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A Summer on Mission

This summer, eleven college students in the role of interns supported three ministries: Homes for Children (HFC) – Boothe Campus, Homes for Families (HFF) – Marshall Ranch and International in the Dominican Republic (DR). Each person encountered God working in their hearts as He used them to minister to others. Enabling others to join in the ministry of reaching hurting children and families with God’s love and truth is essential to the mission of STCH Ministries.

Summer interns have assisted HFC for nearly 30 years. Joel Bowden, HFC’s Director of Student Ministries says this year’s interns gave him confidence that everything would be taken care of even if he could not attend an activity. The group consisted of three students Benjamin Brewer, Leah Brewer and Israel Pereya (Izzy) who interned at HFC previously. Two new students rounded out the team: Hannah Edmonds and Grace Skaggs from Go Now, the student missions’ program of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Benjamin, sociology major at Texas A&M University at San Antonio, described his time at HFC as “marvelous”. The relationships he formed with staff, houseparents and children will impact him for the rest of his life. Above all, he knows God worked in him as well as through him each year. He believes he has learned to love boldly as a result of knowing the children. Proving himself trustworthy and earning the children’s friendship enabled Benjamin to put Jesus’ words into practice. In return, they taught him to love, how to be loved and what it feels like to be loved by God. Spending the summer at HFC “taught me so much more about myself and who I am; the reality is unreal,” he says.

Leah, Benjamin’s sister and a nursing major at Houston Baptist University, says HFC “feels like home.” She grew up close to the children’s home because her dad is a Director of Development for STCH Ministries. This summer taught her about grace. Sharing her concern about her mother’s cancer treatments with the students allowed them to respond with compassion and open up about their worries. Leah sensed God’s blessing each time the topic came up as God graciously allowed her to see the good He brought through a horrible situation. Leah knew trusting Him in extreme circumstances allowed her to see God’s goodness in her life. “I have never been more reliant on my faith than I am now and for that I am immeasurably grateful.”

Izzy, a junior civil engineering major at the University of Texas at El Paso, believes his time at HFC prepared his heart to accept God’s call to ministry. He dreams of becoming a houseparent, caring for hurting children exactly as the housepops on Boothe Campus do. “The houseparents are amazing people, a living example of how God’s love is supposed to be.” Early morning workouts with two of the housepops taught him about lifting weights and Biblical wisdom. Every interaction with the children demonstrated God’s love in a way that is unique to HFC. “The kids taught me how to love without being scared.”

Hannah joined life at HFC as a Go Now Missionary. She wants to become a middle school teacher and attends Texas A&M University at Commerce. God taught her through the children how each moment of every day fulfills His purpose for the lives of those He loves. One day, Hanna decided to sit at the picnic tables outside of the pool to read her Bible. One of her favorite little boys sat right beside her and started asking questions. What was she doing? Why? Could he do the same thing? For the next thirty minutes, the two sat at the picnic table and read the story in John 13 about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Hannah explained to him step by step what she does when she reads and why it is so important to do so. Unlike most little kids, he sat and listened to the answers she gave. Hannah enjoyed the opportunity to disciple the boy. “If it weren’t for him sitting down beside me, this conversation would not have happened,” she said.

Grace, a fourth-year nursing student at the University of Texas, answered God’s undeniable call to spend her summer break as a missionary. Her academic plan required her to intern in a hospital; yet, God made it clear she needed to be on mission for Him. Grace felt drawn to HFC because she knew her life experience would allow her to connect with hurting kids. Forging those connections proved difficult in the beginning. She took all the pain and brokenness she saw in the children and it overwhelmed her. Grace felt God reminding her to trust Him. Once she handed that burden to Him, she stopped crying all the time, slept better and finally felt like she could function for Him. Grace formed a sweet friendship with one boy and she tried to read with him daily. By the end of the summer, he could say his alphabet, knew a handful of sight-words and sounded out words. Every day before leaving his cottage, she gave him a high five and told him, “You did awesome today.” One day towards the end of the summer he responded, “Hey Grace, I bet I will do awesome tomorrow too.”

