“WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?” Jesus was asked. His answer: “Love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37) With those words, every Christ-follower is commissioned to care for the needs of others. STCH Ministries’ vision states, “We want to create a culture where the needs of families are seen and met in creative and innovative ways.” 

Meeting the needs of families became the impetus for developing the unique approach of designing mission activities that include children and parents working together towards a common goal. STCH Ministries International encourages families to use their unique skills to strengthen other families, inspire leaders and make disciples. There are no cookie-cutter schedules; each trip is customized to use the skills presented by team members to meet the expressed needs of ministry partners. Most importantly, as teams invest resources, training and sweat equity, their investment is nurtured by the boots-on-the-ground, partner ministries with whom they have shared. They can return to see growth and fruit from their efforts, rejoicing as co-laborers, whether in the Dominican Republic or El Salvador. 

Some of the creative and innovative ways mission teams served during the summer of 2024 included giving haircuts to the boys at the Higuey orphanage, many of whom were of Haitian descent. At another site, a nurse taught a class on nutrition to parents. More than one team included children with their parents, demonstrating baking and sewing projects or teaching ESL using a bingo game. Two teams organized and presented a family festival for the local church. Games, musical chairs, a photo booth and a devotional time for children, teens and adults drew many unreached families to the local church. Families worked together to build furniture for Bible classes, orphanages and schools. Classes on finances, CPR training and various lessons on parenting and marriage relationships were shared by team members. 

One participant shared, “I am just a science teacher, but any skill given to God can be used in His kingdom!” 

The central motivation for these diverse ministries is to share the Gospel and equip the saints. When the Apostle Paul discussed the use of diverse gifts in Ephesians 4:12, he made it clear that we have a responsibility to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the body of Christ.” Peter further emphasizes, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another… Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 4:10-11. 

Schools have become an important focus of mission trip efforts. A typical teacher in public schools may have between 50- 60 children in a classroom without a teacher’s aide, with limited to non-existent basic resources such as books, notebooks, computers and even school supplies. One Dominican teacher shared many years ago, “I remember when we had to break pencils and crayons in half in order to give each child something to write with.” 

For the last 12 years, a group of teachers led by Ruth Ann Mitchell from Crossroads Baptist in The Woodlands, have presented an annual teachers’ conference. Rebeca Dinzey, Director of the Samuel’s Fund sponsorship program, stated: 

“The teacher training has made a great difference in our schools. Innovative ideas and strategies have produced a change in the classroom. Students are more engaged and interested in learning.” 

Along with sharing skills and knowledge with other teachers, the teachers have grown in their passion to share their faith. They have learned to communicate effectively through translators. As one participant stated, “Not speaking Spanish is a speed bump, not an obstacle.” In addition, the goal is not the subject matter but to share creative methods using inexpensive and readily available resources. “Can you use basic pebbles and leaves to teach elementary children to count, add and subtract? How can you keep children engaged using red and green pieces of paper to answer true-or-false questions?” 

Relaxing and swimming in the Caribbean Sea just hours after their 2023 teacher’s conference, Tamara Lee and Janet Holloway felt energized and inspired as they reviewed their recent presentation organized around games and movement. Their text was the Biblical story of creation. They taught and reviewed God’s providence in the creation of the world, then demonstrated innovative games and movement activities that would help children stay engaged and remember important facts. 

The teachers were divided into small groups of 3-4. Every small group then worked together developing hand signs representing each of the seven creation days, then demonstrated them to the larger class. Another activity engaged the natural competitive spirit of the Dominican culture. Participants stood in a circle and tossed a beach ball back and forth to each other. The ball was marked with numbers 1-7. Depending on which number their thumb landed, they called out the corresponding creation event. The circle grew smaller as those who could not remember dropped out. Teachers eagerly grasped how to adapt these activities to teach mathematics and review geography facts, historical events and more. 

“I know what we are presenting next year for our topic,” Tamara declared. “We’re going to teach how to use graphic organizers for a variety of subjects.” Graphic organizers use diagrams and pictures with minimal words to communicate thoughts. They can demonstrate relationships between facts, and substitute for words of explanation when communicating a bigger idea. 

