New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The I of the Storm Posted: 30 Jul 2020 06:02 PM PDT Greetings from the middle of Isaias, 2020’s first tropical cyclonic activity in the Atlantic Basin that’s posed any threat to the DR. Firstly, thanks be to the God, all LAC missionaries are safe. If you’ve been following the LAC Facebook page, you…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie MAN, I could GO for a Mango Posted: 28 Jul 2020 06:28 AM PDT Day: 140. Summer reading program pages logged: 3,045. New mango recipes attempted in the past two weeks: 7. It all started when missionary colleagues Jonathan & Cheryl gifted me a plastic grocery bag full of mangoes from the trees (yes,…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Phase ??? Posted: 21 Jul 2020 06:17 PM PDT And on day 133…curfew is back with a vengeance. The language of phases seems to have vanished from the vernacular, but between the economic sector reopening, campaign rallies leading up to election day, and Dominicans heading to the polls on July 5, the COVID-19 situation…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Bienvenidas y Despedidas Posted: 15 Jul 2020 10:21 AM PDT Update: 53 library books cataloged Monday + 34 yesterday. Yes, I went back…this is exactly the kind of thing I have a tendency to dive headfirst into… About Sunday, though. I left Costambar a few minutes after 9 am and arrived early for Pueblo Nuevo’s…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Vitamin Sea Posted: 13 Jul 2020 09:04 AM PDT At one time, I was considering making a packing list template in Excel that I could print 4 or 6 to a page and use instead of scrawling the same items on a Post-It note whenever I travel. Before I could get around to it, though,…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Christmas in July Posted: 05 Jul 2020 04:23 PM PDT I’ve never understood the notion of “Christmas in July.” I think it’s mainly another reason for retailers to have sales, as if they need one, but why not Christmas in June, which would be exactly six months from December? Never mind, though . Yesterday, July…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Channeling My Inner Grade Schooler Posted: 29 Jun 2020 12:54 PM PDT I’m supposed to be in Peru right now in between two short-term teams, and the first native Peruvian Lutheran pastor was supposed to have been ordained yesterday. At least, I had an extended trip to Lima, with an unprecedented ordination as its…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The Cloud Posted: 23 Jun 2020 12:45 PM PDT I didn’t need my sunglasses on this morning’s run. Nope, a Saharan Dust Plume made sure of that. We’re inside a cloud! The particles that regularly accumulate on basically any horizontal surface is my house originate in the Sahara (how else to you think tropical storms…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Phase 2.5 Posted: 18 Jun 2020 11:00 AM PDT The DR was supposed to move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 yesterday. Instead, here we sit on day 93 having failed to meet whatever would have triggered the transition. The government will reevaluate things early next week. In the meantime, authorities will be cracking down…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Enter His Courts with Praise Posted: 08 Jun 2020 06:54 PM PDT I WENT TO CHURCH YESTERDAY (day 82). After a nearly three month hiatus, Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios held in-person corporate worship, with Holy Communion. You better believe I was in the “pew” (plastic chair) and at the altar. I even remembered…
June 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. #coronastyle walks made a resurgence when curfew was pushed back from 5 pm to 7 pm. Here, we’re checking out the house a fellow missionary family will be moving into soon. Virus or…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Phase 2 Posted: 06 Jun 2020 02:02 PM PDT Happy Saturday (day 81), friends. Sometimes, my blog posts merit an apology due to photo overload. This one merits the opposite. You’ve already seen much of what has graced my computer screen during COVID-19, but I can think of two virtual engagements within the past…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Phase 1 Posted: 27 May 2020 06:11 PM PDT Greetings in the name of our crucified, risen, and now ASCENDED Lord. On Thursday, I attended a TRI-lingual Ascension Day service organized by my missionary colleague Rev. Charles St-Onge. Charles lives in Montreal, Quebec, where he pastors a multicultural SELC congregation coincidentally called Ascension when…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie I Lost at Tic-tac-toe Posted: 08 May 2020 10:04 AM PDT To a cat. I successfully recreated a Facebook video of someone playing tic-tac-toe with a cat (by placing cat treats in each square), and Freddy beat me without my even realizing it at first! Sheltering in place for 51 days has made us…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie A Win Posted: 28 Apr 2020 06:51 PM PDT Today marked a major corona win! In light of the changes that COVID-19 has brought to our world, the Short-term Coordinator workgroup put our heads together to come up with virtual service opportunities and voila, the English conversation partner project – pairing stateside volunteers with…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie O Lord, throughout These Forty Days Posted: 27 Apr 2020 01:03 PM PDT In the story of Noah and the Flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mt. Sinai prior to receiving