Leaning In

I find myself lately with a great thirst to know God more.  I can see how much I've grown.  There is so much that I didn't used to know.  Then sometimes, I can see just how much there is still to learn. There is so much still that I don't know about God or that I don't truly trust about Him.  I desire to know Him -- to know how He really is.

But I need space for that.

Maybe it is because I'm coming out of an incredibly busy season.  Or, because sometimes I am mentally distracted or emotionally and physically drained and I just cannot find the space that it takes for my mind to begin to digest who my God is.

Or, maybe it is that I've been challenged by others around me or see the need to know more in order to be able to encourage others better.

May I have time to stop, listen, and lean in.

I'm praying for a mind like His, set on eternal things. And I'm giving thanks for the last month and a half.  It's been a busy one!

F.O.F. GRADUATION.  After 13 months of classes one Saturday a month, we were finally able to have a graduation for the ladies of Fundamentals of the Faith.  Kaylee, Jenna and I worked together to celebrate their accomplishments of memorizing scripture and books of the Bible, completing homework, and attending at least 80% of the classes.  The end is bittersweet.  We've all grown in our understanding of the Word, who God is, and His desire for us to be obedient and in His will.  In the end we had 11 ladies graduate from the program and are already seeing fruits...  Family ministry has recently begun a men's discipleship program and will begin to go through the same book with men in the fall.  Also, we hope that the women who graduated will take advantage of the opportunity to disciple other women in their communities and churches.

LITERACY PROGRAM. We started the program in early March and there is not one woman who has not advanced.  We say that everyone is in their own lane... "Don't look left nor right just pay attention to how you are doing."  And, of course, we constantly remind them that God made them, gave them a mind, and that they can learn.  They have one week left of class before we break for summer and start up again in the fall.  Many still wish to know how to read as they desire so badly to know the Word of God for themselves and be more active participants in the world around them.  Please pray for two who have made professions of faith but who are not sure of their salvation.  May God bring them understanding, peace and confidence.  Please also pray for them to finish well!

They are reading!  Most knew very little when we started the program.  May God be given all of the glory and honor for her success!  Watch the excitement a few weeks ago as Adriana from Chichigua read a book!

LAST DAYS WITH KIDS.  Last week, I finished up my classes with kids.  While excited as I look back at their advances this year, I will miss the one-on-one time that I have had with them.  I have worked with most of them for the past two years and some even three.  But, God has put on my heart the importance of empowering locals.  Next year, I will focus more on continuing to train teachers in reading strategies and will help equip locals in working one-on-one or in small groups with the kids who are a bit behind.  I will be spending most of my time next year helping to continue to develop and support the Family Empowerment Program.  I'll be in the communities, deepening relationships with families, and working with Family Ministry.  Please pray for this time of transition.  I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.  It's been a long time since I've been completely out of the classroom.

SPONSORSHIP.  Makarios is completely run by donations, relying heavily on child and teacher sponsorships to be able to do the day to day and minister to the kids and their families.  Being that I minister and live here, I see the importance everyday of child sponsorship and the impact that it could have.  I have been praying for some time about how I can help and whom?  But, God had not yet given me the right kid... until last week.  I am so excited to be able to sponsor one of my own kids who I already pray for regularly and have had the honor to work with these past several years.  Praying for cycles to be broken and for knees to be bent towards Him.  Interested in sponsoring a child or teacher?  Click Here.

PARENTS' VISIT.  When the people you love the most come and visit you, it's absolutely special.  I am grateful to have had my parents here for a week and to show them Makarios, the ministry we are doing here and also the people who are my community and family.

 

BIBLE OLYMPICS. Soldiers of the Faith vs.  Christ's Athletes.  I was invited by a co-worker to help out with Bible Olympics at her church in Puerto Plata for the month of May.  Every Saturday, I was a judge who voted on which team looked up verses quicker, had the most excitement, answered Bible questions first, and decorated.  Soldiers of the faith

WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS.  One of our goals in Family Empowerment Ministry is to help parents understand that when they solicit their kids to be a part of the school, they are also agreeing to be a part of the Makarios family.  Starting this year, parents of kids who are going to enter the school have to participate in a 2-day workshop put on by the Association of Christian Schools International about raising children and the book Shepherding a Child's Heart.  We had about 20 families participate in the workshop.  May what they learned be seeds for them as they continue to parent their kids.  Many are not believers.  Please pray that God would touch their hearts for the Gospel.

BIBLE STUDY &  DISCIPLESHIP.  Our Makarios teenagers are a special bunch.  While they do not attend the Makarios School, they are sponsored by Makarios sponsors, eat lunch at Makarios and attend a discipleship class once a week.  This year a few have come to know Christ and most continue to be people who enjoy and are encouraged by hearing His Word.  I had the opportunity to share a bit of my story and talk about identity as God's creation and if we believe, as His children.
My High School Bible Study girls, who are also in the Makarios Discipleship group, continue to show interest in His Word and finished the school year having memorized verses, with a deeper understanding of the Bible and how it relates practically to their lives.  We even had an opportunity to go on a trip together on a cable car as a prize for their hard work.  Please pray for Neify who recently lost her mom suddenly and for the girls in general, that God would turn their eyes and hearts away from the world and towards Him.  It's been a hard season for them, but His hand is so obviously working.

As a prize for having memorized verses and books of the Bible, the girls won a trip to the go up the mountain in Puerto Plata about 15 minutes from where we live on the cable car.  It was their first time. We went up up up and enjoyed a great time walking around in God's creation.

KIDS AND HIKES.

One of my favorite things to do is leisurely hike up to a Haitian community from Chichigua.  I got to do that last week with these kids... Gotta love them!

THANK YOU!  Just today, the Family Empowerment team had a meeting and had the opportunity to reflect on all the wonderful things that God has done this year.  We took folded up sticky notes out of a jar that we had written on since August as a way of giving things.  Reflecting on the last 9 months and God's provision, protection, and love towards us was a joy.  An hour later, this is what we had to show for it.  God is indeed Good.  I'm thankful for everyone who is part of my team and able to help love, educate and empower the people here in the Dominican.  May they truly be transformed by the Gospel and become leaders in their communities!

TRAVEL TO THE USA.  I'll be in the United States from June 26 - July 23 mostly raising funds for Family Ministry.  It seems like I may have the opportunity to travel within Florida, Georgia, and up to North Carolina and Pennsylvania.  I would love to have the opportunity to chat with anyone who is interested in supporting Makarios Family Ministry and becoming a part of our team.  Email me if you have interest in me talking more to you:  acorinnechristian@gmail.com

WHAT'S GOD BEEN TEACHING ME?

He's been teaching me about obedience.  I'm reading "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer and have been convicted and challenged already and I'm only on week one.  The line that stands out?

He's been teaching me about His Character.  As I am slowly working my way through the Bible and find myself in Numbers, I am amazed at what a jealous and at the same time just God I serve.  I read about the Israelites and their forgetfulness and grumbling and am struck by His response: punishment.  He forgives them, yes, but there are consequences for their unbelief.  Lord, please strengthen my faith.  Please guard my heart and my tongue against grumbling.  Help me to fully trust in you and your promises..

And, He is showing me about patience, and that I still have so much to learn.  So I pray for the courage to lean in more towards Him, to bend my ear to His Word, and focus on things eternal.

To Him be all the Glory for the work that He is doing.