June Trip Update 5

I am quite sure that I have no words which would suffice, in attempts to capture what God is doing in this place. I am humbled, and in awe that He uses His people for His glory and renown. Today was our team’s first day at Makarios, and it was a truly an indescribable day. It was such a joy, to see the reality of Christ’s love being poured through these teachers, into the eager and wide-eyed faces of these children. Our team divided into two groups with separate lessons: one consisted of threading a necklace with colored beads symbolizing the Gospel, and the other of coloring a book describing how Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. Continuing to being used by the Lord, I am quite certain has been a blessing to all. There were three different age groups that came throughout the day. Each group would begin by singing in rows, outside of the school building. Hearing their voices and seeing their wide grins, was simply beautiful. I saw one of the small children named Marta catch a glimpse of one of the Makarios teachers standing in the school doorway. While she was still about twenty feet away, Marta began sprinting down the gravel road towards her teacher. Marta leaped up into the teacher’s arms, and she simply barrel hugged her. To see the effects of Christ’s love being poured out by the Makarios’ staff, was a truly breathtaking moment.

After school, our team worked with Templo Biblico, a church in the DR, to pass out invitations for a basketball game being held at their facility. As we walked throughout the neighborhood to hand out invitations with a local teen named Benjamin, it was a truly sweet moment to see Benjamin interacting with members of his community, and inviting them to participate in the basketball game. I am eager to see what each new day holds in this place, as our short time here diminishes with each day. I am thankful, humbled, and in awe of the Lord.

Sarena Green

First day of school! As a teacher, I was so excited I could barely sleep last night. There are several elementary school teachers in our group, and we were all very anxious to meet the kids, but my mind was also busy worrying about planning, supplies, and the logistics of the classes. My team was to teach an arts & crafts lesson to the students. We decided to teach them to make hemp friendship bracelets with colored beads that represent the gospel (YELLOW=heaven, BLACK=sin, RED=sacrifice, WHITE=sanctification, and GREEN=growth in Christ). The students made one bracelet for themselves, and one to give away to a friend. A typical, type-A planner, I wanted everything to be perfect. However, all my anxieties were relieved the very moment I stepped, or rather squeezed out of our van (we pack 15-17 people into a standard mini-van!). Try to imagine a utopian school where students love you before they’ve even laid eyes on you. Where they can hardly contain their joy at the privilege of attending school! This dream school is a reality at Makarios. Students were waiting for us on the front porch and ran full-speed into our arms (and often up onto our shoulders) to get as close to us as possible. The only challenge in teaching came when students would refuse to let go of my hand, or unwrap their arms from my waist/leg, to enable me to help another student! The bracelets turned out beautiful, but far more precious was each child’s love for their teacher.

Raquel Rutledge