Over the following year, Janet and Tamara began to research graphic organizers. One type they explored is known as mind mapping. A problem is encircled with limited words, then lines proceed from the circle to various solutions or causes, each identified with a word or two. Visually seeing a problem laid out in a drawing promotes discussion by the verbal learner, and reinforces the visual learner at the same time. 

Teachers often need to communicate significant events in a specific order. The graphic organizer of sequencing illustrates these facts visually. For example, a line drawn across a page or a whiteboard can list a birthdate, then the current date and then another 4-5 significant events in a person’s life. The same tool can be used to teach important milestones in Dominican history, the development of transportation or the evolution of medicine. The graphic organizers challenged teachers to consider, “What would this look like in your own context?” As they understood and assimilated these concepts, the teachers applied them to their specific fields of study—physics, biology and Spanish grammar. 

As Janet and Tamara planned and prayed, they became most excited about a specific graphic organizer depicting a cycle. It was the perfect tool for presenting the Gospel. The cycle graphic organizer would use three circles and keywords, to visually illustrate God’s original perfect creation, then the brokenness that entered the world through sin and finally God’s plan of redemption. 

They began by preparing a folder containing several pages for each participant. A plastic protector encased each page, which would enable a person to write with a marker, and then rub off the words. The first page illustrated the complete Gospel story and each succeeding page left off some of the drawings. The participants could fill in the missing information as they memorized, reviewed and then shared the story with others. 

Together with the whole team, they prayed about every detail. “The previous year, we had worked with an outstanding translator, and we began to pray specifically that God would supply that need again. We even contacted STCH Ministries staff to request him, only to be informed that he would not be attending this year. Swallowing our disappointment, we continued to pray about the translator we needed.” 

On-site in the town of Higuey, they met Scarlett, the young woman assigned as their translator, who was currently employed as a caregiver for the Samuel’s Fund sponsorship program. Winsome and energetic with an ever-present smile, Scarlett worked flawlessly with the team to present the graphic organizers they had prepared. Then, they focused on the three circles diagram. 

The teachers listened, reviewed and practiced sharing the Gospel with each other. Then they were told in English by the presenter, “Now you have homework—go home and practice with a family member, then a friend or a neighbor.” However, Scarlett felt inspired to substitute a word for ‘homework.’ Scarlett translated, “Now you have an opportunity to share with a family member and a neighbor. Come back tomorrow and share your experience with us.” 

Nagela was excited. She went home and shared it with her three daughters, ages 13, 10 and 9. They were familiar with the Gospel story, but as Nagela went through the exercise with them, the Spirit of God applied the message to their own lives personally, and in that moment, they understood their need to accept Christ. “Mama, we are like the broken circle. We don’t always obey, we take things we should not, we don’t treat each other right.” Right there, one at a time, they acknowledged their need for Christ and prayed, accepting Him as their Savior. Nagela’s husband, listening from the other room, came to join their conversation and together they shared in this life-changing moment. 

Nagela could not wait to get to the training on the following day. However, she woke to a tropical rainstorm, a normal occurrence during the Dominican rainy season. Nagela was determined to get to class, although walking was her only option. She arrived late to class. “Am I too late? Has sharing time passed? I have a story to share, is there still time?” she queried. They gladly made time to hear her story, as Nagela eagerly shared the work God had accomplished in their family! 

Later the team of translators and American teachers reviewed the events that had transpired. 

Tamara told Scarlett, “I know a little Spanish, and I realized that you changed my words from homework to opportunity. Thank you for translating my heart!” 

Reflecting on their experience, co-presenters Tamara and Janet shared, “We were telling God what we thought we needed, like, God didn’t know better than we did? From now on we will pray, “God, send me the proper translator. You know what I need!” 

STCH Ministries prayers are empowered by the conviction that individuals in every culture have the responsibility to serve their neighbor, equip them to do His work and build up the church. STCH Ministries believes that individuals and families serving together can effectively minister to the needs of other families and equip churches, schools and orphanages to continue the work God has given them. As they share their gifts and talents collaboratively, they serve each other, and “everything they do brings glory to God through Jesus Christ.” 

