What the Hector has the Majcher Family been doing??
I FINISHED!!! I finished my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.
This is a major sigh of relief!! I started the degree in October of 2018 and a month later parted
ways with an organization I’d been associated with for 15 years. A month later our family moved
within the DR and joined a whole new ministry--still a school, but a different focus. So, I plugged
away at my classes through all this and now I ended my studies during a pandemic where I found
myself a homeschool mom to 3 elementary kids and teacher of Doulos Discovery School students.
Needless to say things have been rowdy.
Our sweet neighbors immediately made a cake to celebrate when I turned in my last assignment!! Thank you, Coopers!!
As usual, I am saying something goofy, but our upstairs neighbors also made a cake to celebrate this big achievement! Thank you, Concepcion Family
Thank yo goes to every single person I spoke to in the past 16 months. Almost literally,
everyone has helped me achieve my goal of earning a Master’s degree. I needed to ask
someone principal-y questions, so I interviewed the gracious guy who replaced me at the other
ministry. I did a 4 am airport pick up in exchange for an interview on school counseling. I asked
everyone at Doulos for all kinds of information. The Specials Team let me film our meetings. I
frantically contacted one of my Specials Team members because the videos wouldn’t upload for
a Sunday deadline. Then there is the fam. Joe took the kids hiking so I could work. The incredible
neighbors took the kids places for fun outings MANY times. My kids were so encouraging,
prayerful and supportive. While they are very proud of me, I did get a very solid, ‘NO, NO, NO’
from Levi when I asked if I should pursue a doctorate. :) Maybe I’ll start that when I’m 50!
everyone has helped me achieve my goal of earning a Master’s degree. I needed to ask
someone principal-y questions, so I interviewed the gracious guy who replaced me at the other
ministry. I did a 4 am airport pick up in exchange for an interview on school counseling. I asked
everyone at Doulos for all kinds of information. The Specials Team let me film our meetings. I
frantically contacted one of my Specials Team members because the videos wouldn’t upload for
a Sunday deadline. Then there is the fam. Joe took the kids hiking so I could work. The incredible
neighbors took the kids places for fun outings MANY times. My kids were so encouraging,
prayerful and supportive. While they are very proud of me, I did get a very solid, ‘NO, NO, NO’
from Levi when I asked if I should pursue a doctorate. :) Maybe I’ll start that when I’m 50!
COVID-19 and Dominican Elections happened at the same time here in the DR. With both of those events, school has been out of
session since 16 March. The Ministry of Education has not announced yet if school will go back
in session this semester or not, so that makes our educational future a little uncertain at this point.
For now, we are living the homeschooling dream. All of us agree that homeschooling is 100x
harder than going to school/teaching. I am thankful for this option though and Doulos teachers
have worked their tails off to make this option a reality.
session since 16 March. The Ministry of Education has not announced yet if school will go back
in session this semester or not, so that makes our educational future a little uncertain at this point.
For now, we are living the homeschooling dream. All of us agree that homeschooling is 100x
harder than going to school/teaching. I am thankful for this option though and Doulos teachers
have worked their tails off to make this option a reality.
This is us living the Homeschool Dream!
Should we stay or should we go? In this crazy time, expats are confronted with an added layer of decision making--waiting
out ‘Rona in the DR or returning to the States. Our family opted to stay in the DR for two
reasons. One is that my precious Mama just finished her last round of chemo for the lymphoma
that she has been battling and we are not about to jeopardize her health by traipsing through
international airports. Her progress is a GINORMOUS praise. My Mama is a trooper--anyone
who knows her, knows this. She has kicked cancer’s tail, is recovering from her last treatment
and handled the whole process like a pro. The other reason is that living in the States indefinitely
does not make financial sense for us. Since staying in the DR for long periods of time is something
we normally do, , we elected to just stay put and hunker down here.
out ‘Rona in the DR or returning to the States. Our family opted to stay in the DR for two
reasons. One is that my precious Mama just finished her last round of chemo for the lymphoma
that she has been battling and we are not about to jeopardize her health by traipsing through
international airports. Her progress is a GINORMOUS praise. My Mama is a trooper--anyone
who knows her, knows this. She has kicked cancer’s tail, is recovering from her last treatment
and handled the whole process like a pro. The other reason is that living in the States indefinitely
does not make financial sense for us. Since staying in the DR for long periods of time is something
we normally do, , we elected to just stay put and hunker down here.
The grocery stores and small corner stores stay open until for business if you have a mask and
some places require gloves. They limit how many people can be in the store at one time. There
is a curfew at 5:00pm where all people have to be in their homes. There are a few delivery options,
but not like in other countries, so people are out on the streets, but not as many and folks generally
wear masks when out. Thankfully, electricity has been pretty good!!
some places require gloves. They limit how many people can be in the store at one time. There
is a curfew at 5:00pm where all people have to be in their homes. There are a few delivery options,
but not like in other countries, so people are out on the streets, but not as many and folks generally
wear masks when out. Thankfully, electricity has been pretty good!!
Representing Austin City Limits as I grocery shop.
We just wanted to let y’all know what we’ve been up to in these crazy times. We are finding
peace in this storm and praying for those hurting, facing job loss or wages cuts. Please be praying
for the missionaries around the world, like us, who rely on the gifts and donations of many. If you
have been looking for a way to help, please consider our family serving with Doulos Discovery
School at Give. We have experienced loss of support and would highly appreciate having you on
our team. Please contact me at lauriemajcher@gmail.com if you would like to talk more about
what Doulos Discovery School is all about.
peace in this storm and praying for those hurting, facing job loss or wages cuts. Please be praying
for the missionaries around the world, like us, who rely on the gifts and donations of many. If you
have been looking for a way to help, please consider our family serving with Doulos Discovery
School at Give. We have experienced loss of support and would highly appreciate having you on
our team. Please contact me at lauriemajcher@gmail.com if you would like to talk more about
what Doulos Discovery School is all about.
In this time, we have taken extra time for Family Bible time focussing on His Resurrection
and marvelingin His goodness to us. We strive to be imitators of God and not promote fear, but
peace. May His goodness and peace reign in your hearts!
and marvelingin His goodness to us. We strive to be imitators of God and not promote fear, but
peace. May His goodness and peace reign in your hearts!
Right before the quarantine made it to the DR, the kids and I took a quick trip to our old stomping
grounds. Some friends from Doulos wanted to see where we lived before.
It was a great time for the kids to catch up with their friends. Here are some pix from that
wonderfully refreshing trip.
photo cred: The fabulous Rachel Sawyer
photo cred: Grace Daggett
Grace and much peace,
Los Majcher
Joe, Laurie, Sam (5th grade), Levi (4th grade) and Sarah (2nd grade).
