In spite of Covid restrictions & various forms of lockdown requirements, 2021 was the busiest year we’ve ever experienced. All services were creatively adopted for on-line delivery & new mental health services were devised & implemented. Here’s some of what we accomplished this past year:

1. UNICEF funded a Family Violence Project in which Tom & CDF Founder Diana Shaw created an educational Toolkit & presented the material to 318 community leaders nationwide to respond to child abuse, domestic violence, the commercial sexual exploitation of children & the issue of child marriage.

25 women community leaders were trained in awareness activities & impacted 162 women in 17 communities. 23 women in domestic violence situations received some form of help as a result.

181 teachers & 356 parents were trained on supporting children who were traumatized by exposure to family violence. 876 children were reached in discussing family violence situations, with 7 child abuse reports made.

2. UNICEF funded a second phase project dealing with childhood marriage in Belize. Again Miss Diana & I created the material to address the issue. 86 Pastors & Justices of the Peace, plus 60 NGO representatives were trained on child marriage as a root cause to Family Violence. 240 parents were sensitized along with 1200 students regarding child marriage. Counseling services were provided to 15 adults & 15 children during the project.

While Tom does not see counseling clients anymore he continues to supervise the CDF counselors, facilitate training sessions & remains on the Board of Directors.

Residency has been granted! 

After applying for our Belizean Residency in August of 2019 (!) & waiting VERY patiently, we were informed that our application has finally been approved! Since our time of application the fees have doubled to $2,000US per person. We will secure our papers in January & are relieved that enough prayers moved the powers that be!

Facing health issues and asking for PRAYERS...

In August I asked for prayer regarding an upcoming surgery. I didn’t have surgery & here’s the story: In February I started the Keto Diet, losing 58 pounds to date. After losing belly weight, I noticed a protrusion from my abdomen. The doctor confirmed it to be a hernia. In scheduling surgery my platelet count was too low & the doctor suggested more blood tests in a few weeks before having surgery. The second round of blood tests indicated the same low platelet issue, so the advice was to recheck my blood after a couple of months. This month my platelet count remains low & the doctor is advising a bone marrow biopsy to rule out serious issues such as leukemia or lymphoma. These tests will need to be done in Mexico & while our land borders remain closed, we are working to find a facility with both an oncologist & hematologist. The Immigration Department will allow me to cross into Mexico for a medical emergency such as this. Please pray for us as we maneuver this new situation. We have peace that this is not a surprise to God & we remain firmly in His hand! We will keep you posted.





Alida provides physical health training!

Upon finishing her college degree this year Alida has started working at a gym as a personal trainer focusing on women’s health & aging issues. She loves working with women, seeing them improve their health & empowering them! She’s such a living example of grace-filled strength.

Connecting through ART! 

Zaira is a ten year old wonder-kid who is extremely talented. She’s an excellent baker, designs & makes clothing & also paints. During the pandemic when schools were closed her Mom would bring her to my studio & we’d paint together every week. Here Zaira is exhibiting & selling her work at a Christmas Expo. I’ve enjoyed helping expose her to other artists & art works in our area & watching her explode in her creativity has been wonderful! After counseling for 32 years I am entering the second half of my life & transitioning into becoming an artist. I enjoy teaching youth about painting principles especially regarding abstract art. Besides arting for my personal benefit, I was able to design & exhibit my work with students focusing on Social Justice for Youth, at an Anti-Gun Violence Exhibition with students, including a painting displayed in the country’s House of Culture & had a painting representing Belize sent to Dubai with art of numerous art students at an exhibition featuring Caribbean countries! Two additional shops have started selling my artwork, bringing a total of five galleries or shops in Belize that offer my work! Now we await for tourists to return.   I helped as one of the lead painters on a 400 foot mural outside one of our stadiums. I also partnered with an emerging artist to create and install a renovated mural at the National Police Training Academy.  Serving at the Church Continues... Both of us are very thankful for Roaring Creek Church of the Nazarene & the opportunities we have to serve the Body & God. Alida continues helping & leading on the worship team & I teach occasionally when Pastor Deon needs a breather. Our little church has been hard hit with deaths, some related to aging & covid. It’s been a sad year with loses, as I’m sure many of you have experienced similar losses. The photo below is from a baptism service in Roaring Creek after service.    Thank you again so much for partnering with us in serving the children & adults of Belize who have been abused, sold into trafficking, or traumatized. God bless you & keep you safe as we cautiously move into 2022. May you be deeply connected & loved, incredibly healthy & grateful daily! We love you.We can't serve without your prayers & financial gifts.  We truly appreciate you!