The Calling

          Usually as we follow God’s leading, He does not show us more than a couple of steps at a time. However, when we look back over the path we have taken, often, we can see plainly how God has led each (sometimes strange) step along the way. He has used certain experiences to build confidence and yet other circumstances to increase humility. We can see that no situation is wasted in God’s hands. He has a way of utilizing everything and anything to develop His children. It is at those times that we recognize, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (ESV). We are delighted to see how God has been doing this very thing for us.

            In the summer of 2007, we (Sam and Becky Barber) led an inter-generational mission group from College Avenue Friends church in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Highgate, Jamaica. Our group was involved in vacation bible school and a music ministry. At that time, our eyes were opened to the people of Jamaica and the many needs there. After our trip, Hurricane Dean was barreling through the Caribbean and we as a group were praying for Jamaica. Then we realized, “What about the people in Belize?” Soon after that, God began to move in our hearts and turn our attention to Belize. Sam, Becky, and daughter Katie took a discernment trip to Belize City in June 2008. There we saw the work, the community, the potential for helping the youth, and an opportunity to begin a Friends Meeting. We believe that God has called us to serve Him in Belize. We are excited about the opportunities God has placed before us.

         On July 12, 2008, we were asked if we would be willing to go and continue the work at the Friends Boys School. The Friends Boys school is a ministry of Friends United Meeting. It is a preparatory school that endeavors to give students the opportunity to prepare for the high school entrance examination. Boys (and sometimes girls) come to the school because they are not ready for the examination. We are very excited to do the work of the LORD and serve Friends United Meeting.

About Us

    We have been living near Belize City, Belize since April of 2009. There are six in our family. We have one son and three daughters. You can meet the kids on the "Kid's Spot". Becky has been teaching at a small Bible college nearby. Her main responsibilities have been teaching English courses and directing tutorial services. Sam has been Director of Food Services at the same Bible college. We have been very active in our local Friends' Meeting where we have served as Youth Ministers. We have felt a call to missions for quite a while and in July of 2007 it was our pleasure to lead a ministry team to Jamaica. Sam and Becky each have degrees in both Bible/Theology and Elementary Education.

About Belize

       Belize is a very small country that rest between Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea. It is just south of the Yucatan. The country is small and mostly primitive but it is very beautiful. It is scattered with Mayan ruins. Belize has a variety of wildlife both from the jungle and the sea. It boasts the second largest reef in the world. We have visited Belize and were impressed by its beauty.
      However, what impressed us the most was the potential to reach young people for Christ and improve their lives through education. We were especially excited to learn that in Belize schools are encouraged to teach some type of religious education. It burdens us to know that a very large percent of the Belizean population is under the age of twenty-three.
Below is a link with much more information about Belize.

http://www.travelbelize.org/