Living with an Attitude of Gratitude

One meaning of the word mission is “a specific task with which a person or group is changed”.  Bloomsdale Excavating employee Bill Priemeyer has been a part of four mission trips to Belize, Central America. Bill has worked with a team that has transformed the lives of many Belize residents. In doing so, he has experienced a deep change within himself.

Past trips have found him accompanied by his wife, Debbie, and other family members. His most recent trip took place over Thanksgiving 2010. This trip was particularly special as he was able to bring his 17-year-old daughter Abby. Trips are typically a week long and one finds themselves completely immersed into the country’s culture. Long and intense days full of sweat and labor are rewarded by the appreciation shown by residents.

Bill has been involved with Hand in Hand Ministries, the organization responsible for planning these mission trips. In Belize, one of the responsibilities of the group is to build a home for a family in need. The mission doesn’t stop there. The group is building for change and strives to help these people beyond providing a new habitat. They take part in other community activities while on these trips, such as working in soup kitchens and most notably, working in an outreach center with children affected or infected with AIDS.

Mission work is something Bill considered as a child. He became even more interested as a college student where he met his future wife. Bill and Debbie are married and have three children whom they’ve raised to have “an attitude of gratitude”. These mission trips have only reinforced those values.

Bill has dedicated himself to this ministry and helping the people of Belize. In return, spending time on these missions has taught him to slow down and be present. He has gained a new appreciation for the importance of balance in his own life and how that applies to his family, friends and colleagues.