Damascus Youth Group Bound For Belize

By The Continuous News Desk

Published: July 5, 2008

BY KATIE BRITT
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER

DAMASCUS, Va. – The youth group of the First Baptist Church of Damascus is gearing up for an international excursion. 

The youth group, led by David Matlock, will travel to the country of Belize today through July 12, in order to run the National Youth Camp owned by the Belize Baptist Association. 

The camp serves between 60 and 80 children, ages 7 to 12, from various villages across the Central American country. The Damascus group will be with the children from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, engaging in various activities such as arts and crafts, sports, Bible study and music.

Thirteen hours a day with children in a foreign country seems very daunting, but group member Kayla Fuller is up to the challenge.

“I’m a little bit nervous,” she said, “but I’m really excited.”

The youth group has been pursuing mission trips for 12 years now, and traveling to various locations. 

Going to Belize, says Matlock, was really Jesus Christ’s idea.

“Jesus says ‘Go and tell the world,’ ” he said.

Group members have endured a myriad of physicals and vaccinations for the trip. They also raised money for the trip, through spaghetti and chili suppers, yard sales and car washes.

For the trip, the 28 participating members will all sleep in one room, and will all share one bathroom. 

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Jeremy Weaver. “I’m looking forward to sharing a bathroom with 30 other people.”

The group will have no time for sight-seeing, which doesn’t bother Julie Fritz.

“I’m excited about being with the kids, and giving back to them,” she said

Olivia Taylor is also looking forward to helping the children and learning from them.

“A lot of us think we don’t have a lot, but we really have so much,” she said. 

Julie added, “I think they’ll end up touching us more than we think we will touch their lives.”