09/30/24
Mackenzie_Latin-America_Sept2024.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. September 2024 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean My sister’s wedding pictures are in, and I can’t stop gushing over them. Above, the bridal party celebrates with the happy couple at the Muny box office in Forest Park. Photo credit: Black Tie…
03/22/24
Mackenzie_Latin-America_Home-Service-2024-2.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. Home Service 2024 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean In my element: planning, planning, planning (in this case, for the Peru Lutheran Mission’s first national youth retreat). Thanks to volunteer team member Jana for the candid photo 🙂 In this issue: We’re…
01/08/24
Mackenzie_Latin-America_Jan2024.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. Please download my January newsletter for updates on what’s happening in the Latin America-Caribbean region!
12/13/23
Mackenzie_Latin-America_Dec2023.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. December 2023 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean “What hope! An Eden prophesied Where tame live with the wild; The lamb and lion side by side, led by a little child! –LSB 342:1 My 2023 Advent “wreath”: Pillars – moving sale (DR) +…
09/19/23
Mackenzie_Latin-America_Sept2023.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. September 2023 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Currently booking home service engagements between March 6 and May 4, 2024! Reach out to see whether I’ll be in your area if your congregation, school, campus ministry, Bible study, mission board, Men’s Club, or the…
08/09/23
Mackenzie_Latin-America_August2023.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. August 2023 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean My next home service is scheduled for March 6 – May 4, 2024. More information on how to schedule a speaking engagement or other event will be forthcoming. Yup, that’s us, crazy fan hair and…
03/15/23
Mackenzie_Latin-America_Mar2023.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. March 2023 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES: (Click the images below for more details.) I’m starting to think Himnario Luterano dedications are like ceremonial “first” pitches at baseball games – I’ve been on hand for at least three – but…
12/15/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_Dec2022.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. December 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Happy Christmas from Heroes Square, George Town, Grand Cayman…in front of the George Town Public Library! Photo credit: Heidi Paul. In this issue: Ancient arithmetic. How many instances of peace can you pick out in the hymns and…
09/26/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_Sept2022.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. September/October 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean These are my people. In this issue: Anyone else’s mind immediately jump to Rikki-Tikki-Tavi? I can’t talk about fauna and not flora! A Misión milestone Prayer requests for those within and outside the household of fait. …
08/24/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_Aug2022.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. August 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Last Sunday’s (al fresco, because we couldn’t get into any of the school classrooms…) Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios council meeting. Church activities are picking back up after a summer lull: Spanish and English Bible…
08/19/22
2022 | Quarter 3 Upcoming FOROs: September 9-11, 2022, Santiago, DR Contact LAC regional Volunteer Coordinator Erin Mackenzie with questions or for more information. SUPPORT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LUTHERAN MISSION Spotlight: Missions Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios in Licey al Medio has had a relationship with two outlying communities, Los Callejones and Villa Dura, for several years now. In between seasons of regular activity,…
07/05/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_July2022B.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. July 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Can you do the math? That’s 105!!! In this issue: how you can help fill a mission-critical role that’s been vacant far too long; what whether you had chilaquiles or Cheerios for breakfast this morning…
06/29/22
June 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Beautiful blooms spotted at Santiago’s botanical garden, my daily haunt. In this issue (besides a new look): What makes the “excellent wife” of Proverbs 31 so excellent? Latin America & the Caribbean’s life initiative is…live. Cue eye roll… ‘Tis the season to be…connecting with LAC missionary…
05/26/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_May2022.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. May 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean It’s a historic day in LAC! Following an opening worship service featuring the dedication of Himnario Luterano, “a hymnal by the Latin American church for the Latin American church” (Rev. Cristian Rautenberg), the Rev. Joel…
04/28/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_Apr2022.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. April 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean I played chauffer for April’s first Sunday youth activity by bringing these lovely ladies from Palmar Arriba to Pueblo Nuevo, DR. As the effort to gather Dominican youth & young adults around God’s Word gains…
04/01/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_Mar2022.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. March 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean I’m saved and I know it…Amen! My prayer is that the same is true for the students at Concordia Lutheran School in Palmar Arriba, DR, after an hour each day of Jesus songs (in English,…
03/02/22
