Buckner Today Fall 2014.indd

Transcription

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R.C. Buckner founded his orphans home with the conviction that followers of Jesus
should put their beliefs into action. Now, 135 years since the ministry started, that
holistic approach to ministry is still very much alive. In this special section, we examine how God is working
through Buckner ministries to change the lives of families and children around the globe.
18 Gone
24 Lost and found
41 Focused on faith,
hope and love
32 Fostering
through faith
42 Counting her
blessings
2 Buckner Today •
FALL 2014 ISSUE
46 A family
everywhere
they go
50 Hearing the call
48 Walking by faith
56 On the road to faith
55 Lessons from
the ﬁeld
4
5
6
PERSPECTIVES ON BUCKNER
‘Doing the gospel’ President and CEO Albert L. Reyes
IN OTHER WORDS
Now faith Scott Collins
BUCKNER JOURNAL
What’s going on at Buckner International
• Buckner shoes offer respite for weary immigrant children
PRESIDENT & CEO, BUCKNER INTERNATIONAL
Albert L. Reyes
PRESIDENT, BUCKNER FOUNDATION; EXECUTIVE
VICE PRESIDENT, BUCKNER INTERNATIONAL
• Families create beautiful mosaic of culture through
international adoption
David M. Slover
• Run for Life raises $40,000 for Buckner foster care, adoption
Scott Collins
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
• Sen. Cornyn visits Buckner Family Hope Center
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS
• Church cherishes call to serve close to home
Russ Dilday
• Buckner Family Hope Center at Aldine announces new director
• Buckner, LifeWay partnership helps vulnerable children
• Buckner receives 25,000 sandals from Niagra University
60
A publication of Buckner International
Volume 39, Number 3 • Fall 2014
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR
John Hall
MANAGING EDITOR
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW,
SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING SHOE
Aimee Freston
ART DIRECTOR
Alan Paul
GRAPHIC ARTIST
61
HOW TO
BECOME A
SHOE DRIVE
COORDINATOR
Luis Pérez
ELECTRONIC EDITOR
Lauren Hollon Sturdy
CONTRIBUTORS
Elizabeth Arnold
Lauri Ann Hanson
Jeff Jones
Anita Morris
Chelsea Quackenbush White
Susan Williams
NEWSMEDIA PRODUCTION
TJ Maher
WEB/MULTIMEDIA MANAGER
Bradley Vinson
www.buckner.org
EMAIL
[email protected]
62
63
PHONE
BUCKNER SNAPSHOT:
214-758-8000
Diverna Abatte
Buckner Today is published by the Public Relations
Ofﬁce of Buckner International. ©2014 Buckner
LAST LOOK | PARTING SHOT:
Postmaster: Send address changes to Buckner
International Public Relations, 700 N. Pearl,
Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75201
Margarita Gomez
www.buckner.org
ON THE COVER: Bartolo Díaz, from San José Pacayal in Eastern Guatemala,
celebrates the return of his daughter Sara after a hospital mix-up placed the
girl in an orphanage. Buckner staff reunited the family.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
• Buckner Today 3
PERSPECTIVES ON BUCKNER | ALBERT L. REYES
Doing the gospel
By faith
of spiritual development for Buckner. Jeff is uniquely qualified for this
Siomara Osorio is honest as she talks about Clara. A victim of
role, as a licensed professional counselor and someone whose per-
sexual abuse, Clara*, shares her pain with Siomara, a psychologist
sonal spiritual life informs everything he does. I felt it was important
at the Buckner Child Advocacy Center in Guatemala City.
to have someone who gets up every day thinking about the spiritual
“She’s a very shy girl,” Siomara says, describing Clara. “She is
very dedicated to God. She is respectful, and she is a loving girl.
development of our clients. Like everything we do, it is imperative that
we are intentional about this critical aspect of our work.
She has a lot of goals and objectives for the future.”
Like any good psychologist, Siomara uses a variety of tools and
techniques to help Clara heal. But the most important facet of the
recovery process is spiritual.
“At the beginning, we don’t talk about God; we don’t talk about
forgiveness because they come here with open wounds,” Siomara
says. “As the therapy goes along, we talk about the importance of
having a relationship with God and how He loves us.”
A promise
A couple of years ago, as we developed the brand promise of
Buckner, we were asked to describe the personality of the organization. It’s a question that asks not only who you are, but how you want
others to see you.
The team sitting around the table didn’t even need to discuss the
answer. Almost in unison, the group chose the term Christ-centered.
“I had to base myself in God to be able to forgive, because He
While we understand that defining Christ-centered may be open
is the only one who is able to help me forgive others,” Clara adds.
to broad interpretation, our clear motivation as a ministry is to do
as Jesus did – to love the least of these in His name so that we bring
Christ-centered
healing and restoration – redemption to their lives. To be Christ-
People ask me from time to time if Buckner is a “Christian” organi-
centered is to follow His example. That is the gospel in action, not
zation. The short answer is yes, of course. But because in parts of the
in theory. It’s what leads a staff worker like Siomara to help Clara
world the term “Christian” is as much cultural as spiritual, we prefer
reach the point of forgiveness, knowing that we can’t fully forgive
to describe Buckner as being Christ-centered. By that we mean Buckner
others unless, and until, we are forgiven.
seeks complete transformation of the people we serve, including
spiritual regeneration.
When He began his public ministry, Jesus set forth a very clear
agenda – what I like to call “The Jesus Agenda.” You can find it
At the time R.C. Buckner started this ministry in the latter part of the
outlined in Luke 4:18-19, as Jesus stood up in His hometown of
19th century, there was a sharp division between evangelism and
Nazareth to speak. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has
the social gospel. Many sincere believers saw these as incompatible
anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to
and for many churches and denominations, you couldn’t do both.
proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
Then Father Buckner burst onto the scene as, of all things, a Baptist
to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
preacher. Karen Bullock, our Buckner historian, has aptly described
In this issue of Buckner Today, we are focusing on ways God is
R.C. Buckner “as a practitioner rather than a theorist. Buckner’s
working through Buckner International and the spiritual impact of our
methodology accrued wide acclaim.” In other words, he spent more
ministries. We chose this theme because frankly, too often we take
time doing the gospel than talking about it. That is still the DNA
this aspect of our work for granted. We are compelled by our faith
embedded in Buckner today. The story of Clara and her Buckner
to do what we do, so we tend not to talk about it. It’s time we do.
psychologist Siomara illustrate that point.
*Not her real name
At the heart of Father Buckner’s approach was a commitment to
“bring the social gospel to bear upon society,” Bullock writes. He
“found no reason to shift theologically from the stance of individual
regeneration as the key to societal change.”
As a Christ-centered organization, Buckner believes the spiritual
dimension of our work is as important as anything we do. That’s why
we have renewed both our interest and our emphasis on the spiritual
nature. Last year, I asked Jeff Jones to serve as the area vice president
4 Buckner Today •
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Albert L. Reyes, President and CEO
Buckner International
Visit my blog at
www.pandulce.typepad.com
IN OTHER WORDS | SCOTT COLLINS
buckner.org
THE ONLY PLACE TO READ THE STORIES BEHIND THE STORIES.
FEATURED VIDEO
Now faith…
Faith is not an opinion. The Bible states clearly
in Hebrews 11:1 that faith is “the firm foundation
of what we hope for.” Or as one translation puts it,
“Now faith is being sure.”
You hear the word faith used a lot these days.
People talk about the “faith community” and “people
of faith.” Organizations are defined as “faith-based.”
So when we refer to Buckner as being faith-based,
what do we mean?
In the New Testament, the idea of faith and even the
word itself are always used in direct connection to spiritual things. Add the idea that biblical faith is always
defined as a sure thing. If you apply those thoughts to
a ministry like Buckner, the conclusion is that all we do,
we do for the glory of God, who assures our outcomes.
I remember when we first started the Shoes for
Orphan Souls® ministry. Someone asked me if you
Foster parenting is a family legacy for Buckner foster parent Diverna
Abatte. In 34 years in that role, she’s served as a steady presence in the
lives of more than 120 children. It’s part of the inheritance of love and the
generous spirit her parents left to her as she grew up surrounded by the
children her parents fostered. Learn more at buckner.org/snapshots.
had to be a Baptist to give shoes to Buckner. My only
thought was, “You know, I’ve never had a kid ask me
if the shoes she is getting are ‘Baptist’ shoes.”
I grew up pretty Baptist. The Baptist Student Union
at my college had a major impact on me, and when
I graduated, I spent two years doing mission work
in Africa with a Baptist mission board. I came back to
the United States and headed off to a Baptist seminary,
earning my master’s degree. I’ve never been a member
of any other kind of church. When I started at Buckner,
the organization was Buckner Baptist Benevolences.
But over the past 15 years, God has opened my
eyes and heart to the bigger world of fellow Christfollowers. Traveling on Buckner mission trips with a
cross section of believers has shown me that faith is
much bigger than a denominational title. Faith is the
evidence of God’s grace in our lives and in the lives
of those served by Buckner.
Scott Collins is Vice President
of Communications at Buckner International.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
• Buckner Today 5
JOURNAL
What’s going on at Buckner International
zx Buckner shoes
offer respite for
weary immigrant
children
Orphan Souls®, available to the waves
decision for her and the girls to travel the
of children who pass through the center
dangerous route to the United States to
daily with their parents.
join family in New York.
MCALLEN, Texas – Daniela Cruz* is bone-
The young mother made the journey with
They paid smugglers known as coyotes
daughters Lorena, 8, and Carmen, 6. The
$3,500 to lead them past her country’s
decision to go wasn’t easy, nor was it in-
border, through Guatemala and Mexico
expensive, but she said it had to be made.
and finally to the U.S. border, where they
tired. After a harrowing month on the road
“First, it wasn’t safe for my children,
from her home in El Salvador, she crossed
and then there was no employment,” she
the Rio Grande River this week, was picked
said. “There is nothing you can do in El
up by Border Patrol agents and processed
Salvador now for employment, and I can’t
as an undocumented immigrant.
even be sure my kids will be safe because
She is looking forward to a shower –
of Mara Salvatrucha (a prominent Salva-
the first she’s had in a month – clothing
doran drug gang, also known as MS-13).
and some food provided at the Catholic
“One of my nieces was being harassed
Charities Refugee Center at Sacred Heart
by the gangs, and I didn’t want to have
Catholic Church. Among the clothing are
my daughters endure the same treatment.”
shoes collected through Buckner Shoes for
So she and her husband made the
6 Buckner Today •
FALL 2014 ISSUE
swam across the Rio Grande.
The family “traveled by bus mainly at
donations and volunteers.
does a lot for someone, plus two or three
night, and stayed in warehouses, sleep-
“All of these families need new shoes,
changes of clothes they can take with
ing on the floor for three to five days at
and our goal is to involve churches in
them on the bus. These kids getting shoes
a time while we waited to go from one
responding to these situations,” Liebrum
means everything. This will be a huge
country to another.” Along the way, her
said. “They can give things like shoes
blessing for them.”
daughter became ill, but the family did
through organizations like Buckner,” he
Nancy Wagner, a Catholic Charities
not have access to medical attention.
said, an d added there will be a need
volunteer from the Diocese of Camden,
The coyotes in EL Salvador, she said, were
for volunteers soon. “All indications we’re
N.J., echoed that message.
“somewhat kind, but after that, they treated
getting is that there is going to be the
us … those guys were not nice people.”
need for ongoing work in this area.”
“It (shoes) is a desperately needed commodity for them,” she said. “Many of them
The Cruz family was issued an Aug. 4
He also noted that groups like Texas
come in with their feet hurting. They’ve
court date for an immigration hearing
Baptists and Buckner all face a similar
been walking, their shoes are muddy,
in New York. She is planning to attend.
challenge as the government ramps up
they’re torn and their shoelaces have been
She also will wait for her husband, who is
its response to the crises of immigrant
taken away by whatever government en-
planning to make the journey soon.
families and unaccompanied children.
tity was holding them. This is a really big
Javier Perez, manager of missions and
“One of the challenges of working with
humanitarian aid for Buckner International
the federal government, as well as state
Like many of the volunteers who have
in the Rio Grande Valley, said the Cruzes
and local governments, is their timing,
given aid to the families at the center,
are among a surge of refugee families that
rules and policies, but there will be plenty
Wagner said she prays “that they find
has crossed the border recently in the area.
of opportunities for Texas Baptists to get
hope and a new way of safety for their
involved in the future.”
families, and they make a living here and
“The people are coming from Mexico,
blessing to have these shoes to give them.”
