JANUARY 31, 2024 www.wintertexantimes.com 24 WINTER TEXAN TIMES (956)566-1157 Children’s Haven International is a ministry program for children. They provide a home and refuge for over 50 children from broken, abusive, or impoverished families. The children usually range in age from one to 18. Their history dates back to over 35 years ago when a lady named Shirley (who had a Mennonite background), from Flint, Michigan, moved to the interior of Mexico and married a local man named Lee Mendoza. One day, she found an orphaned child had been left on her doorstep. She took in the child and cared for them. As time went on, others were left to her, and she continued to care for them. It was in the mid 70’s when the couple rented a building in Reynosa where they continued to take in children that needed a home. After a fire destroyed the building, the Mennonite Disaster Relief provided funds to purchase 14 acres and build six separate homes on the outskirts of Reynosa. The home is called Refugio Internacional de Ninos, or International Refuge of Children, and is overseen by Children’s Haven International whose sole purpose is to provide loving Christian care for needy children. The mission is to fully provide for each youngster that comes under their care – physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually – so that he or she can become a responsible, Christian citizen of their country. In 1988, six acres were donated in Pharr. This site now serves as the main headquarters and consists of RV hookups, housing, offices, and a thrift store which sells donated items to raise funds for the orphanage. Numerous volunteers perform an immense variety of tasks. A third arm of the ministry is located way up north in the home of the Volunteer Canadian Directors and is used as a second fundraising office known as International Children’s Haven in Canada. More information can be found online at www.childrenshaven.org. This benefit concert is just one of the many ways you can support them. There are ways to sponsor a child, donate time, materials, and more to support the organization and the children it serves. Tours can also be arranged upon request if you would like to visit their facilities. Their thrift shop is in the main building in Pharr, 400 E. Minnesota Rd. You can also find out more information on the Facebook page or by calling (956) 787-7378. BENEFIT From pg. 1 Eileen Hansen won first place for her hand-quilted bed quilt, Leftover. The quilt was full of color with purples, blues, and reds. The machine-quilted bed quilt winners were Audry Stewart, first place, with Hook, Line & Sinker; Jessee Province, second place, New York Beauty; and Sue Chambers, third Place, Northwest Version of Northern Wilderness. In the wall hanging category the winners were Bonnie M. Hall, first place, El Gato Tambor; Anna M. Limbaugh, second place, Tipsy Tumbler; and Charlotte Vescova, third place, A Pocket Full of Posies. Audry Stewart won Best of Show with her Hook, Line & Sinker. The quilt featured patches of blue, rectangles with fish, material pieces with brightly colored hooks, and stitching done to resemble waves. Stewart also participated last year with a quilt winning second place. The exhibit will be open through Friday, February 16. The Mission Historical Museum is located at 900 Doherty Ave. For more information, call (956) 8646. QUILT From pg. 1 Children’s Haven Thrift Store, 2023. Courtesy photo Audry Stewart, Hook, Line & Sinker. Photo courtesy of MHM
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