June 2009

Woodville:
In May the Community Foundation of East Texas opened a Life Center account! For now, the money will be collected and used only for the feasibility study. Once the study has been completed and a design has been agreed upon, the account will be used for donations to build the LIFE Center itself. Also, names for a second tier committee were suggested along with potential donors. Things continue to move slowly, but in the right direction. We are scheduled to be out there the first week of July and hope to increase the passion and involvement.

Discovery! Austin:
Discovery continues to hold monthly trainings in Austin and we will be celebrating our one year anniversary at next month’s July training! It’s hard to believe a year has already passed! In June we had our highest number in attendance yet at 47. Also in June, we held our first Relationship Training with 26 couples. Check the “Success Stories” section soon for testimonies from some of the couples. In the meantime, here’s one we received from someone who recently completed the Discovery training on an ALF scholarship:

Words cannot explain how much Discovery has helped me personally! I have never had a sense of peace, happiness, worthiness, and hope as I have after being in Discovery. I am a much more positive person and much more helpful to my family and friends; and I am able to use the tools that I have learned daily to continue to nurture the positiveness that I have gained. I have always dealt with certain issues that I thought were to be my core issues...but coming to Discovery made me face my REAL core issues, and face them and fight them with full force. Dealing with and conquering those issues was the greatest feeling I have ever experienced in my life. It has absolutely changed my life!!Discovery has improved every aspect of my relationships. I am able to be completely open and honest, and not be ashamed or afraid of what others will think of me. That alone makes me a better person; and a more effective friend, daughter, sister, aunt, and girlfriend. I am so much more positive at my job, and I don't let the little things effect me like they used to. I have
found that this positiveness has gotten me so many compliments and accolades than before that it's AMAZING! Discovery has also deepened my spiritual relationship. I am more aware now of my beliefs and the power of my morals and my personal relationship with God.
~ Deborah Toodle

Roatan:
Just back from another visit to the island. We visited the children at the home. They are doing well and most of them just finished with exams. We read books to them and spent some quality time playing and talking together. We bought groceries to fill their cupboards with what they were lacking. They get a lot of staples from others but usually lack fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and with that many children running around… cleaning supplies!

While on the island this time we got to meet Mark and Susan Schuler, a missionary couple who have lived on Roatan for more than 5 years now. They do a lot for the children at the home such as taking them back and forth to school, having them to their home for tutoring and mentoring, doing devotionals and loving on them in general. They have a true heart and passion for not only the children at the home, but the people on the island and in their community in particular.

We also met up with Cam O’Brien. Cam has lived on the island some 17 years and has a passion to help improve education on the island. During our visit we heard about much of what she has been and is trying to do, including the implementation of 2 “E Learning Centers” on the island which are offered free to children (and adults for English as a Second Language) as a way to supplement their learning at school which is often quite lacking for various reasons. After meeting with Cam, we stopped by the E Learning Center in French Harbour to check it out. The kids there that day were practicing for a play they will be performing in late July. It will be performed in English, so we were able to help them with their pronunciation. They were shy, but quite appreciative of our help!

We are excited to be making these connections with others on the island who have a true heart and passion to give back to the children and island of Roatan. We will be developing these relationships and keeping our eyes and hearts open to areas where we feel it’s a fit for ALF to get involved and participate. We are scheduled to go back out there in a few days. We are keeping an eye on the recent political developments of the country, but so far, everything we have seen and heard from people we know on the island and mainland as well as in the news shows that things on the island remain calm and normal and that the tension remains on the mainland. Unfortunately, though, the economic fallout will hit the entire country and the poorest of the poor will be the ones most affected.

Roatan - February

February 24, 2009

We are excited to report that we are in communication with Pastor Glen about approving a sponsorship program for the children! Through ALF we will seek to sponsor the 25 children at the home out to individuals or small groups who have a heart, passion – and commitment – for the well-being of these children. I have received approval from the pastor and have asked a young woman on the island who was raised in the home to help us by getting bios on each of the children. We will combine the bios along with individual photos and start finding involved and committed sponsors.

