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 STCHM@stchm.org

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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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 20143 - 7 PM, BBQ DINNER @ 5:30 PM

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