HFF began working with summer interns three years ago when Hannah Pace joined them. This year Marshall Ranch added two Go Now Missionaries, Kirby Chadwick and Andrea Torres. HFF’s Director Theresa Klacman believed the impact the girls made with the children would mark them all for eternity. By the end of the summer, HFF staff realized the value the interns brought to the campus; Theresa described them as a God-send.

Hannah, 21, plans to work with victims of sex trafficking after she earns a degree in social work. She learned of HFF when STCH Ministries representatives presented at her church in Edna, Texas. Her love for children brought her to Marshall Ranch the first time; the depth with which she loved the moms kept bringing her back. Each year she looks forward to renewing her friendships and seeing the progress God brings to each family. This summer, God showed Hannah His deep love for her allows her to step out of her comfort zone and He accompanies her through all aspects of her life. “There are some rough patches along the way but at the end it is beautiful.”

Kirby heard about HFF through her Baptist Student Ministry at Baylor University where she is a sophomore studying nursing. The changes the families made through the program impressed her. God worked in Kirby’s heart too; she discerned He has given her a passion for broken families and the restorative work He can do within them. God revealed to her the mercy and grace He extends to each person when they fall into the traps of human nature; she was comforted knowing she is covered by His mercy. “Interning at HFF brought me so much joy and encouraging the staff and residents was incredible!”

Andrea, a computer science major at The University of Texas at El Paso believed summer missions would not fit into her plans. Knowing her non-Christian parents would not help with expenses, she applied for the summer position as a test to see whether God would use her. He responded unmistakably allowing her church family to surprise her by donating all the money she needed. Over the summer, she watched the HFF moms make drastic changes in their lives for the sake of their children. It sparked an urgency within her to invest in the spiritual life of her family back home. “I realized I had become complacent in my dealings with my family. I need to pray for them more.”

Joanna Berry, Vice President of Family and International Ministries witnessed Kali Scholle, Katie Barclay and Ashley Beck evolve from timid and anxious to bold and confident young women. They faced unfamiliar situations including not knowing the language; long hours devoted to menial jobs in the heat but experienced joy in the process.

Ashley understood God’s call on her life to vocational missions during a mission trip in Poland in 2017. She purposed to carry out her calling by pursuing a Christian studies degree with a minor in missions at Ouachita Baptist University. This summer, God placed on her heart a life lesson that changed her thinking – ministry never ends. Though life holds various trials, and she grew tired, she understood God called her to be mission-minded no matter what. “God reminded me the reward of ministry is the hearts we lead to Jesus. We may only meet the people once here but we will worship together someday in Heaven. The true reward is always Jesus.”

Katie, a speech therapy major at Stephen F. Austin State University, described her time in the DR as “the best experience I’ve had in my lifetime.” The lesson that made the biggest change in her heart had to do with loving people. The Dominican believers showed Katie how to genuinely love others and do it with a smile. She returned to Texas challenged to love the people God placed in her life more fully. To do that, she must dedicate herself to knowing Jesus through Bible Study.

Kali, a recent finance graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, resisted the idea of spending six weeks out of the country when she needed to study for her CPA exam. However, God revealed to her the unique opportunity she had. “It hit me that never again (until retirement most likely) would I have six weeks free to go overseas.” Changing her perspective allowed her to see God had paved the way for her to obey Him. She encountered the power of investing in relationships. “I discovered kids do not care if you cannot communicate in Spanish. They simply wanted love.” She found a renewed passion to share the Gospel and still feels amazed knowing God can use her story to point others to Christ.

Eleven interns served in three ministries and through it all the overlying theme was love. Love from the people they came to help, love for each other and God’s love  – “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ” (Colossians 2:2). STCH Ministries was blessed by their commitment to spend their summer on mission with God.

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Captive Thoughts

“For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in an abundance
of wise counselors there is victory and safety.” – Proverbs 24:6

REBEKAH LOGAN did not consider herself anyone out of the ordinary. She had no complaints about her life; as a child of a stable Christian family, she understood the Gospel truth from a young age and accepted Jesus as her Savior while still a child. Overall, Rebekah enjoyed an easy life in comparison to some.

