Extravagant Hope: Celebrating 10 Years of House of Hope Minnesota

Save the Dates Threads of Hope Style Show

Nov 5, 6PM, SMSU Campus

Come Thirsty: Sounds of Hope

Nov 6, 7pm, Marshall HS

Tea and Tour Open House

Nov 7, 1-3pm, HOHM Campus

Celebration of Hope Dinner

Nov 7, 7pm, SMSU Campus

H O U S E O F H O P E M I N N E S O T A

F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

Since October 2005, House of Hope Minnesota has been sowing seeds of hope into the hearts of girls through the love of Christ. In the past ten years we’ve planted seeds in the hearts of 62 girls and their families. Sometimes the seeds we plant take off and grow rapidly, other times more slowly, and sometimes they’re plucked away far too quickly. The Lord of the harvest is faithful; we celebrate what He is doing in the life of every girl He places in this home for each season.

Our staff and volunteers have been able to partake in the work to which we are called because of your the commitment and faith. Your prayers, donations, speaking invitations, financial commitments, and more enable us to reach the girls in our program and to go beyond these walls, spreading the message of God’s goodness and love in many communities. In celebration of this, we invite you to share in His harvest at our Extravagant Hope 10 Year Celebration on November 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2015.

Thursday November 5th: join us at 6pm for the Threads of Hope in the SMSU Upper Ballroom. This event includes the season’s latest fashions, vendor tables, light refreshments, special music, and personal testimonies. Valet parking will be available. Pick up your tickets before the show at Treasured Times, Noble Woman, and Hy-Vee ($25 for adults and $15 for students), or at the door.

Friday, November 6th: you don’t want to miss Come Thirsty: Sounds of Hope, at 7pm, in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts (Marshall High School). This year’s concert features the voice of artist Karyn Williams, one of Billboard Magazine’s “Best Bests”. Williams is fueled by a desire to touch people with the good news of God’s grace and mercy. This event includes light refreshments and personal testimony. There is no admission, and a free will offering will be accepted at the event.

Saturday, November 7th: for the first time ever, we will be hosting a Tea and Tour Open House on location at House of Hope Minnesota from 1-3pm. Refreshments will be served during guided tours of the house. This is a unique chance to fellowship with our residents and staff and really experience what this ministry is all about. There is no cost for this event and free will donations will be accepted. Please contact us at (507) 537-4525 or hohm@iw.net for address and more information.

Saturday, November 7th: we’ll cap off the weekend at 6pm in the SMSU Upper Ballroom for our annual Celebration of Hope Dinner and Silent Auction. We love this annual event when we can visit with others involved in the work, enjoy special music, and hear stories of hope from those impacted by this ministry. Our team has put together a fantastic Silent Auction spread, including one day of guided fishing, Twins and Timberwolves tickets, Vikings tickets with pass to meet Chad Greenway, Christmas decorating, delicious meals, works by local artists, floral arrangements, home décor, and more. Dinner is complimentary and valet parking will be available for this evening dedicated to honoring supporters of His work.

We can’t wait to see you all this fall for our big event weekend. Mark your calendars today and don’t miss a moment of our Extravagant Hope 10 Year Celebration!

My name is Kayden Vitaline and I have been at House of Hope Minnesota since February. These past months, I have learned about God and how to respect Him, myself, and my parents. My whole life I've had trust issues with everyone, and I have especially not trusted God or my family. Coming here in February was helpful for both me and my parents. I thought I was never going to respect or trust anyone ever again. I felt like I was too much for everyone to handle. Things didn't start getting a lot better until July, when I accepted Christ into my life. Things got better before this a little, day by day, but I really began to see a big change when I accepted Christ as my Savior. Discovering who I am made me want to have a relationship with my adoptive parents. I am adopted from Haiti, and my cultural background made me want to start respecting them. There wasn't a specific moment that changed our relationship and my progress in the program, but I just was sick and tired of staying stuck in the same place in my life and not going home to my family. I am doing a lot better now. I love God, and I respect my parents, myself, and especially God. In the future, I plan to keep my relationship with my adoptive family and go into the Peace Corps and work with the African Children's Choir. I want to go back to Haiti and find out even more about myself and my background. Most importantly, I want to have an even better relationship with God and have a good life. I’m thankful for a place like this where I can do that.

