December 16, 2002

THE NATIVITY pageant was a hit.	VOLUNTEER teens made fast friends.

Houston ministry wraps special gift for single moms, kids
___By Cindy Davis
___Texas Baptist Children's Home & Family Services
___HOUSTON--Tears filled Neli's eyes as she slowly peeked into the bag. Sitting on top was a brand-new pair of sneakers to replace the tattered, too-tight shoes that had pinched her son's toes for months.
___These new shoes shined with the light of God's faithfulness to the struggling single mother.
___"This Christmas, we had nothing. But we got everything, and I know the children are going to be very happy," she whispered, with her head humbly bowed.
___Neli's gift bag was one of

KIDS designed their own ornaments

dozens gathered for the families of Gracewood, a ministry of Texas Baptist Family Services of Houston. The Baptist General Convention of Texas-affiliated ministry provides residential care and other assistance to single mothers and their children.
___Groups from First Baptist, Second Baptist, Tallowood Baptist, Westbury Baptist, Wildewood Baptist, Metropolitan Baptist and Chinese Baptist churches in Houston each played a part in making Christmas dreams come true for current and former Gracewood residents.
___Efforts of the various groups came together on Friday, Dec. 13, during Gracewood's Christmas party. After the dinner dishes were cleared, several Tallowood and First Baptist teens entertained the children while their mothers were led to the office.
___Casual chitchat gave way to stunned silence as the doors opened to reveal a Christmas wonderland. Tables overflowed with bags of gifts bearing the children's names, all donated by the seven churches. Paper, tape and scissors were on hand for each mother to use in wrapping her newfound treasure.
___The outpouring from local churches awed Gracewood's program coordinator, Sandra Gonzalez.
___"God has been so very good to us," she declared. "Each person who donated to this event represents God's love and grace to our families. And although the children will be elated with the gifts, it's exciting that these moms will now be able to provide Christmas for their families."
___Gracewood began helping single-parent families in Houston in February 2001, when Texas Baptist Children's Home in Round Rock extended its family care program to the city. Texas Baptists' gifts through the BGCT Cooperative Program partially fund Gracewood, now separately incorporated as a non-profit agency.
___In keeping with the Round Rock program model, case managers and residential staff provide care tailored to fit each family's situation. The large, Southwest Houston group residence provides a haven for up to five families while the mothers gather the resources needed to survive on their own. Including the

GIFTS left the moms overjoyed.

families in residence and those still in aftercare, the facility sometimes serves up to 60 individuals at a time.
___Services include Christian counseling for mothers and children, spiritual support, life skills training, employment assistance and debt management. Staff also assist countless other families through referrals to community services. The ministry provides for physical needs while witnessing the love of Christ to each family.
___Mike Hammack, Gracewood's executive director, credits local churches for the program's success.
"We hope to open additional residences soon to meet the tremendous needs of the community," he said. "Each life changed at Gracewood would not be possible without the wonderful support we receive from Baptists across Houston."
___This support was evident during the Christmas party. While the moms busily wrapped, the teenage volunteers helped children create Christmas surprises of their own. Squeals of delight and peals of laughter filled the air as they decorated cookies and ornaments in messy splendor.
___When the mothers returned, pint-sized wise men, angels and shepherds emerged in costumes provided by Tallowood. The living room was transformed into a makeshift stage for an impromptu Nativity pageant.
___The tiny actors enthusiastically retold the story of Christ's birth while their mothers beamed with pride. As the children took their final bows, the audience declared it the best Christmas pageant ever.
___When the house was finally silent with sleep, one young mother reflected on the night she'll never forget. Genice, due in February with her fourth child, had arrived three months earlier with no job, no home and no hope.
___Now employed and no longer depressed, Genice has faith that the chaos that once defined her life is gone for good.
___"There's so much love here, and the Spirit of God is so heavy in this place," she said. "I can't wait to see what he has in store for me next."


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