Arol: Growing into an amazing young man

By Amber Foster

-AROL IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

This year we have all stood back in awe as we watched 14-year-old Arol transform from an angst-y, angry tween to an amazing young man with a heart of gold. Arol carries so much responsibility for his younger siblings on his young shoulders, and we’ve all tried to help him lay some of that down. He doesn’t have to be their protector anymore, we’re here to be their parents.  

But there’s a spark in Arol for little ones. He and my one-year-old are fast friends, and he prides himself on being able to put her to sleep whenever we’re away from home with friends. He will ride his bike over just to get a chance to play with her before bed, and then chat about his day while I clean up the kitchen.  

Arol’s anger will always be a sensitive area for him, but I am so blessed to get to watch him learn how to control that and overcome his rough beginnings. He is a typical young adult who isn’t a big fan of school but is pushing through because he knows it’s best for him. He has overcome so much, and he continues to amaze me with the gentleness that he is able to share when he thinks no one is watching.  

Help us celebrate this year of growth watching all of the siblings play freely together with their friends at the beach without a care in the world.

Alba: Our loving house mom

By Amber Foster

Oscar and Alba are the perfect pair. Oscar is our stern disciplinarian and Alba is his loving, motherly wife. Together they are the perfect combination of strength and comfort that our young people need.

Most nights you can find Alba in the kitchen alongside the teens teaching them proper cooking skills and ways to prepare food for their own families someday. Instead of just heating food, she helps them prepare meals. She plays games with them and shares the word of God with them to get them through their struggles.  

It is rare the day that someone doesn’t say to me, “last night when I was reading the bible with Madre Alba….” then sharing some insight she has taught them. She struggles when they struggle and gets so frustrated when she feels like one of them is slipping back into old habits. She fights for them, because she knows that God wants the best for them. 

We are so blessed to have a couple so dedicated to loving our young people in the way that they are sorely lacking. Please help us give back to Alba as she continually pours out her heart for our ministry.

-If you are interested in sponsoring Alba, please click on the blog title and leave a reply in the comments section. A full sponsorship is $150. You can contribute online via the donate page of the website. You can also send check donations to P.O. Box 20454 Oklahoma City, OK 73156.-

Patrick: Excited for his first trip to the beach

By Amber Foster

Patrick is Skarleth’s 18-month-old little boy. I had the blessing of being an integral part of his infancy while his mama returned to work. He would spend his days with me and his nights with his mama.  

We have gone several rounds battling his little strong willed personality, but he is a joy to be around. He is a little ball of fire that definitely knows his own mind. He loves to chase a soccer ball around after church and is finally learning some independence from his mama.

He’s one of my favorite little “grandbabies”, and I can’t wait to watch him experience the ocean for the first time.  Help us bring a smile to this precious boy’s face.

-If you are interested in sponsoring Patrick, please comment on the blog title and leave a reply in the comments section. The full cost of sponsorship is $150. (Whatever is not used on food, gifts and lodging from the $150 will be given to Patrick's mom for essentials like diapers, etc.) You can contribute online via the donate page of the website. You can also send check donations to P.O. Box 20454 Oklahoma City, OK 73156.-

Skarleth: Daily seeking God's face

By Amber Foster

-SKARLETH IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

Skarleth and I have had a very rocky road. Watching her battle against addictions and pain has been hard. Having her do that in my home while also pregnant was something that only God gave me strength to endure. But I can say with great joy that she has come out on the other side a dedicated mother and dear friend.

Skarleth is very aware of her own demons and fights so hard against them. Within the last six months or so she has really rededicated her life to God and fought to have a relationship with Him. At least once a week she sends me a message asking deep theological questions that we wrestle with together. She genuinely desires to be who God created her to be, and I am honored to have a front row seat as she discovers who that is.  

Her love is hard won but fiercely defended, and she in an amazing mom to her little boy. In a lot of ways Patrick gave Skarleth a reason to fight. She’s fallen many times, but she keeps dusting herself off and coming back stronger.  

Please help us show this amazing young women that even though she has left our facility she will never leave our hearts, or our family.  

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

Aroni: Our lovable, gracious new addition

By Amber Foster

-ARONI IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

21-year-old Aroni is a new addition to our family. We heard about her through some other missionary friends who had been a big part of her life as a teenager in their ministry. Aroni had transitioned home, but the situation was not good and when her family found out she was pregnant it became quickly necessary for her to find new living arrangements.  

Aroni stayed in our facility for the last 3 months of her pregnancy, then moved into my home to have her precious baby boy. She has proven to be pure joy around the house and a very dedicated mother to 1-month-old baby Ian. He is never far from her side even as she strives daily to contribute to our household.  

She will often shyly say, “Ma, I’m so grateful for this opportunity. What can I do to show my gratitude?” Rosie adores her, and she’s pretty close to my heart already as well. She is eager to find a job and provide for her little family. She strives to live her life in a way that she believes will make her son and her God proud.  

I am so blessed to be a small part of the journey she is on and to watch her blossom into a wonderful young mother. Please help us show this precious girl that love does not mean pain and that opening up once again is worth the effort.

Allison: Overcoming obstacles with a smile

Allison (right) with her sister, Jennifer (left)

By Amber Foster

-Allison is now sponsored for Beach Christmas!-

Seven-year-old Allison is a fighter. No child should have to face crippling tumors at the age of four, but Allison did. She fought hard to complete her treatment and then to regain the loss of the use of one side of her body. And she did it all with a smile.  

It is such a joy to watch her running around with her friends after church after so much time of watching her struggle just to walk. I love whenever she runs up to me to say hello, looking up at me from her big, sweet eyes shadowed behind her glasses - one of the few remnants of her battles.

She and her little sister are cohorts in giggles, adventures and driving their mama crazy, just as any little girl should be. This shy, precious girl is now thriving in first grade and eager to make up for lost time. Help us share in the joy that is her life at Beach Christmas this year.