Building Relationships

It's been two months since I've written, and soon I will have a longer post, but in the meantime, here is an article that was written about me by the principal of Makarios -- as they featured staff who live out the various values of Makarios: integrity, relationship, excellence, reconciliation, humility and stewardship.  

Click Here

A new blog post is coming soon so that you can see what I've been up to in the last couple of months.  God's hand is definitely moving in this town.  To Him be all the Glory!

Changing Your Mind While Staring at a Broken Bridge (...or two)

Do you ever...

feel like you just can't anymore?
like the world around you is spinning a bit out of control?
like the bad circumstances are hitting you?

One!
Two!
Three!

Do you ever...
doubt or just feel useless or undone?
wonder what you are doing?
ask what's the point?
question if you are making mistakes?

Do you ever...
fear what exactly God may be calling you to?
and then fear some more because right now you can't completely see it all?
or question the future and what that looks like for you?
or wonder what others will think about what He has called you to do?

Have you ever...
realized just how weak you are and how big the circumstances are around you?
recognized that you just aren't strong enough, brave enough, or bold enough?

Have you ever...
found yourself in storm after storm, problem after problem, and it seems like God won't even let you completely stand up straight before something else hits you?

Have you ever...
found yourself at your end, and you just want to give up?

I have.

I have many times.

And even though those storms may not seem quite as big and overwhelming after the fact, and the waves not so intimidating once they've crashed, if you focus on them they create anxiety, worry, fear, doubt, dependence on self, believing of lies, and the overwhelming feeling of being stuck.

And I know that I am not the only one who has felt this way.

Over the last month or so, I have messaged with, heard from, and listened to many who are feeling down for one reason or another.

"I am discouraged because of all of the brokenness that surrounds me and the prejudice, especially among the non-loving church people."
"I am doubtful that God really sees me."
"I don't trust that God knows what He is doing."
"I am scared about what may happen to my child."
"I am at my rope's end, desiring to give up and start over."
"I want to blame others for what God has allowed to happen to me / family member."

"I am angry."
"I am scared."
"I am resentful."
"I am fearful."
"I am unbelieving."
"I am done."

And then you remember that He gives us instructions.

(Psalm 46:10)
Be still and know that I am God

He can change your mind.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good pleasing and perfect will.

And while the storms just keep on coming, you begin to practice being still.  Even though there is so much happening around you, you try to listen... and then, slowly your mind begins to change.

and you decide to trust that:

just like God saw Hagar in her distress, He sees you.  (Genesis 16)

all things work for the good of those who love Him according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

that nothing can separate you from God's love. (Romans 8:38-39)

that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. (Philippians 1:6)

that God will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

that just like with Moses, when you feel weary, God will provide people to help you. (Exodus 17) 

that just like with Joshua, God calls you to be brave, depend on His strength, and know that He will never leave you. (Joshua 1:7)

that God did not give you a spirit of fear nor of timidity but one of power, love and self discipline. 

(2 Timothy 1:7)

that you serve a God who loves you and who promises to take care of His own.

that if you listen to Him, you will have peace. (Proverbs 1:33)

You exhale.  

And you begin to rest in His promises, remembering to fix your eyes on things eternal because this place is not your own.   He reminds you that in the midst of the storms and brokenness, He is here, just like He was for the disciples in that boat and for the leader who felt like he couldn't.  He reminds you to be content with whatever He has for you and that He is growing you in the midst of it. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Romans 5:4

"We know that we glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope." 

And so, your mindset begins to shift.... 

You are encouraged by the wave of excitement as the school year begins and teachers return from the Association of Christian Schools International Conference, and inspired by the goal to incorporate Biblical perspective in all subjects. You are grateful for the parade to show school pride where parents show up and help the little children walk around Tamarindo.  And, you are impressed the school's efforts to empower the parents by having them shop for their kids uniforms that are provided by sponsors.

You are thankful for the opening events of the year which include a family bbq in an effort to promote spiritual, emotional and mental health among the staff and you're encouraged by the group of men who have organized a weekly Bible Study on Philippians for Makarios staff.

You are grateful for the team of people who help you cut and laminate in your preparation for two teacher workshops on reading, fluency and frequent words.

