fall 2014 messenger
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One Life to Live - How do you spell success?TRANSCRIPT
messengerFALL 2014
How do you spell success?
Nick Stinnett and John DeFrain
published the results of an
extensive research project designed to learn more
about the characteristics associated with strong
families (Secrets of Strong Families, NY: Berkley
Books). They identified 3000 strong families
throughout the United States and conducted
extensive interviews with family members. The
families represented a true cross-section of the
population on many dimensions.
After careful analysis, they determined there
were six primary features that strong families
have in common: Commitment, Appreciation,
Communication, Fun Time Together, Coping Ability,
and Spiritual Wellness.
As you read through our Fall Messenger, I am
sure you will be amazed at the stories you read.
These stories are ones of families that are strong Eron Green, President and CEO
in many of the aspects that Stinnett and DeFrain
found through their research. Many children
and families are resilient, but in these complex
times, sometimes they need a little assistance in
overcoming the obstacles in their lives.
Here at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries we
are 100% committed to seeing families become
strong. This is not an overnight process but with
the Lord’s guidance we are able to witness modern
miracles in the lives of those we are fortunate
enough to serve. It is important to point out that
“Spiritual Wellness” means to us a family whose
foundation is firmly planted in our Lord Jesus
Christ. If you are, or know of, a family in need
please do not hesitate to connect with us.
Do You Have a Strong Family?
STCHM is a Texas Baptist agency affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.2 Fall 2014
Family Counseling - Rockport 361.575.5151
Family Counseling - Stockdale 361.575.5151
Family Counseling - Victoria 361.575.5151
Christian Women’s Job Corps - Corpus Christi 361.334.4263
International Ministry - Corpus Christi 361.994.0940
President’s Office and Development 361.375.2417
Homes for Children - Beeville 361.375.2101
Homes for Families - Goliad 361.575.5151
Family Counseling - Corpus Christi 361.991.8680
Family Counseling - Gonzales 361.575.5151
Join us on www.STCHM.org [email protected]
Flynn Cottage – Marshall Ranch Campus
But if you are unwilling to obey the Lord, then decide today whom you will obey...
But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
the mothers and children living on the
campus to see the love and acceptance
of God through the love of other
children in our care.
CrayonS + EnErgy =arT Day!
Every year our STCHM Calendar
brings excitement for kids in our care.
This year we have all new children
at our Marshall Ranch Campus and
they were especially excited to have
an opportunity to participate as well.
Fifteen children gathered around
tables piled high with paper, crayons,
and colored pencils with creativity
that matched their energy. They set
to work and created some amazing
artwork, giving our staff the daunting
task at picking only 12 pieces out of
155 submissions to be included in the
2015 calendar. Along with our Marshall
Ranch Campus, the Boothe Campus
and sponsored children from the
Dominican Republic will be featured in
our calendar.
contentsSTCHM Snapshots
Homes for Families
WE LoVE MarSHaLLranCH CaMpuS!
Our Marshall Ranch Campus has
been given some extra love this
summer thanks to some pretty special
volunteers. During Mission Serve
week and the Vocational Training
Program, kids from our Boothe Campus
volunteered to help staff with some
adventurous and much needed projects.
The children worked alongside staff
cleaning the little chapel with scrub
brushes and soap. Others took on the
huge tasks of mowing and installing
new siding on the office building. With
more projects in the near future, Mike
Perkins, Director of Maintenance shared
“It needs some love, so we are in the
process of upgrading the campus.” We
encourage the children and families we
serve by being examples of our mission
to reach hurting children and families
with God’s love and truth. Working
side-by-side with the children not only
gave them a sense of accomplishment,
but it also served as an opportunity for
www.STCHM.org 3
P3STCHM SnapSHoTS
P4onE LIFE To LIVE
P6CHaraCTEr
P7FroM THE CoCoon
P82015 IS CoMIng...
P9goLF CLaSSIC 2014
P10THanK you
P11TaKIng FLIgHT
P12In HIS TIME
P14TranSForMIng a CoMMunITy
P15gIVIng up THE ConTroL
VISIT STCHM on FaCEbooKConnect with us on Facebook for an up-to-date, as it happens, snapshot of what we are doing daily. There is always
something post-worthy. We encourage you to share what we are doing with your Facebook friends, so check us
out and tell others about us, www.facebook.com/stchm.
