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

 

 

Summer Team #2- Fellowship Church Round Rock



The Team!




After a very efficient grocery shopping trip!

We had another amazing week with our summer group #2, Fellowship Round Rock.  They arrived on the scene on June 14 and were with us until June 22.  We had a quick turnaround between Group #1 and Group #2.  In fact, we had about 3 hours to turn over the house which involved cleaning bathrooms, making 26 beds, washing the towels and sheets from the previous week, and grocery shopping for 30 people.  Thankfully, we have 4 amazing interns who helped me do my grocery shopping  (We looked like we were in the game show, Supermarket Sweep with our 5 shopping carts!) and I have a wonderful friend and housekeeper, Lucia, who lovingly helps me with the bathrooms, beds, etc.  She and her son, Abrahan, do a fabulous job every week cleaning and making the Makarios House a place where people can encounter the Lord.  God has provided an amazing team of people to serve alongside us this summer.  It's awesome to see the body of Christ at work!


Brandon and Jules- The Group Leaders

Fellowship Round Rock didn't waste any time and they jumped right in and started off their week visiting Chichigua, which is one of the villages that Makarios serves.  They played with the kids and spent time visiting with some of the adults in this community.  It was a great way to begin their week
 

This group was a blessing to have in our home.  The theme they chose for the week was "Grace" and it was evident that they were applying this concept to areas of their life as well as to different aspects of the

Building the Shed

trip.  Living (or visiting) a country different than your own can have some challenges.  This group made the most of having to adjust to having no A/C, constant power outages, and schedule changes because of the rain.  It was a joy to witness God at work in their lives.  They built a maintenance shed which will be a huge help to the school, they took the 2nd and 3rd grade kids to the beach, played with the students during recess, and enjoyed entertaining the neighborhood kids.


Progress is Being Made...

Working and Playing at Makarios

Soccer...Soccer...Soccer

 


Soccer Camp!

On the last day, we took the team to the beach to process what God had taught them and prepare them for their re-entry into the States.  It was also a nice chance to get some R&R after a week of blood, sweat, and tears. (Literally!)  God had been at work among us-

At the end of the day, there were 2 people who asked to be baptized.  So, we gathered as a team- worshipped and prayed- and then witnessed God's Grace as one student and one adult were baptized in the ocean.

 

As I stood on the beach watching God at work, I was reminded of the conversation Doug and I had at the end of our 1st trip to the DR in 2011.  I was standing almost in the exact spot where we first began talking about feeling called to work with Makarios in the DR.  As I watched and heard the roar of the ocean waves, I couldn't help but think about God's creation, His power, and His glory.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect week.  Thank You, Fellowship Round Rock for being the hands and feet of Christ...

Love from the DR,
The Becks
 

Summer Team #1- Westminster Presbyterian and University Presbyterian Church, Austin

On June 14, we welcomed 26 students and adults from Westminster Presbyterian and University Presbyterian in Austin to the Dominican Republic.  We had no idea what a blessing that was in store for us.  This team came prepared to serve and they worked wholeheartedly throughout the entire week. We were blessed by the students and their leaders and we were so encouraged by their generosity and positive attitudes!  Unfortunately, we were without power for much of the time they were here, but not once did we hear any complaining.  In fact, many of them commented that it was good for them to not have some of the “comforts” from home.

 

Makarios Students at the Beach...with NEW Swimsuits!

Our New PK3 Students Learning How to Brush Their Teeth

Walking Through A Village Visiting with Friends

Working hard at the school

Soccer Game!  One of our teachers, Cakito, has a soccer camp 
for kids in the neighborhood.
Check out their new uniforms  that were donated.
They are SO proud of their new uniforms and cleats!

During the week, the team worked hard painting, landscaping, playing with the Makarios students at Recess, taking Makarios students to the beach, and helping with a soccer camp.  They even had time to minister to the kids in our neighborhood (who are not involved in the school.)  On their last day here, over 30 of the neighborhood kids came over and the group re-enacted “Daniel and the Lion’s Den” while Erica (our intern) translated. 

Daniel and the Lions

Daniel 

A Captive Audience

The kids (even the older ones) loved it!  They also did a craft, played sports and learned English.  It was a great morning and a perfect way to wrap up the week.  
Hope you enjoyed just a few of their pics from their time here.  UPC and WPC- THANK YOU...we are grateful for you!Love, The Becks

Introducing The Interns!

We have a dynamic group of ladies who will be joining us this summer.  They arrived on June 4 and have already added so much life an joy in our home.  They will be helping at the school, with groups, and one will be a nanny for our director and his family.  We will be their host mom and dad for the summer and we are thrilled.  Please be praying for them as they minister to Makarios students, groups, the community, and a host of other people throughout the summer.

Meet the Interns:

Lainey, Allison, Erica, and Angie

Lainey- I will be a senior at TCU studying political science.  This will be my fourth time here with Makarios and I am looking forward to what God has in store for the summer.  In the fall I am headed to Washington DC for a semester.  Random fact about me is that I am obsessed with dinosaurs and Star Wars.  

Allison - My family is from Germantown, TN but I went to undergrad and grad school in Birmingham.  The Lord has been very present to me in this season of my life; more than ever before. He has led me here to the DR and then to Dallas in the fall for next year.  I look forward to this exciting adventure.  A random fact about me is this is my first time out of the country.  

Erica- I am from Houston, TX but currently live in Austin where I go to college.  I am a junior at the University of Texas where I am studying corporate finance.  A fun fact about me is that I am a longhorn to the core and I have a longhorn named Sadie that is pregnant!  I was here in January and worked with the kindergarten class that I will be teaching this summer.  I fell in love with the people here and God has been faithful to give me more time to serve this summer. 