You are able to see glimpses of hope in the middle of the storm when hurricane 1 and hurricane 2 are about to pass and you, your roommates, the school principle and and the family ministry team, decide to visit the people you love from the communities and pray with them for God's mercy, share with them about what may be to come, and advise them about safe places in their midst.

And your faith grows when you hear about people who have planned and worked together in the midst of not knowing what's to come.  You see unity in a community where there is usually discord.

You can see God's mercy when the storm does not hurt your family, when people find their homes with little damage, and in spite of school being cancelled 5 days in the last 3 weeks, you still know just how good God is all the time -- no matter what!

You praise God for sparing you this time and you realize that His mercy is undeserved. He allows you to have space in your home to spend time and worship with some people whom you love and have been pouring into.  And God even gives you some unexpected time to rest physically in the midst of it all.

You can feel God's presence when a family member is sick and God gives you peace... He just may bring reconciliation and hope in a way that you thought may never be possible.  You realize that He does hear prayers and that His timing is absolutely perfect.

You are reminded regularly that we are meant to be uncomfortable, things in this world are just not quite right, and that this place is not your home.  You are reminded to have an eternal perspective even though many things around you and around the world may be falling apart.

You are hopeful even when you find out that the one bridge that connects one of the communities to the rest of the town collapses, thus negatively impacting how kids get to school, how people get to work and making prices rise on that side of the river.  You don't know who will fix it, when it will get fixed, nor if people who have the power to fix it care enough...  You don't really know what to do, but you pray that in the midst of this circumstance, God will touch hearts.

And you are able to rejoice in hope for the future when a parent of a Makarios child and some kids and some other neighbors work together to build a temporary walkway across the river in a different place where the kids can get across to go to school. You see a tractor helping to make a bridge that is in a neighboring community better to travel on, and you see the city workers coming to remove debris left behind next to the fallen bridge after the storm. You remember God's promise that even though we will be uncomfortable in this world of imperfection and will struggle wanting everything to be fixed now, God is still in control and He is being patient until all who are going to accept His call answer (2 Peter 3:9).

You can recognize God's perfect plans as He leads you to a Makarios mom, distraught and without money to pay for her child's hospital bill, and God allows you and others to help her find her way back to the hospital.  You are grateful that she sees that God is seeking her and even rejoices in what God has done.  You realize just how close He is and that day in and day out pressing gently into these relationships does matter.

You can remember the call to be compassionate just like Jesus was with Martha and Mary as you pray with a friend and co-worker who has his motorcycle stolen from His home and just two days later finds out that his brother was in a bad accident.

You are able to listen sympathetically as a close friend shares frustrations of the indifference that the people who "have" show to those who "have not" and you pray for God to build up the local church body to be one that is accepting, loving and that shows the Gospel through actions, remembering that how we treat the least of these is a reflection of how we treat Jesus (Matthew 25).

And in it all, you are reminded that even though there are so many broken bridges around you, so many storms that are way bigger than you are, if you are still enough, listen carefully enough, and just focus a little bit more... He will start to change your mind.  You will start to see and hear and feel Him again.  Trust what He says. Wear those shoes of peace. And hold up high the shield of faith.

To Him be all the glory.

God is teaching me about...
faith.  Even though I cannot fully see the future, He's teaching me not to be afraid to take a step.  If you haven't read Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer, it's a great and challenging read!

I've had fun this past month...

• visiting my friends in the southern part of the country where I used to live.
• tasting some good roasted peanuts made by my friend in Chichigua.
• hiking a few times with new and old friends while enjoying nature.
• spending the night with some friends in Chichigua and then worshipping with them the next morning at church.
• spending time at the beach just enjoying God's creation, playing catch and sharing devotion.

  

I'm excited about...

• the upcoming months. I will have some visitors from my home church coming, I will be moving into a new apartment, and will hopefully get to start a regular routine visiting communities and doing Bible studies again since I'm now settling into the school routine.

You can pray for...

• the spiritual and emotional health of Makarios, its staff and missionaries, and its families.
• my family.
• for God to continue to surround me with people who love Him, and with opportunities to share His love with others in a bold yet gentle and unashamed way.
• me to keep my eyes fixed on His Word and unafraid to share it with those who don't believe.
• the Makarios Family Empowerment Ministry.  We are in the beginning stages of making a pilot plan for an adult education program that we want to start this year.
• an upcoming workshop with Emanuel House in just a few weeks.

