 Dear Makarios Family, We were prepared for a night of destruction, but we were praying for a miracle. As the worst part of the storm has passed, it has become obvious that we were not alone in our prayers. The hurricane moved north just enough to keep us from what would have been inevitable damage. We wanted to say thank you, sincerely. Our staff, our students, and the families we love are safe, and the name of the Lord has been made greater. Our hearts are flooded with gratitude, and we wanted to share just some of what's been flooding our inbox. We are praying constantly for all of you as this storm approaches. We know that God is in control and are trusting that he will preserve the school and Mak house. We pray that this situation brings the good news of the HOPE we have in our Lord to the community. We are praying for the safety of all the students and staff and their families. That you all stay safe and protected during this hurricane. God bless you! As the weather permits us to venture out and assess any damage, we will continue to keep you updated. As we move forward, please join us in praying for those who will face the storm in the coming days.
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 Preparation for the Hurricane As many of you already know, our Makarios communities on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic are expected to be hit hard by Hurricane Irma. In light of those who were affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, I want to give you an update on how we are preparing in the DR for the hurricane and also ask for your prayers. School las been cancelled for the week, and the school building is prepared for potential flooding. The Makarios House will be a safe place for anyone who needs it, including our staff and families from our communities. We have encouraged those who are able, to evacuate to the middle of the island. We are stocking up on water, food, batteries, etc.. to weather the storm. After the hurricane passes, depending on the severity of the damage and potential flooding, we will communicate any needs to help get the school and families back on their feet. Please pray that the damage is minimal and more importantly that our students, staff, and families are safe. We trust that God will care for us during this time and comfort those in need. Thank You for your prayer and support during this time, Chris Buster  There’s a power in written encouragement, it begs to not be forgotten. Sending encouragement to someone has never been easier than it is today, and yet, it can be so rare to see that personalized envelope in the mailbox. So we thought we’d give you 3 reasons to let the Holy Spirit move through your pen. Send encouragement to someone you love, letters are a perfect tool to love, educate, and empower. 1. LETTERS REMIND PEOPLE WHAT REALLY MATTERS Paul talked about what matters- Jesus’ love and grace for us. Sometimes people who got Paul’s letters were in rough places, they had forgotten their purpose and their creator. Being unable to see beyond circumstances makes it hard to imagine change or experience freedom in Christ..I Each word received from Paul reminded the readers that a world exists outside their own. Paul never complained about his life, he let his life illuminate the truth of God. Paul reminded his friends that his life of following Christ was hard too, but that life held more than his current struggle. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 corinth 4:8-10 2. LETTERS REMIND PEOPLE WHO THEY ARE  Letters serve as a physical reminder that someone is valued and loved, and give them ability to go back to the words when they need to be reminded. Paul’s letters to Timothy reminded him that he was strong and capable of doing much, despite his young age. Letters marinate their readers in the truth of who they are. Letters allow people to savor your encouragements over and over.I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith (2 Tim 1:4b-5a). 3. LETTERS LIFT PEOPLE UP Paul’s letters catapulted his people to go do the work of Christ. Only when we sit in truth can we take action and love like Jesus. Reading letters allows the reader to hold onto truth, to keep kind words in their pockets before setting out. Paul used encouraging words to tell his friends to get out there! Paul told his people that, “since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrew 12:1 Paul used words to empower people, so that when they set his letter down they were ready to live the life God intended for them. Letters inspire change in others and breaks chains that hold people back from reaching their dreams. Wherever we are, we can love others through putting our words on a page. You can doodle a silly picture and leave it on a co workers desk. You can jot down a memory to send to an old friend. If you’re supporting a missionary through Makarios or another sending organization, sit down and write a letter. Your words matter. Don’t hold back from loving people today.  We are so proud of the Makarios family. We have so many wonderful students, local staff, and missionaries. Each of them worth encouraging. If you are a sponsor or are supporting a missionary, consider writing them a letter. We would love to receive encouragement from you!