the Ten Commandments. The twelve spies scouted out the land of Canaan…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Together in Spirit [Week] Posted: 24 Apr 2020 01:09 PM PDT It’s the last day of spirit week in LAC. Yep, just like the days leading up to those pep rallies in grade school and high school: a different dress-up prompt each day, with photos shared throughout the day on our regional WhatsApp group…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Bring It On, Month 2 Posted: 20 Apr 2020 01:49 PM PDT It sounds like something from the Old Testament: On the third day of the second month… Yes, we are on day 34 of sheltering in place by my count. Time has become a blur. All of sudden it’s possible to reference something that…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Jesus Still Rose Posted: 13 Apr 2020 09:57 AM PDT My pre-curfew walk yesterday featured two (welcome!) interruptions from fellow missionaries (I still made it home at 4:52 pm…eight minutes to spare!) – first bearing fresh flowers as a thank-you for technical assistance with MailChimp and then a hand-drawn missionary kid masterpiece with these…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The Store Posted: 10 Apr 2020 03:25 PM PDT It’s go time, people! When living abroad as a foreign missionary, it’s perfectly acceptable to consider grocery shopping your accomplishment for the day. During a pandemic…I’ve got to be covered productivity-wise for at least a week. Yesterday, I braved my first store run since we…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Picking up the Pieces Posted: 08 Apr 2020 05:34 PM PDT Puzzle #1 ✔ I promised a photo sequence in my last post, so here goes: Sunday, 3:51 pm Sunday, 8:12 pm Monday, 9:32 pm Tuesday, 5:31 pm Tuesday, 8:06 pm Before the big reveal, can I just say that I’ve been looking at…
April 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. My first time lapse video (#thingsivelearnedwhileshelteringinplace): lettering Matthew 17:20: He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Having a Tropical Palm Sunday Posted: 06 Apr 2020 05:34 PM PDT Forget printable palm branches; I’d been scouting out the neighborhood for a week to find the ideal variety! I ushered in Holy Week with a triple header of Palm Sunday worship opportunities. 1. A pre-recorded service from my home church in St….
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The Twelve Days of Sheltering in Place Posted: 29 Mar 2020 05:58 PM PDT On the first day of sheltering in place, my true love gave to me…one mask required to shop at Bravo (one of Santiago’s grocery store chains). Nacional, where I usually go, is taking temperatures before letting people in. (I’m still going…
Greetings! First and foremost, know that our prayers are with each of you during this challenging, uncertain time. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). Thank you for your prayers on behalf of the faithful laborers around the…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Living my Best Virtual Life Posted: 22 Mar 2020 11:09 AM PDT I was supposed to pick up a short-term team today at 12:02 am. Instead, after a rough day or two of adjusting, I’m over here living my best virtual life. The president of the DR addressed the populace on Tuesday night; he…
Thanks for your commitment to LCMS church planting efforts in Lima, and for taking time out of your St. Patrick’s Day for a brief update on how your gifts and prayers are bearing fruit. You’re the pot of gold at the end of our rainbow! Our agenda will be 1. Welcome & Opening Prayer 2. Los Olivos Report –…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie My Corona Posted: 14 Mar 2020 07:36 PM PDT [Here’s a little something for your listening pleasure while you read this since it keeps playing in my head. If no one’s written a parody of it yet, they will, and it’ll go viral.] I remember serving as a GEO missionary in El Paso, TX,…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Assembled as One in the Name of the Son Posted: 07 Mar 2020 05:39 PM PST It’s FORO weekend in the Dominican! Somehow, it feels like the head counts this go-round just kept climbing higher. When you’re in charge (or training your assistant to be in charge) of transportation, meals, setup, nametags, etc….and budgeting…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie A Month Later Posted: 29 Feb 2020 05:19 PM PST Happy Leap Day! Today marks one month and one day since the unthinkable happened less than a block from my front door. Since so many of you continue to check in on me and let me know you’re (still!) praying for me, I’m hopeful…
February 2020 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic "Serving" literally and figuratively while hosting a short-term team in Lima, Peru, last week. The children of Castillo Fuerte, our mercy house in the La Victoria district, frequent a local park and have recently taken up volleyball. Home visits alongside said team and local ministry…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie On Chinos and Chirimoyas Posted: 17 Feb 2020 09:30 PM PST Two of the things I’ve learned so far this week: 1. DON’T try and get across Lima on a Friday afternoon, especially in public transportation. 2. DO peel chirimoya before cooking it. Alongside Assistant Volunteer Coordinator Courtney and Regional Human Life Coordinator Jamielynn,…
Here’s some from the team this week. I took the last two about half an hour ago during a workshop on nutrition, hand washing, dental health, and first aid at a local school – can’t get much more current than that!
