Spring Break for me for almost every year the past decade has
included a trip with Hill Country high schoolers to work with
Makarios. All year I have looked forward to being on the receiving
end of that group! What a great joy it was to pick them up at the
airport this year!!
Being led by the incredible duo of Robin Inks and Meredith Wermel,
the group was great and got a LOT of work done at school and the Mak
House. It is incredible what 45 people can accomplish. :) They were
such a blessing to our family—bringing a stroller, a ton of tampons
(those are expensive here!), candy, magazines to stay on top of
American pop culture and other very precious must-haves from Gramma
and Grampa, like an actual ton of diapers (also, very expensive
here!) They also brought fun, English-speaking friendship to Sam and
Levi. Joe Kertz (whose name is Joseph Samuel—just like my Sammy)
and Justin Meredith were two bright spots in my boys' days! MUCHAS
GRACIAS, HILLCO!!
The last night the Hillco group was here Sam made an incredibly
important decision to accept Christ!!! The boys and I read from the
Bible every night. They both know many stories very well. They know
about Jesus and His importance. So, in the 10 minutes between our
house and the Mak House Sam asked us if he was a Christian...since he
attends a Christian school. (As much as going to McDonald's makes
you a hamburger, son.) We asked him a few questions to make sure he
understood and then he prayed right then and there! It has been
extremely cool to now see how we have been able to pray with a new
significance about challenges in his young life. Sam really liked
the idea that due to his decision there was a party in Heaven. He
enthusiastically asked if I thought Chloe (our oldest, a daughter we
lost at 36-weeks gestation) was at the party. Oh, Sam, I am sure
Chloe was first in line!!
Lastly, I just want to share what I have been meditating on
lately. Maybe it is because I have been a teacher for almost two
decades and now a principal. Rules—making them up and enforcing
them—have been and are a big part of my life. How great to serve a
God who provides guidance and freedom through them. Psalm 19:7-14,
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul: the testimony
of the Lord is sure, rejoicing the heart; the commandments of the
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and altogether
righteous. More to be desired are they than gold, even much more
than honey and drippings of honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your
servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can
discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep
back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have
dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great
transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Would this BE a missionary blog without the obligatory plea for
support? We ARE honored to be serving with Makarios and wonderful
things are going on here. Please check out
http://www.makariosinternational.org/give.html
if you are interested in becoming a monthly supporter or be a
one-time supporter. We are presently seeking supporters to partner
with us to finish out this year and see us through next year. God is
faithful!
As always, thank you for reading this blog and for your interest
in our family.
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