Second Saturdays, Summer, and Sabbath

SECOND SATURDAYS.

Today is the second Saturday of the month, and I find myself on the way to being completely refreshed, excited for what’s to come, and pensive about what has happened over the last two months.  It’s almost 4:00pm and my roommates and I have just gotten back to the apartment from our 2nd Saturday morning routine of leaving around 8:30am to pick up women from three neighborhoods in the area, preparing food for breakfast, teaching a chapter from Fundamentals of the Faith by John McArthur, and afterwards taking note about what happened.  Our hopes are that they will feel equipped to teach other women in their communities when we finish in about 8 months.  We’ve just completed Lesson 5 about the work of Jesus on the cross.  I am so thankful for a rotating schedule between Jenna, Kaylee and me with the teaching, organizing games and checking memorization.  We've gotten a good system down and it seems to be working!

Here are some key takeaways about the power of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross: 

1. We aren’t righteous, but Jesus declares us righteous. (Rom 3:23; Mat 5:28; Isaiah 64:6; Rom 5:19)
2. There isn’t anyone who understands, but Jesus gives us understanding. (Eph 4:17; 1 John 5:20)
3. There is no one who seeks after God because we are lost, but God finds us. (John 6:44; Luke 19:10)
4. Everyone, like sheep, has gone their own way, but Jesus is our Shepherd. (Isa 53:6; 1 Peter 2:25)
5. We are all useless, but Jesus makes us able to produce fruit. (Eph 2:1; 2 Peter 1:8)
6. No one does anything good, but Jesus gives us the ability to do good things. (Tit 1:16; Eph 2:10)
7. We were sentenced to death, but Jesus gives us eternal life. (Rom 7:5; Rom 6:23; John 5:24)
8. We should be recipients of God’s wrath, but Jesus saves us from what we deserve. (Eph 2:3; Rom 5:9)

And what was Christ’s motivation for all that He did?  

LOVE. (1 Juan 4:10; Juan 3:16)

COMPASSION & MERCY. (1 Pedro 1:3)

TO GLORIFY GOD. (Juan 12:27-28)

It seems as though we have about 15 faithful women who are committed to attend monthly, learn the books of the Bible, complete the homework for Fundamentals of the Faith, and memorize Bible verses.  These women are made up of Makarios teachers, mothers of Makarios kids, and church members in the communities we serve.  

Please pray for those who struggle to MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE, that the women in the group would REMEMBER and thus be able to pass on the knowledge that we are learning in order to EQUIP other women and their children,  that we would all GROW in our relationship with Him, and that God would continue to UNIFY us as we are a group from different backgrounds, communities, and denominations.  

Lord willing, within the next two months, there will be another DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM started for MEN through the Family Empowerment Program focusing on equipping men to teach other men using the same resource.  

SUMMER. 


At first, when I think about Summer, it seems like a blur… So many things happened.  I met so many people. 
And those six weeks begin to all run together…  

...and then I begin to separate out the different U.S. groups that came here this summer to work alongside the Makarios Groups Ministry team.  Groups from various places in Texas and a group from Pennsylvania.

I think about what different groups of people on each team did…

There were the PROJECT teams that worked on painting the school, making the school playground look nice, cleaning out the kitchen, helping out with other projects at the Makarios House where teams stay, among many other projects that I probably never even saw.

There were parts of teams that worked alongside Cakito and an intern, Stewart, who ran SOCCER and BASKETBALL CAMPS for boys from the nearby neighborhoods, ending each week with a tournament and allowing people from the groups to share their testimonies.  

I remember that one night a week we had a special event in one of the communities in which we served alongside the local church by showing a MOVIE put on by Family Ministry or a YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITY where both testimonies and the gospel were shared.  And I remember the lady who never sets foot in the church who was there with her family and came back again the following weekend.  And then there were those three boys who accepted Christ at the end of the last activity that was held at Makarios.

AND THEN THERE WAS VBS.  That's where I got to serve this summer. Three weeks in each community (yes, sometimes two VBS sessions in one day, two different communities).  We taught about man’s perfect relationship with God, his separation from God due to sin, and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

I find it hard to find the exact words to describe this summer and what it meant to me other than that in many ways I felt in the groove.  High speed, interactive, tons of kids, high energy, lots of singing, praises to the King, loud, kinda crazy … VBS.  (And then time  and space to recover from it all afterwards.)  I worked alongside both adults and teens, Americans and Dominicans, missionaries and staff.  I worked alongside some believers and others who haven’t discovered the love that Jesus Christ displayed by dying on the cross yet.

