Testimonies from Mission Trips
“The authenticity of this place is amazing. You guys carry a realness that I have never seen. It is easy to be ourselves. There is a holiness that is around and about that makes you want to stop whatever you are doing and praise Him. This week has been amazing. It has not only opened my eyes, but taught me how to be real in the Spirit. It has been life-changing. Belize has stolen a little piece of my heart.”
– Chelsea (Christ Chapel, Oct 2011)
“I thank the Lord for the opportunity to come down to Belize! Thanks for believing and praying with us. The faith your family walks in is unbelievable. I came home encouraged, recharged and with a greater expectation to hear the voice of the Lord. Thank you for hosting us for the dedication. You went above and beyond! Thanks for easing me into the jungle! I love you guys and your family! Melissa, what fun it was for me to experience a little bit of your everyday life. It made me feel special that you took joy in sharing that with me. And let me just add… The Lord has given you lots grace, girl! Thank you for sacrificing for the Lord. You guys are awesome! I look forward to see all that the Lord is going to do through the ministry He’s given you. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of it!”
“Dearest Jervis and Melissa, You have been such a blessing to us, but especially to me. I’ve learned so much within the past week of being here, but the greatest lesson I learned was how to truly worship. I never fully understood what it meant to “let every act be an act of worship,“ but just observing your lives taught me exactly that. Melissa, thank you so much for all of your hard work in the kitchen. I definitely appreciate every meal that I ate (considering the fact that I was expecting gross food). You did it with a smile, and I know it must not have been the easiest thing serving 40 hungry people every meal! I greatly appreciate you and your servant’s heart. Jervis, I was deeply moved during times before meals when we would be conversing and talking, yet you would be sitting with your guitar worshipping. I myself am a worshiper, and I’m leaving for worship school this fall; you definitely inspired me and taught me that it’s ok to worship at any moment of everyday. My life has been changed and inspired by you two and LOL. Thank you SO much for this opportunity to worship, minister and serve with you. I loved my time in the village (Graham Creek) and just having a blast! I truly do love you guys and thank you very much! May God continue to bless you, your family, and your ministry.”
–Jordyn (RCS Senior Class, March 2011)
“Words cannot even begin to express my admiration for you as a family and all that you are doing for this country. Christ’s love emanates from each of you- you are truly an earthly reflection of our Savior’s love and passion for the nations. Jervis, our conversation on the canoe ride back from Guatemala reignited my desire to step out and discover the fullest of the calling that God has for my life. Tears fill my eyes as I write this because I have spent so long feeling lost in my own skin. Our conversation and your words of wisdom gave me the assurance that God has invented me for a higher calling, and I need only to take that step of faith. In such a short 10 days I feel as if I’ve met a new part of my family. I leave such a great part of my heart with you here in Belize. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine down upon you. May you find shelter beneath the comfort of the wings and may He give you peace.”
“On this trip, I was expecting to have an experience that was mostly about outreach and ministering to the people and children of Belize, but it turned out to be more of a personal experience. Through instances on this trip and with the help of people who were willing to listen, I was able to open up about things I had kept hidden for a long time the really needed dealt with, and I found a much more personal relationship with God.”
– Wes (Rez Class, March 2008)
“We loved our time in PG getting to experience the blood, sweat and tears that have been poured into LOL by all of you. It was exciting to be able to put reality to all the mental pictures I had from the various ministry updates. Thanks for being such great hosts! The thunder and lightening where out of this world—like none other I have ever seen or heard. The ministry just bubbles over with the love of Jesus and made it so easy to feel and be a part of everything going on, from devotions, work days, dishes, play and awesome daily debriefing. The adventure up Blue Creek will be unforgettable. You have a great ministry started; stay strong and fixed on the dream God has given you. He is going to help you pull it all together. Thanks for letting us serve you.”
