MedicalMissionTrip.org

Hello everyone,

What a wonderful day!!!  It was full of exciting and new adventures. First we went to a geo-thermal area where the “earth was breathing and bubbling” and it was COOL, or should I say HOT! I didn’t realize these volcanoes were still active here…YIKKES!  The last volcanic eruption here was 2006.   Next we went UP..UP..UP..the mountain to a little town for shopping.  There were a lot of people, music and food, horse carriage rides, clowns, iguana on a leash and photos with a BIG boa constrictor.  Had a beautiful lunch with the biggest shrimp we have ever seen.  The shrimp came with the head and shell still intact…YUMMY!!!  More shopping after lunch then on to church.  We went to Pastor Juan’s original church, which now has a woman pastor.  A group of college students from University of South Carolina here on spring break also joined us at the church.  They sang and played instruments to entertain during the service.  Their enthusiasm was uplifting and their voices beautiful.  Supper was at “Pupusa Loca” , we ate pupusa’s which were tortilla shells filled with your choice of anything.

Tomorrow Pastor Juan, Jim and Betsy will travel to San Salvador to speak to the “President” in hopes of getting our medicine and equipment.  The rest of the team will be working hard at Pastor Juan’s clinic a few miles away.  We hope to see many patients tomorrow.  Pray for Jim, Betsy and Pastor Juan.

Betsy sends hugs and kisses to Bill and Lacey.  Michele says “Hi” to my family, Phil, Pam, Mark and my baby grandson Connor.  Also to Jenifer and June who are holding down the fort. I miss everyone!!

Betsy Burdette and Michele Brabant  (Roomies)

The process of checking in 21 servants of God at the Miami airport went flawlessly and the flight was roomy and without incident…..no flying passports under the seats (lol).  Once we arrived in San Salvador….a balmy 89 degrees…..the roadblocks started.  The line to check into the country took about an hour, we were missing one medicine bag, and to top it off the customs officials wanted more paperwork from the health minister to let our supplies/medications through.  So, as we continue to sit in baggage claim we have just been informed that we have to leave ALL of our medicines till Monday!…..and more group prayers are in motion.  As for now (5pm local time) we sit in a hurry up and wait mode.  Please keep the prayers coming for safety and release of our needed supplies.

With a quick stop for dinner, we loaded on the school bus and started our two hour bus trip to Ahuachapan. Not knowing where we were staying, we were pleasantly surprised.  The hotel is very quaint and very tropical; after a few moments of relaxation and much needed prayer, it was off to bed.

The El Salvador Medical Mission Team.

Here is a picture of our local team before we board to the bus to drive to Miami.  Please Pray as we embarq on a new adventure for our mission  trip.

Hello All,

I wanted to write to give everyone an update on what’s going on.  Our mission trip has changed drastically.  Our fearless and loved leader Dr. Rufus Jennings can not go with us.  But thank God he has groomed a great people to continue his work and dream for the poor.  We will begin our journey to El Salvador on March 5, 2011.

During our planning stage we thought other churches might like to help Faith UMC sponsor our trip by getting some additional supplies, that are expensive and ones that usually run out early in the trip. We have been blessed and have received many additional donations of Over the Counter medicine.  We have found people very generous and willing to help they want to be involved in God’s work, God is Good!

We are asking those that are not going and that are following the trip on this web site to please pray daily. This is our first trip to El Salvador; fortunately many of us have worked together in many medical mission trips to Panama. We realize we will be facing many new challenges ahead; we look forward to serving God in this unique way, and pray that we can be flexible for the many unknowns to come.  With that in mind, we have met just another challenge even before we leave. Dr. Brad Middaugh our Optometrist’s supply of glasses was sent to the wrong church, some where in the Midwest!   God does have a sense of humor so we will just pray and claim the victory for Jesus that we will get the Glasses in time. God has some great plans for us as we know this is Gods Will to serve the poor and help those in need.

That’s all for now.  Remember God Loves You. Dios De Bendiga.

Your Mission Team