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Kate Wyatt, a lifelong member of the St. Matthew's community, left Richmond in July 2003 for a one-year mission to Belize in Central America. She departed with a larger mission team from St. Matthew's that was in-country for a week. Throughout the course of her mission, Kate expects to publish a monthly newsletter and photos here on our Web site to share with us her work, her hopes and her needs. Her first message appears on this page. As Kate sends in subsequent updates, we will list and link to them here.
July 10, 2004 -- Kate's July 10th e-newsletter.
April 29, 2004 -- Kate's April photo selections.
February 10, 2004 -- Kate's February photo selections.
February 9, 2004 -- Kate's February 9th e-newsletter.
December 25, 2003 -- Kate's surprise Christmas visit letter.
November 14, 2003 -- Kate's November 14th e-newsletter.
November 13, 2003 -- Check out Kate's November 13th photo selections.
October 13, 2003 -- Read Kate's October 13th email.
October 4, 2003 -- Read Kate's October 4th email.
September 12, 2003 -- Recent photos.
September 1, 2003 -- Read Kate's September 1st email.
August 15, 2003 -- Read Kate's August 15th email.
August 11, 2003 -- Read Kate's August 11th email. Photos included!
August 7, 2003 -- Read Kate's August 7th email (her first) and prayer list from Belize by clicking this link. Photos included!
July 24, 2003 -- We've raised $27,505 and topped our goal! Thank you!
To the St. Matthew's Family --
Thank you so much for your support over the last year. Many doubts have run through my mind since my return from Belize in the summer of 2002, but never once did I doubt your faith in me to make the right decisions concerning God's call for me to go to Belize. Thank you for your financial support; we successfully raised over $27,000. Thank you for your prayer support, which is something I cannot go without throughout my time in Belize. Thank you for your questions. I knew you really cared when you asked if I would live in a grass hut (nope), or when you wanted to know what the literacy rate was (90%), or when you wanted to know why -- because God told me to. Thank you for your smiles. They are so contagious.
And thank you for your commitment to pray for me and to support me while in Belize. For my pledge supporters: monthly support can be sent to the address below. Please make sure you put my name and account number (018204) on your check (you can get a pledge card by clicking this link):
MTW Donations
PO Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368-6284
I arrived in Belize, Central America on July 26, 2003. I am participating in a ten-month teaching internship mission through Mission to the World. MTW is a mission-sending agency, helping to fulfill the Great Commission by advancing church-planting movements through word and deed in strategic areas worldwide. To learn more about MTW, visit their Web site.
While in Belize, I will teach a class of my own at the elementary level, work with the youth at church, help with Sunday school, and most importantly I will be forming relationships with the Belizian people. These relationships will help the other team members to further the spread of the Gospel to those who don’t know Christ’s love. I will also be getting the skills and training I need to possibly further my involvement with foreign missions. Click this link if you'd like to learn more about Belize and its people. To see how things are going for me, please read my updates.
The team that St. Matthew's sent worked contruction at one of several work sites and Vacation Bible School (VBS) at the local Presbyterian churches. VBS averages 30-120 children. This ministry can include music, skits, activities, crafts, and Bible Studies. Most children speak English, older children often translate for the younger ones. The team stayed in Corozal Town at the Hotel Maya and was transported by bus to the worksite every day, a ride of about twenty minutes through the sugar cane that lines the roadsides. The team members were Kevin Bojarski, Rachel Burgess, Johanna Cluver, Nathaniel Gearles, David Holland, Sandra Holland, Christine Hopkins, Nancy Lentz, Terry Lentz, Matt McDonald, Brooke Pemberton, Lee Pemberton and Andy Wood. The team mission went from July 26th through August 2nd.
LINKS • Presbyterian Medical Clinic, Patchakan Village
• Cornerstone Presbyterian High School, Concepcion, Belize
How You Can Help
God calls us all as Christians to be part of His mission. Working together, we call all help to spread the Gospel to the people of Belize. Are you part of a small group Bible Study? What about a Sunday school class? Here are some ways you can help:
Prayer: The most important thing I need is prayer. There are many problems we might encounter which could also be used to show God’s glory. I covet all of your prayers for these specific requests:
- An easy and short adjustment to a new culture and new way of life
- The health and safety of myself and the rest of the team members
- My family here in the states
- My new class of students and their parents
- Nicole Fennig who is raising support to return for her third mission in Belize as a teacher intern
- Unity in the team
- The work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the Belizian people
Financial Support: We have raised more than $27,000 in order to do God’s work through this internship. $7,000 is needed to cover travel and shipping to and from Belize, immunizations, visas and other related expenses. Each month, $1,900 is needed to cover living expenses, insurance expenses, my salary, Home Office Missionary Care, etc. This also includes money needed for training once I’m in Belize. All donations are tax deductible and should be sent to MTW (Mission to the World). Please include a pledge card that you may get by clicking this link or from the poster at St. Matthews.
Other Ways to Help:
- Put together a care package of school supplies.
- Have your Sunday school class draw pictures for my students. We will most certainly respond with more pictures.
- Keep asking questions. If you want to know what’s going on, ask. If you have any further questions, please contact me (see below).
Postage information from the US to Belize:
What Cost How long Who postcard $.60 5 days USPS letter $.70 5 days USPS 1 pound package $9.25 4-7 days USPS 2.5 pound package $17.25 4-7 days USPS 5 pound package $21.25 4-7 days USPS Mailing address:
Kate Wyatt
PO Box 232
Corozal Town, Corozal
Belize, Central America
Email: mkinbelize@yahoo.com.
Phone: 011-501-423-3351
*if you dial 10-10-220 before my phone number it will only cost you $.39 per minute. The best times to call are after church on Sundays and any weeknight between 8 and 11 your time. It is really expensive for me to call the States, about $1.40 per minute, so I won't be making too many calls to the States.
Thank you for your prayers and support! -- Kate Wyatt ><>