“There is nothing that brings more joy to my heart than to see young people being awakened to God’s love- to see young people giving themselves fully to Him. This week has been the answer to almost 2 years of praying for this group of students. You guys at LOL have created an atmosphere of God’s love where hearts are opened to Him. Thank you for all of your hard work in preparing for us and serving us. I know that the Holy Spirit’s anointing is upon this ministry. God is using all of you in this ministry to reach His people here in the villages and in the people that He brings here for spiritual retreats and pilgrimages. Thank you for your obedience and love!”
–Mark (RCS Senior Class, March 2009)
“This mission trip was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have gotten so close to God and have learned things about myself and about others that is undeniably God. Each night when I went to bed, I just stared in awe of what happened that day. The presence of God completely consumed everything here.”
“Jervis and Melissa, you are definitly the most life-changing, love-filled, Christ-driven, passionate people I have ever met. God really used you guys this week. He took away my pride and allowed me to refocus my life. I have been struggling for about a year and a half of getting my faith on fire. In that, I forgot how simple loving God is. So, I thank you for seeking God with every microcell of your body, so that God can get to my heart. Thank you for unrelentlessly serving me and my team!”
–Natalie (Team Red, July 2010)
“What an un-Belize-able experience we have had this week! I came with only the expectation to see what God had for this team. God did not disappoint! Through each of you at LOL and those in the community we met, we felt wonderfully welcome and loved. Greater things are still to be done.”
“My wife and I took our three children (ages 2, 6, and 8 ) on a mission trip to LOL Ministry in Belize, and it was an awesome experience.
We worked hard, and slept hard! It was an adventure to be in the jungle, and of course it was a very educational experience for the kids. We appreciated the opportunity to expose them to another culture, and to give them a taste of life as a missionary.
The people of Belize are precious, and it was a privilege to be able to get to know some of them. Belize is a beautiful land, and you really feel like you are surrounded by nature.
The LOL team was awesome. It was fun working with them and getting to know them. They are truly servants, and they are doing the work of the Kingdom. We loved the praise and worship, and fellowship times with the team during morning devotionals and evening debriefs.
The food was great, and the accomodations were rustic, but comfortable. Exactly what you would hope for in a mission trip! If you are looking for an adventure where you can serve the Lord and experience Him in new ways, I highly recommend visiting LOL Ministry in Belize.”
-Eric Holmlund
This trip has been amazing! Initially I wasn’t even going to come on this trip. My heart was hard and I wanted to just have the “typical senior trip”. I butted heads with Nate (our leader) and tried everything I could not to leave. I’m so glad that I decided to come. My heart has been softened and I want to pursue my relationship with God. I can’t explain how amazing Jervis, Melissa, and the rest of the team are. They all are the definition of a servant’s heart, and what they are doing for the people of Belize is incredible. They have so much love for all the villages we visited. I can’t wait to come back in the future and see what incredible things God does through LOL Ministry. We love you guys!
“With this trip I can say I honestly didn’t know what to expect. During this trip I came to many realizations. Spending time a thousand some miles from anyone who recognizes me gave me peace and insight into myself. After building and visiting the villages and spending time here I got a better understanding of love and life.
The concept of giving life, and surrendering everything to God were especially impactful and life changing. This trip was so awesome I can’t really put it all into words, but I know now a better understanding of true Christianity and life. My parents both have careers, and my whole life has been completely devoted to them. Growing up I had many trials with love, trust, fathership, and life; since I made my own decisions. I learned many things the hard way. They weren’t really there for me I guess and I just involved myself with other kids. I just wanted you to know that on this trip I have had more of a realization of the love of God for mankind, his fathership, true Christianity, and life that I have ever in my whole life.
I just want you to know LOL and it’s ministry is especially close to me, you guys are so awesome, I can’t even explain it, I pray everything I’ve said you will remember, and I pray God will always bless you, your family, and your ministry in all that you do; I love you guys, you are soooo awesome, thank you for letting us join you for a week in your ministry! Once again you’re awesome!”
-Michael Nelson
I will never forget the amazing experience I had with you guys here. Seriously, this trip really changed my view on the world and what God is and what He means to me. Jervis is one of the best men that I will ever have the privilege of meeting. You guys have made an impact on my heart that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life. The talks in the jungle and working with the men really meant a lot to me. It opened my eyes to what God has and the power of His spirit. I hope LOL has a great future, prosperous in His name.