An extraordinary life is not always measured by a high
powered career, a fancy house or car, or any other mark
of success our culture values so highly. Many people
live a lifetime without ever realizing this, but not Mike
Howett. By choice he spent most of his 95 years of life
living in the same modest four-room home, with no air
conditioning, on the ranch where he was born. Yet this
incredible man’s goodness and generosity have reached
far beyond the boundaries of the land that was so much
a part of him.
Mike was born in 1918 three months after his father
was killed in World War I. He grew up an only child
surrounded by hard-working grandparents and a mother
and aunts who encouraged him to read at an early
age. Mike’s mother worked as a deputy county clerk in
nearby Batesville, Texas, and never remarried. According
to Mike, his grandparents purchased the Zapata County
ranch in the 1880s, paid off the indebtedness in 1893,
and the ranch never acquired any additional debt.
Although Mike only had two years of formal elementary
education he went on to become valedictorian of his
high school graduating class. He did not approach
obligation lightly, and every time he had a chance to do
something, he took it. He joined the Enlisted Reserve
and on December 7, 1941, life changed instantly for him
as it did for much of the world. He was called into active
duty, channeled into the Air Force, and was assigned as
a First Turret Machine Gunner on a B-24 bomber.
During an anti-aircraft defense effort, Mike took a hit
from enemy fire. He received multiple injuries to his
head, face, and right arm plus serious injuries to his lower
torso and legs. Battling for his life, he lay unconscious for
three weeks, and against all odds, he survived. Once he
recovered, he went on to serve until Japan surrendered.
STCHM Vice President of Land Management, Gary Jones
knew Mr. Howett personally for 20 years but knew of
him most of his life.
“Mike often told me that after being shot up during
World War II and almost dying, he knew he was spared
for some reason,” Jones said. “He chose not to marry
and when he returned home from the war, he devoted
his life to managing the South Texas ranch where he
grew up in a way that would enable him to best help
others, especially children and young people. And he
never lost sight of that purpose. He believed everyone
has positive things about them and he always looked for
the best in every person and situation.”
Jones also shared that Mike was intentionally frugal and
felt fortunate that he never acquired a taste for expensive
things. “He was independent, highly knowledgeable,
and his ingenuity served him well,” Jones said. “To save
money he poured concrete and built fences, repaired
windmills and electric water wells, and built barns and
houses with his own hands. His generosity over the
years provided a fellowship hall for First Baptist Church
Batesville, and a place to live for his good friends
Francene and Doug Priest and their children.”
Mike went on to earn three degrees from what is now
Texas A&M University in Kingsville: a BA and MA in
4 Fall 2014
By Vicki Hewitt
In loving memory of Michael V. Howett, July 12, 1918 – October 18, 2013
How do you spell success?
that are becoming scarce in these times. As with others
of this vanishing group, he was a man of considerable
resources who lived a very frugal lifestyle while using his
resources to benefit his local church and other causes.
His gifts will allow STCHM to significantly increase its
endowment, which will provide ongoing support to our
ministries for generations to come.”
“Mr. Howett always put the needs of others ahead of his
own,” said STCHM President and CEO Eron Green. “He
was very kind and his support and lifetime commitment
have helped this organization grow into a strong, vibrant
ministry. Since we are debt free and entirely funded
through private donations, our donors and friends are
what make it possible to operate our different ministries.
Mr. Howett’s generosity to STCHM is a life altering
blessing to the children and families we are fortunate
enough to serve. His legacy will always live on through
the lives of those helped through his giving spirit.”
www.STCHM.org 5
Math and Physics and a BS in Electrical Engineering.
For 24 years he served as an instructor at Southwest
Texas Junior College in Uvalde where he taught and
influenced young lives. Many of his students attribute
their successful lives and careers to Mr. Howett’s kind
heart and steadfast belief in them.
Back in 1954, Mike’s desire to help children and young
people took on a new dimension when he visited
Boothe Campus north of Beeville just two years after
the Children’s Home opened. He liked what he saw and
began making donations to the Home from time to time.