In spite of that, she characterized herself as an anxious person. She remembers thoughts which overtook her imagination, turning ordinary circumstances into
something terrifying. No matter how hard she tried, the images returned throughout the day keeping her in a state of nervous fear.

While she knew both God and Satan existed, she never expected to face spiritual warfare. Rebekah understood spiritual warfare as “exorcist type stuff”. She said, “I’ve always believed in Satan, that he has abilities to do things here on earth, to tempt and affect us.” Rebekah clarifies, “But, I never considered
myself to be someone that was afflicted with spiritual warfare in any way.” She assumed she wouldn’t be targeted.
She depicts herself as, “One of those people whose testimony is not very exciting.” What she did not take into consideration is how completely she is loved by God, Himself. Being the recipient of the attention and affection of El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) is all it takes to put a target on the back of every believer.

As a young teenager, Rebekah was comfortable in her personal faith, and actively shared her beliefs with others. Still, she struggled with anxious thoughts. Real life scenarios were exaggerated and invaded her thoughts. Rebekah became an aunt when she was in high school and those “day terrors,” as she called them, intensified. “My newborn niece was vulnerable and so close to me that she was a target of my day terrors. I imagined something terrible happening to her. That false image plagued me for years. I played it over and over again,” she remembered. As the intrusive thoughts continued to torment Rebekah, she found it
easier to give in to the fear they caused.

After graduation from Texas State University, Rebekah joined A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP) and moved to the Grand Canyon. This organization finds jobs for Christian young people inside national parks, thus positioning them to immerse themselves into relational evangelism. It was there
Rebekah met geologist Greg Logan, an intern with the National Park Service.

The two married in 2011 at the Grand Canyon and began to look for permanent work. Greg’s training as a geologist brought them to Victoria, Texas. Victoria was not where Rebekah wanted to be. “I had a really hard time becoming content with being here,” she recounted. “How do you go from the Grand Canyon to Victoria and be ok with it? We were outdoorsy people – it was hard to find things to do outdoors here.”

While she looked for employment, Rebekah discovered she had too much free time and began to “stew in my discontent.” About the same time, she suffered debilitating headaches which did not respond to medication and she did not understand what was causing them.

Rebekah found work and the couple cultivated relationships with new friends and mentors Tim and Judith Williams. Tim was the pastor of Northside Baptist Church where the Logans are now members and the two couples enjoyed spending time together. Judith lent her literature and reading it changed her life. The author explained how spiritual warfare can have a physical effect on a person. She described, “As soon as I read it, it’s like Christ reached into my head and pulled the headaches out. The headaches were gone. It was an affirmation, it was a pivotal moment.” Rebekah continued, “You are battling spiritual warfare. This is real. You need to be okay with that because you will need to be able to handle it. Handling it means to give it over to Me and realize you don’t need to fight yourself.”

The rich and vibrant relationship between Rebekah, Greg, Judith, and Tim continued when Tim became the Director of Church Relations for STCH Ministries
in 2015. In fact, when Rebekah called all of them to share her experience, everyone told her they each had prayed fervently for her that same day. This revealed to her, for the first time, how intimately and completely God loved her. She discovered a renewed zeal and rejoiced at the truth that her testimony continued to unfold. “My testimony is not like a chapter book that you’ll finish at a certain point in your life. It doesn’t end until my body does and I am in eternity. I was
one of those kids who thought that I had a boring testimony. When I became an adult, things started happening!”

She learned to face spiritual warfare because Jesus won the victory at the cross. “When I put on my full armor (of God) and use the power of the name of Jesus, Satan has to flee and that’s that! It’s actually pretty straight forward,” Rebekah claimed. There were other conflicts, other victories yet, the day terrors continued.
Rebekah wrestled with the idea of taking all of her thoughts captive and allowed her thoughts to control her instead. “I became a very fearful person. I allowed that stuff to wreak havoc on my mind and was not able to focus on other things due to the images stuck in my head of terrible things happening to people that I loved.”

