GRINGO don't play that!

Like I said I wanted to started blogging more frequently... even if its a small paragraph.  Like most days, today was eventful.  Here is todays highlight: I wanted to treat the kids by buying them a baby pool (yes, I know 5 kids don't fit in one of those!)but nevertheless they can splash around on a very hot day.  We jump in the jeep and I notice we are close to empty.  Josh was gone and I had zero pesos. I wanted to forget my plan for the pool but the kids were super excited over a baby pool! The 'bomba' (the pump) is the gas station. I asked a friend if we could use our credit card there because I never saw a machine for one. Yes! They take it! We can hit La Sirena for a pool. The pumps have guys standing there, they want you to turn off your vehicle and sometimes hand them your keys.  This assures no stealing!  Then they are SUPPOSE to show you the 000.00 on the pump.. you tell them how much gas peso wise and they put that in your tank.  I roll up, 5 kids in tow. "You quiero tres mil", I say. (I want 3,000)  One dude goes to punch the numbers of my card in next to about 15 men standing around.  Ok, I admit..a little nervous about others seeing my numbers.  I am busy watching the man do it to make sure it is secure.  Meanwhile, the other guy starts pumping.  The guy with my card comes over and says it doesn't work.  What? I tell the 'pumper' to STOP.  He says it is dos mil (2,000 pesos). He says 'pay me cash'.  "Yo no tengo dinero!"  He actually spoke some english and tells me to go to the bank.  He says will drive his moto to show me where the closest one was.  ok, i am anxious that I will get in trouble for stealing or something and Parlyn is now crying in the backseat.  I get to the ATM.  I get the money.  The guy goes its 'tres mil'.  I give it to him, hesitantly.  In the commotion something didn't seem right.  Then he ask for money for gas since he showed me the bank!  Now, I am a little testy.  "NO! You should not of pumped the gas to begin with.  You should of waited for the card to work" ( everyone wants paid for something here..most people, not all).  He leaves.  I get in the jeep and notice my tank is only 1/2 full! I know that a full tank is about 3,000 pesos.  Then I remembered the other guy slipped and said 2,000.  It hit me, they pulled a fast one on me.  Oh no moma of 5 trying to get a stinking pool for her youngins to enjoy the 85 degree heat needs that 1,000 pesos for a pool!  I pull a U-turn and petal to the metal.  I completely forget I am carting around 5 kids, then I hear as I am speeding to find the guy, "There he is mom! There he is!" While still in pursuit, I unroll the passsenger window as I get next to him (he looked like a deer in headlights) and start disputing kindly, but sternly with him.  We pull into the bomba and park abruptly between all the pumps with the 20 bystanders starring and tell him I want to speak to his boss.  He tried lying to me.  His boss came over who didn't know any English. I could only tell him that I paid too much and didn't get the right amount of gas.  Finally the guy that ripped me off said he would put 500 pesos in my car.  Which still leaves me 500 pesos short! Oh well, I learned the hard way ( but I did recover 500 of the 1000 ). And yes,we did get the baby pool :)

Created for His workmanship

Easter

Ira Hall and Mary Kate Hall came and visited
They helped install a network at the school!
and brought computers from Central Baptist in NC

On Monday, I started giving Tate and Aribella (9 and 7) the IOWA basic skills test.  Wow! Try getting kids who their whole life have been schooled on a couch, table, floor, in the van to sit STILL and not talk during one of these things! "Mom, what's this word?" "How do you do this problem, Mom?"  " Can we have a break? (after 10 minutes)"  "Those birds are so loud!" ...
Tate finished his section and asked for a 5 minute break.  Sure. A minute later I see him pretending he is Spider Man trying to climb the wall.  He gets caught in the curtain, loses his balance, pulling the rod down.  He is sitting on the floor tangled in this curtain... I am laughing but somewhat annoyed because I am still trying to test his sister.  We start noticing blood.  A good amount.  Unknown to us, the metal rod didn't have an end peice and somehow it stabbed him in the back of the ankle!  Testing haulted.  Care for the wounded.   