In 1980 he became even more involved after attending
a Beefmaster Kattle for Kids sale on campus to help
raise funds.
“The whole heritage of the Children’s Home began
when ranch land was donated in 1952 to establish a
place where children in need could be cared for,” Jones
stated. “The mission of this beautiful rural campus
always resonated with Mike as it does with so many
other Texas ranchers and farmers. Mike’s true generosity
was evident because he never put any restrictions on the
money he gave. He just wanted us to do whatever it took
to take care of kids. His greatest desire was to keep his
ranch intact so it would continue to support the work of
STCHM after his life on earth was done. It is a privilege
to honor his wishes.”
John Weber, STCHM Board Chairman, believes the
Children’s Home owes a huge debt of gratitude to Mike
Howett and others like him.
“Mr. Michael Howett
was a humble, quiet,
highly educated but
simple man that loved
the land and loved
children,” Weber said,
“particularly children
whose families could
not properly care for
them. He was a part of
a generation of people
“Mr. Michael Howett
was a humble, quiet,
highly educated but
simple man that
loved the land and
loved children,”
left to right: Gary Jones, Michael Howett, and ed Vaughan.
6 Fall 2014
Homes for CHildren
CharaCter
Ivan came to the Boothe Campus in
February, frustrated with his situation,
quiet with reflection, and determined to
make things right. The short time Ivan
has been here, he has embraced the
opportunities that STCHM has given him
– the opportunity to grow emotionally,
academically, and most importantly to
grow spiritually.
“I want to be here, I feel hope here.” Ivan
shared that he enjoys talking to Greg
Huskey, Boothe Campus Administrator
and Joel Bowden, Director of Student
Ministries. He feels encouraged by these
men and knows that he can trust them to
be honest with him and help guide him
on his path. However, it is his house pop,
Jeremy Miller, whom Ivan has bonded with
the most. Jeremy encourages Ivan to live
in the moment and enjoy playing football,
but to keep his eyes on the future and what
God has planned for him.
“A lot of what Jeremy tells me, my mom
already had. I just wasn’t ready to listen.”
As Ivan has continued his growth, he
sometimes comes face-to-face with the
old Ivan. One day he found himself in
the principal’s office, on the wall was
a statement about character by Frank
Outlaw. It read, “It’s all about character…
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your
destiny.” It was at that moment when Ivan
realized that the boys in his cottage and
other cottages on campus were going to be
looking up to him and watching what he
does, just the way he looks up to Jeremy. He
knew that he had to start “walking the walk.”
Jeremy told Ivan, “It takes more time
to earn trust you lost, than it is to gain it
in the first place.” Ivan has taken that to
heart and is rebuilding his relationship with
his mom. Ivan and his mom are close, so
naturally when he was frustrated he took
it out on her. “When you say you have
changed and then you stumble, you see the
disappointment on the faces of the people
you care about,” said Ivan. He plans to
prove that he has changed, “I want to prove
it with my actions, not just my words.”
In building his character to become a
better person, Ivan knew he first had to
build a relationship with God. In the spring,
during Family Day, Ivan gave his life over
to Christ. Jeremy smiled, “we could see
the transformation. His whole outlook and
motivation was focused on God.”
Jeremy trusts Ivan and that has helped
him learn how to build his own character,
“I don’t want to lose his trust, he doesn’t
lie to me and so I won’t lie to him.” Jeremy
is like a proud father when he speaks of
Ivan, “When it is time for Ivan to move
on from STCHM, he will have the seeds
already planted in him, so that his faith will
continue to grow when he is out in the real
world. That’s why we are here.”
Looking at your situation as an opportunity for change is rare for a person to do. Especially
for a teen who has struggled with the emotions that come from not having both parents
in the picture. Unfortunately Ivan is one of the many children in the United States whose
father has not been committed to being active in his son’s life. Ivan is a young man with
character and a determination to use his situation to become who God wants him to be.
It is hard to get to a place of independence when so
many people depend on you and you don’t feel like
you’re equipped to take care of the needs that are your
responsibility. What is a mother to do that has no job, no
education, nowhere to live, and no one to turn to? She
does the best she can with the circumstances she has…
until Child Protective Services says it’s not enough.