Pastor Glen has also agreed to let this young woman work with the kids once they do get sponsored, to help them write their sponsors on a regular basis, and to help translate letters to them as they come in. We are excited to have her help us, and who better to have a heart and passion for these children than one who benefitted from the very love and care that was given her in the same home for so many years.

Woodville - email from Scott Yosko

February 9, 2009

Here is an excerpt of an email from Scott Yosko, Police Chief of Woodville and Life Center Committee Member:

“On a side note, I don’t think either one of us are aware yet of the magnitude of change that you two have initiated in Woodville. I believe that the LIFE Center may only be the match that lights the torch. The County is really getting excited about the green aspect that Kimberly is promoting, especially for the new Justice Center. All in all, Woodville has the potential to move to the forefront of tech…and all by working together toward common goals! Economic development possibilities become enormous too. Maybe some of our kids will stay here to raise the next generation when it is all said and done. It is what we have prayed for.”

Thanks again!

Scott

Roatan - January

January 20, 2009

Over the past couple of months several friends and Discovery alumni have gone to Roatán and spent some time with the children. One group included a professional artist who spent a day giving the kids art classes. She did face painting and let the kids decorate and keep their own hat and t-shirt. They had a ball! Also two other friends, Shawn and Bill, spent 4 days working on the children’s home painting, cleaning and doing repairs. Bill even bought a power washer and took it with him on the airplane! (Not sure how!) They said all the kids were a great help. They power-blasted, scraped and painted the entry way. They removed the screen netting off the front of the house which was so thick with dirt you could barely see through it, but was like new when they put it back. They had a lot of special time with the kids and made some special connections. Everyone who has gone has said they can't wait to return!

Roatan - December

December 21, 2008

We just got back from another visit to the children’s home. Usually we do some painting or other project while there, but this time we had nothing on our agenda. We always fill up the back bed of a pick-up with groceries every time we go, and we were particularly glad we could do it this time as we found the cupboards almost completely bare. Apparently it’s harder for them during the slow season. With less tourist traffic, they get less donations. During high season when more cruise ships come in, a lot more people stop by and help out with food, etc. The pastor said they always make ends meet as there is always a hotel or grocery store who helps out, but it was alarming to see just how bare the pantry and freezer were.

We’ve been there enough times now that the kids know us and seemed genuinely happy to see us. We really want to focus on the long-term aspect of building relationships with these children and let them know how special they are.

We visited briefly on business with the pastor then spent some good quality time with the kids. David played several games of soccer while I visited with some of the girls. I have developed a real heart for the older girl, Deysi, who is 13 and at such a vulnerable age.

I brought several Dr. Seuss books with me on this trip to read to the children. Once I began, they swarmed us! I knew they didn’t understand everything I was reading from “Green Eggs and Ham”, but they loved the sound of someone’s voice reading to them. Half-way through the book I could stop short of finishing a sentence and they yelled out the final words. “I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them…” “Sam I am!” they would all say!

Woodville - City Council Meeting

November 27, 2008

We were invited to be present at a city council meeting that was being held with the mayor of Woodville, council members, and the committee members for the LIFE Center project.
The meeting went well and although there was evidence of wanting to be cautious, everyone seemed to be excited at the idea. The biggest concern seems to still be knowing whether the town of Woodville will be able to financially maintain something of the size and scope that is being considered. It has always been one of our criteria that the building have a good business plan and make good business sense. The next step to move forward is getting a professional company to do a feasibility and demographics study determining what the community could realistically support. It was decided that Dianne Bass pursue this through her community foundation.

First blog entry, and first visit to Children's Home

Wow! Our first blog entry, and what a great time to get started. There's so much going on at ALF these days!

Discovery! - February was another great month at Discovery! of the nearly 120 trainees in D1, ALF provided 12 scholarships. For D2, ALF sponsored 10 partial scholarships, and 7 scholarships for D3. One email we received recently was from an ALF scholarship recipient's sister:

"My brother attended Discovery! in February on an ALF scholarship. He has been in and out of trouble since he was 16 years old. What the training did for him was incredible. He came out a changed man. He is 49 years old and has been living with my parents. He is trying for the first time ever, to turn his life around. I just wanted to tell you thank you! If it was not for ALF, he never would of been able to attend the training. Thank you so much for all that you do. I know you often do not get the rewards, but I want you to know you change lives every month. Thank you for following your hearts and the Lord!"

