Hola from the
DR. I wanted to give a bit of an update in the form of this verse
that we have had as our theme for the year at the Makarios School.
Galatians
5:22 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self control. Against such
things there is no law.'
But the fruit
of the Spirit is LOVE—A while ago I blogged about a
little girl who lived in Pancho Mateo. Imani, former Mak staff,
introduced me to Luigina after her caregiver at the time told us that
she had been abandoned by her parents. Luigina suffered from a
condition that made her arm extremely swollen to the point she needed
a sling. The condition would eventually take her life and this was
the case a few weeks ago. Her caregiver had told us she wanted
Luigina in Colegio Makarios because 'it is a place that really loves
the students'. May they know we are His by our love.
JOY—Makarios
is exploding with new folks committing to serve with Makarios. In
the past few months we have welcomed such wonderful additions and
continue to add more. We welcomed Adrienne Christian who was already
living in the DR until the Lord brought her to Mak. Two fantastic
families came in December, the Lehrs and the Albrights. We recently
received India Rucker and we will soon be welcoming Kaylee Howard and
Christen Jernigan along with Apriel Westermoreland in the near
future. It is a joy to serve along such great people.
PEACE—Do
we sell our house in Cedar Park? (I think so.) Do we sell our car?
(Yes!) Do we get rid of the stuff in our storage? (UGH, what a
task!) Will we need these things whenever it is that Lord calls us
back to the States? Will that happen? Mercy, Lord, we need your
peace. I am having a heart attack just writing all that. (No,
seriously, I am. It could also be the Doritos...see SELF CONTROL.)
Father, may our hearts not be troubled as we rely on and seek You for
peace in these answers.
PATIENCE—The
Mak School has needed to gain the recognition by the Dominican
Department of Education its entire existence. Two years ago we sat
defeated with the superintendent who now has signed all the necessary
papers for us to have this recognition. Up until now our students
have had to attend the public school as well as the Makarios School
in order to be in an accredited school. This is big news for our
school. God has given us the patience needed to see this important
milestone in the progress of The Makarios School.
KINDNESS—This
Dominican recognition becoming a reality at this point has been just
something that has happened in the last month. During this time we
had two groups—Cedarville University in Ohio and Sagemont Church from Houston ,TX sent a group of youth. Both of these
teams stopped me when I was giving the tour of our school and told
them about the important meetings. They stopped me to ask if we
could pray right then and there for these things. What sweet and
simple kindness that encouraged me amazingly! Thank you, groups,
your kindness means so much.
GOODNESS—God
in His goodness has seen fit to allow our little family to serve here
in this country, this corner of the Earth. We are so thankful and
love what He is able to take bumpkins like us and bring glory to
Himself. Making decisions for the Mak School constantly keeps me in
pursuit of what is good. I am thankful that He is a good, good
Father and may His goodness follow us all the days of our lives and
the lives of our students.
GENTLENESS—As
I get older and I learn more about myself I have learned that I do
not possess, like, at all, the gift of mercy. If it comes to me at
all it does not come naturally. 'Let
your gentleness by evident to all. The Lord is near.'
This was a verse that the students memorized this year. It is such a
great reminder as I deal with students, staff, my family, etc. May I
strive to demonstrate the sweet gentleness that the sweet Savior
shows to me.
FAITH—A
very present reminder of faith is when our students place their faith
in Jesus Christ and that is extremely exciting. Another example of
faith to us is the faith steps taken by each of our supporters to
commit to giving to our family. This is an incredible sacrifice on
their part and we are humbled, encouraged, refreshed, blessed, and
spurred on by it. We couldn't be here without our beautifully
faithful supporters. If you are interested in joining our team we
would be incredibly appreciative.
https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/Makarios/missionaries
SELF
CONTROL—Well, if you have
read this far then you should get a prize. This, like mercy, this
isn't my strong suit as I munch Doritos at 3:15AM. Honestly, God is
working here, too. I have learned much about not saying every
thought that comes to my head and letting it pass through a filter of
Christ first. (Sometimes. I said it was a work-in-progress!)
Being reminded
of what we can be through Christ is always good and how He calls us
into community to live these things is out is good as well. Thank
you for your very faithful support of prayer and finances. We are
blessed.
Much grace and
peace to you, Joe, Laurie, Sam, Levi and Sarah