Celebrating what has been! 2019, was a year of significant transformation. Our first adoption, becoming World Forum representatives, four weddings, and more. And to think that this was just the beginning of a substantial shift that started. Celebrate with us as we review the major highlights for Laugh Out Loud over the past year.
Helping Hands
We had teams coming from all around the United States to serve our kids and mission. Gordon College in Massachusetts, Laurel Nazarene Church from Delaware, Godworthy Worship Center from California, a specialized Construction Team, and the Asimus Family. All came to serve and offer their hands and hearts in building what God has designed to transform the lives of these children.
Our First Adoption
After a nearly three-year process, our first international adoption for LOL was a success and will go down as one of our hardest and greatest moments! Saul, Alex, and Diana were adopted into a family of three, the Bradbury's. We celebrated with a fun water day and a worship night to give thanks to God for His faithfulness before sending them off with all of our love.
Our desire is for each one of our kids to be welcomed into a forever family, so seeing it happen, fills us with hope. Even as we write this update, we are nearing the completion of our second international adoption. We are happy to report things are going much faster and smoother the second time around, which gives us greater hope for the future.
World Forum
Jervis and Melissa were offered a position as National Representatives to the World Forum in the area of Childhood Development. They accepted the post and, in April, attended their first World Forum in China. They represented the nation of Belize with great honor and learned so much from the process. The next World Forum is in Vancouver in 2021.
Campus Building
In 2019, we started construction on our Tiny Homes Project. These single house units are for our young adults, 18 years and older, who do not have any options after they age out. Our goal is to help provide community and a solid launch into adulthood while pursuing a degree or trade for their future. Tomorrow, you will get to take a small tour to see the design and layout of the tiny homes.
Additionally, our second foster home was completed. Now, more children have an intimate home to gain healing and love, but most importantly, a home and a family to belong.
Zander
As many of you may know, Jervis and Melissa have been waiting for 11 years to adopt Zander. Due to complications with his birth mom, the process has been in a stagnant position for years. Finally, we are starting to see movement in his adoption and hope to have it finalized in 2020.
A New Face
Laugh Out Loud was given a generous donation for marketing. These earmarked funds are designed to bring more awareness to what Laugh Out Loud is doing and to strengthen our communications with the existing base.
After researching many companies, we hired Fox & Hound Design to begin the process of rebranding LOL, along with the creation of a new website, video content, and a more active social media presence. This is just the beginning, a symbolic action of new things that are yet to come in this new decade.
Growth
In November, our staff had the privilege to have a Foster Care and TBRI training seminar for our foster parents. This type of training was an answer to many, many prayers. It was a life-changing week for everyone at Laugh Out Loud. It gave us more tools to know better how to help these kids out of any situation and into the fullness of healing found in Jesus!
Sabbatical
With the year's end came maybe one of the most jarring transitions of all. Our fearless leaders, Jervis & Melissa, along with their family, left for a six-month sabbatical. This is the first time, after nearly 12 years, that they have taken an intentional and extended leave.
This time is designed for rest, restoration, vision casting, healing, and as a time dedicated to the Lord for the well-being of their every part; soul, body, mind, and spirit. They have served these children so well, and now leave them in abundantly capable and loving hands, until the grand reunion, slated for June 2020.
Year after year, we are reminded of how faithful God is to His Word. Our ministry and our children have a lot to be thankful for, and we give God the glory! Importantly, we thank all those who have impacted us in many ways throughout this year.
We could not accomplish any of this without your generosity and love!
All our best,
The Laugh Out Loud Belize Team