Honduras, Guatemala and other Central
The Cruz girls were each fitted with
American countries,” he said. “Many of
a brand new pair of sneakers. Taking
them have paid thousands of dollars to
advantage of a lull in the line, volunteer
In addition to working with agencies
coyotes to have them guided here. Most
Chad Mason, pastor of mobilization and
along the border, Buckner officials also
haven’t had baths in a while, so they
global impact for Calvary Baptist Church
are aggressively pursuing other ways to
throw their clothes away when they come
in McAllen, let Lorena pick out a favorite
help the government deal with the surge
to the refugee center here. The children’s
pair before placing them on her feet.
of migrants. Officials at Buckner are in
have a normal life, not having to live in
fear and extreme poverty.”
shoes are hanging off their feet because
“Calvary has been working with the
daily contact with government leaders,
they have walked so much. That’s why the
refugee center since the third day it went
monitoring developments. But Randy
shoes are so important.”
into operation here.” he said. “We’ve
Daniels, who is coordinating Buckner’s
Buckner shipped 8,000 extra pairs of
been providing volunteers, about 10 per
efforts, cautioned that the process is slow
shoes to the Valley in mid-July to help in
day at the center and an additional 10
and at this point, Buckner is waiting on
the relief effort. Matt Asato, Buckner senior
doing laundry.”
decisions from the U.S. government.
director of ministry engagement, said the
ministry’s hope “is that shoes provide the
The Cruz family is typical of many being
served at the center.
In the meantime, Buckner is looking for
volunteers willing to work at its Center for
hope and love of Jesus to them. By meeting
“These families are typically one mother
Humanitarian Aid to prepare shoes and
their physical needs, we hope they will feel
and two or three small children,” Mason
other items for shipment to the Rio Grande
that love, despite any political situation.
said. “The families take an average of
Valley. Volunteers are being sought to work
That they will know that people will serve
10-12 days on their journey here, plus
on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to
them for who they are: children of God.”
three to four days in processing by Border
noon. Anyone interested in helping can
Among partners Buckner is working
Patrol. So by the time they get here, they
contact Megan Horton at (214) 939-7179.
with during the effort is Texas Baptist
haven’t had a shower or time to them-
Disaster Recovery, an initiative of Texas
selves or any rest. We’ve had stories (of
Baptists. Chris Liebrum, director of di-
trips) that went up to 40 days.”
saster recovery, said the shoes fit into a
He said the center and its volunteers
larger plan of relief that will involve both
“first try to give them dignity. So a shower
Visit www.buckner.org/childcrisis for
information about how you can help.
–Russ Dilday
*Not their real names.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
• Buckner Today 7
JOURNAL
zx Families create
beautiful mosaic
of culture through
international
adoption
their heritage is a wonderful thing,” said
nect with their roots and remember their
Debbie Wynne, senior director for Buckner
personal history.
Adoption and Maternity Services.
For Kris and Keith Kittle and their two
Since 1995, Buckner has placed 369
daughters adopted from China, the Mo-
children with families through international
saic of Culture is a significant event. To
adoption. After each placement, Buckner
keep their children’s birth culture present
continues serving the parents and children
in the girls’ lives, the Kittles try to prepare
for three years.
Chinese food, celebrate Chinese New
DALLAS – The smell of traditional meals
Natasha Potts and her older brother
from across the globe wafted through the
Pasha, who volunteered at the event, ex-
“Buckner gave us great support dur-
air, and a variety of languages dotted the
perienced significant cultural shock when
ing the entire process,” Keith Kittle said.
room as families and volunteers gathered
they were adopted from Russia at the ages
“Even after the adoption, they were there
to create a mosaic of culture on the Buckner
of 12 and 13, respectively, by an American
for us, called us, came to check on us and
campus in East Dallas.
family. Buckner support through the years
were always available for questions.”
Year and go to cultural events.
Families who have adopted internation-
inspired Natasha to give back and help oth-
Wynne is overjoyed to see families
ally came together June 14 to celebrate the
er children have the same chance she did.
gather each year for the event. It provides
uniqueness of their children’s respective cul-
“I want to stay involved with Buckner
another opportunity for her to connect
tures. Young people participated in crafts
because they gave me and my brother the
and learned about their countries of origin.
opportunity to be adopted,” she said. “I
“Seeing the evolution of the relationship
“This event is a way to encourage
wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them.”
between the parents and the children is
families to create a family tradition, to cel-
Volunteers from different communities
very rewarding,” she said. “It’s like a
ebrate the heritage of how their family was
came to support and celebrate with the
dance. You have to learn it, and it takes
built and to remind the kids that embracing
families. The food and activities provided
time to build the trust, but at the end it’s
an avenue for adopted children to con-
just beautiful.”
8 Buckner Today •
FALL 2014 ISSUE
with them and see how they’re doing.
–Anita Morris
Celebrating culture
Families who have adopted internationally
came together to celebrate the uniqueness
of their children’s respective cultures,
participating in crafts and presentations to
learn about their countries of origin.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
• Buckner Today 9
JOURNAL
zx Run for Life raises
$40,000 for
Buckner foster
care, adoption
Redmon, who have been foster parents to
MISSION, Texas – Council for Life and Young
11 children through Buckner.
Council for Life empowers women, men
and youth to make life-affirming choices.
Sharing their experiences, the couple
Motivated by Christ-like love and respon-
said they have spent time in the hospital
sive compassion, Council For Life is com-
with seven of the 11 children they fostered.
mitted to raising awareness of the complex
They understand the high and low points
issues that surround unplanned pregnan-
of being foster parents.
cies and to providing financial support to
Leaders for Life raised $40,000 for Buckner
“Foster care isn’t about meeting kids’
agencies that share their mission. Young
Children and Family Services through the
needs,” Jeralee said. “It’s about caring
Leaders for Life is a Dallas-based group of
2014 Run for Life 5K and Easter Egg Hunt
for them and truly changing their lives.”
young professionals who are passionate
at Southern Methodist University.
They hope sharing their experiences in-
about supporting life in all its stages.
The funds will provide children with
spired other couples to be foster parents.
“Partnering with Buckner Children
families through Buckner foster care and
“I like to tell the story of each child who
and Family Services has made Run for
adoption programs in the Dallas-Fort
has come through our house,” Joshua said.
Life and Easter Egg Hunt a favorite event
This is the second year that Buckner
of Council for Life and meaningful to so
has been named a beneficiary of the
many people, including myself,” said
Run for Life 5K.
Paula Burford, Run for Life chair-elect.
Worth area.
“We support the mission of Buckner in
building strong families through the gift
of adoption,” said Ann Carruth, Council
“We are blessed to have the support
“As an adoptive mother, I know firsthand
for Life founder emeritus. “We can all do
and backing of Council for Life,” said
the gift of adoption. My daughter, Mary
our part to help children and their adop-
Buckner Foundation President David Slover.
Catherine, will be co-chairing the run on
tive families with the support they need to
“It is because of generous gifts like theirs
April 4, 2015. We are so proud to be
thrive. We stand together with Buckner for
that we are able to continue our service
working together with the Buckner orga-
the run and we stand together for life.”
in helping local children find hope and
nization to champion life and celebrate
security in the homes of forever families.”
adoption.”
The event featured Joshua and Jeralee
“Foster care
isn’t about
meeting kids’
needs. It’s
about caring
for them and
truly changing
their lives.”
10 Buckner Today •
FALL 2014 ISSUE
–Elizabeth Arnold
zx Sen. Cornyn visits
Family Hope Center
Thank you
Buckner
supporters
Buckner wishes to thank the following corporations,
foundations and other organizations for their charitable
contributions of $1,000 or more during the second quarter
of 2014. (As of June 30, 2014)
PEÑITAS – U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas visited the Buckner Family
Hope Center here in June, seeing firsthand the impact the ministry has on
vulnerable families in the Rio Grande Valley.
During a trip to examine the recent surge of undocumented children
and families crossing the Texas-Mexico border from Latin America,
Cornyn spent part of the day with Buckner officials and families in the
area, including Buckner President and CEO Albert Reyes.
Cornyn toured the Family Hope Center, learning more about Buckner
programs and how they strengthen families throughout the area. He then
met two families served by the Hope Center and listened as they shared
how the ministry has transformed their lives.
“We’re honored that Sen. Cornyn would take time to visit the Buckner
Family Hope Center,” Reyes said. “Legislators make critical decisions that
affect millions of people. By visiting with Buckner families, Sen. Cornyn
was able to gather additional information about their situations, see how
Buckner is helping and learn how he can work to
make life better for all Texas families.” –John Hall
Allstate Insurance
Company, Beaumont
Bailes and Company, P.C.
Harry W. Bass, Jr.
Foundation
Betenbough Homes
Byrd Operating Company
Capital One, Beaumont
Christ Is Our Salvation
Foundation
CoBank
Convergint Technologies
Council for Life, Dallas
Critical Thinking for Life
Darr Dentistry
Dollie and Ruth Neal
Education Fund
East Aldine Management
District
Entergy Texas, Inc.
Esping Family Foundation
Estes Family Educational
and Charitable
Foundation
Farmers Cooperative
Compress
The Fasken Foundation
J.C. Ferguson
Foundation, Inc.
J. Robert Jones
Charitable Trust
First Financial Bank,
San Angelo
Foundation for Southeast
Texas
Gage Family Gift Fund
The Bettye and Murphy
George Foundation
Give with Liberty
Greengate Grove Property
Owners Association,
Mission
Halliburton
Hoglund Foundation
Houston Endowment, Inc.
Mrs. J.L. “Ruth Ray” Hunt
Memorial Fund at the
Dallas Women’s
Foundation
James Avery Charitable
Foundation
Junior League of North
Harris and South
Montgomery Counties
Kohl’s
Kott Charitable Fund
The Looper Foundation
Lubbock Area
Foundation, Inc.
Lubbock Ex-Coaches
Association
Ray H. Marr Foundation
The James and Eva Mayer
Foundation
MERCK Partnership
for Giving
Midland College
Monty Miller Living Legacy
Foundation
The Ned and Linda G.
Miller Charitable Trust
Wayne and Jo Ann Moore
Charitable Foundation
Morgan Stanley
William O. and Louise H.
Mullins Foundation
Odessa College Students
in Philanthropy
PBLA, Inc.
The Plaehn Family
Living Trust
Ed Rachal Foundation
Rotary Club of Cincinnati
Rotary Club of Eastern
Independence
Frances C. And William P.
Smallwood Foundation
Dr. Bob and Jean Smith
Foundation
South Plains
Foundation, Inc.
The Ed Stedman
Foundation
Strake Foundation
T5 Interests LLC
T.L.L. Temple Foundation
Texas Baptist Offering for
World Hunger
The University of Texas of
the Permian Basin
U.S. Operating, Inc.
United Way of Amarillo
and Canyon
United Way of Tyler/Smith
County
Luda Belle Walker
Foundation
Xcel Energy Foundation
FALL 2014 ISSUE
• Buckner Today 11
JOURNAL
zx Church cherishes
call to serve close
to home
they don’t see little, poor, low-income chil-
“At home, there are things you think
dren from South Dallas that need to be
you’re good at, so you don’t really ask
saved,” said Cheryl Williams, director of
God for help,” Blocker said. “But here,
DALLAS – Watermark Community Church
Wynnewood Family Hope Center. “They
things are completely out of your control,
knows people don’t have to travel across
just see children. And the fact that these
and you have to rely on God.”
the globe to serve others. People need
kids came out of their comfort zones to be
Christ everywhere, including close to home.
here makes a huge impact on our kids.”
“When these Watermark kids come,
beamed when she talked about service.
By the end of the week, Wynnewood residents were teaching Watermark students
Thirty Watermark junior
step routines, braiding their
high students recently led
hair and playing competi-
a Vacation Bible School at
tive games of football. The
the Buckner Wynnewood
two groups bonded. Each
Family Hope Center in South
knew each other’s names
Dallas. The VBS is one of
and shared visible trust.
mission
Soon-to-be Hebron High
trips Watermark youth took
School freshman Hayden
this summer.
