New News!

New News:

*Today was Makarios School's last day of the school year!  As a family we watched the children give a performance for their families and receive awards in their classrooms from their teachers.  It was exciting to see the children's excitement as well!  We are proud of the way our staff has poured into the lives of these sweet kids.

 *Our staff and students have off for the upcoming week before summer programs begin.

*Also, our nanny, Kelsey arrived yesterday!  The kids are taking a liking to her already.  Finley was ready to knock on her door at 6:30 this morning.    I think the message Finn hears when we say  'nanny' is really 'personal playmate'.  Kelsey  will spend this week settling in and just get familiar with us and a typical routine.  She will be helping me out with our kids and will be here until August 7th.

Kelsey, aka Nanny

* Summer groups begin June 1 st and will come every other week for the duration of summer.  It will be busy!  Josh has been working with the staff here, the staff in Austin, and the leaders for each group in coordinating service opportunities when the groups arrive.  As for me, I am getting my menu ready to feed the many that stay with us at the 'Mak house' this summer.

* Chester (our dog) has a new home.  No, Josh didn't run him over like he did Max the cat (R.I.P. Max!) We gave him back to Lucia (who gave him to us).  It was like having a sixth child-a toddler at that!  We decided that it was one less thing for us to have on our plates :)  Chester now is reunited with his brother. We are thankfully able to visit him whenever we want too !

The last of the 8 chicks...

Getting ready to take on some locals...

all boy...

* Kids are well! We think we figured out Parlyns diaper issues... we switched her to soy milk and she seems much happier!  Oliver had an alive snake the other day and was playing with it and hanging it over the cats head while the cat graciously was batting it around.  Finn is starting to learn about lying.  We asked her if she ate licorice and she denied it 5 times.  When we pulled the chunk of licorice off her cheek, showed her, and asked again...her big brown eyes were the size of quarters and...then she denied it with great assurance.   Yes, we had to laugh too but did it discretely.  Aribella is ready for the groups coming - for she loves to cook.  Tate is making new friends and uses his small amount of Spanish he knows... I hear him talking to his friends and I don't think he realizes that he is 'ordering them around'.  I give him credit for trying!  I am so proud of Tate, Belle, and Ollie.  For I am seeing their hearts change and be sensitive to the Spirit.   We are seeing them repent on their own.  We brought Tate a new bible and when we told him it arrived he went running for it with excitement (he has been reading through the old testament)...that just blessed us.  We pray that excitement for Gods Word continues his whole life!

Happy 11th Babe!

*We celebrate 11 years May 19th!  Love at first sight, 3 months later we "knew", 3 months after that, engaged, and 6 months after that married! 11 months after that, pregnant! Every two years, a new baby.  A masters degree and 3 jobs for Josh. Transitioning into living on the mission field now.  We have been through some hot fires together, and praise the Lord He is still today refining us and our marriage.  I am thankful for the Lord's hand in putting us together and for giving me a man that loves his God more than anyone or anything.  God is truly good...

*Again, thank you everyone who is praying for us and partnering with us.  Though I have days when I wonder what the heck we are doing here, its just then God gives us a little window to peek into & assure us that we are right where He wants us.  He is working here despite us!

Thats the latest!  Stay tuned...

Jen

I want to be like this...

The Menold Minutes:

Was reading some excerpts about Nate Saint, a once missionary to Ecuador and the Waorani tribe, to the kids for school the other day.  A quick synapsids of his story is this:

Nate Saint and 4 other men (one being Jim Elliot) had a heart for the Waorani Indians. The Waorani were an unreached people group in the Amazon jungle and lived lives of murdering and vengeance.  They were a fierce people.  The Waorani thought everyone, including their own people were an enemy.  Nate early in his life had a love for flying and love for Jesus.  

The 5 men would fly over the Waorani's and lower a bucket filled with goods..hoping to build trust. (An awesome testimony and story if you have time to read. ) For times sake I can share : these 5 missionaries were ready to land the plane on a sandbar in hopes of befriending.  They vowed not to retaliate if they were to be attacked.  That is what happened.  The 5 men thought the Waoranis were ready to meet and instead were planning a spearing party on that sandbar that day.  Wives and children became widows and orphans that day for the sake of the Gospel.  What came in the following years is a miracle that only God could have done.  Two years later,  Nate's sister and Jim Elliot's wife went back to these people and told them the men had firearms but chose not to use them because they didn't want them to die & never hear about Jesus and eternity.  They shared Jesus. One women listened and chose to repent and accept Christ as Lord.  She then shared.  The leader of the massacre,that day on the sandbar, was one of the first to repent and choose a life of freedom in Christ as well.  He also asked forgiveness to the families that he took their husbands and fathers. He shared with his people.  In years to come 7 other members of that massacre became Christians and many others are leaders in their church and witness about Jesus.  Ten years later, the same men who killed these missionaries had the opportunity to baptize Nate Saint's children in the same river that their father had died in.  (I love the picture of forgiveness!) There is much more to this true story that I don't have time to share.  

What I wanted to share was this.  I sat and cried as I read to my kids because it was beautiful, amazing, and challenging to me all at once.  I thought this to myself:

"What love for Christ.  What obedience for Christ.  What sacrifice. Nate Saint ...willing to do whatever God called him to do. He would reach the Waorani's in the Amazon jungle.   The five men got out of that plane KNOWING they may experience their last breaths and leave small children fatherless and wives as widows.  Why? I ask myself.  See, their love for Jesus must have been so deep.  Their relationship with Jesus must have been so intimate.  They trusted their Heavenly Father with their lives and their families.  Do I, do we, have this kind of love for the Father that we would commit our lives to sharing the Good News and even risk our lives to share Jesus?  I don't know about you, but I want to love Jesus that much.  There are things in my life that keep me from this, it's called love of the flesh.  It's called sin.  Sure the missionaries weren't perfect, but wow! To believe something that much ( the Gospel) and to love someone ( Jesus) that much...  To really follow the Fathers plan for our lives...  To say YES to whatever He is calling us too...to put our desires second so people who haven't heard could hear and know this same blessing that many of us have

 (eternal life in Heaven)...

I want to be like this.

'via Blog this'

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.