Marjorie: A quiet leader

By John Carson

-MARJORIE IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

Majorie is at church every Sunday thanks to her parents Luis and Erica’s commitment to our congregation. She sits quietly in my class paying attention and reluctantly answering my questions when I put her on the spot. She is a quiet leader and doesn’t even know it. Her quiet resolve to do well in school and life leads her younger siblings to do the same. 

Sure, like any teenager she gets in trouble, but she is quick to fix her mistakes and lead others to do the same. She is the oldest student in our education program, and I am excited to see where she will go in life. Thanks to her dedication and committed parents like Erica and Luis, I think she will be in store for some really great things because she is full of character.

Please help this wonderful girl have a fantastic Beach Christmas! 

Lorna: Giving everything for her children

By John Carson

-LORNA IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

Lorna is one of the hardest working people I know. If you have stayed at our house with a mission team, then she has cooked for your large group practically by herself. She comes to clean our house to help support her family. She is so dedicated to her family, maybe to a fault. Both of her daughters, Jennifer and Allison, are in our education program at Integrity Academy. In Lorna's mind, every note from the school needs to be taken care of right away and done perfectly, which drives me a little crazy. I tell her to chill quite a bit :)

I will always remember my first memory of Lorna, because it is one of true gumption. Some may remember Allison had a brain tumor a few years back, and that required a lot of treatment. She couldn't walk. They live in Montes, a developing community where we build a lot of houses. The hill to get into the community is steep, and long and she lives at the bottom. I still find it incredible that she would carry Allison, and at times Jennifer too, all the way up that hill. That is the dedicated mother that she is. 

Please consider helping this dedicated mother have a relaxing and merry Beach Christmas with us this year!

Ricardo: A heart of gold

By John Carson

-RICARDO IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

Most of our team would lovingly refer to Ricardo as a our hot mess. He's a sweet kid with a lot of potential but often makes very immature decisions. But that can be said for a lot of 18 year olds I know, even those who grew up in far better circumstances.

Ricardo came to us a scared kid wanting a chance to change his life. He's since been in and out of different jobs. We have had to work through what maturity, adulthood and telling the whole truth really looks like. But this sweet kid really does have a heart of gold. He loves all of us so dearly; you can't help but want to shake him while still wanting the world for him. Ricardo recently turned in many resumes to different businesses near our ministry house, and he's waiting for a response. Meanwhile, he's making bracelets to sell to the groups to fill his time. In February, he wants to continue his education he's left by the wayside the last few years.

We pray we can continue to help Ricardo mature and mold his future into what God wants for him. We're proud of the way he loves, and we hope we can teach him the same enthusiasm for hard work and responsibility. Please help us love this crazy kid, and sponsor him for Beach Christmas 2016

Luis: A dedicated father

By John Carson

-LUIS IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

I can’t think of the last time I didn’t see Luis at church on Sunday. The arrival of his motorcycle with him and his children hanging off is easily heard. Then they walk in with Luis and his big ol’ smile. He always has it. That’s another thing he has every time I see him.

I remember how happy he was the day a group finished building his family’s house. I remember that that house was a catalyst to seeing him at church every Sunday. And I remember that he had the biggest smile on his face at Beach Christmas when he received new shoes for his tired, working feet. 

I think his work ethic is the thing I appreciate the most about Luis. He is quick to help with benches on Sundays. I never see him when we are building houses because he is off working to provide for his family. His deep commitment to his family is always something I can admire. Please help us give a him a great Christmas, and give us the selfish opportunity to see his big smile agan this year. 

Edis: Working hard for her family

By Courtney Sullivan

Edis has been a part of our BC family for a while now, almost since its beginnings. She, her husband Eugenio and their children were one of the first families to live in our BC building back when housing families was a component of our ministry. Even now that they live on their own, they are still an important part of our family. All of their children are sponsored through our education program, and Edis and Eugenio are still a part of our church family.

Parenting isn’t always easy for Edis. She has a very limited education herself, so sometimes we have to push Edis just as much as her kids to understand the value of working hard in school. But she always does her best to make sure her kids have what they need, and she is proud of them when she sees them succeeding.

Edis has been selling tortillas in her community for a little while now. Her husband Eugenio works construction, but Edis has had a hard time finding work over the years. That is why we are so proud of the way she is making a way for herself and taking pride in her work. Earlier in the year, she asked us for a loan to buy some tin to put above her stand so that she could continue to work without getting wet during the rainy season. That kind of initiative is something we are proud to help support.

Edis loves her family deeply and works hard to make sure she is the best mother she can be. We are excited to share another Beach Christmas with her and her family. Please consider sponsoring Edis to share a relaxing weekend with her family! 

-If you would like to sponsor Edis, please click on the blog title and leave a comment in the comments section. The full cost of sponsorship is $150. You can donate online through the donate page. You can also send check donations to P.0. Box 20454 Oklahoma City, OK 73156. -

Erika: A loving example of commitment

By Michael Carson

-ERIKA IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

We require all our private-school children and their parents to attend church with us on Sundays. Usually they all miss at least once a month. But Erika is in attendance nearly every Sunday without fail. She’s always there and willing to lend a helping hand with the offering, stacking benches or whatever we need. The only time I remember her missing was when she was in the hospital for a problem with her diabetes. She is the only mother I can say that about.

Erika isn’t perfect. She can’t read or write herself and has severe diabetes -so much so that it often affects her vision. She often lets these aspects of her life frustrate her and cause her to lose her patience with her family. But she loves deeply. She would do just about anything to give her kids a better life than she has had. She works very hard alongside her husband Luis to provide for her family and make sure her kids get good grades.

We’re proud to have Erika as one of our private school parents, and we hope you will honor her hard work by giving her a wonderful Christmas this year. Please consider sponsoring her Christmas experience this year!