It was so fun to lead and to watch others step up and lead as well.  
It was a privilege to serve with the Groups Ministry this summer in the communities where I have gotten to know the kids who go to Makarios School and now know others who live next to them.

And all of that said -- I think the beauty of the summer was that God showed me once again HIS BODY and how it comes together perfectly when we are unified in the same goal.  

Sita was by my side from the beginning in the planning of VBS and during the first few weeks, praying through nerves and details and that God would be glorified in all that we did.  Vierka made up the dance and helped come up with the theme, La Isla del Tesoro (Treasure Island) that ended up being a great jumping off point to talk about Christ.  Tatis, the Mak School guard, was "Tito Tesoro", the main character that we created to open up every VBS looking for His treasure and finding things that often one puts in place of the Lord, until the last day when he found the most valuable treasure, Jesus.  (He also led games and skits for the Youth Group Activities that we had).  And then, I think of Gloria, Marnelia, Genesis, Kaylee Kelvin, Mariel, María, Pastor Mares, Andrea, Tomy, Cakito, Jenna, and other members of the Makarios Staff who were on break, but took some time during their break to help out.  I am grateful for Silvia, Yurlena, my niece, Kaylin, Franchesca, Myah, Gisela and Warner who all served alongside the groups as teenage volunteers in and outside of their home communities.  I could not have survived this summer without Milka who translated endlessly for the Bible lesson and more for each group and led the seventh VBS week, along with the Becks and Lehrs who were the group leaders all seven weeks that we had teams.  This summer was a perfect example of team effort, God’s abundance, and His strength.

I think about the many conversations that we had about our sin and salvation, and I pray that seeds were planted and that people who heard God’s Word will continue to hear, grow, and obey.  

Click here to see a highlight video from Summer.

SABBATH REST.

I’m finishing the first of two weeks of sabbath rest at the end of two very busy seasons, and will start school on the 21st of August.  I am so grateful to have been able to find some time and some space to separate, read historical fiction, relax on the beach, read God’s Word, and reflect on the 2016-2017 school year and this past summer.  

What is God teaching me during this time?

• To have patience.
• To trust His perfect plan even though I cannot see past today.
• To be aware of the enemy and His desire to deceive and twist truth.
• The importance of discipleship and equipping others by sharing what we know.

How can you be praying for me?

• That this next week will continue to be restful and filling, as I head back to my first D.R. home down south for a few days.
• That I would come back renewed and ready for the new school year!
• For Family Ministry as we start to plan activities, discipleships, and parent meetings for this year, and as we begin to dream about the next 5-10 years as a ministry.  
• For wisdom and discernment in all that I do.
• Continued deep studying and memorization of God’s Word.

Return. Reflect. Rejoice.

I cannot believe that it has been over 2 months since I've gotten a chance to write a blog.  It makes me realize just how full my life has been -- definitely full of good things, but full nevertheless.

And God continues to teach me about patience (which He always seems to be teaching me), along with how to love Him and others around me well.  I've been spending the last month in one of John McArthur's devotionals called Remember and Return.  It's daily readings reflect on God and what it meant for Him to send His son to earth as a human, suffer, and ultimately die, bearing the sins of everyone who would one day come to believe in Him.  I've been reading and listening to sermons about Philippians 3 and pondering what it looks like in my life to know Christ more and more and become an "athlete" for Him. Having a plan, being self-disciplined, and denying those things that are not eternal-focused.  I've been asking God to continue to humble me and that I may be more and more Christ-like in service, in prayer for others, and in humility.  I've also been slowly reading through Hebrews, a very challenging read, as many here use it to defend loss of salvation and a works-based faith.  And again, through His inspired word, God reminds me of exactly what He did through Jesus on the cross.  He made the final sacrifice.  He is enough!  Through our study of Fundamentals of the Faith with our monthly woman's Bible study, I've been reminded of Jesus being 100% man and at the same time 100% God and I have been studying the meaning of His death as substitutionary atonement for our sins.  It's hard to fathom exactly what it means that His death fully satisfied the payment for sin.  Mostly, over the last two months, I have been reminded to fix my eyes on Him.  (I feel like it is the lesson that God is constantly teaching me -- the one that I will forever come back to, and the way that I can encourage others when they are distracted, stressed or down.)