In a moment like the above, it is hard to see the blessing in being a mom.  But God is really teaching me this.  When we came here to the Dominincan Republic, we came as Host Couple and Josh also as Director in the D.R.  I really love hosting teams.  I mostly am in charge of meal planning, shopping, and preparing/cooking for the teams we host.  Josh does the planning and leg work for the teams.  In February I tried taking things off his plate.  Well, that was a very hard month for us.  It really put strain on the marriage and family.  This may be hard to imagine, but 5 kids ALONE is somewhat busy.  Long story short, the Lord has been showing me that ministering to my husband and kids FIRST is what is honoring to Him.  This was hard to accept.  Live in the D.R. and JUST take care of my kids, Lord? really?But I have all these gifts to offer... I wanted to do 'tasks' that make me feel important!  I wanted to have a 'job' that I could see results in.  Reality? He created me for His workmanship (Eph. 2:10) and if this is the job He has for me, then I must allow His power to work through me to do it well.  Wiping up spilled milk is not glorious, but displaying patience infront of them is ( I'll let you know when this happens). Teaching them scripture, meaning of it,& how it applies to us is important.   Punishing your son for trying to fly his kite of the roof top steeple stinks, but teaching the value of obeying/honoring authority is priceless ( true story).  Anyways, He has a purpose for all He has created.  He has created me and given me 5 disciples.  I pray I will do well with what I have been given :)

 
 

 

 

First trip to "el doctor"

Little P’s first trip to ‘el doctor’…

Just wanted to quickly blog about our successful morning.  Little P (Parlyn) was in need of her vaccinations to stay on schedule with what we started in the States.  So, the PA that works on our staff was sweet enough to escort P and I there.  I was worried that my 150 word Spanish vocabulary wouldn’t cut it when I tried to communicate that my child needed a well-child checkup and vaccinations. 

Lil P, Pretty P

Not at all intimidating.  We walk into a “nicer” hospital where the pediatric office is on the third floor.  The building reminds me of an old high school.  There are people everywhere.  They are lined up along the halls waiting… for the secretary that sits in a classroom desk outside of the ”office”.  So we walk down this very long, very narrow hall dodging people.  We walk up 3 flights of stairs and find the “waiting room” which is the waiting area for the Obstetric, ENT, Pediatrician, and Cardiologist office.  We were there early and there was only one other customer for the Peds office there as well, whom informed us that they “were there first!”  It is a first come first serve so you can imagine the tension that can break out with that type of system. 

30 minutes rolls by and the secretary finally gets to the office.  She does some things at the simple desk in front of the door that reads, “Dr. Juan Rosario”.  I am excited, we may get in before Lil P starts having melt downs because we are now cutting into nap time.  Patiently waiting, Dr. Rosario shows up maybe 25 minutes after that.  We luckily got our name on the list first because the other person left for a walk while the secretary opened up her notebook to write names in (yes, the kind of notebook that our kids use for school).  I was hoping the lady that informed us she was there first wouldn’t see us go in first.

Lil P enjoying a beater full of icing!

Finally we are called in. We walk into a single room big enough for a single bed and 2 dressers.   Lauren (our friend and P.A. for Makarios)  informed the doc that I don’t speak much Spanish and I hear the wonderful words, “I speak English”.   I am relieved.  We discuss what vaccines are needed and he checks P out.  Now get this all you moms… the doctor gave the vaccines! All went well during our visit and I am comfortable going back. 

Time to check out.  The doc writes out a receipt and I take it to the secretary.  I realize that vaccines are not cheap (unknown to me since we always had insurance!).  I don’t have the pesos to pay.  “Do you take credit card?” we ask.  No is the (obvious) answer.  So I ask for the ATM.  I am pointed downstairs.  My friend waits with P there.  I go to what I thought is an ATM machine and it turns out to be a machine to buy phone cards, I think.  So I find a receptionist and ask where I can get money out.  I am pointed outside.  I find an ATM, it’s broken.  Now what? In my broken Spanish, I ask where else I can get money.  They point down the road and then the other way.  They said it in (fast) Spanish and I just shake my head like I understand.  It’s about 90 out (or so it feels) and I walk in pursuit of money.  I walked far enough that when I looked to my right, I see familiarity.  I saw the Bank that we normally go to! Thank you Jesus! I get money and head back to the hospital on foot.  I finally can go pay, a bit sweaty though.

Who said we couldn't all fit?

THANKFUL for today.  Thankful that this dreaded morning wasn’t too bad.  I was dreading this part of our life…visiting a doctor in a third world culture.  Silly of me, because God always provides. It may seem small to you, but trying to live life as normal as possible here…THIS is a victory and a great encouragement.  Hope you all have a wonderful Easter celebrating our risen King.

New additions to the family...

