news article
Belize mission journey: a week of gentle grace
March 2, 2026 / By the Rev. Dr. Robin Blair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
From February 8–14, 2026, nine volunteer missioners from the Upper New York Annual Conference traveled to Corozal, Belize, where we were warmly welcomed by missionary Rev. Charles Mulemena, pastor, and Volunteers in Mission (VIM) coordinator, missionary Sandy Raasch.
Belize is home to numerous Methodist congregations and schools, and we were received with extraordinary hospitality. Our time together reflected the deep joy of connectional ministry — visiting, serving, and praising God alongside our siblings in Christ.
The purpose of this mission was both relational and practical. During the week, we were privileged to integrate into the daily life of two Methodist school communities serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. We assisted teachers in classrooms, participated in the rhythm of the school day, and led morning devotions in the sanctuary spaces where children gather for worship and reflection.
We also joined in hands-on projects that support the schools’ daily operations. These included helping construct a small booth used by the school’s warden, who lovingly watches over the entrance gate as students come and go. In Corozal, many children return home for lunch and then re-enter the school grounds for afternoon classes, creating a lively flow of daily movement. Our team also painted outdoor wooden tables used by students during snack and break times.
What we encountered throughout the week can best be described with one word that surfaced again and again: gentle.
The schools and churches are modest yet deeply nurturing environments. The playgrounds, with their open dirt spaces softened by scattered grass, invite joyful play and laughter. At the Corozal location, a large cement pavilion serves as a gathering place for morning assemblies and energetic basketball games — a vibrant center of student life.
Rev. Charles Mulemena and Sandy Raasch offered invaluable guidance as they introduced us to the cultural and educational context of Belize. Teachers’ salaries are provided by the Belizean government, while religious organizations assume responsibility for building maintenance, additional staff, and classroom resources. This partnership creates meaningful opportunities for Volunteers in Mission teams to offer tangible support through maintenance and improvement projects.
Belize is an English-speaking nation where Spanish and other dialects are also widely spoken. We were welcomed into classrooms with remarkable openness, assisting teachers and students engaged in lessons ranging from English and mathematics to art projects and volcano making! The trust extended to us by both educators and children was, once again, marked by gentleness and grace.
Each morning devotion brought the school communities together through Scripture, storytelling, and song. The students’ infectious enthusiasm for singing was deeply moving; it was inspiring to witness children confidently recite the school creed and the Lord’s Prayer from memory.
Beyond our simple service, we were blessed by the beauty of Belize itself. After each day’s activities, we walked through the village of Corozal, visited local shops, and rested along the oceanfront roads lined with coconut palms and stirred by warm breezes. As we all traveled from a particularly cold week in New York State, even the climate felt like a quiet gift of renewal. More profoundly, the landscape offered a vivid reminder of God’s abundant and diverse creation.
As often happens during joyous mission service, the week passed quickly, yet relationships formed that possess faithful endurance.
We celebrate with joy that Rev. Dr. Robin Blair shared Professional Development Credit (PD) sessions for teachers titled Well-Being of Students in the Digital Age. She has been invited to return in August 2026 to provide additional PD opportunities in digital media and faitih formation for all educators serving Methodist schools across Belize — a blessing we receive with deep gratitude.
We encourage congregations in the Annual Conference seeking partnerships and mission opportunities to consider Belize and the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and Americas (MCCA). Contact VIM Coordinator missionary, Sandy Raasch at methodist4belize@gmail.com.
If you would like to contribute to the mission in Belize via GBGM:
Charles Mulemena - #3022034
Sandy Raasch - #15075Z
We give thanks to God for the spirit of partnership, hospitality, and gentle grace that defined this mission journey.
Paige, Patrick, PJ, Linda, Mary, Roger, Donna, Jeff and Robin.