyed last year at camp, and we still tried to use them again this year. So we are in desperate need of the only object needed to play the only game that the boys at camp ever want to play.
Volleyballs – While the guys like “football” the girls like volleyball, and again we’ve only ever had one of these, and its in it’s dying days
Assorted kids balls – Aka. Nurf balls. Another favourite game of the children is dodge ball. But with basketballs – the only type of ball we now have the game can be quite painful – and bloody. (Please realize that we don’t actually let the children play dodge ball with basketballs.)
Whistles and Sports timers etc. – Our voices are only so loud, and our cell phones are not the best for keeping time in sports activities. Any little thing related to sports that you feel the urge to give – do so. I guarantee you we don’t have it.
Mac Laptop – Ok, let me explain. The laptop we have is good – we are very thankful that God has provided us with it, and we don’t know what we would do with out it (Could you imagine Leah and Alexander with out spell check!).
The reason we are asking for another, specifically for a Mac, is because of the nature of our work. We are often making videos and flyers to promote BCE – we make video’s of a churches camp to show the members what’s going on; video’s to encourage the youth and show them in action to their parents and churches; as well as to give a small taste of camp to interested supporters and business people – not to mention staying in contact through youtube to our friends, family and supporters back at home. Mac computers specialize in such software – and currently, for an unknown reason the video programs on the computer we have (a vista, go figure!) wont work.
Also, a second computer would make life easier for writing follow-up material with other individuals – and for when big projects come around that require lots of computer work, either Alexander or I wont be waiting for hours to get other work done. We realize its quite the request, and probably belongs on a dream list rather then a Christmas wish list – but they say you have to ask to receive.
Not wanting to be greedy, we’ll leave it at that.
Have a Merry Christmas – although I’m sure you’ll be hearing from us again before then.
P.S. If you are from the Kingston area and have something to send, Leah's mom is comming down to Belize December 1st. You can contact her and she may have some room to send it along.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Blue Creek Blessing
(Below is Umpas, our pilot, driver, supporter and friend)
We arrived on Saturday and spent the afternoon visiting with friends. On Sunday we had the privilege of reporting and preaching in the church. We trust that the Holy Spirit will have used us to challenge the people as much as we have been challenged by that same scripture (Duet. 32:11) – as we feel that in our context we have been pushed out of our comfortable nest, and into the dangerous world of Belize City.
It was a little difficult to find the time to visit everyone, but we had the pleasure of connecting with the churches pastors some leaders, and head of the mission board. We are thankful for the support they have shown us and look forward to working with them more closely in the future.
On the way back home we made a stop in Ship Yard, where we connected with Pastor Didrick and the youth leader. We are hoping to arrange a small camp with them in the upcomming months. And on the way out we picked up some fresh meat - what a treat! And Alexander got one of his wisdom teeth pulled. He's in alot of pain and some how thinks that he should be healed up already, please pray for him.
As always we were incredibly blessed with the food, friendship, lending of vehicles and encouragement for our ministry and marriage. Thank you to all those women who sat down with me to talk and just be a female companion – it was refreshing (and I know Alexander will greatly appreciate all the cooking lessons and advice I recieved). And thank you to all those men who let Alexander help out on the farm and get his hands dirty – he misses those days on the Altona farm.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Basketball Belize
We didn’t make any money (in fact it cost us a bit), but it was defiantly FUN.
Two churches that we have been doing camp came, bringing over 40 kids hyperactive kids– which was plenty enough for only 9 leaders. With the help of some talented guys, the kids were put through plenty of warm ups and drills to teach kids the game, before breaking them up into teams to compete. It may have seemed like chaos – every kid had fun.
The weekend was a busy one. Before Basketball camp, we had spent the weekend at a Pastors and Leaders conference here in the city. We were also able to set up a booth and connect with many different church leaders who may be interested in using our services.
But before the conference even ended we had to take off a little early to help some youth do a follow up program. We had done a camp this summer, with two of the youth from the church, but after that there didn’t seam to be anyone willing to do the follow up pr
The actually program went off pretty well. While there were a few kinks to be ironed out, we were very please at what the youth had accomplished. We hope the youth feel the same way and are as encouraged as we are to continue on – eventually with out our help.
