An Update on the Majcher Fam

As many of you may have noticed, I am terrible at writing blogs. Turns out that all the best intentions and plans still doesn't create blogs. It's weird. But, I have had a little more time lately as I sit in an Indiana hospital room with my Dad. He is battling a survivable cancer, but is struggling with the radiation/chemo cocktail that has landed him in the hospital for dangerously low white blood cell count levels. So, as I update and pray about his condition and try to be encouraging to my sweet Mama, I also have had some quiet moments to update y'all on what cool stuff we get to be a part of in the Dominican Republic with Makarios.

Some big things have been happening at Makarios School. The Makarios School received a very important number—a code—that makes us officially recognized by the Dominican Ministry of Education. WE ARE A REAL SCHOOL. The most beautiful number to me now is: 15757!! :) This effort has been years in the making as we tried to follow all the steps required in order to gain this recognition. Obtaining our Dominican recognition become quickly one of the top priorities upon my arrival almost four years ago. That number is the result of sweat and tears, for sure! This news was the best birthday present as we found out one day before my 45^th birthday in February! (YES, I AM that old!)

God is certainly working in Makarios. As we strive for excellence, we know that the battle is real, but we know our God is stronger and has already won! Makarios strives to make an impact for Christ here in the DR and we are growing throughout the ministry which this is extremely exciting to see. Our Hosting Ministry is branching out and we have a Family Empowerment branch of Makarios now which serves the families of our students. The Family Empowerment Ministry is a wonderful addition to the work Makarios is already doing.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear[a] when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

These verses have come up a couple different times this year. One in a book that my friend and I were studying. Kikina struggles daily to bear fruit in a joy drought and a flood of tears. These verses have also been chosen to go along with Makarios' mission and vision. This is what we want for our students. This is what I want for Makarios. This is what I want for the Majcher Family.

Here are some highlights ministry-wise and specific to the Majcher Family--

--The rising fifth grade class had been studying Romans and the class had been touched by the Holy Spirit and have made commitments to follow Christ! Pray for Tomy and Sarah, their teachers next year, as they lead these students in their new walk with the Lord !!!!

--The Lord has blessed the Makarios School with a woman who is passionate about literacy. Adrienne Christian has been able to lead Makarios teachers in obtaining tools in order to achieve higher levels of literacy and we are seeing the benefits! Our school will continue to flourish as we become more skilled in working with varied kinds of learning as our students, who come from poverty, arrive at school with significant developmental challenges. An exciting step in becoming more skilled is that we anticipate a team of teachers from Logos Prep located in Sugar Land, TX in October to partner with us in training.

--A praise is that the Lord has blessed our efforts in fundraising where we are not in the critical spot as we were before. We do lack a few monthly donors which means that we are reliant on one time gifts. God has always been faithful to provide, but it is ideal to have our salary fully covered in monthly commitments. Please pray that we would be able to close that gap. If anyone is inspired this moment—here is the giving link. :) https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/Makarios/missionaries

--Our kids continue to do well in school and very much enjoy school. They adore their teachers and (generally) strive to do their best. :) Sam will be entering 3rd grade. Levi will be entering 2^nd grade and Sarah is entering Kindergarten. They enjoy riding bikes, playing with the neighborhood kids, hanging out with their friends in the communities and other Makarios missionary kids. Sam and Levi have tried their hand at surfing with pretty decent success. All three kids are soaring in Spanish and feel very comfortable using it.

So, how long are we staying in the Dominican Republic? That's what everyone wants to know. Well, we are a bit off from our one year commitment. :) The 19^th of August 2017 will be our 4^th year anniversary of arriving on Dominican soil. We have made a commitment to stay for another two school years to help be a part of securing that the Makarios School has leadership in place. This would take us to Somewhere in the summer of 2019. As of right now, there isn't a leading or a plan or a this-is-what-we-will-do-next, but we will rely on the Lord to lead our family as He SO faithfully to do. Who knows? We could move by YOU....some of you are in Russia (Highly doubt we are going there!!), Bangkok (maybe), China (hmmmm), Texas (perhaps), Indiana (oh, goodness, that winter!!!!). Some of you are right here in the DR.....so, we will just have to patiently wait on the Lord.

It is a wonderful blessing to have the world made a little smaller by way of Facebook. It is fun to know so many people are able to be more connected to our family and our work through social media. We so highly value your prayers for Makarios' work and for my Dad. The outpouring has been so encouraging. Also, it is a fact that we simply can't stay doing what we are doing without our faithful financial support team!! Y'all are incredible and we are so thankful for each of you!

Grace and much peace,

Joe, Laurie, Sam, Levi and Sarah

P.S. I'll post some pictures in a bit.  :)