Belize is a unique country, full of lush landscapes, rich history, and amazing people. Almost 400,000 people call Belize home and make up a diverse society that is composed of many cultures and languages. The country is bordered to the North by Mexico, and Guatemala to the West and South, with the Caribbean Sea to the East. Due to its strong ties to both the American and Caribbean regions it is also often claimed as a Caribbean nation as well as Central American.

Climate The climate is generally tropical, with daily weather typically averaging around 70 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit and very humid. Pronounced wet and dry seasons as consistent each year, although the intensity of these seasons varies by region within the country. Also, temperatures can fluctuate according to elevation and if you're near to the coastline. Language It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, while Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan and German dialects and Garifuna. This diverse foundation of languages allows over half the country to be multilingual! Safety Belize is generally considered a safe place for visitors to travel. Your PPM staff will be with you every step of the way and they and your host church will keep your and your teams' safety as top priority

Belize is a small, mostly private enterprise economy based primarily on industries like agriculture, merchandising, tourism and more. Sugar remains the largest profitable crop and the banana industry is one of the nation's largest employers. The current exchange rate is 2:1 ($1 dollar US equals $2 Belizean dollars).

Participants typically enjoy the food prepared by local cooks using authentic Central American recipes. Belizean food has been likened to a mixture of Spanish and Caribbean influences. Rice and beans, fry jacks, and panades are some of the staples that you can find almost anywhere. Belize is known for its incredible beaches, moving Mayan ruins sites, and eco-diversity. The interior mountain areas and coastlines are beautiful, all the while boasting the second largest barrier reef in the world. Forty percent of the country is dedicated to nature preserves!

European contact began in 1492 when Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras, with European exploration beginning by English settlers in 1638. Belize gained their independence in 1981 and were formerly known as "British Honduras". Most recent reports show this breakdown: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7%, Anglican 5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Mennonite 4%, Methodist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%), none 9%, other 14%

Before the trip, you'll gain access to a personalized online group account to help you easily organize and plan. This account includes online trip handbooks and participant resources, promotional materials, group t-shirts, and unlimited pre-trip consultations with your trip leader or location consultant. Your consultant will assist you in utilizing customizable ministry options and will help identify your missions project that aligns with your team. Once at your ministry location, the trained Fire & Glory staff will take care of your team. You’ll receive safe meals, transportation to and from the airport and ministry sites each day, ample safe drinking water, suitable sleeping accommodations, the opportunity to attend local church services, evening worship, prayer, debriefing meetings, and a chance to enjoy a local sightseeing or recreational activity.

The registration fee, airfare, passports, vaccinations, spending money, offering at church services, construction and/or ministry materials, personal insurance, and extra recreation options outside of the normal recreation outing (ex. zip lining, snorkeling, surf board rental). Extra recreation options vary depending upon location, be sure to speak with your consultant about these options if you desire to add them to your trip.

Teams that select a trip with floor sleeping accommodations will sleep in a church, school, or community center. They will be divided by gender, and men's and women's rest rooms/showers will be available. Teams that choose a trip with hotel option usually sleep 3-5 people per room, with two people per double bed and individuals sleeping in single beds. All rooms are designated either male or female. There is no gender mixing.

Fire & Glory Ranch holds safety as a top priority. The staff are trained and equipped to provide a safe and incident-free mission experience. The staff will be with your team for the entire trip and will have access to transportation, cell phones, hospitals, and first aid kits at all times. In the event of an emergency, Our staff will guide and assist your team with proper next steps.

Three main meals per day will be served to your team. These meals will be a mixture of local cuisine dishes and potentially, a few American style dishes. During your consulting process, you will be able to identify team members who have allergies or dietary restrictions. We will do our best to accommodate these needs and all food and drink provided by Fire & Glory during trips is safe to eat. Purified drinking water will be provided for the team every day and for the cooks to use while preparing meals. We recommend if you have more severe dietary restrictions or allergies, that you bring along appropriate snacks.

In many of our countries, local communities are bi or trilingual, with English being one of their languages. However, for some locations English is not a widely known language and yes, there will be a language barrier.

Each mission project operates within a defined budget, necessitating the raising of funds to ensure its successful completion. These projects span various essential areas, including construction, outreach initiatives, and meeting local needs within the community. For example, one of the immediate local needs involves raising funds for an air conditioning system in a local school, which would significantly enhance the learning environment for the students. The successful execution of such projects relies heavily on the financial support gathered before the mission trip, ensuring that all necessary materials can be purchased and prepared in advance. Participants are tasked with the crucial responsibility of raising these funds prior to embarking on their mission trips. This proactive approach guarantees that once the team arrives, they can immediately begin their work with all the required resources at hand. The pre-trip fundraising effort is essential for the smooth and efficient execution of the projects, as it eliminates delays and logistical challenges that might otherwise hinder progress. By securing the necessary funds beforehand, the mission teams can focus entirely on their impactful work, whether it's constructing new facilities, engaging in community outreach, or addressing specific needs like installing a much-needed air conditioning system in a school.