OLGA ARRIAGA STOOD IN THE MIDDLE of the bustling Walmart aisle, surrounded by her five children. The noise of clattering carts and conversations filled the air, but her mind was focused on one thing: needs versus wants. It was a lesson she and her husband, Augustin Sr., had been learning together through STCH Ministries Faith […]

JUSTIN AND HIS FAMILY HAVE FACED unimaginable heartache and emerged with a story of resilience and hope. From growing up in the small town of Marlin, Texas, to moving to the Valley with his family, Justin’s journey is one of profound loss, unexpected blessings and the transformative power of faith and counseling. 

A dedicated parent educator, Justin spends his days helping families nurture and develop their children. Moving from Marlin to Waco, he met his wife, whose career brought them to the Rio Grande Valley. Justin’s work involves engaging parents in activities that foster their children’s language, motor skills and cognitive development and educating them on family well-being. However, beneath his professional demeanor, Justin’s heart was burdened with profound personal grief. 

Early in their marriage, Justin and his wife faced the heartbreak of two miscarriages. Four years ago, the arrival of their son Josiah brought great joy to their lives. Two years later, the couple was thrilled to learn they were expecting their second son, Everett. However, their excitement was soon overshadowed by a devastating diagnosis: Everett had a rare condition called limb-body wall complex, which caused his internal organs to grow outside his body. Doctors informed them that Everett would not survive, bringing a deep well of sorrow into their hearts. 

Choosing to carry Everett to full term, Justin and his wife sought solace in their faith community, passionately praying for a miracle. On December 4, 2022, Justin received a call at work that something was wrong with his wife. Rushing her to the hospital, they faced the heart-wrenching reality of Everett’s birth via C-section. The trauma of witnessing his son’s condition and losing his son left Justin shattered. 

Grief overwhelmed Justin, and he broke down from the trauma of it all. His friends, trying to be supportive, avoided mentioning Everett, which only deepened Justin’s sense of isolation. He needed someone to talk to, someone to help him navigate his grief and pain. Seeking counseling, Justin first approached his church, but scheduling conflicts made it difficult for him to attend. Then, a church member recommended Caleb, a counselor from STCH Ministries. 

Shortly after Justin filled out the contact form, Caleb reached out to him. What stood out to Justin initially was that STCH Ministries provided counseling services regardless of his ability to pay. With medical bills and funeral expenses burdening his family, counseling would have been impossible without this support. 

Justin grew up in a home with rigid and damaging expectations about masculinity. This environment made Justin feel unsafe expressing his emotions. However, he soon found peace in Caleb’s compassionate and nonjudgmental approach to counseling. Caleb created a safe space for Justin, allowing him to finally express and process the feelings he had long suppressed. 

“I feel so comfortable with Caleb. He gives me a safe place to not worry about being criticized for having feelings and emotions over losing my son. That has helped me tremendously,” Justin shared. 

One of the most significant aspects of STCH Ministries’ support was Caleb’s shared faith. This common spiritual ground gave Justin a renewed connection to God, helping him see that despite his pain, God had never abandoned him. “He’s never left me. He’s never forsaken me. Caleb helped me to see that through his faith and our interactions. That’s beautiful,” Justin said. Through counseling, Justin began to understand that his son Everett was in a better place, surrounded by love and in the presence of God. 

Justin’s son, Josiah, also had to cope with Everett’s passing. During the pregnancy, the family tried their best to prepare Josiah, explaining that his baby brother would not stay with them but would go to heaven. During the singing of a hymn at Everett’s memorial service, a vision of his son in a garden with God brought Justin to tears. Toddler Josiah, seeing his father cry, offered comfort and cried with him, a tender moment that reinforced the importance of expressing emotions. “I thought that was good for me to show him that it’s okay for men to cry. I’m glad we have that experience together,” Justin expressed. 

The family is committed to keeping Everett’s memory alive while helping Josiah process the loss. Every other week, they pick out fresh flowers to set at Everett’s urn, which sits at their dining room table. They also have a little fire truck that they keep nearby for “baby brother”. 

