Who??

Over the next few weeks I will be posting blogs answering the five basic questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why. Let me begin by answering WHO.

Who am I?

Maybe you have known me for years, maybe you stumbled upon this blog after seeing it on social media somewhere, either way, let me take a second to introduce myself. My name is Brooke Merry and I am a 26 year old from beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2009 and went to Gannon University located in Erie, Pennsylvania to complete a Master’s Degree Program for Physician Assistant Sciences, which I completed in 2014. Since that time I have been working with a Women’s Health Group in Shadyside. Outside of work I enjoy watching movies and TV shows, playing board games, biking, reading, being outside and traveling. I also love being with and getting to know people.

I also spend as much time as I can helping others by serving as a Deacon in our church,  volunteering at VBS, Produce for People, the Youth Group, and taught pre-schoolers Church School. For years I was a counselor at Pittsburgh Presbytery’s Crestfield Camp and Conference Center, and I have been on many national and international Mission Trips.

Who helped me get to where I am today?

It’s hard to describe who I am, without also telling you about the people that have walked with me every step of the way to get to this point in my life. I am blessed with what I consider the best family on the planet. My dad (Dan Merry) is the head Pastor at Southminster Presbyterian Church. It is from my dad that I learned how far you can get in life if you’re willing to work hard. I also have learned how to love and care for everyone because of the amazing example he has set for me. When people say that I am just a young version of my dad, it is the biggest compliment that I can imagine. My mom (Beth Merry) teaches communication at Waynesburg University. My mom has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. She has always been the shoulder for me to cry on when I’m having a bad day, the one I call first when I have something exciting to share (although she never picks up because she can’t find her cell phone). She taught me what it means to truly listen to people and welcome them into your life. She also is the best cook around and I will certainly miss going to her house for dinner while I’m away. My older sister (Heather Merry) is a Special Education Teacher in the Canon McMillan School District. Being 3 years younger than Heather I have spent my entire life looking up to her (and annoying her). She is my absolute best friend. She and I bought a house together about 2 years ago and have spent countless nights crying from laughing so hard, staying up late just talking, and enjoying each other’s company. I know how blessed I am to have such a loving big sister who has always looked out for her rowdy little sister. She is the first person I told about my crazy idea of going to Malawi for a year, and because she is amazing, through her tears she said that she would miss me but was so excited for me.  Going to Malawi without them will certainly have its challenges, but knowing I have their love and support will be the enough to get me through the hard days. My mom, dad and sister have been there for me through everything and I would not be who I am today without them.

I also do not know where I would be without my amazing group of friends. They put up with my quirky sense of humor, and are always there for me when I need them. They put up with my constant desire to travel, even when I try to book a trip when I am supposed to be in one of their weddings! I will miss spending time with all of them, but know they will supporting me from home. I’m also hoping some of them come visit me (hint, hint)!!!

I am so blessed to have so many people that loved and supported me throughout my life. Without each one of you I would not be who I am today. Thank you all for you constant love and support of me. I may be the one physically going to Malawi, but this would not be possible without my amazing support group at home.

Who will I be when I return?

I can’t even begin to fathom the ways in which the Lord will work in me and through me during my year in Malawi. I came back a completely different person after we lived there as a family, and I’m sure I will change and grow so much during my time there in 2017-18. The Lord works in mysterious and amazing ways and I am open and excited for the changes and growth that will occur within me.

Overwhelmed by Love

In the spirit of the soon approaching Valentine's day I would like you all to know am completely overwhelmed and feel so blessed by the outpouring of love and support I received in the past couple days. I could not have imagined how wonderful all of you have been in helping me on this mission. Because of your generosity, we are off to a great start!

I have been receiving a few questions and I just wanted to clarify some things for you. As I mentioned in a previous post, there are multiple ways to donate. If you feel so led, you may make a tax-deductible check payable to Southminster Presbyterian Church with my name written in the memo. You may also make an online donation at http://www.spchurch.org/pages/?SPCOnlineDonations/. Click on the “Donate Now” button and enter “Brooke Merry” in the purpose field.Throughout the year, I will be wired the funds that I have raised. This means that I do not need to have all the money I need to raise on hand when I leave. If it is easier for you to give monthly, quarterly, or biannually that is perfectly fine and greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions for me throughout my time of preparation, or my time in the country, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail. I will happily talk about my mission!

And so the adventure begins...

In 2005, as the wheels of the plane left the tarmac of Chileka Airport in Blantrye, I knew in my heart that it wasn’t goodbye, it was simply tionana (see you later). Now I am excited to announce that it’s time to say tionana again. This time I will be looking out the plane window, not onto the mountains surrounding Blantyre, Malawi, but the hills and buildings of Pittsburgh. It is with great excitement that I write to tell you that this August I will be heading back to Malawi, the “Warm Heart of Africa”.

Since the day my family left Malawi in 2005, I have felt called to return (If you want to read about some of our adventures here is a link to the journal we kept while we were there: http://www.spchurch.org/merry/). I worked through both high school and college with my eyes set on returning to the country and people I love so much. Now that I have graduated and started my career in medicine, I finally believe that it is my time to return. Although I will not be using my medical degree while in Malawi, I plan to volunteer at local hospitals near where I will be working. You’re probably wondering what I will be doing if I won’t be working in medicine. Great question!

I am blessed to have an opportunity to teach science courses at the St. Andrews Mission Secondary School (SAMSS). St. Andrews Church has been in partnership with Southminster Presbyterian Church for many years, and through that partnership a beautiful school complete with a science lab, dormitories, dining hall, computer lab, and teacher housing has been built. At the present time SAMSS has 292 students, 112 of those student live on campus. SAMSS has become
one of the finest secondary schools in Malawi, with exam pass rates as high as 94%! The school is taught entirely in English, so luckily for the students they will not have to endure my pitiful Chichewa.

The opportunity to work with, and teach these students, has been a dream and goal of mine for many years and I feel so privileged to be given the opportunity to go. The chance to once again live in Malawi for a year, I know will be life changing. Although it will just be me going this time, without my family, I can’t do this mission alone, I need your help.

First, I would like you to pray for me as I prepare for my year away, while I am traveling, and throughout the year as I settle into my daily life in Malawi. Second, as you may have guessed, a life-changing trip like this is rather expensive. I will be resigning from my position in Pittsburgh in order to go. Therefore, I am asking for your financial support to help me undertake this mission. I need to raise approximately $15,000 for the year. And while it is my smiling face the students will see in their classroom every day, YOUR support is crucial to their growth and success. I truly believe that some give by going, and some go by giving. Without your support, my mission will not be possible. If you feel so led, you may make a tax-deductible check payable to Southminster Presbyterian Church with my name written in the memo. You may also make an online donation at http://www.spchurch.org/pages/?SPCOnlineDonations/. Click on the “Donate Now” button and enter “Brooke Merry” in the purpose field.

This opportunity would not be possible without your prayers, love and support, and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will continue to keep you updated as I begin to prepare and throughout my year in the Warm Heart of Africa.

Brooke