Home from Haiti

We have been back from Haiti for 15 days now, which seems absolutely surreal. I cannot even begin to explain what a wonderful week it was filled with the Lord's love. There are so many things I want to share about the trip, about Haiti, about how the Lord moved, and about our team that it is overwhelming!

Our contact in Haiti is an organization called Mission of Hope. MOH (mission of hope) is located in Titanyen, a smaller village outside of the Nations Capital, Port-au-Prince. Sitting on a hill, MOH is one of the most amazing examples of the Lords provision, the Lord's vision, and the fruit that the power of prayer and obedience can provide.

Our first full day in Haiti was Sunday, and before church we took a tour of the property - throughout the tour I was brought to tears numerous times after hearing different stories of the faithfulness and provision from the Lord when we are obedient to His calling. I encourage you all to explore MOH's website and read up on the history of the Johnson family and all that has happened in Haiti since 1998. (mohhaiti.com)

MOH's vision is, "As an organization following Jesus Christ, we exist to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti". And my goodness gracious that is exactly what MOH is doing! That was one of the most fantastic things I saw at MOH, the positive knowledge and enabling that MOH is doing with the Haitians. MOH exists to not just bring life change from North American influence to Haiti but to ultimately bring life change from Haiti to Haiti! I respect MOH so much for not just investing into the Nation physically but by investing and helping people long term! MOH see's the importance and value that education and opportunity can bring to a Nation. If there is going to be life change it is going to have to come from the Lord first and the Haitians second. In order to change a Nation, Haitians must be educated and have vision from the Lord. If MOH can teach the Haitians, right now the skill set that the North Americans are bringing - then those Haitians can teach generations to come. MOH does not want to be the change, they want to enable and equip the change to come from within Haiti. -- It is just wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! 

Mission of Hope is walking in the Lord's favor that is for sure. So many stories were told to us while we were there about the faithfulness of the Lord but I will just share a couple of my favorite ones right now :) 

Haiti's political and economical system is very corrupt - corrupt is an understatement actually. But the government has come to MOH to give them land so that they can continue on with the Lord's work. GIVE them land - I will say it one more time, GIVE them land! That is crazy! That does not happen without serious prayer, hope, faith, and mostly our great God! wow. It still blows my mind! 

Another of my favorite stories takes place a few months before the Earthquake. A Canadian man called Brad, the founder of Mission of Hope, and told him that the Lord had called him to donate his ambulance. Brad was honored but there was not a need for an ambulance so he respectfully declined. A week or so later, the Canadian man called again and after Brad had prayed about his offer, Brad accepted the ambulance and it was shipped to Haiti. Little did Brad know, a few months later, that would be the only large, working ambulance in the entire country. The only ambulance able to relocate multiple people at a time as well as hold a large amount of supplies. That right there just shows how good the Lord is! 

Every day we were there we heard stories like this. Stories that excited us to come home and see the Lord's work be done back home. So much hope and positivity came to all of the members of our team after visiting Haiti and seeing all that the Lord has done in the last couple of years! 

It was truly an inspiring, humbling, and honoring blessing from the Lord. I can not wait to return again one day!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws." - Psalm 119: 105-106

new. new. new!

So many times in life we dont realize when we are entering a new season or we dont know when some of the biggest most important days are happening - when they are actually happening! It is usually only afterwards that we look back and say "Wow! That day changed my life! I entered a new season that day!"

I have been volunteering and been in charge of Hospitality for the College Ministry at Journey Church for the past year or so. Just recently I started working Reception because I wanted to be apart of Journey! I wanted to be apart of the Lord's house and serve Him more than I was able to with volunteering. It is also my dream, Lord willing, to work at Journey full time doing ministry there when I graduate. So working Reception seemed like a good way to get my foot in the door learn about ministry while I was still in school!

About 3 weeks ago I applied for a full time job at Journey to be the First Impressions Coordinator. Going into the application process I knew that it was a stretch considering I was still in school and 40+ hours a week was a lot! But after talking to the Pastor over that position who is also a dear friend of mine, we decided it would be beneficial for me to go through the application and interview process regardless of the time hurdle.

