You’re invited to the 9th annual concert to benefit Children’s Haven Christian Home and School, which is in Reynosa, Mexico. Join the Ambassadors of Grace Southern Gospel duet and their special guests, Valley entertainers Dale and Gayle, for a free gospel concert in the Friesen Building at the Rio Grande Bible College.
The event will be held on Friday, January 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. A love offering will be received during the concert, with 100% of the proceeds given to Children’s Haven.
For several years Ambassadors of Grace have been a part of this fundraising event for Children’s Haven. Other entertainers are selected from the great talent that visit the Valley each year and volunteer their time for the event.
Children’s Haven International is a ministry program for children. They provide a home and refuge for over 50 children from broken, abusive, or impoverished families. The children usually range in age from one to 18.
Over 35 years ago a lady named Shirley (who had a Mennonite background), from Flint, Michigan, moved to the interior of Mexico and married a local man named Lee Mendoza. One day, she found an orphaned child had been left on her doorstep. She took in the child and cared for them. As time went on, others were left to her, and she continued to care for them.
It was in the mid 70’s when the couple rented a building in Reynosa where they continued to take in children that needed a home. After a fire destroyed the building, the Mennonite Disaster Relief provided funds to purchase 14 acres and build six separate homes on the outskirts of Reynosa.
The home is called Refugio Internacional de Ninos, or International Refuge of Children, and is overseen by Children’s Haven International whose sole purpose is to provide loving Christian care for needy children. The mission is to fully provide for each youngster that comes under their care – physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually – so that he or she can become a responsible, Christian citizen of their country.
In 1988, six acres were donated in Pharr. This site now serves as the main headquarters and consists of RV hookups, housing, offices, and a thrift store which sells donated items to raise funds for the orphanage. Numerous volunteers perform an immense variety of tasks.
A third arm of the ministry is located way up north in the home of the Volunteer Canadian Directors and is used as a second fundraising office known as International Children’s Haven in Canada.
More information can be found online at www.childrenshaven.org.
This benefit concert is just one of the many ways you can support them. There are ways to sponsor a child, donate time, materials, and more to support the organization and the children it serves.
Tours can also be arranged upon request if you would like to visit their facilities. Their thrift shop is in the main building in Pharr, 400 E. Minnesota Rd.
You can also find out more information on their Facebook page or by calling (956) 787-7378.