Ward said he especially
five
Dallas-area
loved
“We want the students
making the kids
to be built up and rooted
smile. “Now I want to
in Christ so they might be
serve whenever I get the
rooted to serve in their own
chance,” Ward said.
The Wynnewood Com-
community,” said Rebe Long,
Watermark’s junior high ad-
munity
Center
currently
ministrator and small group
cares for more than 120
coordinator.
vulnerable
children
in
Watermark began part-
Dallas through afterschool
nering with Buckner last sum-
and summer day camp
mer. This year Watermark
services. The goal of the
served at Wynnewood two
program is to address
weeks, each week with a
each child’s unique needs
different set of 30 youth.
with love and compas-
“What’s so wonderful
sion. Throughout summer,
about coming to Wyn-
the center hosts a series
newood is that long after
of Vacation Bible Schools,
we’re gone, Buckner will
each recruiting up to 70
still be here,” Long said.
kids from the surrounding
Watermark youth directors
community.
encourage their students to continue in-
The VBS was entirely student-led. They
“This is three hours of heaven for these
volvement with Buckner even after the sum-
created biblical dramas, lessons and
kids,” said Williams. “They’re not sup-
mer week of service is complete.
musical programs for the week. One girl
posed to be 9 years old dealing with
even brought her guitar to lead worship
adult problems, but they are. When they
for the group.
come here, they can color, play and just
Local children of all ages flocked to the
Family Hope Center for VBS. They came
for games, crafts and free lunch. More
than anything, they came to be loved.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Kate Blocker, 13, came to Wynnewood
because she loves missions. Her face
be kids.” –Elizabeth Arnold
zx Buckner Family
Hope Center at
Aldine announces
new director
order to continue to deliver transformative
continues to provide the Aldine commu-
programming to the families we serve,”
nity with resources for improving the lives
DeAlejandro said. “My hope is that the
of local families.
community sees a smooth transition in
“Alma’s knowledge and experience in
leadership and recognizes that our genu-
the field of community outreach, combined
ineness and mission have not changed.”
with her compassion and heart for the
ALDINE – Buckner Children and Family
individuals we serve, make her the ideal
Services announced Alma DeAlejandro
candidate to take on this role,” said Sylvia
as the new director for the Buckner Family
Bolling, community liaison for Buckner in
Hope Center at Aldine.
Houston and founder of the Aldine center.
DeAlejandro brings to Buckner a wealth
Bolling began the ministry at Aldine
of experience in youth and community
from the trunk of her car in 1990, and in
outreach. She has trained students in
2012 the program joined Buckner Inter-
community leadership, academic success
national. Today, the Family Hope center
and personal growth as an advisor in
serves about 5,000 households in an area
encompassing a two-mile radius of U.S.
the Lone Star College System and as an
assistant for the student outreach and re-
As director, DeAlejandro will cast a
Highway 59 North and Aldine Mail Route.
vision for the center’s operations, includ-
DeAlejandro earned a Bachelor of
“I want to provide a strong sense of sup-
ing directing staff, managing budgets
Science degree in Human Services from
port and structure for the staff and empow-
and conducting trainings. Her efforts will
Springfield College in Houston.
er them with the resources they need in
help grow the Family Hope Center as it
cruitment department.
–Elizabeth Arnold
one volunteer • one life changed • one place
one life-changing place to
VOLUNTEER
buckner.org/volunteer
Some people wonder if their life makes an
impact on others. I see the impact I have.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
JOURNAL
zx Buckner, LifeWay partnership helps vulnerable children
DALLAS – LifeWay Christian Stores in Florida,
Houston area, College Station, Longview
Christian Stores to bring awareness to the
Texas, Tennessee and Georgia empowered
and Tyler. Stores beyond Texas serving as
needs of vulnerable children served by
people to help vulnerable children this August
donation locations included the Atlanta
Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls,” said
through Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls .
area, Chattanooga, Tenn. region and
Ashley Williamson, Shoes for Orphan Souls
Sarasota, Fla.
manager. “By working together, we can
®
At each of the 25 participating Christian
bookstores, groups and individuals donated
The partnership between the two organi-
broaden our reach to serve more children
new shoes and socks for children served by
zations provided an opportunity for many
in the United States and around the world
Buckner in the United States around the globe.
people to learn about and participate in a
with the tangible gift of new shoes, as well
shoe collection for the first time.
as the love of Christ.” –Anita Morris
Participating Texas stores were located
in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Greater
FALL 2014 ISSUE
“We are excited to partner with LifeWay
zx Buckner receives 25,000 sandals from Niagara University
DALLAS – Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls received more than 25,000
“The Sandal Falls project starts an essential conversation about the
sandals Aug. 1 from the Sandal Falls Project at Niagara University in Lew-
importance of footwear to the health and education of children around
iston, N.Y. The shoes will be sent to the Rio Grande Valley as part of the
the world,” said Dr. David B. Taylor, institute director at Rev. Joseph L.
Buckner initiative to care for migrant children crossing the Texas border.
Levesque, C.M. Institute for Civic Engagement. “Through the simple
“The timing of this donation is an answer to prayer for our team and will
service project of sorting, packaging and redistributing sandals, we raise
allow us to serve even more children who are crossing the Texas-Mexico
students’ awareness about such complex issues as poverty, globalization,
border seeking refuge in the United States,” said Ashley Williamson,
environment and social inequity.”
Shoes for Orphan Souls manager. “We pray that the sandals will remind
B.O.L.D. partners with organizations around the world that have
these children of the Lord’s love and provision for them in the midst of so
humanitarian aid efforts to distribute the sandals locally and abroad.
much uncertainty.”
Business students and members of the club volunteer their time to sanitize,
Buckner will send the sandals to the Rio Grande Valley along with nearly
500 other pairs of shoes collected at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian
Aid in Dallas. This is the first donation of a long-term partnership between
Buckner and the Sandal Falls Project.
sort and bag the shoes donated by Cave of the Winds, where tourists
wear the shoes for a few hours during their tour of Niagara Falls.
“The students are passionate about this project and work hard during
the school year to organize student work groups that make this possible,”
The Sandal Falls Project is a service venture of B.O.L.D. (Business
said Yvette Suarez, institute coordinator at Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M.
Organizational Leadership Development), a student-led business club
Institute for Civic Engagement. “It has been our prayer that we would find
at Niagara University. B.O.L.D. annually collects sturdy, waterproof
a partnership that helps us reach the less fortunate and now the students
sandals purchased by tourists for admission to the Cave of the Winds
can focus more effectively at continuing the process. This relationship with
Tour attraction at Niagara Falls. They work in conjunction with the Rev.
Buckner gives them an outlet to do what they set out to do because Buckner
Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. Institute for Civic Engagement, a community
is a tangible organization meeting a tangible need.”
outreach branch of the university.
–Elizabeth Arnold
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M
argarita Gomez* slowly stirs in a dark
room. The aches of yesterday’s childbirth
reverberate through her body. Her hands
glide up and down the bed around her, but she
doesn’t find what she wants.
Sitting up, she calls to those who have been taking
care of her and asks for her newborn child.
You have no child, they respond. It’s a lie, Gomez
knows, but her life is threatened if she ever professes
otherwise.
Her baby is gone.
Later that day, Gomez and her two young children
are loaded on a bus that returns her to her quiet
Guatemalan village. Throughout the next few days,
she relives what happened. Elvia and Mario Sosa**
promised to help her. They arranged for a doctor
to deliver her child. Yet, shortly after she arrived at
their home, she and her children were locked up.
The birth of her son was a blur. She never held,
never even saw her boy, Samuel.
{Continued on page 20}
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Kidnapped
Margarita Gomez holds
her infant son Samuel after
a harrowing kidnapping of
the boy at birth. Samuel was
reunited with his mother after
months of investigation and
casework by Buckner.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
{Continued from page 18}
Three days after the birth of her son, Gomez reports the situation to the
police, launching a nationwide search for Samuel. It begins with legal authorities taking Gomez back to Cantel, where she awoke after childbirth.
“The only thing I remember is that there was a store right in front of
the house,” Gomez says. “They took me to one street, and it wasn’t
there. Then to another one, and it wasn’t there, and so on. I told them
that all I remember were some railings on a little hill. That’s when we
found the house.”
Inside the home, they discover the Sosas. And baby Samuel.
“They rescued my baby, and I saw them when they rescued him,”
Gomez says. “To be honest, they wouldn’t let me see him that day. I
was a little upset. I really wanted to meet my baby and I couldn’t do it
that same day. But I was happy, too, because he was safe and away
from the people who stole him from me.”
Authorities arrest the Sosas and place Samuel into care at Casa
Alegria, a children’s center “without the love and care of her
mother, brothers and family,” said
Buckner Guatemala Caseworker
Jenifer Montes.
Montes is notified of Gomez’s
situation by Guatemala’s national judicial court. She is part of Semillas
de Esperanza, a Buckner collaborative effort between Guatemala’s
child welfare department and Buckner Guatemala. Her assignment:
Perform the investigation and legal casework necessary to determine if
Gomez is the mother and, if so, reunite her with her baby.
The Semillas project is the outcome of a nearly $1 million grant
awarded in 2013 to Buckner by the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) to develop programs in Guatemala that will provide permanent family solutions for orphans and vulnerable children.
In English, the project is dubbed Fostering Hope Guatemala.
In Spanish, the name gets a slight twist: It is called Semillas de Esperanza or, literally, “Seeds of Hope.”
Carlos Colon, manager of strategic initiatives for Buckner, says the
USAID/Guatemala/Buckner collaboration is a “great example of
what happens when governmental resources are joined with expertise
in child casework. In the time Buckner has been active in the Semillas
project, we have dramatically increased the number of children who
have been taken from dangerous situations and placed into safe care.”
Among the project’s goals are finding ways to locate or provide
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Reunited
Margarita Gomez (at upper
left) says Buckner “did a really
great job” to reunite her with
her baby. The family, including
her mother and two older
children, live in a remote
village near Rio Bravo.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
After interviewing Gomez, Montes orders a DNA test to determine
safe care for children ages birth-3, including placing them in foster
whether she is Samuel’s mother. She arranges court hearings for Go-
care or reuniting with their families. It’s a charge that seems to be a
mez and Samuel. Seventy-five days after he was placed into state
perfect fit for cases like Samuel’s.
care, a judge grants Gomez provisional care of Samuel.
“When I learned it was a kidnapping, a child ripped out of his
On a cloudless morning in a quiet village, Samuel is home with his
mother’s arms and that she didn’t even get to meet him, I felt three times
mother, siblings, uncles and grandmother. Montes smiles at the sight.
as committed to her and the baby,” Montes says. “It seemed so unfair
She helps Gomez fill out the last of the custody forms that will signify
and I felt so powerless. I didn’t have the power to fix it immediately.”
the end to her long six-month ordeal. When the DNA tests come back
Montes turns to her expertise – and to a higher power – to tackle the
case. “When I heard about the case, I asked God to enlighten my mind
and to guide me on the right path -- which people to talk to, and what
it was that he demanded of me for me to be able to serve this family.”
The case is the first of its kind for Montes with Semillas de Esper-
positive, Montes says Samuel’s “right to have an identity will be restored. Margarita and her children will continue living their lives.”
Gomez looks up at Montes with a mother’s smile as she hoists baby
Samuel into her arms. “I really appreciate [Buckner] a lot because they
did a really good job. My baby is with me now. I am very happy.”
anza. Similar cases often lead to dead ends. “In Guatemala, there
Montes says that joy is mutual.
are hundreds, even thousands of kidnapped children and the mothers
When she found out that Samuel had been reunited with his mother,
-- out of fear or because of a threat or ignorance or not knowing what
she “felt a joy that I can’t even express with words. It was an over-
they can do -- stay quiet and the
whelming emotion. I rejoiced. I cried. I must confess that it was
children get lost. In irregular adop-
very gratifying to know that the effort, the time, the work and
tions, they get sold.
everything that gets done coordinating efforts with other
“In this case, we have to give
institutions and going over to her home to interview
credit to Margarita,” Montes says.
her, learning about her story, and having all
“She was brave and had the cour-
those little actions add up.”
age to come to the authorities and file a report.”
