"Faithful Restoration"

Burrell Boom, Belize- Evelyn has been a part of the Burrell Boom community for many years. Known and loved by those around her, she serves as a cook at the local Black Orchid resort (which we have visited for 10 years now), is heavily involved in her local church (Calvary Baptist Church, which we had the chance to visit) and has spent much of her life caring for others.

When we first visited her home, it was clear that it needed significant repair. The structure had begun to deteriorate, with issues in the foundation, deck, and siding that made the home unsafe and vulnerable to the elements.

Through the support of our team and generous donors, we were able to come alongside Evelyn and begin restoring her home. This was a special project to her, and she wanted it to look just as it did when her husband built it back in the 1960s (she has since lost her husband).

Over the course of multiple trips, work was done to strengthen the foundation, rebuild sections of the deck, repair the siding, and ultimately give the home a fresh coat of paint. What once was in disrepair is now a safer, more stable place for Evelyn to live.

But what made this project truly meaningful was not just the work itself — it was the people.

Local community members stepped in to help even before our team arrived, gathering materials and beginning the early stages of the project. Evelyn's grandson and granddaughter even stepped in to help us paint. Amir, her grandson, took a big interest in what we were doing and we were really able to connect and disciple him on the entire trip. It was a powerful reminder that this mission is not just about what we bring, but about what God is building within the people we work alongside.

During this same time, we also began developing something new. On Evelyn’s property, there was a small concrete structure that presented an opportunity. With her generous blessing, we started framing a home above it — a space that will serve as a future base for Build Up Belize. This will allow us to store tools, support teams, and continue building long-term relationships in Burrell Boom. You can see more about this project under our 'Upcoming Projects' page.

Evelyn’s project is a reflection of what Build Up Belize is all about — restoring homes, strengthening communities, and sharing the love of Christ through action. Thank you to all who have donated to this project and please continue to join us in prayer for Evelyn in her sweet family- that they feel the love of Christ through the work that was done, and that the gospel will continue to permeate their hearts.