Handwritten Letters: Makarios 1801 E 51st Street Ste 365-300 Austin, TX 78723 Write your sponsor student, local staff, or class online HERE.  To celebrate the beginning of the school year, we are reflecting on what makes us LOVE teachers so much. A teacher can change the direction of a child’s life. We have some incredible teachers at the Makarios school, and we know a few around the world. We have chosen 8 words to pray over the teachers we know and love this year. If you know a teacher, would you join us in praying for teachers everywhere? Here’s what we’re praying for: 1. CREATIVITYEvery day takes creativity from teachers, and that is not always easy.  Teachers like Vierka know how to engage kids in creative and new ways. Creativity gives teachers the ability to think like a wiggly five- year- old and create lessons that help kids listen. 2. CARECaring teachers send out a message to kids that their needs are known and heard.  Migue is not only here to meet children’s intellectual needs, but also their emotional, physical and spiritual needs. 3. PASSION When kids are difficult, or just a lot to handle, passion drives teachers to continue to pursue students.  Katherine lets passion fuel what she does. Her passion to pursue students brings so much life change! 4. ATTENTIVENESSTeachers who listen detect when kids are having a bad day, or when a concept is not making sense.  Adrienne listens to her students inside and outside of school. She is attentive to all aspects of a child’s life. 5. JOY Teachers who embrace fun and create an atmosphere of laughter help kids experience the adventure of learning!  Tomy shows how learning can be fun. Spirited teachers create an inviting atmosphere for students to be themselves. 6. INSPIRATION Inspiring teachers encourage kids to go beyond and dream big!  Gloria inspires her students to achieve. We love how teachers push students to new heights, they want kids to go home as lifelong learners seeking to change the world around them. 7. LEADERSHIP Teachers who lead don’t just talk about a concept, they guide kids into a life of learning, loving, and changing the world.  Jenna leads in love and this means her students look to follow her example. Jenna’s students want to be just like her! 8. LOVE Teachers who love their students give them a glimpse of the way God loves them.  Kaylee loves her students with her whole heart. You can see how a teacher loves greatly when kids look in their face.   You celebrated with us in December when a few of our teachers reached their goal of graduating from University! We have been so encouraged by their determination, and the grace they displayed as they balanced school, teaching, and taking care of their families. We thought we would follow up with two of our teachers and hear from them as they reminisce on the experience of University, the people that made it possible, and all that has happened since! Katherine On graduation day I felt so happy and thankful because I was able to achieve my goal and dream to become a teacher. God showed me His love, faithfulness, and that He is my hope and refuge during University. Since graduation, my life is much calmer. I have time to dedicate to my family. My plans now are to continue studying because I would love to be a teacher for Gestation de Centro (an education service center). I would like to take special classes to help students who struggle with reading- this is a great passion of mine. God showed me His faithful during University because it was really difficult to attend with a newborn baby. God helped with with this and showed me His provision through my mother, who was a great help to me. She cared for my baby when I needed to attend class or study. I thank God every day for my mother who allowed me to achieve my hope and dream of being a certified teacher. Every day I give thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to serve as a teacher in a school as special as Makarios. I am here with the purpose to give the best of myself to my students, to education with love and to share the good news of Jesus Christ to my students and their families.  Genesis Graduation day made me feel completely happy. I felt that it was a huge step in preparing me to be the teacher I want to be. Throughout my time in University, God taught me patience the power of hope. He showed me time and time again that He would provide a way for me to attend and He helped me through so much. This made me even more thankful for all that He has done for me. I am much less busy now that University is over. I have time to spend with my family and in the community my mother lives in. God helped me by not only providing for the materials and money to attend University, but he also gave me protection. Every Saturday I would leave my home at 6 am and walk to the main highway (about a mile) in the dark. He protected me during these times. Now I hope to practice all of the things I learned in University on a daily basis in my classroom. My hope is to eventually teach social studies in the upper grade levels.   |
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