As Montes works on the case, Gomez fights her own demons while
Samuel is away from her.
“I was feeling sad because he wasn’t around,” she says. “I would
Montes ends the case like
she began it: with prayer.
“When I found out Samuel
had been reunited with his
cry sometimes, because I didn’t have him. When people asked me, I
mother, I was just thanking
didn’t know what to say. I thought I had lost him.”
God and glorifying Him for
Because of the way information is transferred between courts, Mon-
His greatness and mercy, because
tes largely starts from scratch. As she searches for people and inter-
this is one solved case out of the many
views them, she documents her efforts with law enforcement officials.
kidnapped children. So now, I pray to God to give
“It was really difficult. As the kidnapping happened in Quetzaltenango,
wisdom to Ms. Margarita.” n
the process gets started in a division, a court. And because Margarita
lives in another division, the case gets transferred, so in that period of
*Her name has been changed to
time of approximately one month, there is no information about the
protect her identity.
family, their address or why is the child in custody. So, during that
whole month it is very difficult to get information,” Montes said.
“Even if we had the address, it is very difficult to go in and walk
around. Generally, we have to search for one person at a time and
ask them, or store-by-store and say, ‘Do you know Ms. Margarita?’ or
‘Do you know where she lives? How can I find her?’”
FALL 2014 ISSUE
**Their names have been changed
pending legal action against them.
The end of her
nightmare
Buckner Guatemala caseworker Jenifer
Montes helps Margarita Gomez fill out
the last of the custody forms that will
ensure Samuel remains in her care.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
A
s a caseworker for Semillas
de Esperanza, Dina Tomás
logs a lot of hours the
old-fashioned way: on foot. Due
to incomplete files, a backlog of
cases and a rural setting, Tomás’
casework in Guatemala involves a
lot of face-to-face investigation.
Many of her cases involve the large populations of indigenous groups in remote villages
with no vehicular access in the Coban District
of Guatemala. She points to her hiking boots,
noting, “These are my car.”
Semillas de Esperanza (“Seeds of Hope”) is a
project of Buckner International in collaboration
FALL 2014 ISSUE
with Guatemala’s child welfare department and Buckner Guatemala. It’s the
outcome of a nearly $1 million grant
awarded in 2013 to Buckner by the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID)
to develop programs in Guatemala that will
provide permanent family solutions for orphans
and vulnerable children. {Continued on page 27}
Planting seeds
of hope in remote
locations
Buckner caseworker Dina Tomás
(inset, at left) often treks to remote
locations as part of her casework
for the “Seeds of Hope” project. She
and Buckner co-worker Abdy Meoño
(left) deliver food and a water purifier
to a family Buckner recently reunited
with their missing children.
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“When he found out that his daughter had been
Caseworkers like Tomás are tasked with a myriad of
referred to the (third hospital), he visited several times,”
options to provide permanency solutions for children ages
Tomás said. “He brought diapers, baby powder and
birth-3, including reuniting children with their families, placing
clothes for his daughter. However, they wouldn’t let him
them in foster care, or making other permanency plans.
see her. He returned and later he called, but still they
Today, she is in the Kekchi Maya village of San José Pa-
didn’t let him see her. After that, he kept calling because
cayal checking up on 2-year-old Sara*, who she helped
he had the number of the hospital and they didn’t give
reunite with her parents following a bizarre story involving
him any information on the child.”
a hospital mix-up, a cover-up and a search for her family.
To get to the village, Tomás had to drive on a national
Tomás explained the couple couldn’t visit the hospital
often because of the family’s remote location.
highway for six hours before turning off on a dirt road
“The hospital was six hours away and there is no
that would take her to a pedestrian suspension bridge
transportation,” she said. “So it was difficult for them.
and lead her to the trail to take her to the mountainside
They rarely went to Cóban, but they kept calling and
Celebration
Juana Pap and her husband Bartolo Díaz
celebrate the return of their daughter Sara
after a hospital mix-up placed the girl in an
orphanage. The couple are Kekchi Maya,
a group indigenous to Guatemala.
village where Sara lives.
Sara was born in April 2012 to Juana Pap* and her
husband, Bartolo Díaz*, at a health center in Chahal.
they still did not give them any information.”
Díaz recalls the despair he felt at the time: “The doctor
wouldn’t show me Sara. I went back, sad.”
Díaz is an agricultural worker. Pap is a homemaker
Díaz, who works at a palm farm, said he finally gave
who is often found in the kitchen. Sara was born under-
up because he couldn’t afford to continue the search in
weight – 3 lbs. -- and diagnosed with malnutrition while
Cóban. “I was working at La Palmera. If I missed one
her mother was diagnosed with anemia at the hospital.
day, I would be fired.”
Both were taken to another hospital for treatment, but
Tomás said the last time the family called the hospital
while Pap was discharged, baby Sara remained for
in Chahal, officials there told them “that the child had
further treatment. Needing specialized care, Sara was
passed away. So, they gave up and stopped calling
transferred to a third hospital, this time in Cóban.
the hospital because, according to them, she had died.”
Word got back to Díaz that his daughter had been
With no family visiting the infant in the hospital and
transferred, but then the story took a bizarre hairpin turn.
very little information available on her, the child was
FALL 2014 ISSUE
The Fostering Hope Guatemala
project fact sheet
F
ostering Hope Guatemala is a project of Buckner International
and Buckner Guatemala and designed to provide long-term
permanency solutions for vulnerable children ages birth-3 in the
country. What you need to know about Fostering Hope Guatemala:
The project is known in Guatemala by its Spanish name, Semillas
de Esperanza, which is translated “Seeds of Hope.”
The project launched in August 2013. It has been funded for two
years by the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) in collaboration with several Guatemalan agencies,
including:
•Organismo Judicial (Justice Department)
•Consejo Nacional de Adopciones
(National Adoption Agency)
•Procuraduría General de la Nación de Guatemala
(Attorney General)
•Secretaria de Bienestar Social de la Presidencia
de Gautemala (SBS)
Among the goals of the project are:
•Placement of all children ages 0-3 in Hogar Seguro
orphanage into quality, family-based care.
•Provide quality, family-based care to at least 50
children ages 0-3 who have been referred to the project
by Guatemalan courts.
•Help train government personnel who are responsible for
child placement and care and authorities involved in
policy-making, judicial decisions, oversight and
management regarding child placement.
•Create an integrated tracking system that enables the
process of moving children toward permanency.
Who’s doing the work: Buckner has assembled a team
of indigenous experts in the field of social services, including a
permanency team of social workers and physiologists authorized
by the Secretaria de Bienestar Social to execute investigations of
every child 0-3 in SBS custody.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Found alive
Juana Pap (foreground cooking)
says she felt a sense of “calm”
when Buckner caseworker Dina
Tomás told the family her daughter,
presumed dead, had been
located alive.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
when she told him his daughter was alive “Ah yes, I felt so calm when
declared adoptable, Tomás said. Seeds of Hope intervened in
you came and told me.”
November 2013, to determine Sara’s identity and family connections.
Tomás investigated at all three hospitals, working backwards to
determine her identity.
For Tomás, the successful, though difficult, search, was a labor of
love for God.
“That’s what I love about my job, is that I’m serving God,” she
By April 2014, Tomás and Seeds of Hope continued the investiga-
said. “God is my partner. He is my boss. He sends me to work for the
tion, finally working their way to the initial birth hospital in Chahal.
people who need it. I am just an instrument and I have weaknesses,
“We were able to locate the address or the possible address of the
but I want to strengthen them and keep supporting these people.”
mother. We shared this information on Radio Bendición in Chahal, to
try to reach the girl’s family.”
Following leads they’d gotten from the hospital, Tomás tracked
down the parents at San José Pacayal, “asking one neighbor after
It’s a sentiment Díaz emphasized to her. “Many thanks to God.
God’s blessings on you.” n
*Their names have been changed to protect their identity.
another if they knew Mr. Bartolo and Ms. Juana.”
They did, guiding her to the couple and their large extended family,
who were stunned and overjoyed when Tomás brought them the news
their youngest daughter was alive. The visits continued with home studies,
hearings and, finally, a reuniting with Sara’s large extended family.
Díaz recalled his and his wife’s feelings with Tomás the moment
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Lost and found
Baby Sara, once thought dead at birth, has been reunited with
her extended family in a remote village in Eastern Guatemala.
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He caught her eye
DeeAn Davis met Jeff Thompson at a party on the basement level of
“He wasn’t a very good singer,” DeeAn says, laughing at the
memory.
the Martin Hall dormitory in 1982 when they were both freshmen at
He asked for her hand on Dec. 16, 1983 at Lake Waco, seven
Baylor University. Jeff and his hall mates invited every cute girl pictured
days after DeeAn’s birthday. Jeff gave her a package, telling her, “It’s
in the freshman annual. DeeAn and her roommate figured “why not?”
a birthday gift.” Inside was a sweatshirt that said ‘Merry me?’ It didn’t
and took a break from studying to check the party out.
register at first – DeeAn didn’t read it carefully and thought it was a
She says Jeff caught her eye because he was the only guy there who
Christmas sweatshirt until Jeff told her to lift it out of the box. Beneath the
owned a computer. They played Pac-Man and met up in the Penland
words was a ribbon attached to the shirt with the engagement ring tied
Hall cafeteria the next morning for a breakfast date. She was stressed
to it. On the back of the shirt he had written ‘The future Mrs. Thompson.’
out and miserable because she was afraid she’d bombed her chemistry
exam. He embarrassed her in front of the whole cafeteria by belting
out, “Gray skies are gonna clear up. Put on a happy face…”
DeeAn says it was creative, sweet gestures like that proposal that
made her sure Jeff was “the one.”
“I thought, ‘I don’t think I’ll ever find this in anyone else,’” she says.
“He was just very romantic. He was very good at thinking of things.
He would write poems. He would make a lot of things. When we
were at Baylor, he would send things like flowers and balloons, and
sometimes a pizza would just show up at our dorm room. So he was
really thoughtful and sweet about those things.”
They married at First Assembly of God in Dallas in May 1985. They
were 21 years old. DeeAn left Baylor, and Jeff worked and went to
school part time at the University of Texas at Arlington to finish his degree.
DeeAn’s mission in life is to take care of children. It’s fulfilling and
comfortable. She always knew she wanted a big family. When she
thought about her future, six kids sounded like the right number. Jeff
agreed, although DeeAn says with a wink that she thinks “he just said
that because he wanted to marry me.”
In the early years of their marriage DeeAn worked as a teacher’s
aide in a special education class and there, she fell in love with an
adorable 18-month-old baby girl named Ashley. All the teachers loved
her, and often squabbled over whose turn it was to take care of her in
school for the day.
Ashley became severely disabled as a newborn. Born prematurely,
doctors suspect she contracted encephalitis at the hospital and suffered
serious brain damage because of it. She could hear, but couldn’t see,
speak, process language or walk. She would require as much care
as an infant for her entire life. Overwhelmed by Ashley’s needs, her
Jeff proposed to DeeAn in December 1983 with a personalized
sweatshirt that said, “Merry Me.” They married in May 1985
in Dallas.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
biological mother abandoned her. Her father relied on his own mother
– Ashley’s biological grandmother – for much of Ashley’s caretaking.
DeeAn experienced a miscarriage while working as a classroom aide
and “was lonely for a baby.” She daydreamed about adopting Ashley
but dismissed it as a silly idea. “I’d have to marry Ashley’s dad,” she
thought to herself, “And I already have a husband.” She wrote a note to
Ashley’s grandmother offering to babysit on weekends, thinking, ‘What
could it hurt?’ Ashley’s grandmother immediately accepted the offer.
Without knowing anything about DeeAn’s thoughts of adoption, Jeff
remarked during that first weekend with Ashley, “What if we could be
Ashley’s parents and her grandmother could just be her grandmother
instead of being like her mother?”
On Sunday evening, they dropped Ashley off at her grandmother’s
place. The next morning, the school received a call from Ashley’s
grandmother. One of the teachers relayed a message to DeeAn: “She
“I think it was the part where it says, ‘What energizes you?’ and
was calling to find out if you would be interested in adopting Ashley.”
