Mak People

So we've been here about six weeks now, and I have yet to blog pictures of the amazing people the Lord has blessed us with in the Makarios staff.   We are so honored to get to experience life with each one of them. We know that God has perfectly ordained this community.

For now ... take a  look back at some fun pictures of these beautiful Mak people that we now call FAMILY.

[FYI -- "Mak" is short for "Makarios" -- try using it yourself, if you want.  The abbrev is kinda fun.]

STAFF TRAINING WEEK

 

This is us!

[Sept. 2009]

[Kim, Ashley, Lauren, Erika]

 

[Garrett and Chris]

 27 WATERFALLS

Several weeks ago we had a team building day at a unique place outside of Puerto Plata called 27 Waterfalls.   It was so BEAUTIFUL (and fun!) ~ I struggle to explain it in words. Lots of coves, climbing up waterfalls (with the help of our guides) and then jumping off waterfalls into pools of water... COLD water that felt great in the heat.  The picture above was taken after we took off our (necessary) helmets and life jackets.  We all slept beautifully after that day...

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER

This Halloween was something special.  Our fiesta was a murder mystery dinner party -- and the pictures are evidence of the [crazy] result.  During the week leading up to the party we were all emailed a character description and given the task of coming to the party in costume according to our assigned role.  I was assigned to play an Irish waitress ... until I found some killer-sparkly-cowgirl boots for sale on ultra clearance.  Once I saw those boots, I determined that I would alter my character to be a southern girl with distant Irish decent. Oh, and I am sure you are noticing Chris up there in the picture with his "cool face" on.  His character was a sleazy record industry executive with a gambling addiction.  At the last minute -- I grabbed the black Sharpie and tatted him up.  We were certainly amused by our own creativity with ink. 

Fun is good. 

... So here are a few more shots from our quaint little dinner party.  (And sugar fest.)

 

 

 

[Please notice the dice on the neck.   Not pictured is the gold, sparkly Christmas tinsel we utilized as a ponytail.  Yes, Chris Snapp.]

... But the most fun we've had yet ...

Park Day with the kids.

(Check back in a few days for more pictures of the sweet morning we had at the park with all of the students last Friday.  Such joy.)

~We love our Mak family~

Look! ... the medical team came.

As Host Couple, we have the role (of course) of hosting work teams from the United States.  This week was our first experience with those duties -- hosting a medical team of 13 people who came to serve.  The team of medics from Ohio and a dentist from Austin transformed part of the school into a little clinic for Makarios students, their families, Dominican Makarios workers and more. They also did village visits and conducted a first-aid training for Makarios teachers. 

Virtually all of the population we serve does not have access to suitable health care, so the medical and dental exams are an important source of support.  They did great work.  People received medications and care they they would not have had access to otherwise.  We know that God was honored through this medical team.  People we love were served with dignity and respect.

And they even irrigated the earwax out of Chris's ears ... so now he can hear (me) a lot better ;)  But they couldn't get it all. World record, they said.

From our end, we have a lot to learn about hospitality.  So it's interesting to us to see how the Lord is building that into us here.  Long way to go.  One of the things our role includes is preparing breakfast and dinner for the groups.  Cooking in general is kind of a new venture for us (sadly) -- and especially new to us is cooking for large groups of people.  Yesterday, I can say, Chris and I really enjoyed each other's company as we chopped bell peppers and shredded chicken for the casserole.  We're giving ourselves grace for our mistakes .... um, like forgetting that the oven knobs are labeled in Celsius.  FYI: the food turned out totally fine -- it just was ready early, because the oven was like a zillion degrees. Accident.  

Ovens aside, hosting groups is a lot like event planning. Takes lots of scheduling, coordination, and attention to detail.  Already we see that it would be very easy to fixate on those things and really miss the people. We see the opportunity to connect with hearts, to encourage people in the Lord,  and to seek to usher them into a deeper worldview and understanding of themselves as part of an international Church body.  Chris and I both had the blessing of experiencing very profound short-term mission/exposure opportunities in which the Lord really worked on our hearts.  We pray that each group member will be changed forever.  And too, that they will teach and grow us.  All of this we pray, by God's power and for His GLORY.

Want to see pictures of the medical team in action?  Click this link ...

 MEDICAL TEAM

Caution: Men at Work

[Charlie Nettles, Garrett Boon, Riley Dallas, Chris Snapp]

Up goes the wall!  Last week, workers were busy constructing a wall to go around the Makarios school.  The wall is a much needed addition to the school campus, so everyone is excited about it going up.  Last week Chris jumped in to help with the construction ... cutting and tying steel rods, carrying blocks of cement, sweating and more sweating, and flexing his muscles for his wife. 

A while back, a man donated some black "Elite Boat Club" shirts that are dry-fit with holes for ventilation, and for that reason they wear the shirts just about every day to do construction.  Hence, their "uniforms" above (as I like to call them).   Here is a link to the Makarios blog for more pictures about this.  Click this link ...  Wall Builders

Sadly, I forgot my USB cord that connects my camera to my computer.  Bummer.  It's somewhere out there --  in Texas.  So, I'll be getting creative and using other people's pictures on the blog this fall... just until I can get the cord during Christmas.  There are some great photographers here on staff, so I want to give them all the credit!  (Thanks Charlie, Ashley, Robin ...)

Love,

Erika

[Here's Lauren walking her class into the room after song time.

Each class forms a train -- "choo chooooo". ]

Video!

