Weaving ALL Things Together

(4 Minute Read)

Have you ever had one of those moments where it seems like God suddenly brings everything together, but when you look a little more closely you can see that in reality, God had been weaving it together for years?

This is exactly how we’ve been feeling over this past year. We’ve been in an almost constant state of awe as we begin to see threads God has been weaving together to prepare us for our next chapter as a school. Many of the threads go back DECADES and are now coming together to provide exactly what’s needed.

You most likely know about the new land and how the Lord is weaving together the location with the incredible half-million-dollar challenge gift to secure the title.

One area that you might not be aware of is how God has also been weaving together the leaders Doulos will need to guide the school into its next chapter.

Let’s start with Josh, our Executive Director. He and his wife, Tammy, first came to serve in the DR in 2003 with a different ministry here in Jarabacoa. From there they went back to the States to start a camp for people with special needs. During that time God greatly equipped them as leaders. Then the Lord called them back to the DR, and later to Doulos where Josh began serving as the Dean of Students. In that role, he got to know all the students and their parents before he became the Director of Operations, where he learned the ins and outs of running the logistics of the school. Finally, in God’s timing and equipping, he became the Executive Director.

Then there’s Megan, our School Director, she did her student teaching at Santiago Christian School where she served for 4 years before moving back to the United States with her husband. Later, God called their family back to the DR and Megan has been working part-time for years supporting our students and teachers. This year, with her family in a different season, she’s ready to serve full-time.

Not to mention Amber, our Operations Director. As she was finishing up her teaching degree at Texas A&M, she met Krista Wallace at a recruiting fair, learned about Doulos, and followed God’s call to be the middle school science teacher for four years. As a teacher, she developed a first-hand understanding of what conditions teachers and students need to thrive. She now brings that understanding and her organizational gifts to lead the operations side of our school.

Together these three make up the school’s Executive Leadership Team, and we are so grateful for the skills and passion God has brought to Doulos through them…. But it doesn't stop there! Each person is uniquely equipped to do exactly what’s needed.

Michael Buehler coaching and equipping the teachers
Laurie Majcher leading discipline and heart change in students
Nelly Roberts and Lucy Lara diligently maintaining compliance with the district
Kristen Del Toro innovating intervention and the motor lab
Susana Ospina and her team in the counseling department
Lane Hadley using Athletics to disciple and mature the students
Andy Langenfeld’s creative spark and background in communications
Miguel Morel’s skills in maintenance and BIG heart for discipleship
Tim Stanley’s gifts for relationships and connection
Acarey Rosa-Hadley with her Masters of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Global Public Health
Joe Kraudel with his passion and expertise in outdoor education

The list goes on and on and we haven’t even mentioned teachers! But, each thread is woven in just the right place. (You can see the full staff list here)

As we stand back and look at the beautiful tapestry God is weaving together, we stand in awe and excitement. We know that God is at work guiding and equipping Doulos to step into its next chapter.

This fall each of us has the chance to make a LASTING difference in the future of Doulos.

Thanks to an incredible "Challenge Gift," if we can put this puzzle together, they will match it!
332 pieces at $1,500US each = owning the land of our future home.
Let's all get ready to do our part in putting this puzzle together.

Learn More

August's Highlights

Staff Training

We strive for intention and unity as we bring God’s vision for Doulos to life. This is so important to us that we take two weeks each summer to make sure we’re aligned, inspired, and ready for God’s work.

Start of School

At Doulos, we really like each other. So each year it’s just nice to see everyone again.

Executive Leadership Team

The “ELT” will be working closely together to lead the three critical areas of Doulos: Josh - Executive Director, Megan - School Director, Amber - Operations Director

Intervention Team

To continue to adjust to our students' needs, the intervention team is bigger and more integrated than ever. They are providing cognitive training to over 25 students a day, emotional mentorship, academic support, a variety of coping tools such as flexible seating and fidgets and nutritional coaching.

You’ll notice that our numbers are very different than last month. This happens each year with the graduation of the seniors and a new Pre-K3 class.

Please join us in praying for...

New students - Each year we are honored to welcome students who transfer into Doulos. We do all we can to support them, but it’s not easy to start at a new school. Please keep them in your prayers.

North American New Staff - The transition from North America to the DR is a LONG one with lots of ups and downs. Please pray that God will draw close in the hills and the valleys.

The 332 Piece Puzzle- Please join us in praying that God will move the hearts of the exact people God would like to be involved.

Athletics - Please pray for the athletes and their coaches as they get used to the schedule, and get ready for competition. We pray that the Lord will prepare them to seek first His kingdom in everything they do.

August 2023