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Anything but Plain-O Posted: 11 Feb 2020 10:32 AM PST Last week’s unconventional short-term team was a welcome distraction from ~ recent events ~. I’d also like to point out that this is the first group to come to Santiago for which I didn’t abandon Courtney by leaving the country! Rather, we co-hosted ten…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Books, not Souls Posted: 06 Feb 2020 10:56 AM PST The library at Concordia the Reformer Seminary in Palmar Arriba looks a bit different than it did just shy of a year ago at this time (2/19/19 vs. 1/25/20). After drastic renovations and months of back and forth, a container of books from Theological…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Erin and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Posted: 02 Feb 2020 11:29 AM PST Long story short: I was mugged on Tuesday afternoon. Long story long: I went home for lunch on Tuesday afternoon, worked on my computer at the kitchen table for a bit, then decided it was time to…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Camp Concordia Posted: 27 Jan 2020 04:03 AM PST LAC’s regional team gathers in-person twice each year: in August following our regional conference when we’re all in one place anyway and in January. Historically, the January meeting has been in Santiago, but this year we met in Belize, home of Area Facilitator Herb Burch…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie I Met You in St. Louis Posted: 23 Jan 2020 07:52 AM PST Many of you, anyway! Following my sister’s graduation and a short-term coordinators’ conference in the Czech Republic, I had a solid two weeks in the Lou over Christmas and New Year’s. When I wasn’t worshiping at my home congregation every chance…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie The New Normal Posted: 21 Jan 2020 07:05 AM PST I wasn’t rudely awakened by my bed shaking or window panes rattling last night. If I had anyone to converse with over my Frosted Flakes this morning besides Freddy, I wouldn’t have casually asked if his or her sleep had been interrupted by any…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet Posted: 17 Jan 2020 12:09 PM PST And they’re off (to lead songs, a craft, and a devotion and pass out 75 relief bags at the letras de Ponce)! Below is much of the group that I’ve had the privilege of keeping fed and looked after these…
January 2020 update January 2020 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic Quite possibly the first picture of BOTH of Latin America and the Caribbean’s Volunteer Coordinators, taken while in Belize for a 3-day regional team meeting. Merry Christmas!?! Yes, I wished you a Happy Thanksgiving on Black Friday in my last newsletter. No, I’m…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Hindsight is 20/20 Posted: 01 Jan 2020 04:52 PM PST I’m not normally one to celebrate New Year’s much. Case in point: I went to bed at 9:30 last night. But given that it’s not only a new year but a new decade (I sort of see the argument of you who disagree with…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Pasha, Pasha, Pasha…Short-term Coordinators! Posted: 28 Dec 2019 03:06 PM PST It seems like an odd time for a conference, but for missionaries that work with stateside volunteers, mid-December makes perfect sense. Nine of us gathered in Pisek, Czech Republic, last week for the inaugural Short-term Coordinators conference. Other participants, some of whom I…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie Czeching it Out Posted: 24 Dec 2019 02:43 PM PST Merry Christmas Eve! I went running earlier. Outside. Because it’s in the mid 50s. Tomorrow, St. Louis may come close to breaking the record high for Christmas Day (71), set in 1889. After narrowly missing the first snowfall of the year the day I…
New post from missionary Erin Mackenzie I’ll be in St. Louis for Christmas Posted: 15 Dec 2019 09:00 AM PST I keep hearing the song “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” and wondering if I should be singing along or not. Since I moved to the DR, I’ve been as conscientious as possible about referring to Santiago as home. Studying abroad…
2019 | Quarter 4 The DRLM needs YOU! Click here to view 2020 short-term team opportunities in Santiago and Santo Domingo. On behalf of the LAC region, a team to provide childcare for our 2020 annual conference in Punta Cana is also being sought. Upcoming FOROs: March 2020: Thursday 3/5 – Tuesday 3/10 September 2020 [tentative]: Thursday 9/10 – Tuesday 9/15 …
November/December 2019 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic My network expands as I accompany short-term teams on the field and reinforce relationships with local partners. Pictured: members of a team from Wichita Falls, TX, that served in Peru in November with me (second from left) and Renzo, one of our interpreters (center). Bot…
November/December 2019 update November/December 2019 News from Erin Mackenzie Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic My network expands as I accompany short-term teams on the field and reinforce relationships with local partners. Pictured: members of a team from Wichita Falls, TX, that served in Peru in November with me (second from left) and Renzo, one of our interpreters…
