Well, we are back in the USA and I must say that Haiti is an incredible place where the Lord is truly at work there.
While I am exhausted I have no desire to sleep but only to post a note to let you know that I am completely blown away by what I experienced this week.I still haven't gathered my thoughts or emotions but, I wanted to tell you before I ever set foot on Texas soil that we could all feel the prayers that went up for myseld and for our team. There was an amazing unity among everyone and we worked together like we had been doing it for years. God is such an amazing and wonderful Daddy!!!
Thank you all so much and stay tuned for many wonderful stories and pictures!!!
You are amazing!!!!!!

Prayer Requests and Update

I got some more preparation done yesterday... Shots and medication for all those foreign diseases have now been issued and taken care of. No wonder our sweet little babies cry when they get shots!!! Those suckers hurt. Passport registration is done and our airline tickets were to be purchased yesterday as well......Thank you so much for all your continued prayer and support. Below you will find a prayer list via our head pastor and also one from me personally. Thanks again and keep those prayers coming!!!!!

From our pastor Butch Smith
Pray that God will break our hearts and set us free from the love of this world.
Pray for personal flexibility and holiness.
Pray for effective and efficient ministry, building, repairs, demolition, soul-winning, light medical help, clean up.
And whatever else God desires to do in us and through us as we simply yield to His Holy Spirit as ministers of the gospel. We will meet needs and share Christ for His glory.
Please pray and fast like never before. Please!

Then my personal prayer list;
Yesterday I went to do all my passport registration and the clerk who took care of it was a little apprehensive about me getting it back in time so, PLEASE pray that the issuance of it would be very speedy!!!!!!
For God to use myself and the entire team in a mighty way
For funding to continue to come swiftly until the goal is reached. to date I have received $1160.00! God is so amazing!! I love watching Him work!!
For our team's safety in travel and while we are in Haiti
For my family and the entire team's family while we are away
Most of all for lives to be impacted and changed for Eternity's sake


You are all wonderful and I am so excited to see us all working together in such a mighty way to bring folks into the flock of Christ!!!
Mel

Haiti Update

I just wanted to share a little this morning. First of all I can't tell you all how excited I am about my upcoming trip to Haiti and how awesome it has been to see God work!!!
I admit that I have had some fear of not getting the funds to go and of having a lot of road blocks come up which is sin. We've been in a sermon series at church and just recently one of the sermons was on worry and anxiety which both involve fear. Matthew 6:25-34 Clearly says not to worry.
So, every time I even for a moment start to worry or have an anxious thought I begin to pray and God has each and every time given me clear and defined peace. That alone makes me want to pray even more. God is so good.
Another thing that I have spent some time pondering and praying over is the idea of why we as Believers so often ask God for something or for discernment in a situation and then when he answers us we are always so amazed..... Why is that?!?!? He tells us to ask, seek, and knock!! That is what he wants us to do. So, why are we so taken aback when he answers?? That is food for your thoughts today.......
An update on donations............. I have raised $1110.00 as of yesterday afternoon. Praise the Lord.....
I got an amazing opportunity to speak at Five Points Baptist Church yesterday morning and so many gave generously. It was a wonderful experience and I am grateful for their monetary donations as well as all the prayers that will be lifted up while our team is in Haiti. A huge thank you to them!!!!!

Mission trip to Haiti

Howdy,


Most of you know I am a member of Living Hope Baptist Church and have been active for over five years. We are a very mission minded church. Multiple trips are planned every year for members and non-members to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and lead people to salvation. In past years I have not felt God calling me to participate in any of these trips, however, this time is different. God has opened up the doors for Living Hope to go to Gressier, Haiti. This is an area that was struck extremely hard by the earthquake and has had no help. We have been asked to come to participate in general ministry, construction, medical, and simply show love to people whose lives have been devastated by this horrible tragedy.

My heart breaks over and over as I watch news clips and hear stories of lives lost and souls aching. My burden has been great. When I received the initial email about this trip I began to pray and ask God to speak, loud and clear, as to His will for me as relating to this trip. Being a wife, mother of five, and running a Daycare. . .makes it pretty impossible for me to go anywhere, for any length of time!! However, as all the reasons I could not go on this trip started racing through my mind, God’s word starting flashing in my thoughts.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
That alone should be sufficient for me, a mustard seed. . .so tiny, and a mountain. . .so large!
But, with faith anything is possible! Then my thoughts went to:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened
to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the
door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

So, I began to ask God to give me the faith to remove obstacles that would keep me from going on this trip. I put my name on the interested persons list and prayed. Then yesterday the email came stating that we needed to give a definite decision as to whether we are going so tickets could be purchased, the total cost being $1,800.00. I must say I panicked because while I have been praying about whether I should go or not, I had no idea I would have to give a firm yes or no so soon. The fact that I needed to give an answer soon meant I needed to approach my husband about it. So after a quick prayer and a deep breath I asked, “Hey, can I go to Haiti over spring break on a mission trip? Without hesitation, he said “GO!”. . . WOW!!. . . I fully believe that was God speaking through him, MY DEFINITE ANSWER!!!! . . .However, His question after saying go was “How are you gonna pay for it?? . . . . .AND so, this is where I need your help.

The $1800.00 is the total cost. It covers air and ground transportation, food, water lodging, and general ministry supplies. Please take time to pray and ask the Lord if He would have you give to make this trip possible!!! Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. In return for your donation I promise to work hard in general, as well as working to the utmost of my abilities to be a reflection of Christ and share His gospel so that others may come to know him in a way that changes their lives for eternity.

I’m sure that since the news first broke you have had a desire to be involved in some way to help these people. Should you desire to give in order for me to go, you would be a part of the ministry.
You may send your gift to Melissa Engleman, 3727 Ravenwood Dr. Bryan, TX 77802 or call me at
979-776-9367 or 979-571-2565 if you would like additional information.

Thanks you so much and God Bless You, Melissa Engleman

Emilie & Tiffany talk

I was in the kitchen the other night and overheard Tiffany and Emilie talking as they were playing house or whatever it was......... and Tiffany said that her baby felt warm and that she had a low grade fever so, since Emilie was going to watch her she needed to know that and then Emilie said it isn't a fever she has low blood sugar and needs some candy or juice........ I tell that story first because I think it is cute and second because our kids are listening so close to all the adults in their lives. We don't have a diabetic in our home, but they stayed with their grandparents last week and my mom and dad have diabetes. I think we forget so often they kids minds are like sponges to everything around them. They watch and are taking every action and every word we say and then concluding that if Mom and Dad say or do it then it must be OK. I am sooooooo not who I need to be in front of my kids all the time I mess up every single day and hate it......... The repentance of it is to be selfless enough to admit it and ask for forgiveness and explain it to them where they can understand...... I am so thatnkful for do overs and amazing grace. Thankful also for kids because they are so receptive to us when we are sincere.They seem to always offer us themselves so freely and not hold it against us when we mess up.

Thank Heaven for our boys and girls!!!

Something New

So, I am going to do this blog thing.I am new to it and have no idea about how it works, but I am gonna learn. It seems as though it is a pretty handy tool to share with others those experiences that mold us and shape us into the families and friends that we are. My kids do amazing things each day and I have some pretty interesting thoughts that sometimes need to be shared maybe for evaluation or just to help someone who is having the same issue or dilemma!?!?!? We will see. I also thought this may be a way to help me be more dedicated to having a quiet time. To read his word and then spill it out onto my blog...... HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!