 

Some of our good friends here and fellow staffers, Charlie and Kim Nettles, made a great video showing some of what is going on at the Makarios school.  I thought y'all might be interested  to see it!  Click this link ... Makarios School Video

All Things New

 

We’re here! New country.  New home.  New neighbors.  New food.  New community. It’s been a little over a week since we moved from Texas and began our new life in the DR.  All is well. Our desire is to approach this journey with gratitude, hope, and reverence -- and by the grace of God, we are experiencing His truth in all three. Our days and our hearts are full. We know it will be very hard, but oh so good. 

With so much to quickly learn about our specific role here, we know how important it is to also just BE.  To truly BE HERE.  We are taking every chance we can to slow down, to walk the sidewalks, to watch how people live and move, to smell and to taste, to chat with neighbors, with drivers, with store vendors -- with anyone.  To get our minds and our hearts connected with the life and the people in our new world. To pray.

To pray for the Dominican Republic.

To pray for the Makarios students.

To pray for the Makarios teachers and staff.

To pray for our community.

To pray for our transition into the team.

To pray for our marriage.

We love where we are, and we love what we see.  We are experiencing a profound calmness in our hearts about our transition here.  The Makarios staff has welcomed us with open arms.  We love them already. We are blessed. 

With so much gratitude for your love and support,

Erika and Chris

 

 

 

Raise your hand if you're ready for school!

Monday was the first day of school this year for Makarios students. Our new friend and fellow Makarios staff member, Robin Inks, wrote a precious blog (with lots of pictures) about the day.

Click this link to see how it all went -    First Day of School   - What a day! Please remember the students and teachers in your prayers.  Our hearts our with them ... and in one week, we will join them on this journey.  Praise the Lord.

Can't drive it over an ocearn ... Erika's Jeep Liberty FOR SALE!!!!

        Well, it's time for us to sell my car, naturally -- since we're moving across an ocean. (I wish it could float though!) This Liberty has been a GREAT car for me.  It has been totally reliable and comfortable -- drives smoothly, air conditioner works great, perfect size.

        Please spread the word to your friends that we're trying (ideally) to sell my car before we move to the Dominican on September 29th.  The car currently resides with us in Waco.  (But we could possibly bring it to DFW or Austin if the buyer is certain.)  If you aren't "the one" to buy it, please pray that someone will!  Thanks everyone.   Hope you had a great weekend.

(more pictures below)

2002 Jeep Liberty Sport

V6

2WD

94,600 Miles

Grille guard

CD player

Alloy wheels

Theft recovery system

Power windows and locks

Key-less entry

Cruise control

New brakes (Jan. 09)

New tires (2007)

$7,500 

Contact: erikalayne22@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

A Glimpse at the Makarios School ...

  

 We were so excited to arrive at the Makarios school for the first time.  

Here is a picture of Chris unloading the truck in front of the school 

... beautiful color yellow (my favorite)

This is the new addition to the school that will allow for 

two new classes of kids!  

Now there are two school buildings right next to each other. So much hard work went into building this wonderful building.  Such a blessing. 

We had a parent/staff meeting for people who were interested in enrolling their children in the school.  It was a packed house!  Praise the Lord!  Classes will start next week.

... We can't tell you enough how excited we are about what is ahead.  

 We are completely honored to join the staff.  We LOVED getting to meet them and can not wait to return to join the Makarios family. 
We love them all so much already. 

Friends, thank you for rejoicing with us!

Love,

Erika

We're Movin' to the DR!

Hello Friends!  We hope you are well.  We are so excited to share some great news with you.  Some of you may have received similar information in a letter, but here it is (again) … Love y’all!

Our Journey

When we met each other two years ago, one of the things that united our hearts was our passion to see the Lord’s name lifted high around the world and to see justice prevail for the poor and the oppressed.  Both as single people and now as a married couple, we have professed to God our willingness to GO (or stay) where He would lead us. The call to GO has come quickly for us!  And we are overjoyed.  

We have known about the ministry of Makarios in the Dominican Republic for a few years, but this summer we learned about the opening for the position of “Host Couple”.  Since our lives and our hearts were certainly open, we began exploring the opportunity and talking with many of our friends who have visited Makarios in the Dominican.  During the days and weeks to come, we spent our time praying and thinking, discussing and being silent, facing our fears and laying them before God.  Ultimately, we wanted to trust Him to lead us to a wise and faithful decision.   And of course, He answered our prayers!  Now, we have a profound peace that we are to GO.

Makarios

Our hearts have connected with the mission of Makarios. Makarios International is a grassroots organization that is well known within Austin – thanks to its connection with a popular and progressive coffee house on South Congress (Dominican Joe).  To give you a little more context, Makarios’ work is located in some of poorest areas (known as “bateyes”) along the northern coast of the Dominican Republic.  Makarios created a school that serves Haitian and Dominican children.  Most of the children’s parents work in the sugarcane fields for a very low wage.

“...But we’re newlyweds!”

We must be honest. We were very cautious to move internationally as newlyweds. We questioned if we were fools to consider it.  After praying and seeking wise counsel, we now hold tight to the truth that obedience is never foolish.  We hope that our ministry toward each other as husband and wife will always be an outpouring to the world – starting in year one.

Almost time to go!

So, if you’re wondering about our timeline: It’s a tight one. We traveled to the Dominican Republic for a staff training from August 30^th to September 5^th (… We will soon blog about our great week there!) During the past week we moved our things from Austin to Waco, where we will live with Erika’s parents until we depart in just two weeks.  Our two year commitment in the Dominican Republic begins on September 29, 2009.  It’s coming up quickly!

Thank you for journeying with us!  Your prayers and support are treasures to us.

With faith and love,

Chris and Erika Snapp   

 

Photo by: Audrey Strauss (Makarios Intern)