Debbie is a single mom with five children, ages 8 months
to 9 years old. They were living in a car and CPS was
about to take the only things she had that were of value
to her. She was desperate and afraid. There were places
in the little town where she lived that could help her
temporarily, but what Debbie needed was somewhere
to go that her family could call home for a longer period
of time. A place where she could be encouraged, learn
to be independent, and become the woman her children
could depend on.
Our Homes for Families ministry is that
place. Debbie met the new Program
Coordinator, Theresa Klacman, and found
there was somewhere she could go.
Theresa uses the example of a butterfly
to describe where the ladies are that have
come to live at our Marshall Ranch Campus
in Goliad. “The women here are caterpillars
and this campus is their cocoon.”
This ministry, like all of our ministries, has grown as
needs change. Dedicated to go where the need is and
to provide for the children and families we serve, it was
clear that what was needed was a place that was more
of a long-term housing program for moms and their
children. A place that would give the children a stable,
loving environment and to keep the family together while
helping the mother to get to a place of independence.
It is hard to move out to the middle of nowhere, to allow
yourself to completely give over your burdens to God,
but that is what these women are asked to do. There
are three different cottages for the three phases of the
program. As each mom moves into a new phase, she
will move into a different cottage. It is a twelve month
program, so the hope is each mom will transition into the
next phase at the end of a four month cycle.
“It is such a blessing being
here.” Debbie is in the first
phase. She is learning to work
with the other moms as a
team. Building trust in others,
in herself, and in God. Debbie
and her children love the quiet
campus, the beautiful ranch
surrounding them, and the
routine of it all. “My children love being here. They love
their new school, and the time we spend together.”
In the second phase, Theresa plans to have computer
classes for the ladies and tutoring classes for those that
need high school diplomas. This phase is where they start
to become more independent. Then the plan is for them
to transition into phase three, the launch phase. The last
phase is where the cocoon starts to break open and the
women will start emerging back into their communities,
this time equipped with the knowledge, support, and the
self-confidence they need to be independent.
Debbie sees a bright future ahead and knows that God
does have a plan for her. She understands the need to be
patient and trust that God is with her. “I found the love of
God here and that gives me hope.”
www.STCHM.org 7
Homes for families
FroM THECoCoon
“The women here are
caterpillars and this
campus is their cocoon.”
What does cooler weather, Thanksgiving and Christmas
mean for everyone? The end of the year is quickly
approaching.
2014 has been a year of impacting children and families in
Texas and across our borders. Each of the five ministries
are growing and serving more everyday as South Texas
Children’s Home Ministries seeks to honor God, reach
hurting children and families and enable others to join
hands with us in service. God has truly blessed our
ministries in ways we cannot describe and we thank
God and those who support us financially in helping to
accomplish our mission.
2015 is coming! Yes, the holidays are quickly approaching
and the schedules will soon be hectic. However, let’s
ponder and think of how God has blessed each of us.
With a new year upon us, it means not only are the
holidays coming, but it will be a great opportunity to
make an end-of-the-year gift to your church or favorite
charitable organization.
South Texas Children’s Home Ministries is debt free and
entirely supported through private donations. Not only
will an end-of-the-year gift help you with taxes, it will help
a child or family during a critical time in their life. Your gift
will provide a need that was once only a dream.
Please use the enclosed envelope or go online to
www.stchm.org to help reach a hurting child or family.
By Kyle Luke
2015 is coming…
Hear how others have been impacted by our ministry and share it with others by visitingwww.stchm.org/videos.
New Videos
8 Fall 2014
WATCH US ON
... for believing in me.
... for keeping us together.
... for being there for me.
thank you!
www.youtube.com/user/STCHMinistries
Perfect weather, gorgeous surroundings, amazing people
and time on the golf course…it was just another day at
the office! Creatively speaking of course. Our Golf Classic
2014 event was a big success and a whole lot of fun. As
golf carts trailed each other like train cars, each went off
to start at their appointed hole on the course at Tapatio
Springs in Boerne. STCHM staff, kids, and sponsors
enjoyed a beautiful day and helped raise money for a
wonderful cause.