Mackenzie_Dominican-Republic_Feb2022.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. February 2022 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean A seminarian, a short-term volunteer, three missionaries, and an accompanying spouse walk (more like dart to escape the pouring rain) into Doña Maritza’s outdoor living space…to share God’s Word and pray with her on a recent…
11/11/21
News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Download my November 2021 Newsletter (PDF) In this issue: A home service summary you can count on. Freddy makes a cameo! Celebrating a decade of Christlike care for six youth with IDD. How to pray specifically for my colleagues and I (spoiler alert: baby fever!). Until…
02/15/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Transition, Transition Posted: 13 Feb 2021 05:55 PM PST The Wildauers are en route to Belize as I write this. What joy that on pandemic day 333, the Lord of the Church is sending new workers into His harvest field. But wait. They were a part of the DR family…of the Cerro Alto family…and…
02/15/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Taco Tuesday Posted: 08 Feb 2021 04:00 PM PST I had last week’s Taco Tuesday leftovers for dinner tonight. Not just any Taco Tuesday, though – a new recipe (shocking!) bookended by some antics with the Krey kids. I don’t know what it is about these giant letters, but they’re fast becoming a thing…
02/05/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Whale Hello There Posted: 27 Jan 2021 06:00 PM PST Check “whale watching” off my DR bucket list. It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I learned that humpback whales swim 7000 km. from their feeding grounds off the coast of eastern Canada, northern New England, Greenland, and Norway to mate and calve…
02/05/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Meeting in the Middle Posted: 23 Jan 2021 02:26 PM PST Ain’t no road too long when we (my brother & sister-in-law and I) meet in the middle! Kyle and his wife Chelsey are vacationing in Punta Cana this week. Lest we be in the same country and not see each other, we made…
02/05/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The Swing of Things Posted: 18 Jan 2021 05:55 PM PST If I’ve been quiet as of late, it’s because I’m “back in the swing of things.” Have you ever thought about that phrase? Is it a baseball reference? Sometimes you whiff; sometimes you hear a satisfying crack and start your home run trot?…
02/05/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Thirteen’s Not a Crowd Posted: 10 Jan 2021 08:20 AM PST When you’re at the Krey beach house, that is. The Kreys, being some of the most hospitable people I know, extended an open invitation to a number of us single missionaries to join them for any portion of their annual post-Christmas/New Year’s beach…
02/05/21
mackenzie_dominican-republic_jan2021.pdf Click icon to open, read, download or print file. January 2021 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Watch for more details regarding my 2021 home service plans soon. Starting January 18, UN-pack your bags and set off on a global trek. A different global region will be highlighted each…
02/05/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie …and to all a good night! Posted: 31 Dec 2020 02:12 PM PST True to my word in my December newsletter (with a couple of additions since), I give you my 2020…in beds. I’d like to preface this by saying it was supposed to be more exciting. I was supposed to spend many a night on a bunk…
01/29/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Drifting Away Posted: 19 Dec 2020 02:53 PM PST Party #2 (hosting) and #3 (attending) of the aforementioned most wonderful week of the year, coming at ‘ya. About every month or so, the DR missionary ladies & others who bless and support the mission in various ways (Spanish teachers, office staff) try and get…
01/29/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas Tree Posted: 15 Dec 2020 06:00 AM PST Growing up, my family always had a live Christmas tree until one year, I came home from college for Christmas break to my parents’ new, pre-lit, fake tree. Yes, the imposters are highly practical, but no tree in nature is THAT perfectly…
01/29/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The Omission of Emissions Posted: 04 Dec 2020 11:14 AM PST I successfully completed my car registration today! I know, who cares, right? It’s one of those cultural moments I can’t pass up, though: the process is vastly different than in the US. Proof of vehicle registration here is called a Marbete (a Spanish…
01/29/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Havin’ a Tropical Thanksgiving Posted: 30 Nov 2020 11:19 AM PST Growing up, one of the Christmas albums that played often in our house contained the Bellamy Brothers’ song Tropical Christmas. The song references such activities as “decorat[ing] the palm tree,” “mingl[ing] ornaments with coconut lights,” and “build[ing] a snowman in sand.” All day…
01/29/21
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Welcome to the Mid-thirties Posted: 21 Nov 2020 03:12 PM PST I’m in my mid-thirties now. I’ll let you figure out what that means, other than that Thursday, day 247, was my birthday. Thanks to many of you and your well-wishes from afar, I had a lovely celebration of God’s abundant grace and favor…
11/11/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Tarde de Chipas Posted: 08 Nov 2020 04:04 PM PST “We need to have a tarde de chipas sometime so you can teach us how to make these,”… …said EVERYONE, EVERY time Lilian, wife of Rev. Sergio Fritzler, brought her famous chipas to any kind of team potluck or party, from when I arrived on…
11/05/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Whisking You a Happy Halloween Posted: 02 Nov 2020 02:22 PM PST After a joyous observation of the Reformation in each of the DRLM mission congregations nearly a week before October 31, the DR missionary team shamelessly gathered for a Halloween party: pumpkin-themed crafts, costume contest, the whole nine yards. I can’t remember how…