And in the midst of Him teaching me, God has closed some chapters over the last weeks.  I've traveled to and from the States, experienced culture shock in coming back here, recovered, rested, finished up the last few weeks of school, pre-planned a little for next year, cleaned out my office, given a workshop on organization to my friends in Family Ministry, participated in an end-of-the-year awards ceremony for kids, parents and teachers, made decorations for VBS and coordinated the first VBS team of the Summer.  I've also had the opportunity to eat lots of frozen yogurt (my favorite), go to the beach, spend some quality time outside of school with some of my favorite little ones, play games go on long walks, help out with some surprise birthdays and cook more!  Here, I went to the beach maybe for the first time since the fall or maybe even last summer with my roommates!

I got to go to spend much of Holy Week in Quisqueya where I used to live before traveling to the States. Here I am with my former roommate and sister in Christ, Mirqueya, along with three of the ladies who I used to lead Bible Study with.  Mirqueya still spends a good amount of time with them reading the Bible and praying and hopes to lead them in Fundamentals of the faith soon.  I collected their art to sell in the Art Fair in Atlanta.





The Art Fair at Wesleyan was a huge success, and I doubled the amount of money that I put into it making it possible to buy double the amount of books for kids both here in the communities we serve through Makarios and in the Emanuel House Library.  I sold items made by the ladies above and a friend in a community where I live now.  I also got to spend time with friends, former co-workers, alumni, and church friends.  God is good!  He knew what I needed and how they could support and love me well.

I traveled to Florida and spoke at Providence Chuch to the larger congregation and then to the kids who are learning about the Bible through Awana.  I found at that many kids had learned about missionaries and that they pray for me and also, I got to share with them about kids here who need their prayers. May God bless these little ones who are learning about Jesus so young!  My friend and co-worker, Nicole, traveled with me and got to experience life both in Florida and in Georgia.  What a treat!




 

(ABOVE) While in Atlanta, I got to visit my old school, Wesleyan, and be a shadow in a few classes in the Lower school.  I walked away with lots of ideas to help encourage teachers in reading, spoof up the school with art and use small groups.  What an opportunity!

Not long after returning to the D.R., Family Ministry celebrated both Mothers' Day and Fathers day with the dad's by making a collective work of art as the opening activity for our May / June meetings. We shared with parents about how to handle anger and the director and doctor of Makarios shared with the dads as well.

 

Also with Family Ministry we welcomed the parents of the new kids who will be entering Makarios during the 2017-2018 school year.  About 20 new 3 year olds will be bouncing down the yellow halls. This year, in an effort to empower parents and support the Dominican economy, parents will pay a small fee to go to the school and then will be given tickets to go and buy their children's uniforms in Puerto Plata.





I finished the school year with a great meeting with the founder of Makarios, Sharla Megilligan and her friend Diana, who spent an afternoon with the Family Ministry team, getting to know us, us getting to know them, and receiving advice from a social worker for working with some of our families.  We learned about trauma and how to work with kids and families who have had it.  Praying that God would continue to use others' talents to help us educate, love and empower well.

I received a certificate of participation in my local church after attending a Systematic Theology class since last August.  Still hoping to one day be able to finish all of the "homework" involved as I continue to learn about God and His Word.

These are the ladies at the Fundamental of the Faith Bible Study.  We have covered God's Word, His Character, How to study His Word, Who Jesus is and are taking a break until August. We took the advice of the study and ate dinner together this night and are looking forward to another day together just to spend time over the summer.  Please pray for these ladies to be confident in what they are learning about the Bible, confident as leaders of their various churches, and that they would continue to memorize verses and the books of the Bible.




I finished my last reading lesson until the start of the year with Silvana.  I snapped a picture of her here reading one of her first books.  It is simple, but shows progress -- especially since I only work with her once a week.  Praying that God will send others who are passionate about reading to continue to help her and others like her to learn to read and write!

Makarios and many communities nearby had an outbreak of "conjunctivitis" also known as pink eye.  Kids 3, 4, and 5 learned a new word and had us laughing at their various pronunciations of the long spanish medical term.  It spread through teachers, parents and neighbors.  About a week or so before school got out, the pink eye finally cleared up.  Here is the doctor / director, Darren, giving a daily dosage of eye drops to some of those infected.  Fortunately, I escaped that one!