With 27 teams and 108 players, STCHM’s golf tournament
was back in full swing! “It met and actually surpassed our
expectations,” said Jeff Brewer, Director of Development
and coordinator of the event. “For us, one of the most
exciting things about the day was to see all of those
players there with singleness of purpose, to help South
Texas Children’s Home. It was very exciting!”
Providing all of our ministries at no cost is one of the
many things that set our organization apart from the rest.
Loyal donors make it possible for us to provide Christ-
centered services to children and families we serve. This
Golf Classic was a great way for us to raise funds for our
ministry, but also a way to allow donors to have fun and
spend time with some of the children in our care.
Throughout the afternoon teams
hammed it up in front of the camera
and were serious when it was their turn
to tee off or when on the green. All teams giving
their best to win the Hole-In-One, but none were
able to accomplish the goal. In the evening,
guests were treated to the showcasing of our
new promotional video and a special “Thank
you!” video from some of our STCHM kids.
President and CEO, Eron Green, shared “The
golf tournament was a huge success for South
Texas Children’s Home Ministries. We are glad
to have it back on our calendar as a regular
event and we look forward to more successful
tournaments in the future. I am thankful to all
our staff, sponsors, volunteers, and teams that
gave of their time and resources to make this
tournament so successful.”
www.STCHM.org 9
1st Place – Green & CRRC, Certified Public Accountants
2nd Place – First National Bank of Beeville
3rd Place – TCOR Management
Longest Drive – Scott Friggle
Closest to the Pin – Buddy Duff
goLF CLaSSIC 2014
Lil abshierLil Abshier has the most unique story of any of our staff members at South Texas Children’s
Home Ministries. Before Lil began her lengthy service with us, she was first a child in the
care of STCHM. Back in the fall of 1952, under Reverend Jess Lunsford’s leadership, Lil and
nine of her siblings moved onto the Boothe Campus outside of Beeville. Shortly after her
arrival, the Lunsfords took in Lil as their own child. Fast forward to 1978, when Lil first began
her career of service with STCHM as the Director of Robert’s Memorial Children’s Shelter in
Corpus Christi. In 1985, Lil became the Social Services Director at the Marshall Boy’s Ranch
in Goliad. After 10 years of service in Goliad, she returned to Corpus Christi to become the
Family Care Director. In 2007, Lil helped launch the Christian Women’s Job Corps ministry
now called Jobs for Life – CWJC as the Director. During her 36 years of service she has represented the Children’s Home
at area churches, special events, and will continue to be a part of our STCHM family always. “Lil has been a dedicated
part of the STCHM family for many years and we will miss her tremendously,” said Eron Green, President and CEO.
“Countless children and families have been impacted through her ministry and willingness to serve.”
Smitty SmithRon “Smitty” Smith has served STCHM for over 37 years. Serving alongside his wife, Diana,
he has been a houseparent, director, and a supervisor. He began his service with STCHM as
a houseparent for a cottage full of girls on the Boothe Campus in 1976. “Smitty is blessed
with a kind, loving heart that has helped restore and repair the hearts of many hurting young
ladies,” shared Mark Childs, Vice President of Residential Programs. He later took on the
role as Director of Maintenance for the Boothe Campus with the skills to build and repair
almost anything. When the opportunity to become a houseparent on the Marshall Ranch
Campus was available, Smitty resumed his original role as “Pop” and continued to make an
impact on the lives of the young ladies in his care. When the campus became the home for
single moms and their children with our Homes for Families ministry, he became a Cottage
Supervisor. “Both he and Dianna are some of the best I’ve ever seen at working with hurting, and often angry, young
ladies. Even after all these years, many of them and their families, return home to spend the holidays with the Smiths.”
Diann henningFor over 24 years, Diann Henning has served the children and staff of South Texas Children’s
Home Ministries as the Administrative Assistant to both the Vice President of Residential
Programs and the Boothe Campus Administrator. Both men, Mark Childs and Greg Huskey,
lovingly refer to her as “Ma”. From keeping them in line to being the “go to” person, “she
performed her duties with grace and kindness” said Mark. Always with a servant’s heart,
Diann took care of many of the daily duties that impacted the lives of our children and
staff in a positive way. We are all going to miss her beautiful smile and sweet voice that has
greeted us daily and put many of the hurting children in our care at ease.
