Shelby County Today

May 15, 2017 - In October of 2007 a trip was made to a remote village named Drouin (pronounced Dway) on the west side of the country of Haiti. Drouin is located in the Arbonite Region of Haiti. It is a 4 hour drive North West of the capital. It is the rice growing area of Haiti and is prone to flooding and extreme heat. The poverty, the lack of fresh water, the mundane diet of rice and maybe a few black beans and the lack of education opportunity made a dramatic impact. As Stepstones became a reality and incorporated in 2009, a new reality was dawning in Drouin as a school building was erected.

The school has been greatly impacted by Center, Texas. Metal for the roof was donated by a local business, desks, dry-erase boards, student and teacher desks, and filing cabinets were donated by CISD. There have been men who have traveled to work on, teach at and around the school from Center. Eight teachers are presently teaching an increasing number of students. 

This six room school houses a little over 380 students. The class size averages around 50 students. The school day is divided into two sections to accommodate the older students in the afternoon so they can work in the rice fields early in the morning. We are well over capacity and are in a great need to expand the present rooms. The cost to expand the rooms and remodel with tile, paint, louvered windows and iron security bars will cost $21,000. 

Stepstones is in need of businesses, individuals, foundations and churches to join us in continuing to provide an education for the children in Drouin. The only way a nation can rise out of poverty is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Education. Every mother and father desires to see their children have a better life than they have had. This is true in Drouin as well. Children attend school for free and every day they receive a hot meal. The students are testing very high on the national tests and have high expectations. The teachers are paid $125 per month which is above the national average. 

Four more teachers could be hired if donations of $6,000 per year were given. This can be achieved through one time donations or through monthly installments. Anyone interested in helping meet these critical needs can contact Mike Brister at 936-591-8877, email at mike.stepstones@yahoo.com or send contributions made payable to Stepstones Ministry International to P.O. Box 1988 Center, Texas 75935. All donations are tax-deductible.

May 15, 2017 - Sunday was the Fifth Sunday in Easter and, of course, Mother’s Day! This is a big day for florists and those stores selling boxes of candy. My kids sent Sue a beautiful arrangement of flowers created by Roy at Sunshine Flowers. Roy always has interesting flowers and plants and is so creative in arranging them. I hope all the moms everywhere in the US have a great Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is a secular holiday, but I think there was probably a word or two about moms in most houses of worship.

In two of the lessons stones play a major role. In the First Lesson from Acts 7:55-60, the stones are killing stones. In these verses the stoning of Stephen is recalled. In the Epistle Lesson from 1 Peter 2, the writer speaks of Jesus as the cornerstone of faith that was discarded by the Jewish people. The Gospel from John 14:1-14 is part of Jesus’ final farewell, verses often used at funerals. Jesus tells his disciples that he is leaving to prepare rooms for all believers in God’s home. What comforting imagery we find in the Gospel Lesson!

We had a small crowd at Paxton. I need to find other words to describe this because “small” and “crowd” really don’t go together. Joe has been so good in selecting songs most of us know really well since our beloved piano player Hilda is still at rehab. Gene and Joy and Sue and Dixie went to visit her this week; all had glowing reports about how Ms. Hilda looks. The plan is for Hilda to come home Tuesday, which I think is pretty good therapy in itself. 

This week Joy and Gene are celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary. Last week they reported that their twins were 45!  Like all of us, I am sure they are wondering how the years flew by. We had a very special guest today. Carly Watson came to Sunday school and worship so she could be with her grandmother—Fannie. Fannie had a big smile the whole time that we shared together. Carly is working at the hospital in Carthage, really enjoying the area and her job. 

This week we have a ministry at Holiday Nursing Center on Tuesday starting at 2:00. Minnie Baker agreed to play the piano, and Sue has either called or e-mailed all the regulars. Pastor Matt is finishing up with his last final this week, and I know he is looking forward to the break. During the month of May we are collecting cans of fruit for Community Christian Services.   

“Whoever you are, in whatever faith you were born, whatever creed you profess; if you come to this house to find God you are welcome here.” Paxton United Methodist Church is an inviting church that takes to heart the idea of “Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and Worship begins at 10:00. Our email address is paxtonumc@yahoo.com. If you would like the weekly email newsletter about Paxton Methodist you can send me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed!

