Daniel Gardner, a Meadowview Christian School senior, recently experienced firsthand, the life of a foreign missionary.

Gardner, along with about 30 other people from Shiloh Baptist Church, Sister Springs Baptist Church, and a church in Decatur, Ala., served for a week at the Baptist Training Center (BTC) in Belmopan, Belize.

“The country is beautiful, but also poor,” said Gardner. “I felt like I had to give them a dollar because they were poor and could not be happy. But then I realized that they are some of the happiest people, and money is not an issue.”

With the exception of Amber Sermon, a junior at Lowndes Academy, Gardner was the youngest member of the missionary group.

“Both of our parents have been going (on this mission trip to Belize) for a few years,” said Gardner. “They wanted us to experience a third world country.”

From February 18 – 25, they assisted the visitors and the staff of the BTC in many different ways. Gardner, who was on the “working crew”, helped to install ceramic floor tiles in the kitchen of the BTC, put up sheet rock, and repair windows.

His father, Bill Gardner, who is the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, and also a registered nurse, worked in the medical clinic with a dentist.

According to Gardner, the staff at the clinic treated patients for all types of ailments.

Although he enjoyed meeting and interacting with the people native to Belize, Gardner’s most memorable moment was not as a result of this. It came from being exposed to the faith of a person who works at the BTC.

“Everyone gives this guy named Eman (short for Emmanuel) Christian music CD’s because he loves Christian music,” said Gardner. “Someone sent him 6 CD’s that he did not receive, but he did not get upset.

He felt that someone else would receive God’s message (by listening to the CD’s).”

Gardner intends to return to Belize for future mission trips.

“Last time I got to work, but I want to branch out more,” said Gardner. “I play the guitar and would like to lead the prayer and worship (services). They know about God, but are not pushed to do anything for Him. I want to help them strive toward living out their lives in a more Christian way.”

Established in the 80’s by a native of Arkansas, the BTC provides church services, medical assistance, and sports/recreational activities for the residents Brazil’s Cayo District . Although there are missionaries who live there year-round, church sponsored mission groups continually visit the BTC to help assist in its efforts.