10 Fall 2014
thank you“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,”
Ephesians 1:16 ESV
www.STCHM.org 11
Just like any family we like to keep in touch with our
loved ones, especially with the children who have been in
our care, like Brandon Rose. Long after they have taken
flight, the majority of them stay in touch with the people
who helped them learn to spread their wings.
Brandon moved to the Boothe Campus in Pettus
after spending a year at our temporary crisis home in
Corpus Christi in ’87. His parents had divorced, his dad
had become estranged, and his mom was not taking it
very well. She became very depressed and started to
abuse alcohol and drugs. It was decided Brandon and
his younger brother would move to the children’s home
permanently as their mom continued to battle depression.
Greg Huskey, now Boothe Campus Administrator,
became Brandon’s Case Worker. Developing a close
bond, Greg continued to help guide Brandon on his
journey as did his houseparents, the Niemeyers. Brandon
was introduced to many new things during his time at
STCHM, but most importantly he was introduced to
God. “My family was atheist and so I knew little about
God or heaven and death.” He attended church with
his houseparents and they each shared their faith with
him, helping him grow in his relationship with God.
“September 9, 1990, I accepted Christ as my Savior. I
was eight. I will never forget that day.” Brandon shared.
“At that moment, I realized the children’s home was
a great place for me. I was in love with the way they
made anything available, like hunting and wild life, show
animals. Here I was from a broken home but had endless
possibilities in front of me, because of STCHM.”
When Brandon was 13, he started talking to his dad.
His dad was a pilot and decided to teach him how
to fly planes. Brandon enjoyed the quality time with
him. Not realizing then what flight plan God had him
on, he continued to grow in his faith and his journey
at STCHM. In ’95 Brandon moved to the new Marshall
Ranch Campus in Goliad, where Greg had become the
Director of Marshall Ranch. By this time Brandon had
developed a passion for wild life. After graduation he
headed to Texas A&M University where he earned his
degree in Wild Life and Fisheries with the intent to
become a game warden.
After graduating from college Brandon accepted a
position with the College Station Police Department. “I
discovered I had a passion for public safety and helping
make a positive impact.” When Brandon would go on
calls for domestic violence, he knew his experiences had
led him there. “It was an awesome thing God was doing
in my life.”
Recogn iz ing he
wanted to do more,
he and his new wife,
Leslie inquired about
opportunities to serve
at a children’s home
in Bryan, Texas. They
ended up becoming
houseparents for
a cottage of nine
teenage girls. Brandon
enjoyed the opportunity to impact young lives, but he
still had the dream of becoming a game warden. He
decided to apply to the Texas Parks and Wild Life
Department and was accepted.
Brandon continues to keep in touch with Greg. As he and
his family take on new adventures, he is always looking
for ways to give back to the people who helped him learn
to fly. Brandon and Leslie, along
with their three children now live
in Lockhart, Texas. Brandon is now
a game warden in their flight unit,
flying planes and helicopters. He
is currently working on his flight
instructor’s license. “I am thankful
for the opportunities STCHM gave
me and to God, I don’t know where
I would be if I wouldn’t have come
to live at the children’s home.”
alumni update/Homes for CHildren
international ministry
12 Fall 2014
How can we explain the dreams of a child born into
poverty and isolated from the world’s advantages?
A young girl who at the age of twelve laid a board
across two large tin cans to make a bench for little
children so she could teach them near her home in
Villa Mella, a city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican
Republic.
Raquel who was fortunate enough to go to school,
met Jesus at a young age. She began sharing Christ’s
compassion for the poor while still a child herself, by
teaching street children who would have no chance at
an education. Her little class soon grew so she added
more cans and more boards. When her dad volunteered
their chicken coop for a classroom Raquel’s school was
elevated to new heights – a real location and shelter
from torrential rains. One at a time other young people
joined the staff as teachers. The school grew to serve
120 students, so that partitions had to be created out
of heavy cardboard to divide the classes. Meanwhile,
Raquel kept teaching as she finished college, married,
and had two children of her own.
