2019 in Review
2019 In Review
We've been busy this past year! Grace Haven served over 83 families in 6 different states in 2019. We added 2 TBRI Practitioners to grow our caregiver and volunteer training. Grace Haven hosted the Empowered to Connect Simulcast and provided childcare for 10 families.
Thanks to the financial and prayer supporters like you, our ministry has grown in ways that could only be God-ordained.
Family Mentoring
Message from a Mom: This year found me with heavy law enforcement involvement with my family. I was ordered to do the same old parenting classes that have failed us time and time again. Tina graciously stepped up and asked me if the court might consider TBRI training instead. I was told, “no” by the court - but prayed AND in a total reversal the court called me that very afternoon and said YES!
TBRI is not magic, and we still face many challenges, but our family works together better towards healing and I am at peace in my own skin. Blow ups and bruises still come being a large family of children with trauma and special needs, but the children's responses and ability to calm has been very positive.
I thank God for directing my path to Grace Haven and Tina who has poured love into my family as I had seen some pretty dark days. She has blessed my soul with joy as together we win back the hearts of the children God has given to me to raise. With Grace Haven’s support, I have learned a more Godly way to live. I’ve learned how to, “Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 11:19
Family Connect Days
Each year we look for ways to host whole family gatherings for fellowship and friendships to grow. The summer of 2019 we held a carnival and included an easily accessible sensory nook for those who needed it. We had over 30 families in attendance!
You have helped make a difference in your community! With the generous donations from individuals and Waco Title, Arvest Bank, PRMG, Sonic of Rogers, Atwoods Ranch & Home of Lowell, Fun City, and Sonic of Prairie Grove Grace Haven hosted a fun night of family connection.
2019 Mom's Retreats
2019 saw two Adoptive Mom's Retreat both held in Arkansas. With the support of Harp's Food, the women’s ministry of Rogers First Church of the Nazarene, and many generous donations Grace Haven hosted a total of 45 mom's in February and November at a fantastic lake front home in Bella Vista.
Message from an Adoptive Mom
When I first came into contact with Grace Haven it was by what I thought at the time was luck. Someone had gifted me a free stay at one of the adoptive mom retreats in Arkansas. I was so excited to go but wasn't sure how it would all come together. It was a bit of a drive coming from Missouri and as any mother with special needs kids will tell you, it was just plain hard to get away. I came into the house bedraggled, depleted and used up. I put on my pj’s and didn’t get out of them, not even once! The women there welcomed me. They knew I had 2 children I was desperately trying to form bonds with but wasn’t having success. I came broken, feeling used up, spent. I listened to other mothers talk, pray, cry out to God and tell similar stories as the one I had been living. Some had older or younger children, some in wheelchairs, some able bodied...none others had blind kiddos. But still, we were the same. We shared the same struggles and understood that scared and hopeless feeling. God answered prayers for me shortly after that weekend and those miracles are growing and spilling over in ways I never dreamed of. Grace Haven has been a restful, God filled space for making changes on this journey.
I still face challenges with my children but I have been strengthened to face the aches on this journey and use them for good. For others like me, who at their worst couldn’t even get dressed in the morning and at their greatest can run marathons, Grace Haven has been Matthew 25:40 in action: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me also.”
Looking ahead to 2020
Moving to the Ranch
We are inching towards our dream of operating on a farm like setting. Over the next few months we are transferring from the Center of Nonprofits in Rogers to 1819 Zion Church Avenue in Lowell for our ministry meetings, trainings and outreach events. We are eagerly and patiently awaiting the days of working in the gardens and with animals. If you are interested in learning more about how to partner with us in this transition and development, contact Randy at randy.kacirek@gracehavenfamilies.org
Romania Bound
In late February/early March, Grace Haven will be heading to Sibiu, Romania to serve Finding Hope Ministries through TBRI training of their missionaries. We have the unique opportunity to share caregiver training with the local CPS and churches. We are grateful and honored to be asked to serve and to have costs for travel covered. Pray that there will be much fruit that comes from our visit and that Christ is magnified and glorified.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8
Growing our Volunteers
With our growing TBRI team we are able to train our volunteers to reach more families. That’s so exciting as we have needed this! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.brown@gracehavenfamilies.org
Rising Leaders
Maxim and Cephas have dedicated their lives and hearts to Christ and both have a desire to help children who are hurting. Maxim has a real gift of teaching and often discerns the things that cannot be spoken. Cephas loves to worship (church, home, anywhere and he is often found praying for the hurting and lost.) This year Maxim has had the opportunity to minister individually and both Maxim and Cephas had opportunities to minister in a group setting. As always, it’s through relationship that growth happens. Maxim and Cephas have dedicated their lives and hearts to Christ and both have a desire to help children who are hurting. Maxim has a real gift of teaching and often discerns the things that cannot be spoken. Cephas loves to worship (church, home, anywhere and he is often found praying for the hurting and lost.) This year Maxim has had the opportunity to minister individually and both Maxim and Cephas had opportunities to minister in a group setting. As always, it’s through relationship that growth happens.
Upcoming Opportunities
Re:Conference
February 7 and 8 in Kansas City, KS
If you are looking for an opportunity for refreshment as an adoptive parent, check out the conference here
Tina & Randy will be there leading two break out sessions for families with special needs.
Trust Based Relational Intervention Training
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) is a holistic approach to parenting that is a multi‐disciplinary, flexible, and attachment‐centered. It is an evidence‐based, trauma‐informed intervention that is specifically designed for children who come from hard places, such as maltreatment, abuse, neglect, multiple home placements, and violence, but you’ll see that the principles apply to all children. TBRI® consists of three sets of harmonious principles: Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting Principles. Join us for this 6 week course. This training is designed to equip parents, Grace Haven volunteers and others who care for children from hard places.
The next training session begins January 9th on Thursday evenings from 6pm-8:30pm. Click here for more details and to register.
Grace Haven will host another TBRI Caregiver Training on Saturday's April 18, May 2, 9, & 19 from 9am-2pm. More details and registration coming soon.
Recap of 2019
Number of family's served by Grace Haven in 2019: 83
Number of Mom's & Dad's Fellowship Nights held in 2019: 20
Number of Mom's served through Adoptive Mom's Retreats in 2019: 45
Galatians 5:6
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.