Summer Team #3- Austin Stone Family Trip

 

 
The family group from Austin Stone arrived on the scene on June 28.  It was a totally different dynamic having kids in the home and as group members and we LOVED it!  Nine kids and eleven adults called the Mak House "home" for eight days.  It filled our hearts with joy to see all the kids pile into one guagua (aka: van) as we traveled from place to place.

It was such a blessing having kids in the house- the neighborhood kids loved having playmates their own age, and the American staff kids (all 7 of them) came over every day to play, too.  Each day when the team would arrive home, there would be kids waiting for them at the gate of the Mak house to play.  Some days, the kids would wait as long as an hour for the team to get home. 

It was also nice to have our own personal handyman on the trip.  He fixed the handle on the oven and the oven door, repaired our trash bin outside, made a cage for the rabbits, etc.  We also had our pile of wood organized by some group members as well as getting other things done around the house.  Actually, it was a huge help to have some mom and dads around.  Mom and Dads make everything better and know how to do everything.

This group worked around the clock- they didn't stop.  They made the most of rain delays and in fact, I think that they welcomed the rain because it brought cooler weather AND gave them a chance to swing a sledge hammer and knock out some countertops in the old kitchen.  Men and women alike tackled the renovation of demolishing the concrete countertops.  They also sanded and painted the wall around the school, played at recess, participated in a soccer camp, and they ministered to the neighborhood kids by doing something we call "Mak.Com" which stands for Makarios Community.  The neighborhood kids came over for a Bible Lesson, English Class, and a craft.  I was so impressed by all of the children who were on this team.  They worked so hard and played non-stop with the kids at the school and in our neighborhood.  It was refreshing to see the language "barrier" not be a barrier at all.  They jumped right in and played and loved without any hesitation.  It was awesome! 

After serving, praying, worshipping, and playing alongside each other for 8 days, they left the DR with lifelong friendships.  Thank you Austin Stone Family Group for blessing us and Makarios.

Love,
The Becks