She struggled through an extremely difficult pregnancy with her second daughter, including physical and mental challenges. After Eleanor was born, postpartum anxiety pushed the day terrors into high gear. She endured anxiety attacks which rendered her helpless, curled up on the couch paralyzed by fear.

“It wasn’t even anything specific afflicting me,” Rebekah acknowledged. “I had gotten to the point where I didn’t need a thought to produce fear in me. Fear
was always present. Fear was in control of my body.” After an especially harrowing sleepless night, Rebekah’s incapacitation convinced Greg they needed to become proactive about the situation. Based on Tim William’s recommendation, Rebekah called and scheduled an appointment at STCH Ministries Family Counseling.

After hearing Rebekah’s story, therapist Pam Frink suggested Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy as the course of action. According to Pam, EMDR along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT – traditional talk therapy) are the top therapy protocols for helping people deal with trauma, depression, and anxiety. Many therapists believe EMDR is to be superior to traditional talk therapy because it goes right to the brain and typically takes
a fraction of the time that CBT does. Pam utilizes EMDR therapy with the majority of her clients because of the effective nature of the treatment. “Researchers find that EMDR is an excellent tool for helping those battling PTSD, OCD, addictions, and grief. I am a huge proponent for EMDR. I see how it is healing,” Pam explained.

The EMDR protocol mimics the brain’s natural processes of working through memories. When the procedure happens correctly, Adaptive Information Processing has taken place and, once complete, the memory no longer “bothers” one anymore. When a memory maintains the sensory and or emotional elements (Maladaptive Information Processing), any similar experience, thought, smell, sound, etc. can throw the victim emotionally and mentally back into the exact state as when the original incident occurred. Without treatment, these maladapted memories will never resolve.

Before the first EMDR session, Pam helped Rebekah identify her negative thinking and formulated a statement for her to proclaim after the processing ended. One of the targets Rebekah identified was the feeling that she was not enough to take care of her children.

Rebekah detailed one of her first EMDR sessions this way:

My brain has processed targets and triggers either visually or verbally. The first time was very visual. While my eyes were open and following Pam’s fingers my mind was visually seeing things like a movie. I was replaying a short clip of an experience, which represented what I was struggling with. This particular target was a moment in high school when someone close to me grabbed the back of my arm and told me I needed to lose weight.

My “I am” statement going into it was, “I am not good enough.” The statement I wanted to believe afterward was “I am good enough.” I began the session
believing I am not good enough physically. As the processing begins, Pam’s fingers moved back and forth in front of my following eyes. I play this clip and say the words in my mind, “I am not good enough.” Pam knows what she’s doing and she knows what to look for as I’m processing. When she stops moving her fingers I quickly tell her anything that has stood out to me, she usually says, “ok, just notice that” then starts moving her fingers again.

As we started and stopped time and again, the clip I played and statement I heard, began to change. The first shift was from this person grabbing the fat of my arm (the original image) to them simply standing beside me. The next shift was this person hugging me! It was gradual, but as this shift happened the “I am not good enough” statement left me. Finally, the image in my mind changed to God Himself hugging me. It was surreal. I began to cry. My “I am” statement came back to me but this time it was the second one. “I am good enough.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 teaches us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. God Himself was captivating my thoughts to Him.

The day terrors that troubled Rebekah for so long ceased early in her treatment and she has finished her therapy course. STCH Ministries Family Counseling was the tool God used to train her to take her thoughts captive, a basic commandment for a Christian’s walk which she failed to master on her own. She is confident of the truth she learned: all of the targets were cleared when Christ died on the cross. She felt challenged by God to “not allow His death to be a
sacrifice in vain.” She is thankful to have the skills necessary to handle anxiety, “If I have a thought that would have turned into a day terror in the past, I can control the situation instead of the situation controlling me. Life is manageable now.” Rebekah intentionally enjoys each day with her daughters and looks forward with optimism knowing Christ won the victory.