STCHM’s first visit to Raquel’s school was a bit
discouraging. Where would we start? There were
untrained teachers, too many children, cast-off desks,
and stifling heat generated by the low tin roof. Strident
young voices at full volume pierced the inadequate
classroom dividers. Raquel’s faith and passion were
the only pinpoints of hope.
“How can we help?” we asked.
Raquel shyly bowed her head. “A new roof,” she said,
explaining that the rusted tin roof now leaked when
it rained.
A few months later we returned to the Dominican
Republic with good news…a donation had been given
for a new cement roof! Additionally, the roof would
be raised to a higher level meaning less heat and
less noise. Raquel wept with gratitude for answered
prayers! When school was out for the summer, we
confidently moved forward to replace the roof.
However, the weight of the cement roof required
digging huge holes at every corner of the school and
at intervals throughout the building to add cement
beams and rebar for support. The resulting damage
to the interior of the school was catastrophic. Our
well-meaning efforts had dissolved into total chaos!
Overwhelmed and disappointed, we prayed for the
wisdom and resources to turn things around. And God,
who has been turning chaos into something beautiful
since the creation of the world, began to work out
His bigger and better plan for Raquel’s school in the
By Joanna Berry
Before...
www.STCHM.org 13
most unlikely way! The University Baptist Church of
Clearlake’s mission team of 13 children and 14 adults
had come to deliver the playground they had built.
They were shocked at the condition of Raquel’s school…
there were piles of rubble, cement chunks, and dirt piled
everywhere from the construction of the new roof the
week before. “Let’s clean this up!” they proposed.
Doubts from the parents didn’t stop the children!
“Shovel versus rubble,” they chanted lightheartedly, as
they tackled the task that looked challenging. Hours
later, covered with sweat and grime, their mission was
accomplished!
As God watches over us, I think He sometimes
chuckles. For He sees beyond our faith, beyond
our resources, and beyond all our careful planning.
Where we saw a chicken coop, and the chaos that
came about when plans went awry, God always saw a
beautiful new school.
The transformation of Raquel’s school continued the
rest of the summer as several mission teams gave
additional funds and worked tirelessly, providing shiny
tile floors and new windows and doors, painting the
walls, building classroom furniture, and transporting
school supplies for the kids. God honored Raquel’s
faith, and the faith of the mission teams and churches
that sent them. And He will always honor our faith-
steps and faith-full prayers when we dare to be a part
of His vision…in His time.
SuMMEr MISSIon TrIpSMAy – AuGuST 2014 13 GROuPS - 225 PARTICIPANTS
Clinics & Classes
• 1,554 Patients – Medical Clinics
• 307 Patients – Dental Clinics
• 237 Participants – Teacher
Trainings and Sewing Classes
• 2,203 Children & Youth –
Children Ministry Projects
(ex. VBS and camps)
Construction projects
• 50 Student Desks
• 32 Student Chairs
• 7 Benches
• 2 Picnic Tables
• 8 Book Shelves
• 41 Adult Benches
• 2 Playgrounds
• Science Room – 2 Tables,
17 Stools, 5 Shelves
World Hunger Funds
• 5 Orphanages
• 15 Samuel’s Fund Homes
14 Fall 2014
It could be seen as a burden to hold oneself accountable for
the needs of others, but at STCHM we see it as a blessing.
God has given us a great responsibility and through our
ministries, like Jobs for Life – CWJC, we are able to provide
a community with hope; a hope that will impact several
generations.
The area in Corpus Christi, Texas known to locals as The
Cut is notorious for crime and rated among the top areas
for homelessness, levels of poverty, unemployment, and the
lowest level of education. In the heart of this community
is the CrossBridge Fellowship church, which is dedicated
to “reaching people where they are, how they are, with
the message of Jesus Christ.” STCHM has partnered with
CrossBridge to expand our ministry to include the women
that are in need of it the most.
Jobs for Life - CWJC is offered at no cost, like all of our
programs. With the new location, we have eliminated the
biggest obstacle for the women in this area. The semester
is 12 weeks long and classes are offered on Mondays/
Wednesdays and Tuesdays/Thursdays, with Fridays as an
option to attend the Faith and Finance class and counseling.
