Wow!! It has been a while since I posted a new blog. For you
faithful readers, I am really sorry. I guess the excuse of busy-ness
doesn't cut it. (But I have been!!) :)
We finished our time in the States and it was a wonderful,
quickly-passing time. We are indebted to so many for making it
comfortable, fun, productive, encouraging, and fulfilling.
We got back to the DR on Wednesday, 24 March and moved into a new
home. On Thursday, 25 March, the boys and I got up and headed to
school. I had their uniforms packed in their carry-ons. Perhaps
that was a little hasty to get back into the swing of things, but we
were so anxious to get back to our 'normal'.
Basically, the update that I want to leave with you is that we had
a great time in the States, we are thankful for what the Lord
provided financially through the sacrificial and faithful people
around us , we know He will continue (**to be a part of God's
faithfulness to us, please visit the giving page of Makarios'
website: https://makarios.webconnex.com/missionary.
We would be very appreciative), we are so glad to be back home and
thankful to be a part of a great organization. BUT......
The reality is that the longer I am here the more my heart breaks
for the kids and families we serve. Unfortunately, I use the word
'family' very loosely. The thing about working with any group of
people is that the needs can be so overwhelming. The physical needs of our
students are just so profoundly basic—food, clean water. The
emotional needs are crippling and generations old. Ultimately,
though, THIS is why we are here. May we truly bring God's hope of
biblical proportions that leads to true change and offers Light in
the amazing darkness that is around our students.
I have been thinking about this quite a bit as some of the
discipline issues lately that have lead us to discussions about
abuse, the lack of food outside of school, shredded family
relationships, destroyed trust, and a 3-year old walking to school by
himself. Perhaps this is particularly juxtaposed this week as my own
experiences in life are quite the opposite as my parents celebrated
50 years of holy matrimony on 1 May!!! This is an amazing
accomplishment for which I am exceedingly grateful as I recognize how
their personal commitment to Christ, marriage, and family have
directly impacted me. Their years of commitment to each other have
built the emotional hedge of security that creates children who
aren't stunted in their emotional development. It is amazing how
this and eating properly have such an effect on little ones.
It is most certain that tackling poverty and the vicious cycle
that accompanies it is exhausting.
I am thankful for the heritage my parents have provided—it is
truly life altering to have food, security, support and love. For
this, I truly thank my parents and I desire that each of my students
experience the love and security that I have enjoyed in my own life.
Until then, we carry on with the task at hand: to create a school
where students can come, be fed, hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and
become world changers as a result. All glory to God as we pursue
this Kingdom-expanding work!
You can be a part of it, too:
https://makarios.webconnex.com/missionary
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