Mission Trip 2024
Jim Bizal will leading a mission trip to Holy Cross School in Belize.
Trip Dates: January 20th to January 27th (Saturday to Saturday) 2024
The cost of the trip is approx. $2,700.00 including airfare, hotel, meals, all ground transportation and
a donation to the school.
Belize mission Trip Informational Meeting 
Monday October 16th 6:00 to 7:30 PM, St. Stephens Church at 50th & Wooddale, Commons Room
Do you need some more info before you decide to join Jim Bizal (Edina Morningside) & Tom Cook (Edina Noon)? Well, then this informational meeting is for you...
Jim will share a powerpoint slide show about the school, country, and trip details with plenty of time for everyone to ask questions as well.
You can RSVP to Jim at jim.bizal@bizalbuilt.com or 952-649-1525 or just show up.
See you there, Jim Bizal
What our Past Support has Provided
HCAS is a PreK-8 school funded entirely by private contributions to meet the needs of the poorest children in the San Mateo and San Pedro communities on the island of Ambergris Caye off the coast of Belize. HCAS was founded in 2006 by Vernon and Francis Wilson, Episcopalian missionaries to Belize. The school was built in the saltwater swamp land that was donated by the government.
Outside of the land and teachers’ salaries, all other costs have been covered by private donations and borrowing. The school opened in the fall of 2006 with 62 students. In the fall of 2023, there will be approximately 460 students enrolled in 9 grades. It is the only school in the area that does not require its students to pay tuition. The annual operating budget is $200,000 before maintenance and improvements.
Jim Bizal has been on 20 mission trips to the school and St. Stephens has been taking a youth or adult group almost every year that the school has been open.
Outreach Dollars at Work
We had a highly successful trip in January of 2023 with 12 people working at the school.
In 2023, St. Stephens outreach committee committed $25,000.00 for the school. We also did a fundraiser for our trip and raised enough money to purchase the following items for the kitchen at the school: Chest freezer, 48” Commercial Range, Ninja Blender, Microwave, Ceiling fans, and New paint and electrical throughout the kitchen.