I thought, ‘Really, taking care of my kids is what energizes me.’ You
DeeAn’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe it. After several months
know, I might be exhausted, but somewhere I’m going to find the
of weekend visits and then a year of living with the Thompsons full
energy to keep doing whatever I need to do. So I thought, ‘That’s
time, Ashley’s adoption was finalized when she was 4 years old. On
really what energizes me and this is what I need to do.’”
the date of their finalization, DeeAn also had her hands full with her
firstborn biological child, Jenny, who was 3 weeks old.
Jeff was on board with the idea of fostering and together in the
early 2000s they made an inquiry about the process of becoming
The year after Ashley’s adoption was finalized and Jenny was born,
certified. They learned that their own kids were too young for them to
twins Jeffrey Jr. and Katy arrived. Then came Christy, and, finally Amy, their
take additional children into their home, so they took it to mean God
last biological child. DeeAn’s dream of being a mom to six came true.
was telling them, ‘Not yet.’
Expanding family
again began the process of foster care certification.
In 2009 when Ashley was 24 and Jenny was 19, the Thompsons
The years passed. Their kids grew up, and DeeAn started thinking
“They weren’t looking to adopt, so their motivation was totally different
and talking about something she’d been interested in for as long as she
from what we typically see,” said Sheree Scott, the Thompsons’ foster
could remember: foster care. What brought it to the forefront of her mind
care home developer with Buckner. “Most families come wanting to
was a passage from the book “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren.
expand or begin their family, but with the {Continued on page 38}
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Limitless compassion
Charlie Brown, pastor at The Crossing Baptist Church
in Mesquite, Texas, describes DeeAn as having
“limitless compassion.” Sheree Scott, foster home
developer supervisor for Buckner, agrees.
“What makes DeeAn a great foster parent is her
commitment to what she and her husband started in
2009,” Scott said. “Even if a home is found for the two
children she is fostering now, she still plans to foster.
She has not said, ‘I’m done.’
“I think her strong Christian faith best describes
her, because that’s the only thing I can think of that
keeps her going. I don’t think anybody could say
they’ve done it on their own strength. It’s God
walking beside her and carrying her through these
difficult times. She’s so sweet and loving. You can’t
help but love her. She’s just dedicated and committed
to the kids and foster care.”
FALL 2014 ISSUE
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{Continued from page 35} Thompsons, fostering was what they were
come to the dinner table for hours, and his fit only worsened when
called to do: to be servants. They felt like they were just called to be
he heard Jeff say the blessing before eating. He wanted to be the
foster parents, and that there was a need for foster families.
one to do it.
“When I first met them I could tell they were very warm, very friendly.
She also looks back with pride to think of how far some of the
I remember thinking they were a very close family and a very strong
foster kids came in their time living with her and Jeff. She thinks of a
Christian family. DeeAn relies heavily on her faith.”
16-year-old boy who she still sees occasionally when extended family
DeeAn acknowledges that she and Jeff were “pretty green going
invites her to birthday parties or other events. She says she sometimes
in.” Some foster kids were easy to care for and others presented more
worries about him and the choices he makes, but he’s always sweet
challenges. Sometimes when a child would leave their home to be
and polite when he sees the Thompson family again.
reunited with family or go to a different placement, the Thompson kids
would breathe a sigh of relief and DeeAn would tell them, “I know. It’s
OK. It was hard.”
Life screeches to a halt
Sheree learned about the tractor accident the day after it happened.
She can look back today and laugh at the dramatic, several-hours-
After recounting the details over the phone, DeeAn told her it would be
long tantrum an 8-year-old foster child threw after Jeff reprimanded him
best for the two girls they were fostering to be placed in another home
for pestering his baby brother, but in the midst of it as they listened to
while her family grieved and figured out what to do next.
him cry and cry, she says it was pretty stressful. The boy refused to
FALL 2014 ISSUE
It was a hard time for everyone. The older of the two foster girls was
afraid of men due to a trauma in her past and had never let Jeff hold
her or pick her up until just a week before the accident.
“We had been at a graduation party at our church, and that was
the first time she had ever let him hold her, because we were dancing,”
DeeAn recalls. “There is a really cute picture of the two of them. He
was so happy that this little girl had finally let him hold her while they
were dancing.”
Healing love
Four months after Jeff’s death, DeeAn took in 5-month-old Bella,
and one year later, Bella’s sister Chloe was also placed with
DeeAn at just 2 days old. Loving the girls and wanting to ensure
they had a good home, she adopted them.
Charlie Brown, pastor of The Crossing Baptist Church in Mesquite,
Texas, was one of the first people to arrive at the scene after the police
and emergency crews. He stayed there with DeeAn while she waited
for hours in the dark for a wrecker to come and pull the tractor and Jeff
out of the water.
In the wake of Jeff’s death, the church screeched to a halt. The entire
congregation was in shock when they heard the news.
“Jeff was the outgoing one,” Charlie said. “He was an amazing,
amazing man. He had a real passion to minister to men, to make sure
men had a real strong walk with the Lord and that men were caring for
their wives and their families in a Christ-like way.
“He wrote the name of every man in the church in the back of his
Bible, names and phone numbers. Every week he would call some
man and say, ‘How about going to lunch?’ And he’d ask them two
questions: ‘How’s your walk with the Lord?’ and ‘How’s your relationship with your wife?’”
It’s been three years since the accident, and for many of Jeff’s friends,
the wound is still fresh.
“To this day, a man will sometimes come up to me and say, ‘I miss
Jeff Thompson.’” Charlie said. “It kind of rocked their world, and they
would say, ‘I really haven’t gotten back to what I consider even-keel.’
It’s just kind of an ongoing grief that he is gone.”
Starting again
DeeAn took a break from fostering to mourn and find her footing as
the sole manager of her home and her late husband’s architecture firm.
Her head was spinning, but her mother-in-law, Joan Adamski, was there
to keep her grounded.
Joan had set up the books for Jeff’s company from the start and
helped get them updated several times a year when she came up to
visit from her home near Houston. She was a patient teacher when
DeeAn was gripped with uncertainty and insecurity. The business had
always been Jeff’s thing and children had always been DeeAn’s thing.
Being forced into this new role of businesswoman stretched DeeAn
FALL 2014 ISSUE
beyond comfort and also opened her eyes to some of the stress Jeff
must have experienced.
After three months of getting affairs in order, filing paperwork
and learning payroll and billing systems, DeeAn called
voice and recently learned to walk; she does things in her own timing.
When it was clear to DeeAn that both kids weren’t going anywhere and had become adjusted to life with her, she knew adoption
was a possibility.
Sheree and said she was ready to take in foster
Charlie remembers when DeeAn told him she wanted to be
kids again.
Bella and Chloe’s forever family.
“She said she still just felt that was what
“We were all like, ‘Are you crazy? You’ve got kids
she was led to do. She still felt called that
coming out of college, your baby is coming out of high
this was what God had asked her and
school and you’re adopting two little girls that are about
her family to do,” Sheree said.
3 years old?’ She was just unflappable,” he says.
“We all thought, ‘That is quick,’
and wondered, ‘Has she really
“‘Yep,’ she said, ‘I love these girls, and I really need to
make sure they have a good home, and so I’m
grieved or does she just need to
going to try to adopt them.’ And she did. It was
keep going?’ There are some people
official two or three months ago.”
who just need to continue on the jour-
There has been more loss and upheaval in their family
ney God has put them on. Some of us
this year. Ashley died peacefully on April 16, 2014
thought it was quick, but who am I to say
following an illness and brief hospital stay. In a text
how someone is to grieve? I think her faith
message to Charlie, DeeAn’s faith and hope shined
in God and belief is so strong that she was
through despite the sadness. She wrote, “Ashley can
able to grieve the way she needed to, and
now walk, run, see and talk for the first time ever, and
have a lot of understanding and acceptance
that what happened was God’s will. She
knew that even though we don’t understand it,
we have to accept it.”
The family settled into a “new normal.” DeeAn
woke up before sunrise to get Ashley ready for
all her firsts are with Jesus.”
DeeAn has continued to foster since the adoption.
Right now she takes care of a 2-and-a-half year
old and her 15-month-old brother. Toting around
four kids under 4 years old, DeeAn can be quite
a spectacle.
the day. At 6:30 every weekday morning, she put
“She’s just dedicated and committed to the
Ashley on a city bus for the elderly and disabled to
kids and foster care,” Sheree said. “Even when
send her to The Achievement Center of Texas. She
her daughter died, we were looking for respite
came home by bus at about 6 p.m. In the hours in
for her, but she said, ‘I don’t want them to go
between, DeeAn would take care of her foster children,
to respite. They are still uncomfortable being
run errands and manage the architecture business.
On Oct. 26, 2011, just four months after Jeff’s death,
around strangers.’ She felt they’d be happier
and more comfortable at home. She’s very
DeeAn took in a 5-month-old girl named Isabella. Bella,
selfless. The foster kids’ needs come first.
as DeeAn calls her, is a girly-girl with big, olive eyes and
She’s thinking of them at a time when
dark, straight hair. She’s curious, smart, strong-willed and
people would be thinking about them-
rambunctious. She loves to dance and twirl through the
house and works on her curtsy like a princess.
Her curly-haired, blue-eyed baby sister Chloe was placed with
DeeAn a year later at just 2 days old. She clings to DeeAn and has
been attached from the start. Sheree says Chloe is starting to find her
FALL 2014 ISSUE
selves and their own families.
“I think it’s very obvious that she’s committed to what God has
called her to do, to be a servant and take care of ‘the least of
these,’” Sheree continued. “She’s never wavered from that.” n
S P I R I T U A L
D E V E L O P M E N T
Focused on faith, hope and love
By Jeff Jones, Area Vice President for Spiritual Development
D
• An overwhelming desire – a prayer – that God would
use us as people who offer the hope, faith and love
uring the past two years, Buckner has experienced
found in 1 Corinthians 13:13.
a rebirth of its focus on incorporating spiritual
development into our ministry.
We further defined our desire to implement a spiritual development
plan into our ministry strategy, coming to a few strong conclusions:
I know what some of you may be thinking, “…but
We are oriented to a Judeo-Christian worldview; we want our clients
Buckner has always had a strong sense of its Christian
to have the opportunity to develop their spiritual identity; we want our
roots in its ministry.” That’s certainly true, but the resur-
services geared toward linking the potential of every client to God’s
gence we’re experiencing and implementing now is a
redemptive plan for their lives; and we want to provide opportunities
deeper, more systematic, more intentional inclusion of spiritual develop-
for our clients to grow in their individual potential.
ment in our operations: To not only serve the physical needs of our
clients, but to equally serve their spiritual needs.
It’s a spiritual/physical connection true to the roots of our founding
To accomplish these desires, we’ve begun to implement a set of best
practices to insure they are being met. Right now, we have begun to
implement four best practices. Through them, we are insuring:
by R.C. Buckner in 1879. As Baptist historian Karen Bullock wrote in
her history of Buckner, Homeward Bound: The Heart and Heritage of
our history and heritage.
Buckner, “R.C. Buckner’s work to alleviate the suffering of humanity,
to champion justice and dignity for all persons, and to engage suc-
available to everyone who wants them.
ceeding generations in this work remains his legacy, linking Christians
• Intentional prayer permeates our locations.
and non-Christians, Jews and Baptists and Catholics, and people of all
• We promote worship opportunities and local church
other denominations to this most critical work of Christ – the healing of
engagement.
the whole person.”
• Clients understand Buckner’s Christian identity through
• Bible study and discipleship training opportunities are
But the one message we want everyone we serve to come away
Likewise, Buckner President Albert Reyes has focused on the redemptive
with after connecting with us can be experienced in the kind of “faith,
aspect of our ministry, emphasizing to Buckner staff that “we are working
hope and love” found in 1 Corinthians 13:13. With a little re-ordering
with God to take what was intended for harm and making it into good.”
of the list, we want clients to know there is a redemptive plan for their
When we began to implement a means of spiritual development into
lives by first knowing that “I have a sense of hope in a future that looks
our programs, we looked to both our historic motives and the hearts of
different than the one I’m experiencing, and answer to the pain I feel.”
our current staff to help form future directions for our ministry. What we
We then want them to understand that faith in a Savior who will not
found made it easy to forge that direction: Our history and our present
fail them or leave them behind is possible. And last in the hierarchical
direction have really never deviated.
list, we want everyone to experience a “love different than any other,
Among our strongest findings were that Buckner staff members have
(and have always had) three key motives for what we do:
• A heart for the least of these, especially the orphan
from a God who offers unconditional love, and with this foundational
love, I can love others the same way.”