We aspire to strive for excellence at House of Hope Minnesota, keeping our vision and mission statements in the forefront of our minds. A vision statement describes the organization as it would appear in it’s most effective state, and mission statements support the organization’s reasons, functions, and intentions. Together, they answer the

following question: If we achieve all our strategic goals, what will we look like ten years from now? Well, it’s been ten years since all the prayer, planning, and work sessions that developed these vision and mission statements. Read on to see how your support has allowed us to remain faithful to fulfill the vision and mission from the beginning!

Mom, daughter in program since October 2014: House of Hope Minnesota exhibits a genuine Christian faith. God’s sovereignty directs the ministry and staff. Parenting class is a safe place to openly discuss the challenges in our family and learn practical parenting tools to reach our children. I have learned how to better understand the way our daughter is beautifully and wonderfully made and how to guide her by recognizing she is designed by her Creator. Other parenting skills have challenged me to look at each of my children individually and how the Lord has created them so He can use me to train them in His ways. Beyond parenting skills, God has used this program to relight a fire that had slowly dimmed in my life. Godly living is taught to my family and walked out in a very visible way by all the staff. I truly praise God when I think of this ministry’s dedication to God's calling.

Parents, daughter in program since February 2015: For the first time it seems with God’s help we are ending offense, miscommunication, and misunderstanding; dealing with it and removing it all. My daughter can now pick up on others’ frustration and cares enough to ask what’s wrong. It’s just nice that she notices and seems to care. With our other children we are now able to talk, share feelings, and find solutions that everyone feels good about. With our daughter, we are able to just walk around, talking and sharing silly stuff. We've never been able to keep conversation flowing like this; it’s like talking with a good friend now! We love seeing the fruit of our daughter’s salvation showing and her engaging with us.

My Story: Trust, Respect, and Jesus by Kayden

Parent’s Perspective words from our current residents’ parents

10 Years of Residential Operation Committed to the Vision

VISION: TO PROVIDE A CHRISTIAN HOME AS A REFUGE FOR HURTING

TEENS, BRINGING HEALING INTO THEIR LIVES AND RESTORING FAMILIES.

MISSION: TO PROVIDE PARENTS WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE EFFECTIVE PARENTS WHO

ASSUME AUTHORITY, SET BOUNDARIES, COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, AND LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.

We are excited to be able to offer extensive programming tailored individually to each girl’s specific needs. Here's what we’ve been up to: Miss Pam had nine students, grades 8-12, since January. We celebrated 8th grade graduation and enjoyed field trips to Bramble Park Zoo and Valley Side Farm Cheese Factory. Art and literature are currently popular subjects. We’ve had three regular tutors this year and always have a need for more to join the team. Miss Kim counseled with nearly 20 parents and all the teens in our residential program, as well as many local clients non-residentially. Families worked on Breaking Free by Beth Moore and teaching on boundaries and authority. L.O.L.! Camp, held annually, continues to operate at full capacity with 32 campers and 10 mentors and assistants.

Staff utilized their creativity this year to coach residents in life skills. A unit on Manners was taught through candy-dinners. Fitness activities ranged from boot camp, to hikes at Camden, to Zumba at the YMCA, and water balloon fights. Residents learned to serve by hosting a formal dinner. Staff works daily with residents on social skills, respect of authority, conflict resolution, time management skills, household care, and more. Our ministry team provides residents with biblical teaching consistent in all we do. Residents memorize over 30 scriptures and participate in weekly chapel and church. This year five residents have written and presented their Plan of Salvation explaining their faith, and a number have shared their personal testimony publically at local events. We’ve completed studies on Revelation, Colossians, spiritual warfare, and the Psalms of David, and will study 1 Corinthians through the end of the year.

I used to be a 7th-12th grade teacher. I often spent more time planning lessons than actually teaching them, and I never started class without a plan. I brought this mentality with me as staff here; I arrived for shifts literally holding a list of activities for the day, annotated with start/end times for each activity, and felt uneasy if something disrupted that schedule. Recently, I've been learning to let go of the lists and plans I come prepared with. God reminds me with a Spirit-led discussion or His guided evolution of an

activity that He has a much bigger plan for these girls and this ministry than what is on my piece of paper. The most powerful moments here are those in which I follow the Holy Spirit's lead, even if it means stepping outside my comfort zone, overcoming that prideful trap of thinking I know best. Our girls didn't plan to spend this season of their lives with us, but God is showing up and remolding their hearts despite their change in plans. Honestly, I didn't plan to be here for this season of my life, either. When we give our plans to God and trust that He will lead us in the best possible path, He will reveal a plan that may be much different but will certainly be much more beautiful than what we could have scribbled on our little pieces of paper.

