Wait… Summer’s over?

“A compassionate doctor has traveled deep into the jungle to provide medical care to a primitive tribe afflicted with a contagious disease. He has had his medical equipment flown in. He has correctly diagnosed the problem, and the antibiotics are prepared and avail-able. He is independently wealthy and has no need of any kind of financial compensation. But as he seeks to provide care, the afflicted refuse. They want to take care of themselves. They want to heal on their own terms. Finally, a few brave young men step forward to receive the care being freely provided. What does the doctor feel? Joy. His joy increases to the degree that the sick come to him for help and healing. It's the whole reason he came. How much more if the diseased are not strangers but his own. family? So with us, and so with Christ. He does not get flustered and frustrated when we come to him for fresh forgiveness…”

— Dane C. Ortlund

12 August 2025

First day of school!

And…. just like that summer is over and so is the first day of my eighth year teaching. Life really is a whirlwind!

Speaking of a whirlwind… my summers always end up that way and this one was certainly no different. I did my best to fit in as much as possible this summer! Are you ready for the recap?

Here it goes…

I returned to Virginia in early June, following Summit camp at IAS in Guatemala. In between all the “stateside things” (eye exam, passport renewal, visa appointments, etc.) I was able to pick up a little side work (Thank you Andy Bryan!) which helped me stay afloat financially while back in the land of the dollar. Next up was a trip to Frisco, TX with a group of young adults from my home church (Eastlake Community Church) in Virginia. We were sent to encourage and help out the body at Connect Church Frisco. We also got to enjoy a bit of site seeing as well. Next time you’re in Frisco be sure to swing by Hutchins BBQ if you want some fantastic grub! After returning from Texas, I regrouped and packed for two more trips. Loaded up the car and drove to Nashville, Tn where I would then fly to Fairbanks, AK to meet my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces! A few days later, the rest of my family joined us and we made our way 9 hours south to the Kenai Peninsula for some camping and salmon fishing. This was such a great trip and I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to see family! I flew out of Anchorage and made my way back to Nashville where I picked up my car, showered at a local Planet Fitness (the good old nomad life), and visited Church of the City in Franklin, TN thanks to a friend’s recommendation. Next was the 1.5hr drive to Sewanee, TN which I would call home for the next two weeks. I worked as an assistant camp director with Signature Sports Camps for the second summer in a row. This is always a great opportunity to continue working with students and earn a little extra cash while I’m at it. Back in Virginia (for literally one day), I had the privilege to be in the wedding of former students of mine. Congratulations Jaxon and Addie Hill!! The morning after the wedding I missed my alarm and woke up to a phone call from the friend that I was supposed to pick up an hour earlier… Yeahh… They’re very patient with me. Once I finally rallied and got where I was supposed to be, we loaded up my friend’s truck with the surfboards and took off for our 4th annual OBX trip! This trip is such a valuable one for me. I get to go with my childhood friends, their kids, and the new friends we’ve made along the way. This would bring my hectic… wait do I call this vacation? Anyway… it came to an end. I returned to Virginia one last time and packed up for the trip back to Guatemala. Roughly a week later? That would be today and I am now one day into the 2025-2026 school year.

I am so thankful for every opportunity I was blessed to partake in this summer! I am excited for the upcoming year. I am praying for all to come and I trust God has big plans for it.

Thank you for joining me!

Hang in there & Vive sin miedo,

— Mackell Phillips

My first IAS Summit Camp

Loved it!

I had the opportunity to take some engagement photos for my younger sister and her fiancé.

Congratulations Gracie and Ethan!!

The Texas team!

I’m telling you.. Hutchins is THE PLACE!

Phillips fam in Alaska!!

Time with my nieces…

is time very well spent!

The Signature Sports Camp crew this year!

I did my best to keep running when I could!

Congratulations to the Hills!!

OBX: Season 4 baby!

Ran into 4 more former student in the OBX… Have I really been teaching that long.. wow

Finding all the adventures since we were little! Much respect for this guy! Thankful to call him a friend! Thanks for the good times Ethan!

Latest from the blog

Tue, Jun 03

To the Class of 2025

You’ve made it this far!! But this is only the beginning!

You’re all entering a brand new part of life! New stages of life are simultaneously sad and exciting and terrifying! You have likely already

Prayer Requests

Continued financial provision
Improved health. I have unfortunately been quite sick since returning to Guatemala.
Wisdom in leading student as we start this new year
Daily energy in the pursuit of holiness
The patience to wait a listen for God’s direction and timing
To be used by God for His glory and not mine
The right people to fill open position at IAS

Praises

For such an amazing summer
A fresh school year
Blessed with new housing this year
Blessed with transportation this year

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What I’m reading right now…

The Consequences of Ideas —

“Sproul's survey of the ongoing impact of history's most influential philosophies urges readers to take prevailing cultural mind-sets seriously… because ideas do have consequences.

The greatest thinkers of all time are impacting us still. From public-policy decisions and current laws to world events, theology, the arts, education, and even conversations between friends, history's most influential philosophies have wrought massive consequences on nearly everything we see, think, and do.

Thus it is critical for Christians to understand the ideas that are shaping them. The greater their familiarity with the streams of thought that have saturated Western culture through the ages, the greater their ability to influence this culture for Christ.

With The Consequences of Ideas, R. C. Sproul expertly leads the way for thoughtful readers. Tracing the contours of Western philosophy from the ancients to the molders of modern and postmodern thought-including Plato, Aquinas, Descartes, Kant, and Freud-Sproul proves that ideas are not just passing fads; they endure for generations to come and demand our serious attention.”

The road to 1000mi (1609.34km)

I have in fact gotten behind. I did what I could between flights this past couple of months, but it was difficult to maintain with all the changes. On top of the travels, I’ve been sick and it is making it very tough to catch back up, but there is still time and I have hope I’ll bounce back!

Connect on Strava