Please pray for – and with – us at Buckner as we seek to permeate
and widow highlighted in James 1:27.
our ministries with the love of Christ. Pray for our clients as they both
seek and experience that love. And pray for ways you can be a part
• A passion to be ministers of reconciliation and a
desire to point everything to God as found in Micah 6:8.
of that redemptive message as a volunteer or supporter of our work. n
FALL 2014 ISSUE
T
ara Adesanya is used to hosting
visitors. As soon as anyone crosses
the threshold of her home, she becomes
the ultimate hostess, buzzing around
the room. “Would you like some water?
Or coffee?” she offers. Hospitality
has always been one of her strengths,
cooking one of her passions. It’s a
perfect combination.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
“Cooking is my way of decompressing, relaxing, just maintaining
sanity,” she says. “I notice when I don’t get a chance to, I truly get
nervous. I get anxious.”
It’s not unusual for Tara to share her meals with her neighbors, and
if you are lucky enough to catch Tara on a baking day, she might
even send you home with a parchment paper bag filled with chewy
chocolate chip cookies.
But when she’s not cooking delicious treats in the kitchen, she’s studying.
A lot.
Her living room is furnished with big, black, squishy couches covered
in pink, black and white swirled throw pillows. Perched on the end of
one sofa is a two-foot tall stack of nursing textbooks, notebooks and
manuals. Her kitchen table doubles as a desk, holding her laptop and
class notes. Tara apologizes for the mess, but there’s no need. When
them with, so instead, she stuffed them deep inside and developed a hard
you’re a single mom and a full-time student, life happens – and a lot
outer shell. She decided she could keep herself safe if she kept others out.
of life is happening here.
After graduating high school, she started working toward a home
She’s in school working through the Licensed Vocational Nurse-to-Regis-
economics degree, but discovered she hated it. She began training as
tered Nurse program at Houston Community College. She’ll finish in May
a certified nursing aide instead. She liked how practical it seemed –
2015 and not planning to stop there. After that, she’ll start her Bachelor
she’d always be able to find a job.
of Science in Nursing degree and hopes to get a master’s degree
As she gained experience at different hospitals – mainly focusing on
eventually. At 45 years old, this string of achievements has been a long
cardiology – she realized that she had a natural skill for nursing. She
time coming, and Tara has had to overcome many obstacles to get here.
was a Certified Nursing Assistant for many years and reached a point
•••••
in her career where she had hit her ceiling and learned what she could.
She realized she had lots of potential to grow her career – she’d just
Tara was only 6 years old when her family got the news: Her dad
have to return to school first. But going back to school wasn’t as simple
had leukemia. He went into remission for seven years, but even as a
as registering for classes. Tara is a single mom, which wasn’t her plan.
young child, Tara knew it was likely to come back.
“I had no intentions of being a single mom,” she says. “I didn’t wait
She was 15 years old when her father died. The youngest of five
until 35 to get married to be a single parent. No one does that. No
daughters and the only one still living at home with her mother, Tara
one goes into their marriage to do that.” She married in the spring of
and her mother both went through their days in a fog.
2004 and a year later she talked to her doctor about starting a family.
“I watched a depressed woman,” she says of her mother. “It was
like I couldn’t talk to her.”
Tara had other painful experiences and no one she trusted to share
Unshakable faith
Tara Adesanya and her daughter Adara share a strong faith in
God which has sustained them through some difficult times.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Recipe for success
Houston/Conroe Buckner Family Place
Program Director Cari Latimer (left)
describes Tara Adesanya as resiliant and
strong. She was confident Tara would
succeed if given the opportunity.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Idea, and when I first met her, I understood why,” Cari said. “Tara
Her chances were slim due to medical issues, but the doctor told her
struck me as a very bright and determined woman. She was clear
to discontinue birth control and try for a year before coming back to
about her goals for herself and her daughter, which always impresses
discuss fertility treatment options.
me when interviewing potential clients. As she told her story about
“I left and I got on my knees and I said, ‘Lord, if it’s your will, I’m
struggling through abuse and homelessness, I also quickly realized
going to get this baby. And it ain’t gonna be no year.’ But I didn’t think
how resilient and strong she was. For me, choosing Tara as a Buckner
it was going to be one month, either,” Tara admits.
Family Place resident was an easy choice; I had no doubts she would
Tara says her daughter Adara is God’s child, a blessing and a gift
given to her to be a steward here on Earth.
be successful if given the opportunity.”
“I was biting my nails wondering if I had gotten selected,” Tara says.
“I’m blessed that he allowed me to have her and to be a part of her
“Cari finally called me and said, ‘Yeah, you’ve been selected to come in
life, and I’m always asking him to please teach me and guide me in
to Buckner’s program.’ I was like, ‘This is just like the blessing that I need.’”
guiding her. Even when I feel like I’m going to lose my mind. I always
know from where my blessings come, and I’m really strong in that.”
Adara’s faith is strong, too, and their faith has carried them through
some hard times together. When Adara was less than a year old, Tara
separated from her husband due to verbal and emotional abuse.
Faith sustained them when Tara and Adara became homeless and
spent several years living at different transitional shelters and residential
centers in Houston. Tara recalls having to sleep on a shelter floor with
her 18-month-old baby after moving to Houston with just a few possessions and her car. Adara remembers a mean boy at one of the shelters
who chased her around and threw wood chips at her.
•••••
In early 2010, after months of desperately job searching, Tara in-
Living at Family Place has made all the difference. Even at 8 years
old, Adara can feel it. “A lot has changed,” she says quietly and
matter-of-factly.
At Family Place, Tara is able to focus on parenting and studying.
“Even when I feel like I’m
going to lose my mind.
I always know from where
my blessings come, and
I’m really strong in that.”
–Tara Adesanya
terviewed at Thomas Street Health Center, a clinic exclusively serving
HIV positive patients. She was offered a job in the psych ward. The
combination of HIV and mental illness was far outside Tara’s comfort
She started her Licensed Vocational Nurse program in January 2013
zone of cardiology, but she decided to give it a shot and fell in love
and finished within a year. She passed her boards in March on the first
with the work and the patient population.
try. In May, she participated in her graduation ceremony. She didn’t
“I’d only had my hands in cardiology, so to go to infectious disease
– and psych on top of that – was just a little off-putting,” she says. “But
then when I got there, I was just amazed, and once I was educated
about HIV psych patients, it just blew me away.
want to attend at first, but Adara insisted.
“I told her to do it because you’re not going to get to do it again,”
Adara says. “You’re going to want your degree.”
“When I got pinned for my LVN, Adara was so happy and so
“It took me right here,” she says, pointing to her heart. “And I loved
proud, and I hadn’t even realized how happy and proud she was until
it. That experience was one that I always cherish, and I always go
I saw her at the end of the pinning ceremony,” Tara says. “She was
back to it and remember how much I learned.”
just all over the place.”
Though she had the support of a professional mentor, Tara struggled
Being at Buckner Family Place has changed her outlook.
as she worked full time at the Thomas Street Health Center and went to
“I don’t feel like there are limits on me. It’s amazing to me. I see a
school part time in the evenings and on weekends. She had some fi-
different me. There are things that I tolerated in a broken marriage that
nancial support for her tuition and textbooks through a nonprofit called
I no longer tolerate,” Tara says. “It’s given me strength.” It’s given me
Capital Idea, but she still wasn’t able to make ends meet. That’s when
the tools that I need to concentrate on what’s best for me and my child,
she was referred to Buckner Family Place and met Cari Latimer.
to achieve what I want to achieve for me and my child. It’s a comfort.
“Tara came to us with high recommendations from the staff at Capital
It’s a family.” n
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Story by Aimee Freston • Photography by John Hall
D
oug and Theresa Lovett like to say they entered foster care
Doug says. “It’s simple. Give them a room and then let everything happen
through the back door. Their first placement was unconven-
and allow them to be in the right environment to grow. For us, it’s more
tional and without formal training, as they quite suddenly chose
unnatural not to have kids than to have them.”
to offer their home to a few children in need. The experience allowed
At the time, the Lovetts did not have much extra space in their house.
Doug and Theresa to bless a family, but in the end, it was they who
They shifted office furniture into the bedroom to allow the kids from the
received the blessing; they found their calling through foster care.
bus ministry to have their own room.
Doug, a pastor for Faith Independent Baptist Church in an east
“It was a no-brainer for us, and we didn’t hesitate much,” Doug
Texas town of Waskom, runs a bus ministry for the congregation.
says. However, foster care was a family affair. “Our three daughters
Through that ministry, the Lovetts met five siblings who were being re-
were teenagers already at this time,” Theresa says. “They agreed with
moved from their mother’s care. Not wanting them to go to a stranger’s
us that we needed to help them.”
home, they offered to take in a few of the children while another
couple in their church fostered the rest.
“We don’t understand the complexity of providing children homes,”
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Four years later, the Lovetts continue to be foster parents. Two of their
daughters are attending college, and the couple has built a home in
the country with the intention of fostering children. Today, they have
a total of four foster children -- one from their original placement and
three others placed through Buckner.
functions. They also take an active part in serving and worship.
Usually, when the children first come, they have never uttered a
For Doug and Theresa, fostering is more than providing a home and
prayer. Theresa teaches them small, one-line prayers to begin with, but
caring for children. It’s providing an example of how to be a family
she says it isn’t long before they are rambling extremely long prayers.
and allowing children the opportunity to just be kids. Often, foster
“They know now that their prayers will be answered, and that God
children have come from difficult situations and may have been forced
listens to children. They’re so sweet, and they pray for everything,”
to act as adults and fend for themselves.
Theresa says.
“They need stability, and they need to know there is someone they
can come to if they need something,” Theresa says.
Sometimes, the children pray for each other and for each other’s
families as well.
That includes letting them have a little bit of fun. Living on 20 acres
“They care about each other. They’re praying that their parents
of land, the kids love to play on the farm. They run around, dig holes,
get well and get out of jail, so you know something is clicking,”
chase the dogs and chickens and even jump
Doug says. “Their perspective is right, and
into mud holes from time to time. During it all,
their priorities are in line because they know
Doug and Theresa -- or “Brother Doug” and
“Mama T” as their foster children call them -- are
there, enjoying their laughter and encouraging
them to act like kids.
“This is not an everyday thing,” Theresa says
about jumping in the mud hole. “It’s fun stuff. They
don’t get screamed and yelled at. They just want
to play in the mud. Just be kids and do things. They
don’t have to worry about getting into trouble.”
The children appreciate the influence of Doug
and Theresa. Currently, they have a 6-year-old
boy who follows Doug around the farm and
wears the same hats and clothes as he does.
“I know it’s a mimicking thing, but I think there
is something else too,” Theresa says. “I think he
just wants to know he belongs.”
“They need
stability, and
they need to
know there is
someone they
can come to
if they need
something.”
–Theresa Lovett
The Lovetts are intentional about making sure
there are some people that are taking care of
them, but their parents still need help, so they
pray for them.”
The Lovetts hope the lessons stay with the children no matter where they go after they leave the
Lovett home. “I know that just hearing the Bible
stories stayed with me,” Doug says. “A lot of that
I forgot, but a lot I never forgot, so we hope we
give them something they will never forget.”
Being foster parents has influenced many aspects of the Lovetts’ lives, including their daughters. Two of their daughters have expressed
interest in pursing careers that involve social
work or child advocacy.
“One of the things we should have calculated, and didn’t, but really enjoyed seeing
was how our daughters have received this
they are involved in their children’s lives. Doug drops the kids off at school
and how it has affected them,” Doug says. “They love the children
and Theresa picks them up. They both try to attend the afterschool
and want to be better parents because they have seen what these
activities as well.
kids go through.”