Here are some pictures from week 1 of VBS which was lead by my roommate's church from outside of Dallas, Texas -- Countryside Bible Church.  While God does not promise for us to see fruit, I thank Him because it is obvious that He is working in the community of Pancho Mateo!  May we boast in His working hand there!

  

 




Please come alongside me as I pray for the rest of the summer:

I'm writing this tonight, exhausted, after having received group number two of the summer today and spending a day with them planning, practicing, decorating and inviting kids to come to VBS.   This week I will be serving alongside a youth group from Austin Stone Church in Austin, TX.  We are excited to be teaching kids this week in Tamarindo and in Chichigua about Creation and sharing the gospel with youth from the community.

May we not grow weary.  May we stay hydrated and excited.  And may His spirit move so that His word is heard!

May God continue to be glorified in all that we do and say and think.  Please pray that His word would go out to the kids, and youth and adults in the three communities that we serve, and that it would fall on good soil.  Please pray that they would hear the true Gospel. Pray, too that in the midst of spending time in the communities God would fill me -- as my heart definitely resides in outreach. May God grow me and help me to be more like Him.

Honest Conversations -- Similar Sentiments

Just a few months ago, I read the article below about a missionary heading home for the first time in three years and her thoughts and fears and expectations.  And I can relate to many of the sentiments before and when I am in the states.  So, I saved it with a note to myself to send it out to my supporters and friends in March or April. Well, here it is April, I've already arrived in the States and while it has not been quite so long since I came back to my first home, it has been almost four years since I moved to the Dominican Republic. In that time, lots has changed. I realize that it's been a year and a half since I had any formal dinner for supporters in the Atlanta area, and probably about 6 months since I've seen some of my loved ones here in Florida and in South Georgia.  And I realize that I need to try to plan a more formal trip later this year for those who are so gracious to support what God is doing through me in the Dominican Republic. The main purpose of this trip is to bring artwork from the ladies from Quisqueya (where I used to live) and some rings designed by a man from the Puerto Plata area where I am now in ministry to support their work and hopefully benefit both Makarios and Emanuel House by buying books with the proceeds. In the midst of that, I get to see lots of people that I haven't seen in a while, hug necks, chat, and be reminded of things in this culture that are different than where I have rooted over the past 3 1/2 years. And, I get to introduce a close Dominican friend, Nicole to friends and family here and show her some of my old stomping grounds.  I am looking forward to it all, along with a couple of days of just rest and exploring. Needless to say, this article is a great read and sheds some light on some of the feelings of anyone coming back stateside after time away.  I hope you will read it as a way to help you understand some of the many emotions as I jump back into a place that I love but that I've been out of rhythm with for so long. My Pre-Furlough Mind By Anisha Hopkinson on Feb 08, 2017 12:10 am In 32 days, it’s furlough time! After 3 years serving overseas, we’re heading back for 6 months. We are completely and ridiculously over the moon excited. My son keeps asking if we can go straight from the airport to the mall. The other day my husband sighed, “Right now I just want to be sitting in front of Simmon’s Bakery eating an iced bun.” As for me, I dream daily of swimming pools and running in the woods. I can’t wait to see everyone, hug, laugh, and hold on tight because for the first time in years we are actually standing in front of one another. But, oh boy, there it is – the plain fact that it’s been years since we left. A lot of life happens in 3 years. As I prepare for furlough, I’ve got 7 things on my mind… 1)When we left, Downton Abbey was on season 3 Is Downton Abby even still on? The last I know, Lady Mary and Matthew finally got engaged. Popular music? No clue. New words to make their way into pop culture? Again, no idea. Three years ago, the Harlem Shake ruled the internet and pre-teens lost their minds over Bieber swag. 2)My son is going to think something “normal” is really funny and weird. My son has spent half his life in Indonesia. We’ve been coaching him on how things are done differently back in our family’s passport countries, but I’m sure we’ll miss something out. Last trip back, he loudly pointed out all the bare breasted statues at the garden centre. While other children walked by without so much as a glance, giggles and shouts of, “Look Mom, more nipples!” trailed after me through potted plants. 3)I’m afraid I won’t remember names I feel really bad about this one and I might be panicking for no reason, but I’m still panicking. I can see it all play out in my mind – We’re at church. A familiar face heads towards me. I’m smiling and wracking my brain but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t remember a name. Perhaps this is all completely irrational, but it’s still freaking me out a bit. 4)My clothes are awful Before going overseas, I promised myself I wouldn’t be one of those odd looking missionaries showing up to Sunday services in old, worn out clothes. Unless I make it to the store before Sunday, I absolutely am one of those missionaries. My clothes are old. They have holes and stains and are stretched from line drying. I need to go shopping. And a for haircut. I really need a haircut. 5)We’ve experienced trauma We’ve had some bad things happen to us. We’ve scheduled a debriefing retreat, are getting counseling, and are working through hard things. We’re putting structure in place to better care for ourselves. Still, I worry people will think we’re a bit off or perhaps emotionally raw, but won’t understand why. 6)I need more than 5 minutes When friends say, “So tell me about life in Indonesia”, I have no idea how to answer. I might say, “It’s good!” but really, what does that even mean? I’m holding out hope someone will say, “Welcome back! Let’s go for coffee and long catch up.” and we can both listen and share about our lives over the last 3 years. 7)My ‘Thank You’ isn’t enough How can I adequately express just how thankful I am for everyone who prays, encourages, and supports us? I’ll bring back a woven bracelet or some other unique thing from my overseas home and say, “Thank you. We wouldn’t be here without you.” but am still so aware how short words and trinkets will fall. However sincere, my ‘thank you’ isn’t enough. Copyright © 2017 A Life Overseas, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at alifeoverseas.com. Our mailing address is: A Life Overseas 710 Pinon Ridge Drive, Woodland Park, CO, United States Woodland Park, CO  80863