Prayer Requests
We will be speaking in and giving the sermon in the Blue Creek Church on Sunday the 26th. Pray that we can continue to connect and build relationships with the church people there, also that we can bring an encouraging spirit led message to the church.
Please also pray for Alexander and I as we continue to adjust to married life. Lately it seems as if things have reached a head with tension and frustration in our relationship. Pray that when the hard times come, we will cling to each other and that God will bind us closer together as we struggle through the valleys.
Leah is still having a hard time connecting with Belizean girls her age and making friends – and deeply misses the soul friend she had back in Canada (shout out to Angela, Ashley, Char, Tab and Nikki!). Pray that the few female relationships she does have can grow into fulfilling friendships.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
September
The kids are now back in school and our focus has shifted to the youth. While the churches continue to connect with the kids through follow-up and Sunday school, we are working with a few key people in creating curriculum. While it was a rough start- none of us having done this in a group before, we finally came up with our focus and format of what we will be creating. Starting in November we want to cover lesson from Abraham, and David then lead into the Christmas story. Our curriculum will be easy with a key bible passage, questions, memory verse, simple puzzles or activities relating to the lessons, suggested songs and a challenge for the kids to complete that week. It’s meant to be simple and easy to adapt to a range of kids and young teens ages 7-15. The difficult part is arranging a time for this group to sit down and get things done.
This past month Belize celebrated its 27th year of independence so there were many events and parades going on around the country. We were able to join the celebr
(We do not support or encourage the viewing of inapropriate videos advertized by youtube after our video clip. If tempted remember GOD IS WATCHING YOU, WATCHING YOUTUBE!)
Want a new means of keeping up to date with us? Do you often get bored and start looking up random video’s on youtube? Then check us out on youtube! You can find us in the search engine under “alexanderandleah”
Keep us in your prayers – please, we really need them.
Bless.
Friday, August 29, 2008
End of Summer Review
The summer session has officially closed. This past week we finished our last two camps and on Monday the Children head back to school. Both camps went very well, and we were able to find extra help for the last minute cancellations of a few councillors. At the first camp 10 children accepted Christ, and in the last camp, the pastor led the whole camp in a prayer of salvation, to which all of them raised their hand too. We were then able to hand out donated Bibles to each child. Both these Pastors have committed to following up with these children.
25 youth from 5 different churches attended councillor training
9 new councillors worked with us for the first time
10 councillors crashed at our place and for 5 of them it was their first time staying an overnight in the city
4 Churches ran camps
5 camps completed
134 kids attended camp this summer
40 kids made first time commitments to Christ
402 hugs shared
1 out of 7 balls survived the summer, leaving us with 1 volleyball for next year
Approximately 100,000,000 bug bites endured
Well, we need to keep these churches accountable and help them develop a follow-up program that will meet the needs of the Children and the Church. We are continuing to reach out to other churches who may be interested in working with us next year. We are currently putting together a fundraising basketball tournament that will act as a follow-up event connecting churches we’re working with, and inviting other churches to join us in some fun fellowship. Also this month is September celebration so we are putting together a group of councillors and kids to represent us in the business parade. There are also a few people and teams wanting to visit and see what we are doing so we need to prepare for that as well. There is also the task keeping contacted with our councillors and getting some of them involved in developing curriculum for next years summer camps. The to do list never ends…
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Last Minute Changes
Probably one of the most significant parts of the three days was the challenge we put our councillors through. We challenged them to personally connect with at least one camper and report to us about what they were learning about what these kids were dealing with.
We found out that most of the children were living with only one parent or a grandparent. One young girl Maria has no idea who here father is, and she grew very attached to Joseph who we could clearly see she viewed as a father figure. We also found out that one of the young girls, no older than 8, her mother was teach
By the end of the three days when our volunteers were going home there were a few tears from the kids, in fear they would never see them again. We defiantly plan on having the same councillors working with these kids in the future and we reassured them of that – but as sad as it was for them, it was encouraging to see that an impact had been made on these children.