We officially have been here just over 6 months now!  Some days it is hard to believe how fast time has gone and some days it feels like eternity!

So what has been happening here lately?

Our yard of sod is done!  Since that project we have accumulated many new friendships with neighborhood kids.  Almost everyday we have kids coming over wanting to play baseball in the yard.  This is great because our kids have build some friendships and have become more brave in learning the language.  It is opening ministry opportunities as we become part of the community more.  Our staff even had relay races recently...fun for adults as well!

We had a staff retreat in Jarabacoa  (har-a-ba-coa) the second week of February.  The entire staff (Dominican, Haitian, and Americans) all spent Saturday and Sunday in the mountains of the Dominican Republic.  There we were able to do some team building and bonding.  The kids and I have never been to a real waterfall so we hiked to a nearby one.  It took a lot of encouraging the kids to continue in their hike through heat and hills.  Josh decided to climb up the rock and jump off into the waterfall.  We like to say Finley did too, but actually she was being the independent girl she is and .... fell into the spring!  Clothes and all!   We also visited a coffee farm up in the mountain.  It was an upward hike that took the family at least 2 hours in drizzling rain.  I think the whole time Josh and I (and sweet staff members) took turns piggy-backing our children!  Our bodies were quite sore!  It was definitely educational and interesting though.  The Allen's, whom work for Missionary Training Institute  in Colorado flew in that weekend to encourage and assist our team in growing- in all ways! They were a huge blessing to the Makarios staff, as well as Josh and I.  I think our time with them turned into more of marriage counseling :)

We had a team from Cedarville College come.  They were a team of 6 and were with us a few days.  We then quickly prepared for the team of 59 people's that would show up 2 days later!!  Hill Country Christian school from Austin brought  their students to serve Makarios.  The Mak house was packed and It was a VERY busy week.  The students prepared lessons and crafts for the Makarios kids, as well as the villages Makarios works alongside of.  They were a blessing and it was awesome to watch the students bond with the Makarios kids.  I was blessed by a mom that homeschools a Cleveland Browns player's children and she schooled our kids that week as I was very busy in the kitchen!  Our kids loved "Ms. Arla"and informed me they wanted her to be their teacher (ok, in fairness, she did school with M & Ms !) I was blessed by her wisdom and humor all week as well.  When teams come we also like to get projects accomplished by using their help.  Josh and Andy led the team in putting in a cement driveway as well!  This will be a blessing for teams, neighbors, events, &  staff gatherings!

Josh's parents came in on March 19th and we took a much needed vacation.  Josh's grandparents (so generous!) gave us a week of their timeshare to stay at a nearby resort.  We are relaxing and bonding with each other after a few months of busyness.  I do have to laugh...Parlyn and Finley got the "fro-ups" as Finn says.  Which, of course, trickled through the family.  Not what we wanted for vacation, but it was nice being forced to just lay in bed!

God has continued to be faithful and full of blessings.  We continue to pray for His direction and plans for us as we have already been living life here for 7 months.  We have postponed our original plans to come back to the states in May due to my youngest sisters recent engagement and wedding date this coming September.  We plan to spend several weeks then in the states visiting with you all!  Thank you all for the continued encouragements, letters, support, and prayers.  Your prayers are so appreciated and of course, needed :).

Our newest additions to the family?  Our neighbor brought us 8 chickadees...as a gift!  Then a week later our housekeeper brought the kids a puppy...as a gift.  A gift is a gift.  One must accept, right? We are back to potty training (this time an animal) and up during the nights listening to "Chester" cry in the room down the hall.  Regardless, the kids are enjoying their pets.  I am thinking we are earning the name, "the funny farm"!
- Jen

The Heart of a Father

Discovering God in the Midst of the Roller Coaster

Have you ever discovered a new facet of God or been reminded of His character in such a real way that it left you in awe? Sometimes, it’s in the quiet moments of prayer. Other times, it’s in the chaos of life—when everything feels unpredictable, and you’re holding on for dear life.

Serving here in the Dominican Republic has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. The ups have been exhilarating, filled with joy and moments of deep connection. The downs have been humbling, stretching us in ways we never expected. Through it all, God has been revealing more of who He is—His faithfulness, His provision, and His presence in every high and low.

The God Who Sustains

Before stepping into this journey, we knew there would be challenges. We knew there would be moments of discomfort, where we would feel out of our depth. But knowing something in theory and walking through it in reality are two very different things.

