BelizeStory2

There was no electricity. No running water. The first few years, the only way to reach the property was to walk seven miles each way through the jungle. “It was like going back 100 years in time. And I’m a city girl!” said Vera DeKlerk. But anytime things got tough (which happened more often than not), Vera and her husband reminded themselves why they were in Belize—to make a difference.

The couple was on a mission, literally. They had left all the comforts of America behind to establish their own nonprofit Belize Mission, dedicating their lives completely to sharing their Christian faith and helping rebuild a remote shanty village on the coast of the Central American country.

It wasn’t the life they had planned on. They had both been long-time supporters of other people on missions—sending donations to a few missionaries at a time—but never once did they think they themselves would become missionaries. That is, until they joined a few mission trips to Mexico and Belize. “My husband and I started saying the same thing at the same time, ‘Maybe we could actually do this.’ God totally opens and shuts doors—it was amazing how things transpired,” said Vera.

They felt inspired to focus on Belize, and took on the task of setting up their 501(c)3, finding a property, selling everything back home, and relocating to Belize—all of which proved to be more challenging than they imagined. They were grateful when they were able to finally open their mission, inviting groups to stay on their seven-acre property flanked by the ocean and the jungle, with a main three-story lodge, cabanas that could sleep 42, and staff quarters.

Belize2

REVITALIZING A VILLAGE

Over the next 14 years, they threw themselves into the work. With the support of several congregations, they hosted more than 450 teams (over 5,000 individuals). The teams helped rebuild more than 30 homes, brought in medical and dental groups to provide care a few times a year, sponsored nearly 40 local students to go on to college (the equivalent of American high school, the cost of which often prevents many village children from ever attending attending), supplied food and other necessities to the impoverished village, and helped grow the local congregation from three members to nearly 60.

“Sure, it was tough living there, but for me the best part was being in ministry and serving God,” said Vera. “My cup ‘ranneth’ over; I was at my zenith. I love doing ministry, being God’s hands and feet. It was hard to be away from my children and then grandchildren back home, but I wanted to honor God in everything I did.”

Vera said she and her husband would still be there if not for a serious injury she sustained, followed by her husband’s illness, both of which required their return to the United States (they do still sit on the Belize Mission Board, which sends support to the village congregation and its pastor, a local student whom they helped go to school and become a minister).

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES …

But as Vera pointed out, while that door closed, others opened here. When she began looking for full-time work at home in Arizona, she was hoping to find a company that would somehow give her opportunities to continue giving back. When the opportunity to be a Success Coach at Origami Owl came her way, she felt it was meant to be.

“Working for a company that has the motivation that they do, the background—they care so much about other people. They’re a force for good. I just can’t say enough, I feel very blessed,” said Vera.

She continued, “So many of the Designers I talk to are in it to make a difference in other people’s lives, to pay it forward—that’s one of our Core Values. So that pretty much says it all for me. I love what I do; I love to help others, to make their lives a little easier, happier and encourage them to do the same thing for other people.”

For someone whose “sparkle” comes from serving others, Vera has done more than talk the talk. She has dedicated her life to making a difference, and now that she’s sharing her energy and light at Origami Owl, we’re all grateful!