Coming up:
This up coming weekend we have two more camp. Its been in the works for awhile, but we have had some last minute cancellations from some key volunteers. Please pray for the gaps. And that God would have an impact on these kid’s and the church.
GOD Bless
GO Bless
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Another camp down – two more to go.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
It has begun...
It was also unique in that Alexander and I had very little involvement. This may sound strange but it is a great
Also pray for our health. We are currently suffering from one of the hazards of the job. Working with many kids and meeting many people put us in contact with a whole range of things. Please pray for quick healing and relief from these bugs.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Belize Camping Experience
(insert something attention grabbing here)
Now that we have your attention, let us tell you about what’s been going on.
This past weekend we held two councillor training sessions – one here in the city and another one in Spanish Lookout. It was an intense couple of hours, where we covered topics ranging from games and a typical camp schedule to fallow-up programs, dealing with trouble children and counselling kids dealing with tough issues. We are doing one more training in Blue Creek in two weeks, and tomorrow night we are helping a church do their own training – exactly what we want, Belizean churches taking ownership.
Armando a student and a friend from Steinbach Bible College was also involved at the training. Alongside us we had Brother Burns who is an official Christian counsellor in the city of Belize. Th
Last week we had been busy meeting pastors. We’re looking for the churches who want help with their children and youth program. There are many in need, but some would rather us do it for them instead of us empowering them to do it themselves. It’s a long sometimes frustrating process, but it’s the burden on our hearts and the grace of God that keeps us going.
We came in contact with a new church plant in the south side that has really encouraged us. This Belizean pastor left his pastoral position of 20 years in a village to brave the city and reach out to the un-reached. Because they are so new, they currently don’t have any Children or youth program but the pastor and some of the church members from his old congregation are egger to try anything that will help serve those around them. We look forward to working with them this August.
This coming week we have the first camp of the season. This church has decided to reach out to a specific group of children who are high risk and are in need of some genuine love – the kids from the orphanage. Please pray for the councillors and leaders to have patience and understanding for these rough kids. We will also need wisdom on how to handle conflict resolution and see beyond the face value of bad behaviour. May we truly reflect Jesus to these kids.
On a personal note, us newly weds are doing fine. I do a great job of keeping Alexander in check, making sure we keep a balance of work and relationship. So far we have had some time for sightseeing and exploring the country. In your prayers ask that we will be able to find a home church that isn’t just wanting us there for ministry sake, but a place where we can make friends and fellowship with people at the same life stage as us. I (Leah) am in some desperate need of some girl friends my own age, please pray for that as well.
If you’d like to write us you can send it to
Alexander and Leah Perez
Box 161
Belize City, Belize
Central America
GOD Bless
GO Bless
Friday, June 13, 2008
June 12 2008
This past month has been a whirlwind of a ride. Our wedding on May 31st was truly the celebration we had been hoping for. Thank you also for the generous gifts. We have set aside that money for setting up our home and have so far bought some small necessities as well as a new stove!
We left Canada on June 7th and arrived in Cancun that following night. Michael and Jessie camp counsellors who we are working with, picked us up in our new ministry truck. Just before the Belizean boarder we were not so pleasantly greeted by the Mexican police – a greeting that we finally ended with a big enough “tip” – if you know what I mean.
We’d like to send out a special thanks to all of those who have helped us raise the money for the truck. It’s amazing how God works – I was praying for a green truck (because what do I know about trucks except for color!?) and Alexander was praying for a Toyota Tacoma. Our ministry vehicle just happens to now be a Green Toyota Tacoma – GOD answered prayer!
After arriving to our home here in Belize, we spent the next couple days unpacking and adjusting. I’ve had to adjust to wearing shoes in the house, cold showers, and filling the washing machine with buckets of rain water – but nothing I can’t handle. On the other hand Alexander has to adjust to living with a woman from another culture who doesn’t know how to make the basic dish of beans – except for out of a can -pray for him. But today we’re finally back to business.