The Perfect Wave

Right around Valentine's day, the Makarios staff had a retreat at the Makarios House where teams usually stay.  It involved worship, revealing of the re-vamped Makarios vision and mission statements, devotion and lots of food and fun games.  We took a scavenger hunt around town and had a shaving cream fight. 

I graduated!  YAY!  Since May of last year, I have been taking a class with one of my co-workers, to learn more about Dominican education.  It has helped a lot to understand the legal side, the history, and the new curriculum that is being implemented country-wide.  

Since graduating, Creole language learning has started back up again.  Meet Odilsia. She's the cook at Makarios and one of my favorite people to hang around. She let's me encroach upon her space at home and ask lots of questions about Creole.  Did I mention there is a lot of repeat please?  God continues to amaze me with what He allows me to learn and say.  I have gotten to attend Church service in Chichigua a few times and while I don't understand it all, hearing Creole, building relationship with the local church members and participating in worship is good for the soul.

  Three pastors and the head pastor's daughter came to visit, encourage, and see how Trinity can continue to support the ministry here.  What a treat it was to have them around, travel with them to a Young Life camp, and have them see life on this side of the island.  Good news? They will be back, Lord willing.  Even better news?  They will be blessing us next year with some much needed staff care.

 

Both Makarios little kids and Adonai Big kids participated in the celebration of Dominican Independence Day on Feb. 28.  Along with a presentation given at the school with third graders as the highlight because of a traditional dance that they presented, there were songs, explanation of the Dominican Flag, and later that week a parade in the town.  Que viva la Dominicana!

Here are some kids from Chichigua who have just listened to a Bible story with fellow missionary and good friend, Christine. And then they spend time reading, writing and playing.  Of course, I have a hard time snapping pictures of my Bible Study group, but at least here is a glimpse of what happens with the kids while we study.  Bible Study is in both Creole and Spanish and we are memorizing John 1 in Creole.  May God give me the brain power!



March 18-25, 20 Wesleyan high school girls and 4 teachers made their first trip here to Makarios. It was a great week encouraging the girls in their faith, letting them meet the people I've come to love here, and serving alongside with them. While here, they taught chapel to the Mak kids, did various projects around the school, and visited the three communities we serve.  I am so grateful for this community that God has allowed me to continue to be a part of!  Jesus Others Yourself!

