“Shelter from the Storm” — The Ledlon Family

A roof over their heads — restoring shelter for the Ledlon family

Scotland Half Moon Village, Belize — In a small village near Burrell Boom, a family of four orphaned siblings—three sisters and one brother—were trying to hold onto their family home after both parents passed away. The roof was crumbling. Portions of the house were left completely unusable due to water damage. And every storm brought more water through holes in the ceiling.

The Ledlon family home. The roof has been left unfinished for many months

The Ledlon family has always been one of faith. This is a portion of the main family home that has been preserved

The home's 'bathroom', soaked from recent rain

But earlier this summer, hope arrived—not just in the form of tools and materials, but in the hands and hearts of a community on mission.

We traveled to this small Belizean village for our first big project under Build Up Belize ministry, where we combine discipleship and construction to meet both physical and spiritual needs. While we work as professional builders in the U.S., our true purpose is here—using our skills to serve families who have no one else coming.

🛠 A Build Like No Other

Replacing the Ledlon family’s roof became our focus: our team hand-framed a complete new roof system overtop of the decaying structure, finished off with brand-new metal Zinc. The framing was made entirely from dense, native hardwoods, including:

🌳 Santa Maria
🌳 Mahogany
🌳 Sapodilla
🌳 Bullet Tree

A local lumber yard unlike anything in the US!

These woods are incredibly strong—and equally difficult to work with. Every single nail had to be pre-drilled and driven by hand, a true labor of love and determination. With no air tools or shortcuts, our team and volunteers powered through blistering heat, building something that would last for generations.

Alongside the work, we trained local volunteers in new techniques, passed on skills, and built relationships that carried more weight than the lumber we lifted.

🤝 Ministry in Motion

This build wasn’t just about materials. It was about bringing people together in Jesus’ name. As we worked, villagers came to help. They stayed to listen. Some asked questions about our faith, and others joined in prayer circles right there on the job site. Through sweat and sawdust, God opened hearts. “This is what love looks like when it’s real,” one local helper said.

For the Ledlon children, this roof means safety, stability, and a fresh sense of hope. For the volunteers, it was a chance to give, grow, and experience what it means to be the Church in action. For us, it was another reminder that our calling goes far beyond blueprints and building codes—we’re here to build something eternal.

Before we left, I had the chance to sit down with two of the Ledlon girls, hear their interview:

Before, During & After — A Full Transformation

We captured this build every step of the way — from the first swing of a hammer to the final prayer under the finished roof.