“Anything they have going on, I like to be involved in, whether it’s
The Lovetts admit that with having three grown daughters, their fa-
graduation or other school activities,” Theresa says. “I want to be there
vorite thing about foster care is having the ability to be parents all over
because most of the time, their moms weren’t there for them, and now
again and having young children’s antics in their home. The Lovetts
they expect it of me.”
embrace the meaning of family, and whether they are going to the
Most importantly, the Lovetts teach the children about Jesus. Doug
movies, the park or church, they enjoy just being together.
admits that they spend a lot of time at church. There are a lot of
“We’re a family everywhere we go,” Doug says. “As long as we
children at their church, so they fit right in. They not only attend church
have an empty bed, there’s a spot for another one, whenever another
on Sunday, but also during the week at prayer meetings and other
one comes our way.” n
FALL 2014 ISSUE
M
auvirine Sorrell walks around Buckner Parkway Place in Houston
Mauvirine still went to Bible study and Sunday school together. He
for exercise. Due to some medical issues, she’s limited to moving
died in December 2010.
around inside. She’s accepted that and cherishes it. Each stride is a
“We have such support here because this is a faith-based place. You’ve
step in faith – a manner of journeying with which she’s well acquainted.
got friends who are prayer warriors; you have friends who are caregivers
The Parkway Place resident’s faith has taught her lessons and carried
who help you. Everybody is willing to serve in their special way.”
her through tough times throughout her life. Her daughter Nancy was
The next April, doctors discovered Mauvirine had ovarian cancer.
23 years old when she was diagnosed with one of 300 cases of a
Mauvirine took it in stride. She knew there was a purpose behind each
rare type of cancer. Eleven years later, Nancy died.
of her trials.
“Nancy left me a legacy,” the Houston native says. “You never expect
For a year, Mauvirine underwent chemotherapy – 12 shots every
your daughter to have cancer or to go first. When Nancy had it, she
28 days. It took its toll on her body, but she persevered. At her most
told [a reporter] one time, ‘Take advantage of everything cancer has to
recent check-up, the doctor told her there was no new disease. Mau-
offer you. It will give you a chance to challenge yourself and find the
virine asked if she would need more chemotherapy. The doctor told
limits of your strength and your faith. And you will have an opportunity
her she didn’t even need to be on medication.
to get to know a whole new group of people whose lives are filled with
At that moment, she knew God again walked her through the trial
trauma, sadness, and then you can bring hope and joy to them, by sharing
and gave her “another chance. I just look to him and say I know he
your Christian faith and giving them a chance to fight this disease. You
has a purpose for me each day.”
can find out just how special each moment and person can be.’”
Mauvirine’s route around Parkway Place enables her to connect
Mauvirine honored her daughter’s life by volunteering at the South
with others. She has discovered a faithful community of support, and
Main Baptist Church apartments for cancer patients. She answered the
they have discovered her. They encourage and inspire each other.
phone, helped people move in and helped refurbish the apartments.
They care for each other.
Later, her husband Sam was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
She feels it’s a part of her Christian ministry to help her neighbors as
and then prostate cancer. For three months, the Sorrells became residents
well. Mauvirine finds she tends to cross paths with people who have
of the apartments where Mauvirine volunteered.
been where she’s been. She has a friend at Parkway Place who re-
Through it all, the couple leaned on each other and God. “You
cently found out her daughter’s cancer reappeared. As a mother who
know, many couples when they go through a child having difficulty,
lost her daughter to cancer, she can relate and encourage her friend.
they divorce or have problems or something. But truly, it brought us
“I think it’s in 1 Corinthians where it talks about how we suffer
closer together. And it brought us closer to the Lord, through all of that.”
because God leads us to know how to comfort others,” she says.
The Sorrells moved to Parkway Place in 2007, something they felt
“He comforts us. We can learn how to comfort others as we go
God orchestrated as well. Once there, Mauvirine says they found a
through this. And we also learn that we can’t do it, we have to trust
“wonderful Christian community.”
in God and lean on him, all the way. And then thirdly, that we can
As Sam’s health declined, he moved into skilled nursing. He and
FALL 2014 ISSUE
give thanks to him, which is so wonderful.” n
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Joyful service
Tammy Creason of Community Fellowship Baptist Church in
Hickory, Ky., greets the children in Bungoma, a Kenyan village
where a new water well purchased by the church was installed.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
ach person is a handiwork of God, fashioned
Kenya - Pastor Rusty Wirt learned that a majority of the day in
with features, a personality and talents spe-
a Kenyan village was spent gathering water. When Rusty asked
cially tailored for that individual. With that
what the impact of a water well would be for his village, a student
individuality comes a calling, a passion for
some service, mission or ministry.
responded, “It would be like gold coming out of the ground.”
Community Fellowship Baptist Church vowed to help a village
Likewise, God calls churches to tasks and ef-
in Kenya receive a water well. Realizing it would require more work
forts based on their gifts and talents. For many
than just buying materials and sending it to the village, they began
congregations big and small, that calling is realized
searching for an organization to partner with, but found that most
through Buckner International.
Following the need
Community Fellowship Baptist Church in Hickory, Ky. never
lets a thing like numbers get in its way. When the church first
partnered with Buckner, membership was about 150 people,
yet it raised over $75,000 for materials to build a
water well and to take a team of 10 to Bungoma,
Kenya to minister to the village.
Community Fellowship Baptist Church’s
desire to serve in Kenya began with a
ministry for international students at their
local college. In getting to know the
students - many of whom came from
organizations wanted them to join an already established mission.
Expanding community
In 2013, Community Fellowship Baptist Church took a second
team to Bungoma to continue ministering to the village.
“They basically didn’t want us to come up with our own ideas. They
three years. “There was nothing but pipes sticking out of the ground
wanted us to join in on their own vision, but it wasn’t going to fill that
on the first trip, and now we’re looking at this massive establishment.
void we were feeling as a church. It didn’t fit what we felt God was
It was the most overwhelming moment of my life. I couldn’t imagine
leading us to do,” Missions Coordinator Sherri Wirt said.
how this would pull together so amazingly. It started with the desire to
Working with Buckner proved to be a different experience. Buckner
have water. It started with just a well. We didn’t even have to sacrifice
already had mission work established in Kenya and wanted to expand
terribly, but we did have to work hard, and it touched so many lives.”
it to other villages. One of the first needs was a water well. The church’s
desire to build and maintain a well fit in with Buckner’s desire to expand
ministry in Kenya.
In 2010, Rusty led a team of 10 from their church to the undeveloped
hills of Bungoma to build a well house and dedicate the well that was
previously installed with the materials purchased by the church. Community Fellowship Baptist Church never wanted to build a well and
leave. They wanted to keep ministering to the village throughout the
years. Three years later, Sherri returned with a group of 26 to bring
supplies and minister to 186 children in the community.
“I’m not a personally over emotional person, and I could not stop
crying,” Sherri said when describing the progress Bungoma made in
Tender embrace
Sherri Wirt is greeted by a local pastor’s mother. As she hugged
Sherri, she repeated the words, “thank you” in Sherri’s ear.
Bonding over work
For the last four years, Chalk Bluff Baptist Church in Waco, Texas has been
taking a team to the Rio Grande Valley
for a weeklong mission trip, working
with local churches doing large construction projects, VBS and even salon
services such has haircuts and nail
care. To pull off such an extensive
venture, Chalk Bluff Baptist Church
partners with Buckner.
“You have to have partners to do mission work well,” said Pastor
Chris Johnson. “We can’t do it on our own and to have that partnership makes a huge difference.”
For the congregation, it is important to spread the love of Christ.
“I think we need to be doing as a church everything we possibly
can to go out and make sure that we aren’t inwardly focused, but
doing work for God’s kingdom,” Chris said. “It’s not just about
us, but affecting the community around us and taking the love
of Christ elsewhere.”
The church’s proximity to the Rio Grande Valley allowed more
members to attend and having a close relationship with the
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Ministering
together
Trey McMurtray and Lawrence
Bright from Chalk Bluff Baptist
Church work on installing a new
floor and ramp to a home during
a mission trip to the Rio Grande
Valley. Jonathan Pinto (top left,
page 52) bonds with a child
during a block party where the
church gave out school supplies,
backpacks and food. Kathy Foit
(top right, page 52), a salon owner,
gives free haircuts and hair supplies
to families in the Rio Grande Valley.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
“We had a lot of families that just had a heart for that. A lot of
Latino culture, Chalk Bluff Baptist Church felt that it was the congre-
people were excited about Ethiopia, but we didn’t necessarily know
gation’s calling to go to the Rio Grande Valley. Its partnership with
how to resource that,” Global Missions Pastor Bill Hampton said.
Buckner helped members minister in sustainable and concrete ways.
Christ Chapel Bible Church learned about Buckner’s involvement in
Buckner helps identify people who need aid and then works with
establishing a Family Hope Center and school in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
the church to organize the materials needed for the construction projects,
and felt it fit in with their mission principle of helping orphans and
provide translators and handle other logistical planning as needed.
vulnerable children.
“Without Buckner’s help, we wouldn’t know who to help or what to
A Family Hope Center builds stability for the community through edu-
help with,” Chris said. “To do effective ministry you need people there
cation and resources for vulnerable children and is usually partnered
year-round that know the needs.”
with a local church so that the children’s physical and spiritual needs
According to Chris, the best part about the trip is seeing the bond
are met. In addition to attending the school, the children also are
that happens between the construction crew and the family whose
assigned a social worker who goes to the family’s home and helps
home is being built. The family helps as much as they can and even
them through life skills training.
with a language barrier, there is a loving bond that develops within a
day or two of working together.
Giving hearts
Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas recognizes not every
“As a church, our primary responsibility in missions is to preach the
gospel, so I never want to get sidetracked from that because there’s
always a need. We want to be involved in orphan care. We want to
be involved with children. I think it’s a calling of ours, but we want to
make sure it’s done with a church and with a church in mind,” Bill said.
need is a calling so they crafted a specific plan for mission work, gear-
Because Christ Chapel Bible Church wanted to work in Ethiopia,
ing its resources toward the ministries it felt called to as a congregation.
but also wanted a ministry that was evangelical, supporting the Debre
One of those mission principles is to help orphans and vulnerable chil-
Zeit Family Hope Center fit in perfectly with their calling and have been
dren locally and around the world.
providing funds for the operational costs of the school since 2011. n
On a global scale, Christ Chapel Bible Church felt called to help
children in Ethiopia because several families in the church have ad-
Below, left: Moges Feleke, Buckner Ethiopian director, Bill Hampton,
opted Ethiopian children.
global missions pastor at Christ Chapel Bible Church, and Bill
Egner, executive pastor at Christ Chapel Bible Church, stand
in front of the Family Hope Center in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Christ
Chapel Bible Church has been providing operational costs for the
school there since 2011. Below, right: As a way to create stability
for the community, the Family Hope Center provides education
and resources for vulnerable children. Here, Egner and Hampton
pose with children and staff of the Debre Zeit Family Hope Center.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
T
en years ago, a church friend told me about a trip to Guatemala with
During that trip, I learned knowledge is the greatest gift to a commu-
Buckner International. He described an orphanage full of neglected
nity without clean water, sanitation or medical care. I know we were
and abused babies, toddlers and girls in overcrowded and understaffed
able to offer some hope and relief of suffering while we were there,
living conditions. Then he invited me on the next mission trip there.
but teaching the tribal leader and the pastor, who will continue to offer
Nothing stirs my heart more than a child in need. But I never imagined the desire to help transform children’s lives in Guatemala would
launch a decade-long relationship with a ministry that has changed my
life through experiences in Guatemala, Kenya and Peru.
Sandra was an older girl with special needs who lived in the Man-
this knowledge to their communities, will truly bring lasting health and
healing to the people of Kenya.
I recently returned from a trip to Peru where I saw how powerfully
Buckner works to bring hope, healing and transformation to vulnerable
children and families.
chen orphanage in Antigua, Guatemala. She
We traveled one day to the slums of Lima.
stayed on the periphery of most team activities
Winding up a single-lane, bumpy road to the
that week. On the last day of our trip, the young
top of a hill, I saw poverty and darkness in
girl began wailing inconsolably while watch-
every direction. At the summit, we came to the
ing the Jesus movie with the other girls. “Don’t
Buckner Family Hope Center.
kill him, please don’t kill him!” she screamed.