A lot has happened here in Belize while we were away. A huge tropical storm named Arthur washed out villages in Southern Belize, killed 4 people and left millions of dollars in destruction. Even here in Belize City the roads are under construction from being washed out and the usually blue waters around the city are still brown from all the sediment. There is also a huge shortage in rice and flower, the country’s staple food.
· Pray for a smooth transition from being away from the ministry for so long. We need to reconnect with the churches and key young leaders we will be working with.
· Pray for the councillor training that we will be having in two weeks. We still need to confirm dates, get the word out and create the curriculum we will be teaching.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Crosscurrent Student helping in leadership training Belize.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Fallow-up program and Cross Current.
Time is going too fast:Bienaventurados los que …. Con todo el corazon le buscan Palm 119:2.
May the Holy Spirit bring us a fresh reminder what Jesus went through for us. I find it so interesting when I read John 18:1-6, it says, a detachment of soliders and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees went to arrest Jesus. What does the word detachment mean? It was a group of 300 soldiers, maybe something like the movie 300 And on Verse 18:6 it says that they all fell on the ground. You see how powerful our redeemer is! I watched the passion of Christ but I never got a complete idea of what Christ went through. Yes! The Jesus I serve is more powerful that I ever imagined.
Invite you to pray for these events:
March 25 – April 14 Cross Current helping in youth leadership training joining me in Belize
March 26 – 30 Fallow-up Programs for campers
March 29, April 3, 11, 12 Counselor training
April 3 Belize Children Camps Board meeting (pray 4 the board making wise decision)
April 19 Bring 4 youth group together planning for summer camp
April 20 Found Raiser
April 24 Traveling to Canada to see my Princess
May 31 Getting Married to the Wettlaufer family…
There are more things taking place but these will help to accomplish the others. Pray for the structuring of the youth groups. God has been making beautiful things happen while training these youth. They have poured out their hearts and troubles. March 29, 5 youth will start writing material for fallow-up camping programs. This how committed these guys are to the ministry.
The neighborhood where we are working. I was meeting with a group of 5 youth at St Andrew church on the south side of Belize the other week. During our session, seven gun shots were fired on the other side of the church. These youth are all trained so that they all lie on the ground as the gun shot were fire. One brave young Lady by the name of Nicole did not lie on the floor. We all taught she was the brave one, but we found out after that she taught it was firecracker. Please pray for our safety.
Alexander ..
Monday, March 3, 2008
To little time and lot to do
Pray that God will provide a vehicle and for protection until then, as I have to ride my bike everywhere.
Pray that the detail for the cross-current team visiting will come together in time for their trip on March 25th to April 15.
Also pray as I try to find the time to prepare things down here to be joined by my future wife.
SO MUCH TO DO AND SO LITTLE TIME!
Pray for strength as the burden is heavy, and the cost is high. This is where God wants me, and I am willing – but I can not do it without your prayers of support.
Pastor Bethson duble his Camper
In Spanish we say: “ Mucha - Passa”.
The children in Belize City say, “My Friend!” It reminds me of when I was in India… The Indian people gave me special names like “Uncle” or “my Brother.” They saw the value of being a Latin Missionary in India…
In the same way the children of Belize City experience the importance of having someone who is building a long term relationship with them. It blows the kids minds knowing that there are people who care for them. The circumstances where these children come are like the ghetto.
What a privilege it is to have a real friend! James 2:23 says, that God accounted to Abram righteousness and God even called him His Friend….
Pastor Betson a pastor who we did camp with last summer @ the city of Belize has tripled his campers over the period of 7 moths... He now has 75 rough and beautiful children. Since the older people do not want to come church, Pastor Betson has caught the vision of what Children’s Camps International has been promoting.
“Win the children and through them we win the parents,” says Pastor Betson. He has caught the vision. Two weeks ago a statistic came up for Belize. It stated that 44 % of our population is under the age of 18. Pastor Betson and other Pastors shake their heads saying “Bull’s eye!”…. And only 15% of the churches in Belize are targeting to youth. Pray that the church in Belize continues to picks up the vision to reach out the youngsters. Belize is a young country that received its independence in 1981. So we are a young nation with a young population who need to take God more seriously.