11/05/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie One and Done Posted: 01 Nov 2020 10:44 AM PST This week’s accomplishments: Module 1 of ESL and Unit 1 (and now 2) of ESL training. On Monday and Wednesday, Courtney and I gave our students in Licey and Palmar, respectively, certificates of completion. They really don’t mean much other than that all of…
11/05/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Spontenai-Tuesday Posted: 29 Oct 2020 06:39 AM PDT The last appointment on my calendar for day 224 was Poetry Teatime. I’m sure it’s gotten a mention on here before: every other Tuesday afternoon, missionary kids and kids at heart gather at the Warren house; everyone either brings a poem or comes five minutes early…
11/05/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Back in the Student Chair Posted: 24 Oct 2020 04:40 PM PDT Courtney, Kelsey, Jess, and I ended a morning hike by sitting here for a bit today – wondering if it’d work to record the sound of the rushing water, observing how quickly the clouds were moving, and wishing we knew more about…
10/21/20
October 2020 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean I’m presently making plans to be in the US during the spring of 2021. More details coming soon! LAST CHANCE! Signup deadline: November 4 Experience the ongoing work of the DRLM through an immersive online experience. This innovating, 5-day program…
10/21/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie There Aren’t Any Apostrophes in Spanish Posted: 12 Oct 2020 06:50 PM PDT ¡Feliz día de la raza! Happy Columbus Day, observed here as “Indigenous Peoples Day.” And by observed, I mean I watched day 209 go by like any other Monday of late, meaning it included English class in Licey. How’s teaching going,…
10/20/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie My Dam Weekend Posted: 04 Oct 2020 05:45 PM PDT I explored some uncharted territory last weekend: the presa. My friend Kelsey talks about her boyfriend Franco’s grandma’s house there often; after having been invited along for a quick overnight, I finally know what she’s talking about. Presa means “dam,” and it turns out…
09/30/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Just call me Ms. Mackenzie Posted: 27 Sep 2020 04:43 PM PDT OK maybe not yet, but after many an answered prayer for Courtney’s and my first day as English teachers in the 2 DRLM Lutheran schools, I owe you a recap. Both Monday and Wednesday were far less stressful than anticipated. We didn’t…
09/30/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie A Week in the [Pandemic] Life: Part II Posted: 23 Sep 2020 08:00 PM PDT Wednesday, September 16 6:00 am Left for the botanical garden. 7:19 am Came home to this sunrise view from my balcony. It’s my favorite spot in the house, especially on evenings when there’s a breeze. 8:57 am Dryers are…
09/30/20
September 2020 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Due to COVID-19, my home service plans are on pause indefinitely. Learn more about the above (plus other current opportunities and future opportunities as more become available) at lcms.org/servenow. Close, But no Cigar It’s been a long 6+ months; oh, how I…
09/30/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie A Week in the [Pandemic] Life, Part I Posted: 20 Sep 2020 06:06 PM PDT At almost every missionary presentation I give, someone inevitably asks, “What’s a typical day/week like?” The honest answer is that there is no such thing. But I was determined to go beyond that. I’m almost always busy doing…what? It’s…
09/30/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Like, TOTally Posted: 17 Sep 2020 06:09 PM PDT Tuesday (day 189) was my first day of CHE TOT1! Before I go on, let’s back the acronym train up. CHE = Community Health Evangelism* [or Education, in sensitive areas]. Lest you, like me, erroneously think CHE is an organization, get that out of your…
09/30/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie What did I just agree to? Posted: 12 Sep 2020 03:50 PM PDT Evidently, teaching English. As of the would-be first day of school, I could have counted the total enrollment at both DRLM Lutheran schools on my hands. Much prayerful deliberation led to the decision to postpone the start of the academic year….
09/09/20
August 2020 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in Latin America & the Caribbean Due to COVID-19, my home service plans are on pause indefinitely. “When peace like a river attendeth my way / When sorrows like sea billows roll / Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say / It is well, it…
09/08/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The Library Lowdown Posted: 05 Sep 2020 06:12 PM PDT Welcome to today’s edition of blogging between games of a Cardinals doubleheader. I’ve mentioned the seminary library and working in said library often over the past couple months. I’m on a bit of a hiatus for the moment but thought it high time to…
09/03/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Don’t Forget Fall Posted: 01 Sep 2020 04:55 PM PDT Happy September! Today’s high was 85, but I have decided that it’s the official start of fall in Santiago. Given that the first signs of Christmas will start popping up in a month or so, can I please just have the next 30 days…
08/25/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie It’s like raaa-a-ain on your wedding day… Posted: 24 Aug 2020 01:40 PM PDT …which is bound to happen, if you get married in the tropics in the middle of hurricane season. Thanks, Laura. Tropical storm notwithstanding, Jamielynn and Rafa finally tied the knot. The road to the altar was anything but easy. Due to…
08/25/20
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Work Up North Posted: 21 Aug 2020 06:11 PM PDT One of my missionary colleagues has a section in each of his newsletters entitled “Work Up North.” (He divides his time between Ascension Lutheran Church, a multicultural SELC congregation in Montreal, and several Caribbean islands, so there’s another section entitled – you guessed it…