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Missions Update on the Mackey's |
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Dear Pastor Todd and Calvary EFC,
Thank you so much for all of the help you have been to us
in our transition from the pastorate to mission work in the
Dominican Republic. Specifically, we want to thank you for
the team that recently came here. They made a great impact
here, both to Iglesia Nueva Vida and to us. In many ways it
felt like we had been fighting a battle and our resources were
depleting and then in the distance, we heard the trumpet call
of the reinforcements that are coming. In the old days...it
was called "the cavalry.” And they charged in and gave help
where it was needed. We felt
blessed to have the “Calvary
Cavalry" here!
In a church meeting at
Nueva Vida a week ago, I was
impressed as Pastor Bill talked
about some of the ways he felt
challenged by things that the
Calvary group had done and
said. In the past, I have heard
many from Calvary talk about
how the trip has changed them
(they say they received more
than they gave). Now it was
good to hear a little about how
the trip helps to change things
here.
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Rick, Becky, Ben, and Elena Mackey
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Personally, we were able to move into our house on the
second Wednesday that the team was here. While I was
working with Pastor Dave Genberg to move our things, a
group from Calvary painted almost the entire inside of our
house. It made a huge difference, turning a nice house that
needed some care, into a fresh and inviting house. Becky
and I could not believe the change and still look at the walls
and thank God for Calvary. In addition, a ceiling fan was
hung, a shelf was added in our kitchen cabinet and a shelf
was built outside for our inverter. These are things that
eventually I could have done, but really needed to be done
sooner than later. It was a blessing to have the team for many
of these physical things.
Even more than the physical things, thank you for the
emotional support we received. Many, many talks. Many,
many people just listening and letting us talk about some of
our joys and challenges along the way.
It was very hard to see the team go. And in the days after
they left, we felt stunned - kind of like...what just happened?
I described it as mourning a big loss. Calvary EFC is a special
family and we miss the daily interaction.
You may wonder what we are doing now. Right now, my
focus in on continuing to learn Spanish. This past week, I
found a teacher and started meeting daily with her. Already
I feel she has helped me grow in my confidence. In addition
to meeting with a teacher and my study outside of class, I
am looking for places to volunteer so that I can practice and
"challenge" my Spanish. For
example, tonight I will attend
the Iglesia Nueva Vida's youth
meeting. In just this past week,
I feel encouraged and feel my
level of confidence growing.
We are continuing to get
settled. We love where we
live, but have found that water
is very limited. So we are
learning to conserve water.
Things are good and we are
learning and adjusting. We all
are so thankful to be in a place
we can make into a home. It is
a blessing.
We are so thankful for you and the people at Calvary. May
the Lord continue to bless you in all you do, your ministries
in Rochester and around the world. May God be glorified
in all.
Love,
Rick and Becky Mackey
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 12 August 2007 )
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Missionary Updates 
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