May 11, 2017 - When I was only eight years old my father passed away. My mother having to fend for herself,  and the five boys she had to raise alone, had to have help taking care of us. So my brothers and I spent a lot of time with our grandmothers. Both of who were widows as well. I learned a lot observing  the actions and words of these women of God. As I reflect back on these pearls of wisdom that they passed on to myself and my brothers, I realize they have carried me through, and kept me out of many difficulties in life. They are too good not to pass along for others to treasure as well. 

So here they are:
1) A hug and kiss is the best pain reliever. There is something in a hug that just seems to make things better. I don't mean one of those half hearted side hugs, but a both arms around you, head on the chest hug. The kind that lets the person getting the hug share the hurt with  the person who is hugging them. Those kind of hugs seem to melt away the hurts in life. It reminds us that there is someone who  loves us, protects us, and cares for us no matter how bad things are at the time.

2) Its always better to tell the truth than a lie. My grandmother used to say lies grow. You have to tell three more lies to cover the first. So its always best just to tell the truth to start. Some people tell lies for so long that they even start believing they are true. The truth will set you free. A lie will enslave you. Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free"

3) Coloring with your child is a great way to find out what they are really thinking and feeling. Never pass up a chance to spend that one on one quality time with your child. It will stay with them for their entire life. I was at a funeral recently and watched the "memory video" that was playing. It dawned on me that when we pass from this earth, our life is nothing more than a collage of memories that we have given our family and friends. So spend your time wisely making as many good memories as you can. That is how you will be remembered.

4) Hold hands when things get scary. Knowing that your not alone when things look dangerous gives you comfort and courage. Holding hands also gives you a sense of security in knowing if you fall, become weak, or something tries to "snatch" you away someone is there to hold you, pick you up, or willing to go through it with you.

5) Don't Stick your finger in the fan. I learned this the hard way. Mother told me this many times and still one day as I stood in front of the fan I just had to see for myself what the big deal was. So I inched my finger ever so close until BRRRRRRING!! I thought that I had lost not only my finger but my whole hand! After a hug and a kiss to relieve the pain my grandmother reminded me of the bible verse that said "if you obey your parents it will add years to your life." There are lots of fans (dangers) out there we just don't need to ever put our fingers in.

6) Just because your poor doesn't mean you have to be dirty. In other words keep yourself clean no matter your circumstances. Always "put your best face forward." Proverbs 13:7, "There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing: And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches."

7) Always put on clean underwear when you leave home. You never know what will happen to you; so be prepared. Every time you leave home you are stepping into the unknown. Don't let life catch you off guard, and embarrass you. Let what's underneath be as clean as what's showing on the outside. Matt.23:26, "first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside may be clean also."

8) Don't Worry about things you can't change. Just concern yourself with the things you can change. That's where you can make a difference. Stop wasting time worrying. Matt 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

9) Choose your battles. Don't allow others to draw you into troubles when you can avoid them. There are things worth fighting for, but there are some things its best to walk away from. Romans 12:21, "Do not be over come by evil, but overcome evil with good."

10) Love with all your heart even if it hurts sometimes. To be children of God we have to love. God is love. Galatians 5:14, "For the law is fufilled in on word, even in this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

11) Doing things for others always makes you feel better. It is more blessed to give than receive. We are called to serve. Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many."

12) Learn to laugh at yourself and laugh often. We all do funny things sometimes. Don't take yourself too seriously. Life is too short not to enjoy. Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."

+1) God is in Control. When all is said and done God is sovereign and His will, will be done. God loves us and always has our best interest at heart. Romans 8:31, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?"

If you take these pearls that were given to me by the woman who mothered me through the years, I believe they will add peace, joy, and happiness to yours.

Just sayin
Mike Belgard

May 10, 2017 - Huxley Helping Hands, a local mission group from the Huxley Community, are holding a food pantry for the residents of Shelby County. It will be held the second Saturday of May 2017. I.D. & proof of residence is required * only (1) box per household.

Date: May 13, 2017

Time: 9am - until food is gone

Location: Hillcrest Baptist Church 901 Southview Circle, Center Texas