These special moments, along with their mutual support during tough times, have been essential to the healing process. After an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy session, which is a technique that uses guided eye movements to help people process and heal from trauma more quickly than traditional talk therapy, Justin often returns home feeling sensitive and emotional. Recognizing his exhaustion, Justin’s wife gently explains to Josiah that Daddy is feeling sad. In response, Josiah often gives his father a comforting hug. “Those hugs felt good because it was nothing I ever had growing up in my household. I appreciate my son comforting me when I’m feeling sad.” 

Counseling with STCH Ministries has also improved Justin’s marriage. He has learned to communicate his needs and feelings more openly, preventing emotions from building up and causing strain. This newfound openness extends to his workplace, where Justin has shared his story with his boss, creating an understanding and supportive environment. 

Through counseling, Justin has gained invaluable skills to manage anxiety and emotional breakdowns. He now uses these skills to support families he works with, sharing his story and the tools he has learned with parents who have had similar losses. Justin’s comfort with sharing his experiences has grown, and he can now think about Everett with a sense of peace and love. 

Growing up, Justin knew God was with him and saw evidence of His presence throughout his life. However, during his season of grief, he felt abandoned and struggled to see signs of God’s presence despite his constant prayers. The healing he has gained through counseling has opened Justin’s eyes to see God’s work in his life again. 

Justin also recognized the importance of surrounding himself with supportive, faith-filled friends. After moving to the Valley, the friendships he formed often brought out behaviors in Justin that he did not like. After Everett passed away, none of his previous friends were there for him. Justin realized that God was showing him the difference between the friends he had, and the kinds of friends God wanted for him. 

“Since everything happened, I’ve taken out the things that were toxic, and now my whole life is getting better. I feel that is God moving. He’s in control and still has plans for me, and I have people that support me now,” Justin said. 

Justin believes that Everett’s passing and his family’s grief are part of the larger story of God’s redemption. He continues to attend counseling, hopeful for ongoing healing and eager to help others by sharing his experiences. Recently, Justin shared his story at a work training session without breaking down, evidence of his progress. 

“STCH Ministries Family Counseling is a wonderful ministry, and I’m thankful they were able to work with me when we were financially distressed. I know the positive impact this ministry has had on me, and I want it to be able to help others, so I’m happy to support them now that we can,” Justin concluded. Through the compassionate support of STCH Ministries, Justin has found hope, healing and a renewed sense of faith, empowering him to support his family and others through their own journeys of grief and recovery. 

“I AM ONLY NINETEEN,” she chuckled, “I have my whole life ahead of me.” When confronted with a difficult situation, a young mother, Jasmyne, had a decision to make. She could keep living life as she had been, or she could move to a new place, in a new town, with new people, and give herself and her son the fresh start they desperately needed. 

At the beginning of 2023, Jasmyne faced eviction from her apartment after an argument with her significant other. Feeling lost with no place to go, she reached out to a local shelter for help. At capacity, the shelter could not accept anyone else, but they told her about STCH Ministries Homes for Families. Jasmyne promptly filled out an application and interviewed with staff. In February 2023, she and her seven-month-old son, Adriel, moved into Phase I on the Marshall Campus and started their path toward healing. 

Before coming to Homes for Families, Jasmyne worked overnight at a convenience store. She struggled to find the time to bond with Adriel. She knew she needed to work to provide for her family but did not know how to balance life with work. Coming to the Marshall Campus meant that Jasmyne’s and Adriel’s needs were provided for, and it presented the opportunity for them to start bonding in a way they never had before. 

Jasmyne did not know what to expect coming to the campus. She knew about the rules and the structure but could not comprehend what it meant for her. She quickly adapted to the day-to-day structure; she even enjoyed it. It allowed her to focus on becoming the best version of herself and being the best mother for Adriel. “My relationship with Adriel has grown so much,” she shared. “I have grown a lot as a mother.” Jasmyne learned about the fruit of the Spirit and how to apply it to parenting. Through their time together, she discovered how to get on his level and talk to him gently and lovingly, instead of yelling when he did not understand her. 