After going through the application process and 3 interviews with a panel of 3 people each, my friend and co-worker Ryan got the First Impressions job!

Of course, I was a little disappointed but never discouraged because I felt so much peace about going through the process, I knew it was what the Lord wanted me to do! Last Monday the Adult Pastor, Bryan, and Robin, who is in charge of the Women Ministry at Journey and whose husband is the Founding Senior Pastor, called me into a meeting when they offered my a part time position with Reflect, Journeys Women's Ministry!

I was floored! It was perfect! I have such a heart for women and women filling into their God given potential and into who the Lord wants them to be. It was such an honor to be offered this position. I was so humbled and beyond thankful. Robin and her husband Clark planted Journey and have had a vision and dream for Norman OK. I feel so blessed to be able to work along side Robin and learn about ministry from her. It is such an honor to work with her and her ministry! I'm so excited.

Monday, February 6th was my first day and though I broke the computer the first hour on the job everything has been great so far! I am loving settling into my new position, new desk, and new season of learning and growing! I have already started dreaming for Reflect and the women that are apart of the Reflect Bible Study! It is a young ministry and there is so much room for the Lord to move and grow! I cant wait to see what He does and I cant believe he has blessed me with the opportunity to be apart of all of it!

The Lord is faithful and so good to us!
He blows my mind daily!!!! :)

I'm off to work and school! Oh .. and DISNEY WORLD with my family!

Enjoy the weekend..

<3 Bree

1st team meeting!

Today, the Haiti team had our first team meeting! It was so exciting to have all of us (well most of us) together in a room bonding and starting to unify our hearts through Christ!

We had so much fun; sharing fun facts and hidden talents about ourselves, sharing what we're most curious about Haiti, brainstorming fundraising ideas and laughing hysterically together! It was so fun starting to see everyone get comfortable with each other and to see everyone's personalities come out! Mark my words now: we have a very goofy, fun, and funny group of people with some of the best hearts I've ever known! And this upcoming trip will be amazingly fun and full of the Lord's presence! Stay tuned for Tshirt sales coming in the next couple of weeks as well as other fundraising events! :)

Building the team is such a crucial part of a mission trip. Each individual person was hand selected by the Lord for this trip so that we collectively would become the body of Christ! We all have different strengths, weaknesses, attributes, and things we bring to the table. Unifying our hearts through Christ and bonding as much as possible before we leave is so important so that we can be used completely and be the body of Christ!

The team I was on to South Africa last summer bonded really well before we left. We already felt like a team and loved each other to death before even leaving the country. One of my biggest prayers for the Haiti team is that we could bond and become a family like the South Africa team and even more so before leaving! It will happen! I saw it today.. We will all be the best of friends and I cant wait to continue watching these bonds between everyone grow!


Prayer Requests:
Pray for our team's hearts uniting and our family bond only increasing by the day,
pray for all those that we will encounter - that their hearts are soft and ready to hear the Lord's truth,
pray for us - that we are focused on the Lord and open to encounters with Him,
pray for the funds of our team - that they would continue to come in,
and pray for our contact in Haiti - Mission of Hope, that they keep touching lives, spreading the Word and for the safety and health of everyone there.

"Pray continually." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross." - Hebrews 12:2

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8

Welcome!

Well, I'm officially and finally blogging. I know I said I would sooner but life has been hectic, in the best way possible!

Thank you all so much for all the investment in my life for the last 21 years. My life would not be as blessed without all of you!!

I'm going to try my hardest to write a new post at least once a week updating on the presence of the Lord in and around my life. Hopefully, I'll be able to write more than that! Some post will be present day stories and testimonies of the ministries I'm involved in here at Journey Church in Norman or little bits about my personal life! Other post will be reflection and memory posts from South Africa and the last 3 years since I found Christ! ... But lots from South Africa! And not to mention some posts about leading up to Haiti and being in Haiti!! :)

It is so important for me to post about South Africa because I think of my experiences there daily and I want to share them with all of you who were so great, encouraging, and supportive! Dont worry - Pictures will be apart of almost every blog!

Thank you all so much again for your interest, investment, support, encouragement, and prayers in my life. It means more to me than you will ever know!

God Bless you ALL!!!! :)


"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." - Psalm 18:30