Angie- I am usually a third grade teacher in Vancouver, WA.  I also lead worship at my church for the youth program.  I am excited to be in the DR and looking forward to working with Makarios students.  It has been exciting to see God open doors to bring me here this summer.  My random fact is I have a dog named Bella. 

Our summer is off to a great start!  Our first group of the summer arrived on June 9 and we can't say enough great things about University Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian from Austin.  What an amazing blessing they have been!  We'll share more about their week in our next blog post.

Thanks for your partnership...and joining us on the journey.

Love,

The Becks

Summer is Almost HERE!

Constructing a Bookshelf

Hanging Signs for Group Members

We have had a very productive 2 weeks!  Our niece and nephew from Houston came down to visit us and help us prepare for our summer teams.  They worked so hard and helped us tremendously.  We built beds, constructed bookshelves, made repairs, set up our prayer wall, planted plants, painted lots of things, shared the gospel with neighborhood kids, and got organized for the summer teams.  It was fun and rewarding to serve alongside our family.  They came to the DR to serve with Makarios last summer and it was such a blessing to have them here again.  Stewart was also able to re-connect with Cakito who he became friends with last summer.  A huge “thank you” to Stewart and Hallie.

Our Prayer Wall-
We pray for each Makarios Student

Organizing all the Menus and Recipes
 for all  the groups this summer

Planting Trees

A game of baseball with our neighbors

Sharing the gospel with 30 neighborhood kids

Stewart and Cakito

Moving Beds

Painting

We are anxiously awaiting our 4 summer interns to arrive on June 4 and our first group arrives on June 9th.  We've had a great Spring and we're ready for the summer season to begin.  

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support...and for joining us on the journey.

Love from the DR,
The Becks

From One Class to Another

The kindergarten classes at Logos Prep in Sugarland, Texas worked hard to help raise money for our new well at the school.  They did dishes, swept the floor, cleaned the toilets, and did other various chores.  Here's a video we put together for the kids at Logos Prep.  It's a little tour of Makarios that we made and thought some of you might enjoy.  

It's awesome to have young kids investing in the lives of other kids (in a foreign country) for the sake of the Gospel.

With Love from the DR,

The Becks

The Winter and Spring Have Been Full of Blessings!

Snapshots of the past few months...

Meet Brad and Brittany- This great couple lived with us for a month while Brad helped out in the Makarios clinic and Brittany served in the school (and also helped Margaret!)  Brad is in medical school and he came to the DR to fulfill a requirement and we quickly put both of them to work.  Their gifts were a perfect fit in the school since Brad was able to work on the medical side, and Brittany helped out with Special Education, which is her background.  Everyone instantly fell in love with this dynamic couple.  Brittany is proficient in Creole, so she was a hit with the local Haitians, and Brad’s compassionate demeanor made him popular with the students. 

The Kindergarten Class Thanks Them On Their Last Day

Our Last Night Together

FEBRUARY- We welcomed a team of 4 who came in from Austin.  Brandon and Brent, along with 2 of our Austin staff (Chuck & Chris) were on a Vision Trip to get a first-hand view of Makarios before bringing a team of 27 to the DR this summer. We put a saw in their hands and they jumped right in...

They were a huge help in building bunk beds to prepare for our team of 43 who were coming in March.  After the flood in November, Makarios gave away beds to students and other members in this community who lost their belongings.  To read an account of the flood and how it affected the family of our sweet teacher, Yomo, click on http://makariosinternational.org/2013/02/22/yomos-story/.  Sarah, one of our teachers, wrote what she and Yomo experienced the night of the flood.

We also enjoyed celebrating Independence Day with the locals...it seemed like the whole town of Montellano was either IN the parade or watching the parade.  We had fun watching the kids in our neighborhood march in the parade and it was fun to run into our friends who also came out to celebrate.
 

MARCH- A huge shout out to Hill Country Christian School in Austin, Tx.  They brought a crew of 43 high school students and leaders who were AMAZING!  They helped out at the school in a variety of ways, they paved an area of the school that was in need of some attention, and they ministered to the children in the community where we live. We loved seeing them share the gospel with over 70 kids who live within walking distance of our home.  It was a GREAT week!  They were a huge blessing to us, Makarios, and this community.  You can definitely say that they were the hands and feet of Christ!  To read more click on  http://makariosinternational.org/2013/03/23/hill-country-christian-school-of-austin/

APRIL- Currently, we are busy busy busy getting ready for the summer groups!  We will have groups coming throughout the summer, so we have been actively preparing for them.  We are also excited about the 4 interns who will be living with us this summer.  They will be helping at the school, with groups, and one will be a nanny.  We can’t wait.

In MAY, we will be hosting the new principal, Laurie Majcher, who just joined our team!  Joe and Laurie Majcher and their 3 kids will be moving here this summer.  They will be coming in May to look for housing, a car, and to just get acquainted to this new place that they will call home!

And finally, we are excited to have our niece and nephew, Stewart and Hallie, join us for 2 weeks at the end of May.  They came with us last summer on our mission trip and wanted to return, so they have graciously offered to come and help us with the last minute preparations before teams start to arrive.  We already have a long list for them and are thankful for their servant’s hearts.  They will also have a chance to interact and minister to the children in our neighborhood as well as in the villages.  We can’t wait for them to get here.

Here's Our Group Picture from Last Summer With Stewart and Hallie

Thank you for the constant love, prayers and support.  We are grateful for those who support us financially, prayerfully, and emotionally so that we can do what God has called us to do in the Dominican Republic.

With Love and Grateful Hearts,

The Becks