Woodville-We are scheduling our next trip to Woodville, TX for early April. We hope to meet more folks on this trip, but will also meet with the committee for some "shop talk", get caught up on how things are progressing in finding a site location for the LIFE Center, and talk about how to start getting the community more involved. It's been slow progress, but at least it's progress!

Roatán - Majken Broby Children’s Home - We just got back from Roatan and our first trip to the children's home on the island. We are considering how we can help the beautiful children of this island and are looking at adding it to our foundation’s mission. Since it’s the newest addition, I have the most to say in this area. Here's how our visit went...

David and I, along with my father and a dear friend went to visit the home while there on vacation. In researching the home before going, I found that 3 of the 21 kids at the home hadn’t gained weight in a year, and their biggest need at the moment was for food. So we rented a taxi cab to go to the grocery store first and just about emptied the place! When we got to the home, we were warmly welcomed by the two workers and 5 kids who were home (the other 16 were still at school). After unloading the groceries, the 3 boys immediately got a soccer game going. My 76 year old father and I played goalies… and we stunk! My husband bragged about making a goal against one of the kids…who was 5! But they were all great players. We took a tour of the facility and spoke in length with the two workers and the pastor’s wife who lives next door and works with the kids. She said the greatest need of the children, so long as they can keep the groceries coming, is the time and attention of people who care. Particularly the kids need the time and attention of good male role models, as 16 of the children are boys.

The home itself is functional, but run-down and in need of repairs. The pastor’s wife, Aminta, said they would like to repair the screening around the main areas of the home to keep the mosquitoes out but can't afford it without help. (The mosquitos on the island are relentless and I can’t imagine not having a place for the kids to get away from them.) We are already planning our next trip down for late April and are working on finding a place on the island to buy materials and put together a work party. But we don’t want to simply do the work for them. We want the children – the older boys in particular – to help do the work and create in them a sense of pride and ownership in their home, as we can see that it is lacking.

On the drive home, the cab driver, Rey, was moved almost to tears and expressed his deepest thanks and appreciation for what we did. (Was that another changed heart? Would he now be moved to go make a difference – either there or elsewhere - in his own way?) He mentioned that he had dated a girl that was raised in that home. I asked for her number and wanted to chat with her to get more info on the place. Honestly, I wanted to check it out and make sure the place was truly ‘legit’ before getting involved with them.

Sandra was her name. I called her once we got home to Texas. She was delightful and I enjoyed her immensely. She was raised in the home, along with her 2 sisters, from the age of 11 months to 18 years when she graduated school and got married, almost 5 years ago. The same pastor and his wife, Pastor Glen and Aminta, were still there then and she had nothing but positive things to say about them (which was important for me to know). There were also 21 kids at the home while she was there (must be their physical and/or financial capacity, but how many more kids need a safe place to live?) She goes to visit the home regularly and said it’s sad how the place has deteriorated, because it used to be very nice. She said they used to have nice sheets for their bed and the home was well cared for. She said the children all took pride and ownership of their home and their personal belongings. The difference seems to be that, during the years she was living there, there was an American couple who lived there and took care of the children as their “calling”, whereas the two women that currently work there, although I’m sure they’re very nice, are doing it solely as a “job”. She said with the American couple, even with 21 kids, that there was never a shortage of love, support and guidance. What she sees now is that the kids have too much down time when they’re not in school. And down time leads to trouble. I can only imagine what kind of trouble. I hope to learn more about this and how we might be able to help in the future.

Before hanging up, Sandra said she would love to meet with us on our next visit, take us to the home and talk some more. She seemed to be a genuinely kind and caring young woman. The Majken Broby Children’s Home, by this one example anyway, has certainly done well in their mission to take children who would otherwise be ‘forgotten’ and give them a healthy start to life. I look forward to learning how we can best help these children in the future. Right now it’s their physical needs, but as we get to know them, we hope to make an impact in helping them at a heart level.