Second Saturday meetings have started with women from various areas of ministry here.  In March, we had our first study of John MacArthur's book Fundamental of the Faith which is an in depth study of Bible basics.  Women from each community that we serve were present, along with Makarios teachers and missionaries.  American, Dominican, Haitian... old, young... rich, poor... married and single.  For me, it was a small glimpse of the body of Christ, and I look forward to seeing how God will continue to grow this group of believers to know more about His Word so that they can teach others.  They are being challenged to study, to learn the books of the Bible ,and to memorize a Bible verse each month.

The new Family Empowerment Ministry.  

So far we've been working on the vision, structure, and relational aspects of the ministry so that we can get 2016-2017 school year started off on the right foot.  Lots of prayer, staff meetings,  planning, home visits, and parent meetings have been happening over the last two months.  God has definitely filled a void by letting me be a part of this great group of people.  

Meet the staff:

Wilson (top left) -- He is the logistics coordinator and also helps families who need help processing documentation since many of our kids don't have their birth certificates.  He will be encouraging families to be responsible in this process along with helping them where he's able.  He speaks Creole which is a plus and lives in a Haitian batey about 15 minutes from the school.  

Benjamin (top right) -- He is the Family Empowerment Manager.  He's in charge of making sure that everything is working as planned, coordinating our meetings and encouraging us to continue doing what we do.  He used to be a compassion kid, and has now graduated college, gotten married and is an incredible leader who loves Jesus! 

Andrea (bottom left) -- She is from Pancho Mateo, one of our communities.  She loves Jesus and loves the community where she lives. She has a heart for Jesus, the local church, and drawing those around her to Christ. She helps Wilson a lot and serves as a great link between the community and Makarios.

Bernabe (bottom center) -- He is one of my neighbors and also a member of the same local church that I attend. He is the Spiritual leader of the group and has 20 years experience working with Compassion International as director before working with Makarios.  He is highly relational, respected, and loved! I met him during the floods, as he helped me find some of the kids who were most in need.

Yep, that's me (bottom right) -- I am connected to 12 families that I get to visit and pray with, encourage, and share the gospel with.  

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness 

and the world's deep hunger meet."  

Frederick Buechner, American writer and theologian 

If I were surfing, I would imagine that over the last two months, I caught the perfect wave and have been riding it in towards shore pretty steadily.  I've been in my "happy place," the place where my gifts and the needs here have met.  Relationships continue to deepen and small opportunities to point to Christ abound.  

My prayer is that in the ministry that God has me doing here, the people who meet me or see me, wouldn’t see what I do nor who I am.  May they recognize that anything good that they see in me, glean from me or hear from me comes only because of Christ who lives in me. 

Most days, I feel weak, unable, and sometimes overwhelmed.  I have a routine of going to the school, visiting the communities, praying with family ministry, and helping wherever I can.  Then out of the ordinary, God tugs on me to offer up a prayer, make a visit to someone who has been sick, or ask how someone is doing.  And in those small moments, I am reminded how strong, able and good God is.  

My Hopes:
My hope is that people would see that I am serving a king the best way I know how, not because I have to but because I love to.   My hope is that God would continue to guide, give wisdom, and encourage me to have boldness to do His will. My hope is that I would always walk in His strength and not my own.

My Prayers:

May the Lord help me know what He does not call me to do, may he help me be JOYFUL in all that He has called me to.  May I work in the little and the small in the same way that I work for the seemingly important -- as if working for the Lord.  May I find balance and space to fill up and exhale.  May God's mercy cover me when I mess up and may those around me see Him and not me.  May I be thankful for the blessings and encouragement that surrounds me.  May He become greater and I become less.

What's coming up?
I will be in the States from April 15 - April 30 to share with everyone what God has been doing here and to share about the new Family Ministry needs.  I will also be selling some artwork made by Dominicans in the Wesleyan Artist Market April 27-29.  Proceeds will go to buying books for the communities.  I hope to spend some good quality time with friends, family, and previous co-workers while in the States.  My friend, Nicole will be traveling with me to help with the Artist Market.  Please pray for all of the little details.  I cannot wait!

“People from my first home say I'm brave. They tell me I'm strong. They pat me on the back and say, 'Way to go. Good job.' But the truth is, I am not really very brave; I am not really very strong; and I am not doing anything spectacular. I am simply doing what God has called me to do as a person who follows Him. He said to feed His sheep and He said to care for 'the least of these,' so that's what I'm doing, with the help of a lot people who make it possible and in the company of those who make my life worth living.” 

― Katie J. Davis, Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption