“Success is obedience to the revealed will of God for you.”
Clive Welsh on the 70 ft. tower of Lighthouse Christian Radio
There are two things that I never seem to have a problem with; boredom and loneliness, never a dull moment serving the Lord. I’ve learned things that I never imagined possible and have done things I was never trained for or had any previous experience or knowledge. The daily challenges, lessons, joys and surprises all contribute to an exciting and eventful life which I thank God for and cannot see myself doing or being anywhere but right in the center of His will for me at this time. Many years ago, I heard a pastor giving a definition of ‘success’ as being obedient to the revealed will of God for your life. So very different from the way we tend to view success and so very opposite from the world’s view of success. When I told my landlord that I was going to climb our broadcast tower to see why the beacon light was not shining. He asked if I’ve ever done that before and also commented that I was too old to do that. I smiled and told him that I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m sure I’m going to learn and that I wouldn’t ask anyone to do anything that I wasn’t willing to do. After several ventures up the tower and much research, I found out that all was needed was a bulb to replace the six year old one that was blown out during our recent power surge which caused several other damages. I thank God for His faithfulness in providing the right people at the right time as well as the moment by moment wisdom He provides so that the glory and praise goes to Him and Him alone!
Wisdom and Encouragement:
The Gongora family, apart of the Advisory Committee.
It’s been several months of praying for likeminded people to come alongside of Lighthouse Caribbean Christian Radio Ministry after realizing that I was all alone in the day to day decisions of the ministry on the island. The Board of Directors are all currently on the mainland of Belize and that has worked in the past but the necessity of having folks in San Pedro who have known and loved the ministry over the years was needed to come on board in the capacity as advisors. I began looking for those individuals who have been a committed listener and involved in some form or another to the radio station over the years. It wasn’t long before several people came to mind and upon approaching them and sharing my heart regarding the need for help, all of the ones asked responded with an
Jolene Jackson, a faithful listener for 10 years, also a member of Advisory Committee!
overwhelming honor to be asked. We have had two meetings now with the Advisory Committee of Lighthouse Ministry. At our first meeting I was very open with them about the struggles I’ve endured over the past several years and especially this past year; with the serious thought of taking a short break in order to re-evaluate and recover. I was blown away by the shock that each expressed at the very thought of the possibility of not hearing Lighthouse and how much it meant to them. One person commented about the radio station being her ‘lifeline’ and how much it has played in her personal growth and spiritual development. She shared how she is speaking for so many who depend on FM 101.3 for their daily feeding, encouragement and strength. I was encouraged greatly and had a sense of relief and peace that was indescribable flooded my heart that brought tears to my eyes. “In the multitude of counselors there is wisdom” and that sense of not being along is exactly what the Lord has provided after such a long, lonely season of carrying so much on myself. Please pray for this Committee, for wisdom and direction as we move forward.
Moving Forward:
Welcome aboard the Lighthouse Miss Naema Sanchez, our new staff!
The Lighthouse Caribbean Christian Radio Ministry is a registered, non-profit Ministry in the country of Belize and the radio station is only one of many ministries under that umbrella. With the newly formed Advisory Committee, we feel it will be a new venture to better serve the residents of San Pedro thru the airwaves as many ideas and suggestions are being considered. In order for this to happen we will first need more hands on deck; laborers to join the team in the radio station operations. Well, we are thankful that God has answered prayers and Naema Sanchez has joined the staff about a month ago and undergoing training. She worked several years ago at the Toledo Christian Radio in the southern district of Belize and moved to San Pedro over 2 1/2 years ago and worked in a Supermarket until it was recently sold. Naema has had a month of training and I’m looking forward to her taking the morning shift which would help me greatly and enable me to attend to many other tasks and reduce my long work day. Please pray for Naema during her training and adjustment period, she has been away for so long from radio and learning our system which has been challenging for her. She is also attending evening classes and working toward an Associate of Arts degree!
Quality Child Friendly City (Municipality):
Mayor Danny cutting the ribbons with representatives from all schools in San Pedro Town.
As mentioned in previous Updates, Belize’s population of 350,000 people with 65% being 25 years and under. A very young nation with a very young population. UNICIF has recently launched “Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipalities Initiative” and I was honored to be asked by the Mayor of San Pedro Town to be on the Task Force to assist with this new initiative. The Child Friendly City is committed to the fullest implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child which guarantees the right of every young citizen to: Influence decisions about their town, express their opinion on the town they want, participate in family, community and social life, receive basic services such as health care, education and shelter, drink safe water and have access to proper sanitation, be protected from exploitation, violence and abuse, meet friends and play, have green spaces for plants and animals, live in an unpolluted environment, participate in cultural and social events, and be an equal citizen of their town with access to every service, regardless of ethnic origin, religion, income, gender and disability.
I’m looking forward to using this opportunity to involved the churches and gospel as truly that is the only way to guarantee real quality in the life of children. Please pray for wisdom and effectiveness in reaching the last, least, lost and the little in San Pedro Town and using every means and opportunities that God provides!
(Students gathered for the launching of the Quality Child Friendly City/Town)
On Eagle’s Wings Ministry:
Clive Welsh with Director of On Eagle’s Wings Ministry in the office of Social Services of San Pedro.