Who is Really in Charge? by Miss Laura, House Staff

We dedicate Tuesdays to service projects for our neighbors and community. This year’s projects included hosting a water carnival, crafts and manicures at Boulder Estates, making

appreciation cards, yard maintenance, working at the animal shelter, serving at church events, trash pick up, gifts for Operation Christmas Child, planning dinners, prayer nights, and

much more! Here’s our girl’s thoughts on their favorite service projects: My favorite project was the water carnival because I had to step out of my comfort zone and be a leader. I learned

patience and kindness are skills you need to do well and succeed. My favorite project was the water carnival, because we got to see little kids. I learned that it's good to help others. My favorite project was filling Operation Christmas Child boxes. This may be the first and only Christmas gift the

kids will receive. These gifts allow the kids to hear about Jesus, a better present than the material gift itself. It taught me that I really enjoy doing things for other people.

My favorite project is serving dinner at Esther's Kitchen. I love to help the needy and give to the poor. It makes me sad to see people hungry or poor because I came from that circumstance. I’ve learned to help people who aren't always grateful and serve those in need, and to be grateful for food and not waste when others could need it.

My favorite project is Boulder Estates because I get to interact with the residents there. They're fun to be around and make me smile; I love people! I've learned to ask about their day, their life, to socialize with them, and to be respectful to others.

Current Programming in Education, Counseling, Independent Living Skills, and Spiritual Growth

Service in Love by current residents

“TRAIN A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD

GO AND WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT

TURN FROM IT.” PROVERBS 22:6

People are sometimes surprised to find that a “full house” for us is six teenage girls in our residential program. When they hear what we do, they expect we’re a hospital or facility that houses twenty-five, fifty, or more. In all honesty, there are times I wish we had that many beds, like

over the past few years when we’ve operated consistently at full capacity and still have a waiting list of girls who need help. Every week we receive calls from desperate parents, voices cracking with emotion and exhaustion. After sharing their heartbreaking stories, they excitedly say they heard us on the radio, found us online, or were referred by a friend. I tell them more about who we are, and they are certain our program is the answer. “This is exactly what my daughter needs! She’s a good girl, she just needs help, she just needs to know Jesus!” You can imagine how hard it is to have to respond, “I’m sorry, I don’t have an opening right now.” We refer them to other

resources, but the truth is, there aren’t many places to receive what they’re seeking. I wish we could have a whole school building full of beds for these girls, but that’s not who we are. Operating as a Christian home is exactly what we’re called to do, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Our small setting allows our staff to share the love of Christ in ways you won’t find in a hospital or big facility. Our staff knows each girl personally, laughs with them, tucks them in at night, and makes sure each one knows she is loved. We are able to truly walk out every one of our mission statements and fulfill our vision. We may only impact a few lives at a time, but we do it in a mighty way. The pictures on the front of this newsletter chronicle 46 of the over

60 girls we’ve brought into this home over the past ten years. The ripple effect of each girl’s time here cannot be measured. Even if we only had one photo of one life changed for our front page, that would be enough for us. One parent whose prayer was answered, one teen who discovered her life mattered—she would be worth it. Your support of this ministry through prayer, finances, volunteering, and more has allowed this to happen in over 60 families over the past ten years. We cannot wait to see what the Lord will do with the next ten! “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

Even If She Were The Only One...

House of Hope Minnesota 219 N High Street

PO Box 26 Marshall, MN 56258

Phone: 507-537-4525 Fax: 507-929-4673 E-mail: hohm@iw.net

www.houseofhopeminnesota.org

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HouseofHopeMinnesota

“HE WILL TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS

TO THEIR CHILDREN AND THE HEARTS OF THE

CHILDREN TO THEIR FATHERS.” MALACHI 4:6

H O U S E O F H O P E M I N N E S O T A H E L P I N G T E E N S H E A L T H R O U G H C H R I S T