There have been days when we’ve felt completely poured out—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Days when the needs feel overwhelming and the resources feel too small. Yet, in those moments, God has reminded us that He is the One who sustains.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." – 2 Corinthians 12:9

We are learning, day by day, what it means to depend on Him fully. Not just when things feel manageable, but when they don’t. And in that dependence, we are discovering the richness of His presence.

The God Who Provides

One of the greatest joys in this season has been witnessing the way God provides—not always in the ways we expect, but always in ways that remind us He is near.

Sometimes, it’s through answered prayers that seemed impossible. Other times, it’s through the kindness of a stranger, a moment of encouragement from a teammate, or a simple provision that comes at just the right time.

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." – Philippians 4:19

He has been teaching us that provision is not just about material things. It’s about strength for the day, peace in uncertainty, and grace for the moment. It’s about seeing His hand in the details and trusting that He is working—even when we can’t yet see the outcome.

The God Who Sees

One of the most profound lessons we are learning is that God sees. He sees every challenge, every moment of exhaustion, every tear, and every victory. He sees the people we are serving, and He sees us as we serve.

There is something deeply comforting about knowing that we are not alone. That even when things feel chaotic, God is not distant. He is here. He is moving. He is weaving together a story that is far bigger than our small piece of it.

"You are the God who sees me." – Genesis 16:13

Holding On in the Ups and Downs

A roller coaster is thrilling because you don’t control it. You simply hold on, trust the track, and embrace the ride.

This season is teaching us to do the same—to hold on to God, to trust that He knows where this ride is going, and to embrace the moments of joy and the moments of challenge. Because in every high and every low, He is shaping us, stretching us, and drawing us closer to Him.

If you’re in a season that feels like a roller coaster—where things are uncertain, stretching, or just plain hard—take heart. God is there. He is revealing Himself in ways you may not even recognize yet. And one day, you’ll look back and see that He was holding you the whole time.

So, let’s hold on together. Not to our own strength, not to our own plans, but to the One who is faithful, steady, and true.

What is Poverty?

We arrived back in North Carolina around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning after an incredible time in Austin, Texas. The trip was more than just logistics and preparation—it was an opportunity to connect deeply with Sharla, our Executive Director, and the rest of our team members who will be joining us at the end of August.

There’s something profound about gathering with people who share a common mission. Sitting together, praying, and talking through our upcoming roles was more than just preparation—it was a blessing. It reminded us that God doesn't just send individuals; He calls teams, equipping them for His purpose. We are stepping into something bigger than ourselves, and the unity and faithfulness of this group is a reminder that God is in every detail. As we anticipate meeting some of the veteran staff who are awaiting our arrival in the Dominican Republic, we are filled with gratitude for the team God has put together.

But with great anticipation comes great responsibility. One of the requirements for this weekend was to read When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. If you've never read it, I highly recommend it—it is a challenging and eye-opening look at how we, as believers, engage with poverty and missions.

What is Poverty, Really?

If someone asked you to define poverty, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

For many, the immediate response is money—or the lack of it. Maybe you think of homelessness, hunger, or a lack of material possessions. That’s exactly where my mind went before reading this book. Poverty seemed straightforward: a financial deficit that needed to be fixed.

But Corbett and Fikkert challenge this assumption. They argue that poverty is much deeper than a lack of money. In fact, financial poverty is often just a symptom of a deeper, more complex issue. Poverty is not merely a material problem; it is relational.

In their research, when people living in material poverty were asked to describe their experience, their answers were rarely about money. Instead, they spoke of shame, fear, isolation, powerlessness, and a deep sense of not belonging. Their greatest struggle wasn’t just their empty pockets—it was the wounds of broken relationships: with God, with others, with themselves, and with creation.

On the other hand, when wealthier individuals were asked to define poverty, their answers often revolved around economics—lack of income, lack of food, lack of a home. This disconnect between how we perceive poverty and how those experiencing it actually feel is at the heart of the problem. If we view poverty only in terms of material need, our solutions will be incomplete at best and harmful at worst.

The Danger of the “Savior” Mentality

One of the most convicting truths in When Helping Hurts is how easily well-intended efforts can actually do more harm than good.

It’s tempting to approach poverty with a “fix-it” mindset. Many mission trips and charity efforts operate with this assumption: "We have resources, they have needs—let’s meet those needs." While generosity is beautiful, if we’re not careful, we can strip dignity from those we’re trying to help.

