Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Returns from Mission Trip in Belize

Thanks to You, They Were Able to BE THERE

Last week, the following Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church Charities LERT team members returned from their mission trip of service in Belize, which involved removing multiple dead and storm-damaged trees from properties of the LCMS mission Camp Concordia, the education center of the zoo, missionaries and congregation member homes.

Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, Elburn
Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton
Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb

Camp Concordia is the central point for various LCMS mission groups who come to help Pastor Herb Burch, his wife Markie, and GEO Missionaries Gary and Sue Kessler (from Lord of Life, Elburn) share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the country of Belize. Mission groups also help Pastor Benjamin and Karina Flores, along with GEO Missionaries Jordan and Justin Langston, who serve at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in the Valley of Hope. Most of the families from this community are refugees fleeing El Salvador and Nicaragua.

The Lord of Life LERT team had purchased a new Echo 355T chainsaw and extra bars and chains to use in Belize. At the end of the trip, the saw and a pick-a-roon were given to Eleuterio Muzul, Camp Concordia’s construction manager, to maintain the properties.
 
He and all staff felt they better understood how to safely use the chainsaw and the proper technique for felling trees because of the willing teachers. Marty and Larry also purchased and replaced worn parts and repaired their older camp saw and equipment.

Eleuterio is a skilled carpenter and his first usage of the new saw was going to be cutting a cross in a tree stump. He also took much of the wood from the many trees cut down to be milled to make items for the church or those in need.
 
He built the altar and area at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in the Valley of Hope using different types of wood to show the diversity of all God’s children. He is a willing servant, at the camp, church and pastors homes. He also brings his son and nephew to work every day to teach them how to work and serve with their hands.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team from Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, Illinois, sent several mini stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs with the LERT team to pass to children.
 
They gifted one to GEO Missionary Langston’s child and the rest to Pastor Flores. He plans to give them to several special needs children he visits with in Belize.

Anna Piro shared the team's sentiment, "We all worked well together, falling into the tasks at hand. As you can imagine, there has been much joy and laughter throughout our trip with each other and those we worked with. Belize was good to us, and we have loved the people we met at Camp Concordia and Good Shepherd."
 
The Northern Illinois District and Lutheran Church Charities thanks each of these volunteers for their willing service in Belize. The Lutheran Mission Belize posted the following thanks on their Facebook page: "We are so grateful for the hard work of these Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers this past week! They took down damaged and diseased trees in several locations throughout Belize, including at Camp Concordia. They have been a blessing!"

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Please prayerfully consider donating to help with costs accrued on this LERT mission trip to Belize that served those in need.

DONATE - Help Fund LERT Mission Trip to Belize