Our Family Counseling location in Corpus Christi has two
counselors on the Jobs for Life – CWJC site each week to
provide Christian counseling services to each student. Each
semester the women will learn skills that are a necessity
in today’s workforce. With Bible study, computer classes,
mock interviews and other job preparation skills, classes
on nutrition and health, and sessions to build interpersonal
skills, these women are building self-esteem and starting
on the path to lead a more productive
and faith-impacted life.
The ultimate goal of Jobs for Life -
CWJC is to help individuals develop
a relationship with Christ and grow
spiritually, improve deficiencies in
their job skills, develop healthier
relationships and move toward
economic self-sufficiency. By using the
Jobs for Life curriculum
that engages and
equips the local church
to address the impact
of joblessness through
the dignity of work,
we will assist in laying
the foundation for
CrossBridge Fellowship and the people we serve to start a
transformation within their own community.
Jobs for life - CWJC
Our vision at STCHM is to show the love of Christ to each and every child and family we minister to each day.
We do this by creating a culture where the needs of families are seen and met in creative and innovative
ways. We desire God to use South Texas Children’s Home Ministries in mighty ways to do His work.
Transforming
a CommuniTy
www.STCHM.org 15
“Arden, you are perfect!” her friends
would say. Not realizing this beautiful,
smart, artistic girl they loved was a
failure. Or at least that is how she
saw herself. Arden was 15 years old
the summer she came to the STCHM
Family Counseling office in Corpus
Christi. She was struggling, but why
or with what she didn’t know. She
desperately wanted to talk to someone,
not her parents, just…someone.
Arden has been a ballet dancer since
she was three, loves painting, makes
good grades, and enjoys time with
her family. But she felt lost. She felt
like she was a failure at everything!
Failure to her family, her friends, in
the activities she participated in. “I
hated myself,” Arden shared. She
had anxiety, panic attacks, and was
depressed. Her parents were at a loss
of how to help her, so they suggested
counseling. “I said I didn’t want to do
it, but on the inside I knew…I knew I
needed someone to talk to.”
“It was scary at first and my therapist
mostly talked and I listened in the
beginning” Arden remembers. “Then
about six months had passed and I
started to open up.” As Arden finally
voiced her struggles and insecurities,
she started to share other things. She
talked about how she would try to
control her frustration with herself;
how she would be so upset with
herself that she would do things that
she didn’t really understand. She didn’t
understand why or what it really was
she was doing. It finally became clear
to her therapist that she had an eating
disorder. Anorexia. It was the only
thing Arden could control. “I could fix
that in my own way and focus on that.”
Arden’s therapist encouraged her
to tell her parents, to put a name to
what it was that wasn’t allowing her
to be her true self. Then came the
hard part. Facing it and coping with
it. Arden’s therapist had her start
with her anxiety issues and work her
way back. She would focus on the
past week’s events, but she wasn’t
very responsive. She was frustrated.
“I wanted to talk, not listen.”
Then slowly there came a change. “I
started seeing how everything goes
back to God. It’s all Him. I have to let
it all go back to Him and keep giving
Him the control.” Arden has learned
that she wants to control all parts of
her life, but she can’t. “I’ve seen when
I try to control things, it all goes bad.”
“I have a more positive outlook
now.” Arden works on her growing
faith daily…faith in abilities, faith in
herself, and faith in God’s plan for her.
She understands that she will have
moments were she is a little unsure, but
knows she has to just keep relying on
God to pull her through. Her therapist
shared with her, “It is like a pair of old
shoes. You wear them because they
are comfortable, but now you have
new shoes. Sometimes they hurt and
are uncomfortable. It would be easy to
put your old shoes back on, but you
have to keep your new
shoes on and just keep
walking.”
“I know that God
loves me and that
means I am not a
failure.” Arden learned
that she has to give
that control over to God, to lean on
Him when she feels unsure. Arden
shared that through STCHM’s Family
Counseling ministry, “I learned who I
am, who I want to be, and who God
wants me to be.”
family Counseling
Giving up the Control
“I know that God loves
me and that means I am
not a failure.”
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