JANUARY 28, 2026 www.wintertexantimes.com 16 WINTER TEXAN TIMES volunteers. These make perfect gifts for family and friends and include cutting boards, aprons, embroidered towels, soft baby items, earrings, purses, crochet animals, and coin banks made from the old campus mailboxes. There are also wood items made from trees which used to be growing on the property. Quilts of all sizes will be for sale and some will be auctioned at 10 a.m. The Winter Volunteers hold this event each year to benefit the Bible Seminary and Intercultural Studies student scholarships. RGBM exists to develop Christ-centered leaders with a Biblical worldview for the global church. Students come from all over the world to study at RGBM and many speak only Spanish when they arrive on campus. Seminary classes are predominantly taught in Spanish although as students work hard to master their course content, they desire to improve their English skills to broaden their impact in the global church. The majority of students who are earning either Associates, Bachelors, or Master of Arts degrees in Biblical Studies return to their home countries to pastor churches, plant churches, become missionaries to other countries, or work in ministry service. RGBM also offers Intercultural Studies which consists of two semesters of intense Spanish language study and cross-cultural training for missionaries preparing to go into Spanish speaking cultures. Abraham, a senior from South America will graduate in May with an emphasis in Missions. He began studying at RGBM as an online student but eventually got the opportunity to finish his degree on the campus in Edinburg. He said the benefits of being here “on sight” are numerous, especially the faceto-face experience with professors, staff, and other students, which prepares him for the mission field. Winter Volunteers come to the RGBM campus in Edinburg from across the US and Canada and their goal is to support the students, staff and ministry. Many students and Winter Volunteers develop close relationships during their time on the RGBM campus with the Winter Volunteers being affectionately called “abuelitos” (the grandparents). All monies raised during the Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale on January 31 will go directly to help defray students’ education and living expenses. RGBM From pg. 1 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. BENEFIT From pg. 1 and everyday life, often highlighting American scenes and stories through diverse styles like transparent washes and gouache, celebrating the unique light and spontaneity of water-based paints. Local art exhibits provide more than just a visual experience; they are a vital hub for community connection. Attending these exhibitions supports the Rio Grande Valley’s creative economy and allows you to meet the artists behind the work during receptions. The gallery and gift shop also offers original pieces for sale, providing a perfect opportunity to start or grow a personal art collection. UVAL has several yearly exhibits where watercolor art is regularly featured. For more information about UVAL or this exhibit, visit the website at uppervalleyartleague.org or call (956) 591-0282. UVAL From pg. 6 MHM From pg. 6 sion. The Museum maintains both permanent and temporary exhibits and presents a variety of events and programs for all ages. The museum’s interpretation goal is to inspire the citizens of the community through the presentation of our exhibits. Church hosts Night of Song Faith Baptist Church in Palmhurst is asking the community to come and enjoy an evening of singing praises to our God with your friends and neighbors with a special Night of Song. The event will be held on Sunday, February 1 at 5:30 p.m. The evening will be filled with singing favorite hymns from Hymn Books. Faith Baptist Church is located at 4301 N. Shary Rd. (at the corner of Mile 3 and Shary Rd.) “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord” Psalms 95. For more information, call (612) 859-7787.
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