Stepping through the door was like stepping
“Those are the hands that feed me.”
from darkness into light. Inside were children
In that moment, I realized God is so much
learning about God’s word, adults attending
bigger than I ever knew, and he loves and
computer classes and mothers with their children
feeds his children in ways I have no human
waiting to receive new shoes. We heard
capacity to understand. Sandra had a much greater capacity to see
testimonies from mothers who had received help in starting small busi-
God’s hand in her life and Jesus as the source of that life than I had.
nesses and counseling services from Buckner staff members. They, in
A few years ago, I participated in a medical clinic in Kenya with
Buckner. Hundreds of people traveled days to see a doctor and were
turn, were helping others in their community connect with the Buckner
Family Hope Center.
waiting when we arrived each day. It was overwhelming to know we
I have seen firsthand how Buckner ministries bring light, hope and
could not possibly meet the needs of all these people who were suffering.
true transformation to the people of Guatemala, Kenya and Peru.
Yet, we could make a difference. We offered limited medication,
What a life-changing encouragement to see healing for families and
prayer, encouragement and health education. Many of the people
hope for vulnerable children everywhere Buckner serves. Indeed,
lived in communities that were drinking water from a nearby river. We
hope shines here.
taught that drinking contaminated water could lead to the spread of
“For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has
disease. A pastor and an elderly man who appeared to be a tribal
no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives
leader attended each day, listening carefully and asking questions. By
of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life…”
the final day, one community had decided to begin boiling its water
Psalm 72:12-14a n
every day so its water would be safe. The pastor had taken notes on
all the health education topics we taught and planned to teach his
Susan Williams is a Buckner volunteer as well as a member of the
congregation all the information.
Buckner Foundation board and All Saints Dallas.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Story by Aimee Freston • Photography by Anita Morris
A
my Aguirre has experienced her fair
ship with my mother, and I loved her very
share of trials. She had an unstable
much.” Amy was alone. Her brothers
childhood, was forced to live on her own
were sent to different homes, and she was
at a young age and suffered through an
left to fend for herself.
abusive relationship. In the midst of it all,
She turned to God and experienced his
she discovered God’s love and restoration
love. “Since I had a background of faith, I
and clings to her faith even during the storms.
knew to turn to the Lord, so I turned to him
“I hit my point of brokenness early,” Amy
in brokenness, pain and desperation,”
says. “I’ve experienced healing in the most
Amy says. “I cried out to God, and he
profound ways, and I want to honor Jesus
reached out to me and let me know that
because he has been my healer.”
he loved me. He was there for me, and it
Amy’s childhood was chaotic. Her
was amazing.”
mother suffered from schizophrenia, often
Later in life, Amy would need that
having delusional episodes and nervous
strong foundation of faith to help her go
breakdowns. To cope, Amy turned to
through another traumatic experience.
drugs, alcohol and parties. At 14 years
After trying extensive counseling to heal
old, Amy dropped out of school.
an abusive marriage, Amy decided
“I didn’t really have that encourage-
to find a domestic violence shelter.
ment to persist in school,” Amy says. “My
With four young children,
mother dropped out of high school as
Amy did not want them
well, and I remember her so poignantly
exposed to the abuse she
explaining to me that she understood if I
was receiving.
wanted to drop out. It was just the op-
“The cycle of abuse
posite of what you would want to hear
was continuing to take
from a parent.”
place and it gradually
When Amy was 17 years old, her
became worse to the
mother had a nervous breakdown and
point where I was kept
disappeared. “That was devastating for
as a hostage in my own
me,” Amy shares. “I had a close relation-
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Family ties
Amy Aguirre and her family, (from left
to right) Hosanna, 9, Yeshua, 4, Judah,
3, and Noah, 11, live at Buckner Family
Pathways in Dallas.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Safe haven
Buckner Family Pathways provides a safe and
peaceful environment for the Aguirres, empowering
Amy, Yeshua (below), Noah (left, page 59), and
Hosanna (right, page 59) to thrive.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
life, and we can continue that cycle of generational blessings instead
home. I didn’t want that kind of life for my children. I believe I had to flee
of generational curses.”
for my life,” Amy says.
Amy’s faith also continues to grow, and she has healed from the
Amy and her children lived at the shelter for about three months. “There
pain of abandonment and abuse. “Now that I’m here, I’m capable
were times when I wondered if my life was worth living,” Amy admits. “I
and able to be who God has created me to be. I can be self-
wondered if my children would be better off with someone else raising
sufficient and self-reliant, knowing who I am in Christ. When you
them, but I know those were lies from the enemy. It was just a plan to
receive healing and wholeness, the memories are still there, but it
destroy my life, but God rescued me out of that situation. I would always
doesn’t hurt anymore,” Amy says.
remember God’s promises and rely on them to guide me through.”
Amy is enrolled in full-time study and is a straight-A student. She
Amy’s rescue came in the form of Buckner Family Pathways in Dallas.
earned her Master of Arts in Theology in August and is planning to fin-
Family Pathways provides housing, child care assistance and counseling
ish her Master of Arts in Counseling in about three years. She hopes to
in an effort to support single parents who are currently completing
spearhead humanitarian programs for women and provide Christian
their education and trying to create better lives for their families. She
counsel for those who are hurting.
has been a welcome addition to the program. Cynthia Rentie, Family
Pathways manager, calls Amy a humble servant.
“Amy is genuine and has such a humble spirit,” Cynthia says. “I love
“I have a genuine love for people. I have a heart to see the body of
Christ made whole, to see people healed emotionally because God
has done so much healing in me,” Amy shares.
her walk with the Lord. God gives her energy, and her walk is what
Above all else, Amy wants God to use her life in a meaningful way.
gets her through.”
“I am a testimony of God’s grace and His restoration,” she says.
The moment Amy and her family moved into their new home, she felt
“God has shown me his love, and I want to be able to show other
what had been missing from her life for a long time — peace. At Family
people that same love. Being here enables me to refine and hone in
Pathways, Amy is able to focus on her studies and has the opportunity to
on what God has called me to do and to build myself up so that I can
spend quality time with her children in a peaceful and safe environment.
be that blessing to other people, encouraging them that they have a
“I have seen God’s supernatural provision through Buckner,” she
purpose and are called to make an impact on the earth.” n
says. “I can have a better life so that my children can have a better
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Something old, something new,
something borrowed, something shoe
By Lauri Ann Hanson
F
or many engaged couples, love takes shape in the form of
giving without wanting anything in return. I’ve never met anyone with
extravagant wedding plans or exotic honeymoons, but for one
such a big heart for people in need.”
Reading, Mass., couple it’s all about shoes.
Jessie Queior and Tim Synan were married Sept. 7. Instead of
asking for gifts at their wedding, they asked for new shoes to help
orphans around the world.
Jessie initially learned about Shoes for Orphan Souls while listening
to K-LOVE Radio during a nationwide shoe drive.
“Hearing that I could help provide hope to an orphan seemed
so overwhelming, but once I heard it broken down to how a simple
The shoes collected will be distributed through Buckner Shoes for Or-
pair of shoes could help change a child’s future it all of a sudden
phan Souls® to aid orphans and vulnerable children around the globe.
clicked,” Jessie said. “By donating a pair of shoes, we are hoping
“We want our wedding to be a celebration and what better way to
our wedding guests will be able to identify with a cause beyond just
signing a check. Each pair of shoes we collect will
be hand-placed on a child’s feet as the love of God
is shared – there is no greater gift than that.”
When the couple first announced their plan to
collect shoes instead of wedding gifts, they were
met with a host of questions and disbelief.
“I’m pretty sure everyone thought we were crazy
when they first found out about our plan,” Tim said,
“but as we’ve had a chance to explain the purpose
of the shoe drive we have seen our friends and
family get really excited about it.”
They aimed to collect 150 pairs of shoes. From
social networking to word of mouth, Jessie and Tim
were creative with the ways they spread the news
of their shoe drive. Their friends and family even
jumped on board as they hosted a “shoe shower”
in place of a wedding shower.
do that than invite our guests to invest in something that both our hearts
“No matter what position he is put in, Tim continually blows me
are drawn toward,” Jessie said. “At the end of the day, I get the amazing
away by constantly thinking outside the box as to how he can do
gift of marrying my best friend, and because we are so blessed, we
more to impact the lives of the less fortunate,” Jessie said. “He is such
want nothing more than for the money people would have spent on us
a passionate person in all he does – always searching for a way to
to go toward a bigger cause.”
make a difference.”
Giving back to the less fortunate is a natural overflow of the couple’s
love, Tim said.
Tim said he couldn’t describe how, but he “just knew” Jessie was
the one.
“Jessie is the one who first found out about Shoes for Orphan Souls,
“I think that seeing our priorities line up in the area of service is really
and it was her excitement that drew me in to want to learn more,” he
what drew us together and what continues to increase our love for
said. “That is just how she lives her life – always caring and always
each other,” he added. n
FALL 2014 ISSUE
How to become a
shoe drive coordinator
C
hildren across the United States and around the world are exposed daily to
health risks due to poverty, malnutrition, illness, lack of shelter, clothing and shoes.
Through Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls®, you can provide the gift of health,
education and hope to vulnerable children through the gift of a new pair of shoes.
Register online at buckner.org/shoes to coordinate a shoe drive in your
area, helping friends, families and acquaintances collect shoes for children in
need. When you register, a Shoes for Orphan Souls project coordinator will
contact you, providing a variety of promotional and practical tools to make
sure your drive is the best it can be.
Here are some tips for first-time and veteran shoe coordinators:
Set a goal and dates.
Celebrate the results of your
People are motivated by concrete goals, so give them shoe drive.
something to achieve. The desire to collect a particular
number of shoes in a designated time span will push
you to work harder for your drive.
No matter how many shoes are collected, each pair
will radically improve the life of a child. You have
made a difference. Find a special way to celebrate.
Network, network, network.
After the shoe drive ends, mail or deliver collected
shoes to the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid,
located at 5405 Shoe Drive, Mesquite, Texas 75149,
where every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday volunteers sort the shoes by gender, size and type. From
there, the shoes are shipped all over the world. About
30 percent of the shoes stay in the United States to help
children in need. To learn more about how to become
a shoe drive coordinator visit buckner.org/shoes.
Keep volunteers, family and friends engaged in the
process. Empower them to tell others about the need to
collect shoes for vulnerable children. Share about the
shoe drive on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Place
posters in area shops. Ask your church to be involved.
Give people the option to make
a financial donation.
Some people prefer to give money rather than shoes.
A financial donation can be used to purchase shoes or
help pay the shipping costs of the shoes.
Ask questions.
Throughout the entire process you can count on your
Shoes for Orphan Souls project coordinator to help.
They are ready to share new ideas and strategies and
answer any questions or concerns.
FALL 2014 ISSUE
BUCKNER SNAPSHOT
Diverna Abatte
D
iverna Abatte is one of many devoted Buckner foster parents in
Southeast Texas. She has cared for more than 120 children. We
recently caught up with her and asked why she serves so faithfully.
Life.
When Diverna was 12, she simply wanted to have more children around the house. Her
siblings were older, and she wanted friends. Even at an early age, she knew life is better
when done with other people. She persistently asked her mother if their family could be a
foster family. Her parents agreed.
Love.
Diverna cares about children. Each child needs a safe, loving place to grow and
develop. Her home has been and continues to be just that. Many of the children
have taught her life lessons, and she believes she’s taught them a few as well.
With each young person who comes to her house, Diverna finds herself loving
others just a bit more.
Legacy.
Diverna’s parents weren’t financially well off, but they were blessed with love
and the ability to love others. Her father taught her how to serve others as he
made the rounds in his produce truck, where he often helped people
in need. Her mom was a foster parent for years, modeling a
life of loving others. She’s proud to carry on their legacy. n
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Home
After spending his first 75
days of life away from his family,
Samuel is now where he belongs
— in his mother’s arms. “I really
appreciate (Buckner) a lot because
they did a really good job,” says
Margarita. “My baby is with me
now. I am very happy.”
FALL 2014 ISSUE
Buckner International
700 N. Pearl, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75201
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org.
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Dallas, TX
Permit No. 530

Buckner Today Fall 2014.indd

Transcription

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