Post Haiti Reflection:

Looking back on our journey to Haiti, we have several emotions and thoughts running thru us; humility, thankfulness, privileged, compassion, love, and peace are a few.  It was a blessing to be able to minister and provide treatment to the Haitians and an experience we won't soon forget.  From all the kids at the clinic daily, smiling and just hungry for our attention and of course our goodies!  They make us smile just thinking about them. We will continue to pray for them all! They are so thankful and appreciative for everything that is given them. So often we think about what a different life they will have from our children here in America, things that they may never even know exists.

We both agree that the biggest deterrent that might discourage one from going back would be the unbearable humidity and heat- at least in September.  But reflecting on the trip as a whole, that heat does not outweigh the joy and satisfaction in our hearts we felt doing God's work.   It was an incredible feeling, being so relaxed and unstressed while we were there and enjoying every moment of our always eventful ride home- taking in the beautiful countryside - always seeing something new along the same road every day. It was funny- we didn't really miss the day to day technology much- no TV or radio for a week!

Despite our fears of what we might be eating, we had some pretty good food there.  The house staff was very good to make “Americanized” food for us, but the one dish we did have one night was goat!  We both ate it and actually enjoyed it!  Of course, we always enjoyed our desserts that we had every day as well!  Good thing we went for our hikes most days!

One huge positive was the amazing team we had.  Each had a little different personality but was complimentary of each other's strength and weaknesses.  Every one of them had no problem offering support and friendship to each other.  We have made some long lasting friends who will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

We cannot thank everyone here enough for all the support for our trip either financially and/or prayerfully.  We could not have done it without you!  So many people were touched and prayed over- showing them Gods love.  We were able to treat over 450 people during the week- with 60 of them (men , women and even a handful of kids) being prisoners who would not otherwise get any care!  The faces of the people will not be forgotten and will hold a special place in our hearts. 

Until the next trip – mesi and orevwa!  (thank you and good-bye)

Brenda and Megan  :)

  

The Sweet Joys of Sharing God's Love

First of all I just want to say thank God Brenda and I were not hurt because I tried calling both of our emergency lines and no one even cared to answer....
(I'm going to leave that sentence in there because I have lived with my phone in my hand since they have been gone - of course I was chasing an escaped dog outside when she called! ;-0  Steve - well, he was on the golf course!-Melissa)

On that note, today was our last day at the clinic and it was quite busy. Our nurses were busy cutting off toes, popping huge cysts, and lansing abscesses. For a Friday we were very busy with hands on procedures. I personally kept my distance but Brenda was right in with all the action!!! The first photo is of Brenda, Sheri, Michelle, and Judnei (the interpreter)It was hard leaving the clinic and saying good bye to all the children but we are so thankful for this whole experience. Our second photo is of the campus looking out at the church, school, and playground.

Early this week we took a hike up the hill behind the house we were staying at and met a man named Nelson. Nelson spoke English very well and informed us that his cousin had been sick for 7 months. Some of our nurses went and took a look at her and noticed she has multiple issues and insisted that she come to the clinic today. When we pulled up to the clinic, we saw her sitting in the waiting room. She was one of our first patients. We did not have the medicine she needed, so we called the pastor to see if he could try and find it. He was able to find a place that had the medication, however, it was almost 2 bucks a pill. So our team pulled some of our extra cash and came up with the money to buy three years of medication for this woman. After dinner about seven of us walked up the hill to present her with the medication. Along with the medication, our team donated food, backpacks, coloring utensils, paper, toothbrushes, and vitamins. It was so awesome to see the smile on their faces when we gave them the backpacks full of stuff as well as three years of medications for her illness.

This experience has been so amazing and Brenda and I are just so thankful for the opportunity to come here and spread God's love. We thank everyone who has been supporting us through this journey financially and prayerfully. We will be heading home bright and early. Please pray for our team and safe travels!! Thank you again.