Love you all.
“Ok so this trip really revealed the value of blessings to me. Until this trip, I never really realized how materialistic my life is. It was so inspiring to see the joy flow out of Belizean people, considering the poverty they live in. These people have so little, and the wealth and riches means nothing to them. As long as they have relationship they are so satisfied and I long to live that kind of life. I don’t want to live my life depending on material things to make me happy. I’ve really learned to find my comfort and joy in Christ and I’ve found out it’s way more satisfying and revealing than anything else in the whole world. And it’s so much easier!
I love it. Woop.”
-Ashleigh Rudnik
I am amazed by God’s compassion and love. This trip really reassured me on many things. I am on fire for God and my life is n NOT my own but it is God’s. My life is to be used by God in whatever way he wants to use me. I pray that I will never stop loving God and that my relationship with him will keep growing stronger and stronger everyday. He is so amazing. When I felt his true love fully I am not the same and I will never be the same again and that is so awesome. I encourage whoever reads this to drive into God as deeply as you. He will always have you in His hands and He will always protect. Trust in God with all of your heart for he will make your path straight.
Isaiah 40: 30-31 Forever young men stumble and fall, and old men grow weary, but he who waits upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint.
“On mission trips it is easy to get on fire for God and get the desire to serve him. What isn’t easy is to become radically, completely, permanently on fire for God. On this trip I caught just a piece of the huge vision Jervis and Melissa have for Belize. I saw how selflessly they live and how passionately they are in love with God and want to serve Him. I haven’t just seen this in Jervis and Melissa, but the whole team we stayed with.
Through the LOL team I discovered the true love of God. They built amazing relationships with me and showed me that the truly cared. For the first time in my life I opened up about my past. It was so relieving and refreshing to spend time with people who genuinely care about me. Never before in my life have I felt more loved and more at peace. Not only did God do amazing things for me, but also in the hearts of the people we visited in the villages. LOL shows God’s love through building relationships and showing people they care. I love this approach because I believe God has called me personally to love people and help those in need which is exactly what LOL is doing so it is awesome to have that in common.
I can’t begin to express how thankful I am for what LOL is doing for the people of Belize and all the people who are going to be here in the future for missions work. You all will always be in my prayers. I am forever grateful for LOL, specifically the member who were with us this week for what they have done, are doing, and will do. There is no way to completely express my gratitude. I hope I will be back very soon!
In Him –”
-Stephanie Kogler
When I left for this trip I was unsure what to expect but was very excited. I assure you that all my expectations were exceeded by what God planned for this trip. God taught me lessons in humility, and showed me how blessed us as a society really is. I loved the children of the villages and loved spending time with Jervis and his family; especially Juni! I hope God continues to bless this amazing Ministry!
“On this trip, I was expecting to have an experience that was mostly about outreach and ministering to the people and children of Belize, but it turned out to be more of a personal experience. Through instances on this trip and with the help of people who were willing to listen, I was able to open up about things I had kept hidden for a long time that really needed to be dealt with, and I found a much more personal relationship with God. I also formed more and closer relationships with my classmates and the leaders.
Thanks to Jervis and Melissa for being such great and caring people, and for allowing us to come and have the privilege of helping with their projects and being a part of their vision for Belize. Also thanks to Adam for being so willing to help me and being someone I was able to share with and gain encouragement from. I will always remember this trip as one of the greatest experiences and turning point in my life.”
-Wes Hicks
This trip has brought me reassurance in so many ways. God showed me that I am deserving of the confidence I use to have and He helped me find it again. He also showed me how blessed I truly am. I’ve learned that it’s okay to open up to people. Trust is a risk that I need to be willing to talk, because I’m not alone in this.
God, bless this ministry. Bless the families who pour their hearts and their lives into it each day. Thank you for your anointing on this ministry. I pray for wisdom and discernment to wash over them. Guide their hands and their feet, Lord, give them the words to say. Be their judgment. I pray for growth and prosperity –soften hearts and open ears. Thank you for your perfect plan. In your precious name, Amen.