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Sovereignty Of God

HE WAS BORN September 9, 1997, to a single mom, Francia, in the Dominican Republic. Alexis Enmanuel Buret Marte could have been just one of those countless children, lost within the generational poverty surrounding his birth. Except for God. Although not a believer herself, at the grandmother’s urging, Francia took her infant to church and dedicated him to God. Much later, Francia began to attend the Iglesia Bautista Quisqueyana (IBQ) church where she accepted Christ when Alexis was five years old. Alexis and Francia continued faithfully attending church. Although Alexis believed the truths taught, he was as a young teen before he made his personal decision to accept Christ and follow Him.

Every day throughout the world many thousands of children are born to single moms, usually destined for poverty and hopelessness. What makes the difference between their fate and a child who conquers impossible odds to become a college graduate, employed, and a fine example of a Christian young man? Undoubtedly there are many factors. Nevertheless, there are two significant determinants—the sovereignty of God and personal choice.  Together they compose a mystery that our human mind can never completely understand. Yet at times we can see both of these factors juxtaposed in the life of a specific person.

Long before Alexis’ decision to follow Christ, God orchestrated events that would greatly impact Alexis’ life. In 2007, STCH Ministries was led to begin international ministry. God brought them to the Dominican Republic. As they began to focus on the needs of children and families, they were made aware of the limited opportunities for children born into poverty. Tuition in a public school was free, but every child had to have a uniform which included black shoes and white socks. In addition, they had to provide their own transportation, schools supplies and books. For many families whose most desperate need was food, education was not a priority. Sadly, without an education, there could be no hope.

These factors combined with the mission of STCH Ministries to honor God, help hurting children and families led to the creation of the Samuel’s Fund Sponsorship program. The goal was to provide resources for children from the age of 4 through high school to receive an education and to develop spiritually, mentally and socially. Sponsors contribute a monthly donation of $35.00, which goes directly to the child’s benefit, primarily education but also medical care. STCH Ministries does not deduct any percentage for administrative or operational costs of Dominican or American staff.

Robin Greene had come on several mission trips. In 2012, God moved her heart to sponsor a child through the Samuel’s Fund sponsorship ministry.

“We were matched with Alexis…didn’t choose him, but boy were we blessed!” she wrote recently. “I had met him before and was really impressed by his sincerity, hard work attitude, and willingness to do whatever was asked of him, and his joy in life.”

Sponsored by the Greenes, Alexis began to receive funding for his high school education. He grew a desire to learn English and work with the “Americanos” that he saw occasionally in the IBQ church. Gathering his courage, he approached Russell Jerez, Construction Projects Director in the Dominican Republic and asked, “Could I help you with the construction?”

“Do you know how to use tools? Have you ever held a drill?”, Russell responded.

“No, but I am willing to learn,” Alexis assured him. He began helping, and Russell saw that he was a quick learner, got along well with others, and never complained about hard work and days which stretched long.

Since Alexis came from a single parent home, he assumed the role of man of the house, while still growing up himself. He found a father figure in Russell. Russell shared his own faith while he also demanded hard work, staying busy, communicating appropriately in English with the mission team members. Under his influence, Alexis continued to develop a heart for God and learned great work habits. Russell reported, “Gradually our relationship changed from father-figure to a genuine friendship.”

Robin had several opportunities to spend time with Alexis and his mother on subsequent mission trips, “In conversations with Francia, we had multiple discussions on her hopes and dreams as well as her concerns for Alexis’ future. Her thoughts helped me to keep Alexis and his needs directing my prayer life without inserting my own thoughts and cultural biases.” God continued to order Alexis’ steps.

Samuel’s Fund sponsorship ends with high school graduation. Francia recalls Alexis sharing that he wanted to pursue a university education. She was willing to help him, but told him sadly, “We don’t have the resources for you to go. But we can pray and ask God for that.” It was just then that God led STCH Ministries to develop the Christian Leadership Educational Program (CLEP), to help young people continue their education. The life of the Old Testament prophet, Samuel, originally inspired our sponsorship ministry to children. Samuel was dedicated first to God, then trained and educated, and he eventually became a leader for God. Samuel’s life would continue to be the model for the new CLEP program.