Megan and Brenda

Ps- I am very excited to watch the Great Gastby on the way home!!! Yippee

A Day at the Prison

Today was prison day... We had our usual morning meeting and devotion time.  We talked a lot about what we needed to know about going into the prison which really prepared us mentally.  We set off in the truck (our Tap Tap- since you have to tap on the hood if you want to stop).  We pulled to the prison- but were confused if it truly was the prison or the local gym-there were many men working out on these pull up bars.  As we got out of the truck and lined up along the wall in the shade ( it was blasting hot as usual- this is our first pic.)  Megan got called by "Jerry". He wanted to have a Photo op with Megan.  After that slight distraction we got down to business. We went into the prison and went to our respective stations.  The prisoners lined up along the wall waiting to be seen.  Once we got the process down- it was good.  We treated about 60 in 2 hours.  It was a really good day. The prisoners as well as the staff were so thankful and kept saying we were a blessing from God. It was very rewarding to say the least.  Thank you all so much for your prayers!
After leaving there- we came home, ate lunch, got our suits on and headed to the beach. It was our little piece of paradise in this very poverty stricken country.  The beach was absolutely beautiful with clear blue waters.  Megan put on her big girl panties and actually went in the water!!! It was very refreshing- but actually quite warm.  ( our last picture- us lounging and looking out on the beautiful view- talking about the water of course!). We then played some volleyball- and had a great afternoon- cause we won- even with Megan playing. Just kidding.
After the beach- we headed to the tourist shops and were mauled by the market people.  But actually found a few something's for the family back home.
We came back to some dinner  and did our dum dum session (giving praise to each other by passing a dum dum sucker around) and testimony time.   We had an awesome day over all and appreciated all the special prayers for today.  We look forward to tomorrow- our last day at the clinic.  We can't believe it's almost over.
... Hugs to all.
Brenda and Megan

Meeting our Sponsored Kids

What day is it today??? It's hump day!!! Yup, it was a great day because we got to meet the "toots" as Melissa and Megan say. 
We had to wait- as there were several people meeting their sponsored kids and only a few interpreters. While in line- Megan looked over at this boy with a red shirt on and these huge beautiful eyes an said"I think that's our boy". And it was. He was the most precious little boy ever! It was a little overwhelming for all our kids we saw. They are so young and really don't understand what we are doing, saying or even why. Their mothers were there though and appreciated the gifts. So during Megan's time with Mervil- we noticed another little boy standing close by- and the interpreter said that was his twin brother! He got a hold of the play dough and took off. I'm guessing they will be sharing... Megan says Melissa and Steve will just have to get out that wallet and sponsor the twin! 
Kristen's little guy was super shy and never made eye contact with us- but his mother was so very happy and smiling while Megan handed him the gifts. 
Brenda met Naceline last and she was the cutest thing ever - with her hair accessorized with at least a dozen barrettes. She was most excited about her doll and the brush that came with it. She gave me kiss. Her mother , as well as the others , were very thankful with the Creole Bible, the money for food and the vitamins we gave them. 

This afternoon- we took a hike up the hill after dinner. The people of the community were holding a prayer and worship service on this flat piece of land... It was very moving. 
Tomorrow is going to be challenging- we go to the prison. Please say prayers for us and to specifically keep satan away. Then we are off to the beach and shopping!! Till tomorrow- hugs from us and we thank you for your support!!

Amazing Day!

Today was an amazing day!! We started off by both having to be woken up!! I guess you can say God answered our prayers for good sleep!!  We started the day off at the clinic and got to see close to 100 patients!! We ended early and got to go to Milo which was about 30 min away. In milo we got to tour the hospital which is the best in northern Haiti!! We also got to go to a sans sousi castle and had a tour guide we barley understood haha at the end Brenda and I came up of a summary of what we heard... Later we found out that it had barley anything to do with what he actually said but it was so pretty!!!

The driving in Haiti is crazy! We almost hit multiple motorist, apparently the yellow lines and two street lights is just a suggestion for the people of Haiti!! These people are fearless they make New York taxi drivers look safe!!

 I am so happy that I came and so happy that Brenda and I are here together!!!  We have an awesome group of people we are here with!!!

The pictures below are of us at the castle, me working in the pharmacy and getting praised, and Brenda with Vessica!! Vessica is holding her new shoes Brenda gave her!!! Brenda is rockin it in the clinic dealing with nasty things I choose not to see :) :)

Oh and we will be meeting our "toots" (sponsored children) tomorrow!!! Yippee we will send you emails mañana!!!!!

We love you and thank God for having you on this journey with us!  

Megan

First Day at the Clinic

The clinic was amazing!! Brenda did awesome helping out all different illnesses!! And I was in the clinic filling drugs!!! It was a busy day!! After, we went hiking to the new port where some ships are going to be coming in and out for cruise lines it was so pretty!!! 

We also got to go into some Haitian homes!! It put things into perspective for us!! We had children along with us the WHOLE hike :) during the clinic we gave out a lot of shoes to kids who didn't have any!!!


We saw over a 100 patients in the clinic today.  

The weather is plain awful- learning to live as one big sticky ball. Yuk.  Till tomorrow please pray for wind so we can sleep!!!