“Last year I finally found out what God had in store for my life. I was called to do missions. I had planned to do YWAM and started my life in the ministry. But so many things happened in my life. I got scared, didn’t want to change, didn’t want to know what else God had in store for me. So while all these thoughts were coming to my mind, my family started to fall apart. Needless to say I got distracted, second guessed God’s plan for me, and made my own. During this trip God has revealed to me that He still has a plan for my life. Being here in Belize has helped me discover and remember that.
LOL Ministry is an amazing ministry that truly cares about what they are doing and the love that they are spreading to the villages and the people around them. I am truly thankful for each one of them and would personally like to thank Jervis and Brad for listening to my story and giving amazing encouragement and advice. I now remember that God’s plan for my life is most important and I have given my life completely over to Him again. I look forward to what my future holds, and this trip has truly changed my life and broken so many chains in my life. Thank you LOL Ministry with my whole heart and I will be in contact about my next trip here.
With all my love”
-Sharayah Cox
I have loved God all my life and I have grown up in an environment that fosters that love. God has been slowly taking me to a higher level with him this entire year but other passions in my life were taking away all my time and energy. I knew He is the one thing to desire above all else but I felt committed to those other passions. God was using me in cool and amazing ways, especially in the realm of basketball and soccer just ministering to teammates and opponents.
To come to Belize meant putting what I knew I had to do, in action by removing those other distractions just to focus on God. This is both my testimony and my challenge to you. You are doing God’s work, you are being his hands and feet and you are giving your lives to the Belizeans. However, never get so focused on your actual ministry that you get distracted and miss the one thing that truly matters, God. Keep serving the Lord and bringing the Bible- His word- to the Belizeans.
Isaiah 55:11 So is my word that goes out of my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
“Several years ago I surrendered to the fact that I was not in complete control of my life-that God had His plan for me. Since then I’ve done my best to listen to what He had to say so that I would follow that plan. The series of events that lead me to LOL in Belize have been amazing/ miraculous. Being a first year teacher at Resurrection Christian School, I was in disbelief when the seniors asked me to go on this trip. Compared to other teachers, I’m conservative in my physical spirituality, and I’ve never been on a mission’s trip. When reality hit that I was actually going, God spoke to my heart and told me that my husband needed to go with us. Again, another series of amazing events led to his acceptance of being a part of this trip. While I care deeply for these students and their happiness and spiritual growth, I believe God brought Jeff and I here for more personal reasons.
Continually being in the presence of the Holy Spirit has deepened our faith. Having the prayers and counsel of Melissa and Jervis has cemented my beliefs that God did bring us here together. It might seem selfish that I put this focus on us rather than the students, ministry, and people of Belize, but that is what is in my heart. I feel that, instead of us serving them, they have served us in opening our hearts. With this new-found affirmation, I plan to go home and further serve the Lord with all of my heart. I look forward to seeing the seed that has been planted in my husband grow and together listen to what God is telling us. I look forward to watching what God will do through my students as their hearts have also been softened. I can say whole-heartedly that this experience will forever change the lives of my husband and I.
Thank you, Melissa, Jervis, and LOL.”
-Amy Marchio
I came on this trip expecting the worst, but I the exact opposite. I became so much closer to my friends, and also closer to my classmates. I became closer to God also. I learned how to be a better man and how to live a better life. I’m thankful for talks with Casey, Steph, Jesse, Micah, Jeff, and Jervis. This trip has changed my life. I pray that LOL Ministry becomes a shining light in Belize. I can’t wait to see the seeds that I planted become mighty trees.
“An awesome experience. It is obvious that the Fisher’s have a heart for the community. Where else would missionaries spend the evening having dinner at a bar? To me this shows that the saying, “It’s about the people” is really true. Thanks for everything and the opportunity to serve.”
-Jake Raynads
Thank you so much for this great opportunity: to get to know your team better, experience this culture, and develop relationships with the local people. I definitely understand a lot more about the true point of missions. I love you guys.