The staff began to identify young people who had matured in their faith, applied themselves in their studies, and shown commitment and leadership in their church, or other Christian ministries. Recently graduated from high school, Alexis became one of the first students to qualify for this sponsorship. Robin and Eddie Greene continued their investment in Alexis’ life through the CLEP program. This was a considerable commitment, as university costs are significantly higher than a Samuels Fund sponsorship, involving tuition, books, transportation and more.

Although the Dominican Republic offers more affordable education through the state-run university, obstacles like overcrowding and limited choice of classes, plus the necessity of working to pay expenses, can require up to ten years to graduate. Because of his sponsorship, Alexis was able to attend one of the excellent private universities in the Dominican Republic. With hard work, he could graduate in four years. Alexis chose a business major with an emphasis in tourism and hotel management. He diligently applied himself to his studies while continuing his involvement with mission teams in the summer. Alexis excelled in school and in three and a half years finished his course work. He then began a semester of internship at a hotel in Punta Cana.

Alexis was given a low-level responsibility—inputting data into a computer, and occasionally answering the phone when the front desk was too busy. It wasn’t long before his co-workers looked at him in amazement. “Where did you learn English? What are you doing in this position with that skill?” In a few weeks Alexis was promoted, and before the internship was completed, he was offered a permanent job as Director of Environmental and Social Services.

The tourism environment is one fraught with temptations for a young man. Alexis has maintained a close relationship with Pastor Rudy, pastor of IBQ, who frequently counsels him with thoughts from Proverbs 3. “Do not forget my teaching…So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, and God will direct your steps.” Russell along with the Greenes continued to encourage Alexis also. Alexis has maintained his Christian walk and testimony, and God has been faithful to bless him. During days off he always found his way back to the IBQ church. His responsibility to care for his mother, as well as the joy he feels to be able to help with her support, remain strong motivators.

Alexis is quick to acknowledge the benefits that STCH Ministries International has provided for his life. The university sponsorship provided by the Greenes through the CLEP program opened the door of possibilities for his future. He reports that many special relationships contributed to his life: the mission teams with whom he frequently served, his church, his mother, Francia, the Greenes, Pastor Rudy and Russell Jerez, and the DR staff all helped him along the way. Through them, he received encouragement to grow in his faith and his Christian walk, along with learning to be an example to others in spite of his youth. His opportunity to learn and practice English became a critical component of his success at his job. Other qualities that propelled his success at work, which he learned from Russell, were excellent work habits, like taking initiative when a job needed to be done, working hard and staying busy, as well as getting along with others.

In a country where many are born into generational poverty and little opportunity, the immediate is so urgent that many never learn to think beyond today. Alexis readily shares that he has a 10-year plan. He wants to marry and have children and raise a Christian family as he has seen Russell and others at IBQ model. Although he recognizes he has much to learn about the hotel management and tourism business, his long term-goal is to own and manage his own business supplying resources to hotels and resorts. For the next few years, however, he will focus on learning every aspect of managing a resort.

God’s sovereignty and the free will of man, seems to be a mystery, even an oxymoron. In Alexis life it is not difficult to see God’s hand. It is also obvious to recognize the part that Alexis’ choices contributed to the success he has experienced. A child dedicated to God by a mother who didn’t yet know Him herself, and the young man who made his own decision to accept and follow Christ. The mission teams God brought to the Dominican Republic and Alexis’ personal desire and courage to seek that opportunity. Samuel’s Fund and the CLEP program established through God’s leading, and at just the right time the Greenes chose to sponsor Alexis. Alexis’ faithfulness in his studies and God’s leading to the right major, the right job, in the right place for him.

On January 25, 2019 Alexis Enmanuel Marte Buret graduated with his university degree. Francia is understandably proud of her son. Robin and Eddie Greene also flew from Houston to celebrate this occasion with Alexis and Francia.