Okay! Last two weeks. God has given me the privilege to start 3 youth groups in 3 different churches. I guess someone has to do the job!!! I give thanks to God that he has started a fire in my heart for the young generation here. And we need more youths to have more camp counselors for this summary camp 2008.
Please pray 4 the Ministry
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Journey Continues
Good News friends, I made it back to Belize in one piece. The missionary journey was like walking in the shoes of Jesus. Yeah! I have begun to do and to teach, on what I preached.
Preaching hope and encouragement to my Indian brothers brought me more passion on reaching out to the young generation. This picture is my Appartment
Now I am back to my neighbourhood. The building I stay is not in great shape. During my time living in this building they have rob 6 apartments. Praise God that they have respected this noble man home. Or probably, they have read the shard note at the front door. It quotes, “My father is waiting for you; and if He do not answer, He is still listening!” Guys i did choosed this to be my home. I have reach out two families. And it has being of huge blessing. Do not worry.. I will be finding a better pl
Please remember that Belize City needs lot of prayers. We had government election on 8 Fed. During this time they have had four shootings in the city. Four deaths and 17 injured by gun shooting. This is not a game. Riding Bicycle probably is not a good idea...However, we can not fears the enemy. There a better life to come.....
Last Sunday morning, I preached Christ and Poverty. During the preaching people were quietly listening how Jesus exalted the poor. And he commands that they be helped. Right after the preaching a younger man by the name Shawn, who came to me and he said, “Can you teach me, I want to learn from you.” He continue saying, “Last two weeks I came out of jail after being there for 16 years in prison.”
Please pray that I can disciple this younger man. That Shawn would become a testimony to reach out children of Belize before the devil get to them.
Love you all…Happy Valentine------- God bless you through this reading+++++ 27 today. Alexaner
Sunday, January 27, 2008
God is in India

Friday, January 18, 2008
Belize Winter
It is pretty good feeling when your toes are getting frozen.
This is Canada for you friends. Imagine a beach with white sand. So white that it hurts your eyes as the sun shines!
The fun part about the white Snow (sand) A is that you can build a Canadian Sandman. It also allows you walk on water. And go fishing just without a canoe. Ha, ha, that's nothing yet.
Imagine, taking the Good News to this beautiful land. Where there are no Mosquitoes problems because thier Jackets are to big and buky to fly in. However, they need to be reminded what God is doing in the other side of the world.
Alexander @ Manitoba, Canada .. Too Cool too cold for this Belizean..... God bless you all read the report and pray as you read.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Not to Cold and Not to Worm
Now, you’re questioning when is the big day? May 31, 2008 or 139 more days. The wedding will be taking place @ Kingston ON. Not Jamaica. However, for friends who cannot make it out there, we will be having engagement party @ Winkler Bible Camp on April, 28, 2008. Time 7:00 p.m… write it down
I witness this in the past.
"I did not believe on marriage in the past. I came from divorce parents and broken foster parents. I believed that I was a cursed child in God eyes. I could not comprehend why I was abandoned by my own family. I felt so rejected by the society that I did not fear God."
What happens when you do not fear God? You become dangerous like a wild beast of darkness. Yet, God never give up on me. One day he opened my eyes, that I saw His wondrous things from His law. Now, marriage for me is considered One of God holy blessing for man-kind. I’ve learned this, “With Christ a child can let go the deepest wounds and trade it for God soft joy”
Where am I? Missions!!! I am in Canada witnessing. I’ve had various meeting with leader of CCI, speaking at different group of people and visiting ministry supporters and visiting friends. I also connected with Cross-Current Mission team who are coming to help us with follow-up programs in the City of Belize. Also spend few hours with CCI planning for better camps. The Spirit of God has kept me going!
On the January 21, 2008, I will be leaving to India early Morning. Please pray for me as God prepare me for this new journey. Ask the Spirit to give me open mind, discernment, simplicity and love for lost in India. Pray for safety.
On Fed 5, 2008 I should be @ Cancun heading back to Belize.
I will be willing to report @ your friends. To share with you what God is doing in this side of the world?
You are all my Family
Alexander P.Z