Several years ago, I met Emily Fitchpatrick, director of On Eagle’s Wings Ministry, a ministry dealing with human trafficking and sexual exploitation. As she shared her desire to minister to those trapped in these area, I knew immediately that I was to partner with her and waited to see how God would open doors and show me ways I can assist this ministry. After making several trips to San Pedro Town, Emily’s heart began to burn for the ladies working in the Bars/Night Club as she would take gifts packets for these ladies and being available to them in seeking to rescue them from this bondage. I explained to Emily that sexual exploitation takes on a whole different face here in San Pedro as many young people and children are involved without realizing it is not only deadly but illegal; unfortunately with the influx of tourism many poor and needy are at risk. I had no idea the prevalence of this until Emily began researching it and partnering with Children Development Foundation, a ministry established in Belmopan by Christian Attorney Diana Shaw. Long story short, Emily continues to visit San Pedro and involved in training and bringing awareness to those working in government and public sector and on her recent trip she was asked by the US State to do training at the US Embassy for over 150 Government of Belize officials. On Eagle’s Wings Ministry is now acquiring property to build a Office/Counseling Center in San Pedro Town and plans are being made to that end. After much prayers and confirmation, I was very excited to be asked to join their local Board of Directors and looking forward to see how the Lord will use the radio ministry and my involvement in the community to rescue many trapped in this darkness. One of my primary concerns are for the children of San Pedro Town, both boys and girls that are being drawn into this. This was in a recent Florida’s Newspaper:
“U.S. Department of State states, Belize is a “source destination” for sex trafficking and forced labor. Teacher signed agreement to plead guilty to charge of online enticement. “Child sex tourism involving primarily U.S. citizens is an emerging trend in Belize,” report says”
Please pray for God’s plans to unfold in San Pedro for On Eagle’s Wings; property, building, staffing, and that many lives will be rescued, saved and healed through this ministry!
Founder of Child Development Foundation, Diana Shaw; Emily Fitchpatrick of On Eagle’s Wings Ministry and Clive Welsh on the Good Morning San Pedro Show sharing on human trafficking!
Lives Touching Lives:
Clive Welsh with Florencio Teck, one of the many whose lives have been touch by the grace of God!
Many of you have read about Florencio, whom I’ve named ‘my Mayan son’ in previous Updates. He is a young that I met several years ago and have had the honor of being a father-figure to him. He is the University of Belize student that was able to maintain a B+ grade point average without the use of a laptop by going to the library often to do his assignments until a friend of mine found out and donated a laptop to him. I met his family years ago, they live in a village just outside of the Nation’s Capital City of Belmopan where many Mayan families live. I was warmly welcomed in their home and tired not to show my shock when I noticed the dirt floor in their 3 room house. Florencio would text or call me on a regular basis and now with his laptop would send me messages on Facebook. His strained relationship with his father only became worst when he stood up to him by not allowed him to bring another woman into the house, which he had done before, putting his mother out of her bedroom for this other woman. Florencio recently sent me a message telling me that his father has left the family for the ‘other’ woman and was somewhat relieved that he had left. He also wrote:
“Hey thank you Mr. Clive for who you are to me and in my life! Thank you! I can share things with you especially the things I wanted my real father to know. You are always there for me and you listen to me more than my real father. You are a great Man Mr. Clive and I want to be like you to my future children. I will break the chain in my family’s destruction and it is going to be a new generation!”
As I read this, I wept and the Lord reminded me of why He allowed me to go through my childhood fatherless and the reason He had given me such a heart for fatherless guys and guys whose fathers were not functioning in their God given role as a father. He reminded me of my purpose in Belize and in the lives of so many like Florencio and I consider it an honored privilege when they call me “Pops”. LIVES TOUCHING LIVES, you never know how one of those lives touched by you will one day touch many lives for Christ. That’s why I do what I do by the grace of God!
Clive Welsh meeting the Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize at the International Airport and told him of our prayers for him!
Schedule of Events:
November 1; Belize Mission Project, “Evidence of Journey” Christian Concert in San Pedro Sports Complex.
November 3 – 7; Belize Mission Project, providing free dentistry for the residents of San Pedro Town and several other Districts in Belize!
November 3 -12; He Intends Victory-HIV/AIDS Ministry in San Pedro and in the Cayo District: Assemblies, Hospitals, Churches, Pastors Seminars.
November 21 – 25; Faith Comes by Hearing-launching the Kriol New Testament & Small Group Study.
Prayers & Praise:
Please pray for my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health that I may stay usable and fruitful in all that I do in His service!
Thankful for the lives that are being touched through the radio station airwaves!
Please pray for Naema, our new staff in training, ability to learn our operations and transitioning with work schedule and night classes.
Praising God for an eventful hurricane season and grateful for the rain.
Please pray for On Eagle’s Wings Ministry as they move forward to purchasing property, making plans to build the Counseling Center and God’s timing from start to finish!
Thanking God for the Advisory Committee and for support, encouragement and bonding that is taking place; grateful for them all!
Please pray for wisdom and direction regarding relocating radio station; downsizing and reorganizing!
Please pray for an effective, fruitful and powerful time for the He Intends Victory- Christian HIV/AIDS team ministering in San Pedro Town and in the Cayo Districts for the next week and 1/2!
Pray for exposure of the evil practices of sexual exploitation and other darkness that is affecting children and youth in San Pedro!
Please keep in touch:
Follow on Facebook for up to the moment happenings, updates and photos: Clive Welsh or Lighthouse Christian Radio FM 101.3
Archive Blog: www.sgwm.com/welsh
Contact Information in Belize:
PO Box 653
Belmopan, Belize
Central America
Phone: 011-501-605-6123
Email: clivish@aol.com
Lighthouse Christian Radio FM 101.3
PO Box 166
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye
Belize, Central America
Phone: 011-501-226-4673
Email: Lighthousefm101.3@gmail.com
Contact Information in US:
Tax deductible donation-
Saving Grace World Mission
17451 Bastanchury Rd. #203
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714) 993-4801
In Memo: Welsh or Belize General
Online donation: www.sgwm.com/welsh