Instead of empowering people, we can unknowingly reinforce a sense of helplessness. Instead of walking alongside them, we may communicate (even unintentionally) that they are inadequate or incapable. This book challenges us to move away from handouts and toward genuine restoration.

True biblical poverty alleviation isn’t about swooping in and "rescuing" people. It’s about recognizing that we, too, are broken. We are not saviors; we are fellow image-bearers of God, walking together toward healing. The ultimate goal is not just to provide for physical needs but to restore relationships—to help people see their worth and identity in Christ.

Moving from Relief to Restoration

So how do we help without hurting?

Corbett and Fikkert offer three key distinctions in poverty alleviation:

1. Relief – Immediate aid in a crisis, like food, water, and shelter after a disaster.
2. Rehabilitation – Helping people get back on their feet by restoring what was lost.
3. Development – Walking alongside people as they grow and become self-sufficient.

The mistake we often make is applying relief when development is needed. Long-term aid that keeps people dependent doesn’t solve poverty—it sustains it. Instead, we need to focus on empowering communities, listening to their needs, and working with them rather than for them.

A Shift in Perspective

Reading When Helping Hurts forced me to reflect on my own assumptions. It made me realize that true mission work is not about simply giving—it’s about investing in relationships. It’s about recognizing that poverty, in all its forms, is something we all experience. Some of us may struggle materially, while others suffer from spiritual, emotional, or relational poverty.

The good news? Jesus came to restore all of it. His mission wasn’t just to provide for physical needs but to reconcile us to God and to each other. As we prepare to serve in the Dominican Republic, I pray that we would not just be problem-solvers but peacemakers—people who listen, love, and walk humbly with those we serve.

Because in the end, poverty alleviation isn’t just about changing others. It’s about allowing God to change us.

Three Amigos

   Los tres amigos! (amigas!)

Two dear friends ( Laura Mosley and Tabitha Patel) were able to come visit me in la Republica Dominicana! They arrived late Friday night and stayed until Tuesday afternoon.  We had a blast!

even fit in a workout

Laura running with the bulls...

Tab enjoying sugar cane...

learning to ride on a moto

Tab and Laura's favorite...
Rice and Beans!

We were able to catch up on life, ask accountability questions, work out together, enjoy rice and beans together...and do plenty of giggling!  They were able to see my new home and what a little bit of my life is like here.  They were impressed with my driving too! They only looked scared a few times.  We ventured out some and they were able to experience some cultural differences like going to get gas at night and the workers were having a meeting so they shut the lights off and ignored us.  Laura was a good sport when she wanted to ask for another napkin at a local restaurant and she asked me what to say in Spanish.  I told her " te amo " ( I love you).  I know... MEAN! but we all are still laughing!  She did pick up on some Spanish  rather quickly.  Proud of her efforts!  We also on a spur of a moment decided to venture down a 9 km road...good thing we didnt know what kilometers were because it took us like 30 minutes on a dirt, rocky, wet road to get to Monkey  Jungle.  Yes, 20 squirrel monkeys jumped on us and ate from a plate of fruit and nuts in our plates we held.  Tab and I were peed on, but i am sure that has happened in motherhood to us at some point?

Tab getting peed on!

At Monkey Jungle

Cabarete Beach

It was so relaxing for me- it was like a piece of home was wrapped up and brought to me! I was so blessed to have them here.  They were also kind to share our wish list with our past Sunday school classes and again we have been blessed by so many whom rounded up items for us that the girls brought to us.  We are in awe at how the Body of Christ reached out and through them, the Lord provided every need and want again!  We are humbled and grateful to all of you who helped out in that! 

A sixth monkey for me to love

Teaching Tab to make fried plantains

Mi amigas are gone, and I am a bit sad.  BUT, I am so thankful they were able to come and encourage me and speak into my life.  I hadn't laughed that much in a long time!!!  It was good for my soul! 

We have a busy February and March so please pray for us as we prepare for that.  We have a staff retreat and 3 groups coming up very soon!  And a praise, we have a college student, Kelsey Vaughn, who will come nanny for us during May, June, and July!  This will allow me to assist the teams in the busy summer months.  We are open to a nanny year round if anyone knows of someone who would love to help out around here with our kiddos and experience a third world culture at the same time!

And again, thank you all who have sent items down with the girls.  Thank you all who have been holding us in prayer and in support.  It truly blesses us daily.