Love you 
Brenda and Megan

Haitian Church Celebration

Saturday Update

From Brenda---
We had a good day- flight was good.  We rode in an army style truck- we ride in the back.  Was a little cool today. Rainy.  Set up the clinic - and went for a walk.  It is now very humid- not a lot of breeze tonight.  Megan is doing great!  One of the little kids at the clinic went right up  to her when we got there.  Probably her Miami heat shirt.  Ha ha. Here is a pic of us after our walk up the hill from where we are staying.  It overlooks the city of Cap Haitian.   

Hugs from us both!  

Let the Adventure Begin!

They're off!  The team left Phoenix on Friday am and Miami on Saturday.  So excited for the journey to begin!

Ten Days and Counting!

Blessed by His Provision

Thank you for your continued prayers as we are now just two months away from our journey.  God has shown us His faithfulness through your generous giving.  We covet your continued prayers and support!

God is Faithful! Half of funding is in!

Click Here to Give Online Securely

**Financial Need - Half of Funding needed this month**

Link to Sun Valley Website:  www.SunValleyCC.com/onlinegiving

4 Months and Counting....

Hello All!
We have started the countdown. Only 4 months  from today and we will be on our way to Haiti!  We have had 2 meetings with our group leaders.  We have been getting to know each other, what we need to be doing at this phase, getting some valuable resources, and learning about different cultures.  We read a great book titled "Foreign to Familiar".  It talks about hot and cold cultures and the differences.  Interesting for sure, I am definitely in the "Hot" category!  You'll have to check it out to find out what you are!  
Megan and I got our letters out to our families and friends.   We have lots of prayers going up for this mission trip; for our preparations and funding. We have faith Jesus will be by our side, leading us to do his will.  We are so grateful for all our family and friends who are already supporting us!  Thank you all! 
Until the next time, blessings to you all!
Brenda and Megan

Our Overview Letter

May 5, 2013

Hello Family and Friends!

Megan and I write to tell you our exciting news!  We have the incredible opportunity to go on our first mission trip, together!  We will be going on a medical mission to the village of Pillatre in Haiti where Pastor Manno Laguerre and his wife Prisca have a thriving ministry.  Haitian Christian Ministries (HCM) includes a church, a school of approximately 700 students, and a medical clinic.  This ministry is a blessing to the community which provides spiritual guidance, education with hot meals for the children, and much needed healthcare for the people who otherwise could not afford it.  Our team is made up of doctors, nurses and non-medical people.  We will be working primarily in the clinic where we will work alongside the Haitian staff that normally runs the clinic.  We are so grateful for this opportunity to serve and step out in faith.  

Two and a half years after the earthquake, the needs in Haiti are still on-going.  Pillatre is 90 miles north of Port Au Prince.  The nearest city is Cap Haitian.  Hundreds of thousands of refugees from Port Au Prince have traveled to Cap Haitian in an effort to settle in the city and surrounding countryside.  HCM is attempting to meet the needs of the community by providing medical care, an education and food for the children, counseling, and an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and to grow in a relationship with Him. 

We are asking you to partner with the Haiti 2013 team in the work God is allowing us to be a part of overseas in September. We are each responsible for $2100.00 of our team goal. Whether or not you can give financial support at this time, we would be extremely grateful if you would partner with us in prayer.  Prayer is the most important part of our journey. Receiving prayers ensures that we will be blessed beyond measure from God during our trip doing His work.   Haiti has a history that includes voodoo and devil worship, so please continue to lift us up in prayer so we may recognize and seize the opportunities to share our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as we travel and minister.  

If God has given you the ability to support our team financially, you can do so by visiting www.sunvalleycc.com/onlinegiving and making an online donation using a debit card, credit card or e-check.  After creating an account and logging in, please select, “Haiti 2013” from the “Fund” drop down menu. Next, pick one of our names from the “sub fund” drop down menu and we will be notified of your gift.   Alternatively, you can mail a check made out to “Sun Valley Community Church” to the church office at 456 E. Ray Road, Gilbert  AZ 85296. Please mark it for the Haiti 2013 trip.   All donations are tax deductible and documentation will be provided by the church at the end of this tax year.  Any funds donated will be designated to our team. Due to IRS regulations, donations cannot be refunded for any reason.

We thank each of you for your support whether it is emotional, spiritual or financial.  We would love to keep you up to date throughout our journey.  Please follow us on our blog at http://meganbrendamission.blogspot.com/ , we will periodically post updates.  

In His holy name,

Brenda and Megan 

“…but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak , not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” ~1 Thessalonians 2:4   ESV