Other aspects of Homes for Families did not come as easily for Jasmyne. She struggled initially with sharing her space with the other mothers and children on the Marshall Campus. She recognized that due to her attitude, she had been labeled as “unapproachable” most of her life and she knew she needed to change. 

The resident coordinators encouraged the mothers to communicate effectively, even during conflicts, and to find healthy ways to resolve issues. Jasmyne saw this as her opportunity to change herself for the better and to approach others differently. “It’s been part of my healing process. Now I can be openly communicative, and encourage others,” Jasmyne shared with a smile. “I learned that here.” She is optimistic about how this change will affect her relationships with others outside of Homes for Families and in her future career. 

In March 2024, Jasmyne moved to Phase II of Homes for Families, known as the equipping phase. In Phase II, the Bible studies and teachings become more in-depth and focus on practical applications for today’s issues. The Bible studies include an in-depth look at Ecclesiastes and the Experiencing God study. The work studies include work ethics, succeeding in the workplace and Excel, Word and PowerPoint classes. 

Since being in Phase II, Jasmyne has learned important communication and career skills. Recently, the mothers finished the STCH Ministries Faith & Work course and Jasmyne walked away with new insights into her personal core values and how she can put God first in her future career. Jasmyne also wrote her own mission statement: 

“My vision and desire is to teach and serve young women and men entering their adulthood. My mission is to be their safe place and help teach them about their emotions and how to communicate their needs to help them build boundaries. I believe in the Word of God and the power that it has to remold our brains and release those negative thought patterns that keep us from being our highest selves. I aim to teach these young adults so they can see themselves and the world around them through God’s eyes and build that love relationship and foundation on God. ‘And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.’ Philippians 1:6” 

Her dream is to become a radiologist, and she is eagerly but patiently waiting to be ready for Phase III, where she hopes to start attending radiology school. When asked if she plans on staying to graduate from Phase IV of the Homes for Families program, Jasmyne emphatically said, “Yes! I am not going back to my old life.” 

While Jasmyne has loved learning to become the mother she always wanted to be and working towards her career goals, the most important aspect of her growth has been her journey as a Christian. Growing up, Jasmyne rarely went to church and never truly learned about God. She was introduced to Christ by Adriel’s grandmother, but at that time she could not even begin to imagine what a relationship with Him could be. 

Since coming to Homes for Families, her relationship with Christ has blossomed. “I know that God is on my side and that God is not a hard hammer. He’s a loving God,” Jasmyne shared. “Jesus has always comforted me in my darkest moments, even when I was a mess. My relationship with God now is much clearer and more alive.” She has fully surrendered her life to Christ and is awaiting the day her mother and Adriel’s grandmother can attend her baptism. 

Jasmyne’s new relationship with Christ has even impacted almost two-year-old Adriel. “He loves Jesus, and he loves to pray and say amen,” Jasmyne exclaimed. Because Jasmyne is living with Christ in her heart, she can love her son the way he was meant to be loved. The way God loves her. She can provide for him a life that would not have been possible without STCH Ministries and the support she has received. 

Jasmyne attributes much of her transformation and newfound hope to the resident coordinators and other staff on the Marshall Campus. “I am grateful to the resident coordinators for loving me. We are not part of their family, and yet they choose to love us that way,” Jasmyne shared. “I have seen Christ in the staff here. I am just thankful for them.” STCH Ministries is blessed to have staff members who selflessly give of themselves to see lives transformed daily. 

Starting over can be difficult, but for Jasmyne, this new life is exactly what she needed. “Before, I was miserable from middle school through high school; I was just miserable,” Jasmyne shared with tears in her eyes. “So now, for me to wake up every day and want to get up and want to live is amazing. This place has given me my joy back. It’s given me my life back.” Jasmyne did not let the roadblocks of her life stop her; she pushed forward and received the help she needed. Now, at nineteen, she is living for the Lord and striving to be the best mother she can be. Jasmyne truly does have her whole life ahead of her and with the Lord by her side, she will accomplish great things, not just for herself but for Adriel as well. 

For more information on Homes for Families, visit, www.STCHM.org/hff.