“This was a “God thing mission trip.” My personal experience with God here was amazing. I felt God’s presence all the time while being here. I know God’s going to do a great thing here. It is going to further His kingdom. So I encourage anyone who comes to visit or stay for a while, suck up the love, they give out so much. Thank you guys very much.”
-Joe Hartman
Since my arrival on April first, it has been a roller coaster of events to say the least. Having arrived here the day after Zeki’s death, I was somewhat confused at to why the Lord would have had me come at such a difficult time. Although I never had the opportunity to hold baby Zeki, I am certain of one thing: He was loved I know that for the second half of his short life, he experienced the love of the father; as a group of people moved to Belize and excepted this baby as their own, what a beautiful display of the father and how he would go out of his way to love us.
Now for the bigger picture of what the Lord taught me while I was here. On April second, I watched as Jervis melt in the corner of the living room weeping and morning the loss of baby Zeki. His heart filled with questions that were seemingly impossible for anyone to answer, but God. I watched as Melissa clasped on the lawn on her way to devotions weeping and crying out, “I want him back” as the ladies here surrounded her with prayers and tears. I witnessed many people fighting depression and not quite being able to comprehend how a good God could rob them of such a special gift.
But through it all, each person proclaimed the goodness of God. We are all so quick to look for a formula to how God works. How do we become prosperous? By reciting the Jebez prayer? By having enough faith for finances? By tithing and giving to the church? All of these are ideas of how we is it gain prosperity but is it possible that just maybe there is no perfect formula? Undoubtedly. There are truths and principles in the word that we are to follow, but does that make them have the exact same results for every person?
Even through the death of a loved one every person here can and has proclaimed that the Lord is good; regardless of the circumstances. There is no simple formula to know God; you just have faith in who he says he is with no formula given. But just believing that when he says he is good, there is nothing else needed.
These people know the Lord beyond just what they’ve been told about Him: They have a relationship which guides their hands and feet. These people have the Holy Spirit whom is giving them to all truth. These people have a Heavenly Father who loves them, and because they understand His love, they are able to freely give it out. They don’t have all the answers to lives questions, and I know they won’t claim to know everything about the Lord, but they have everything they need as they continue to trust and obey that which the Lord has called them to do.
“To the entire Fisher family and the LOL family,
Wow! What else can I say? I have waited 31yrs. For the Lord to release me to the mission fields. I was so blessed beyond wonder that the Lord allowed that opportunity to be with you all. Juni… no Juan- you have stolen Auntie’s heart forever. Visiting San Felipe and just being able to do nothing but love on people was a major highlight for me and I will never forget our time. Being here and experiencing the missionary and love of LOL was amazing and I’m looking forward to returning to the community of LOL and loving on some babies.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part! May God continue to pour His blessings and favor on all of you until he calls us home. We love each and everyone one of you with all of our heart.”
-Sonein Noack
Hey guys another blessed two weeks have flown by. We love coming and wish we could stay longer. The highs would be the fellowship with you all, the morning devotions, getting to know the locals better, having a chance to get a lot of good reading in, and last but not least, all the wonderful food. Great cooks, each and everyone. The lows…? Thanks again and we hope to see you again.
With all my love,
“And again I was blessed, the fellowship, the awesome morning devotionals I will never forget. “Haul de’ leaves” and “stack the leaves,” “tie the leaves” I can add to my vocabulary, which will also be something to talk about. Laugh Out Loud has brought a light (The light), the joy we would see on the faces of the people when we would ride them and stop, what a blessing. Not to mention the on going testimonies of God moving, thank you Jesus! Hope to see you all in the near future, love you all!”
-Dwight Broussard (Papa D)
As you can see, God is really using and touching the lives of those who have visited us in Belize.
We ARE currently accepting mission trip applications for all ages: youth groups, college groups, mens/women’s groups, families, etc.
We would love talk about how we can work together for the Lord!
If you are interested in taking a mission trip to Belize please read the mission trip page, and then fill out the online application.
