Homeless In Need, Help Indeed See Page 4
October 2021 Volume 3, Issue 5
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ~ Cover Story ~
CONTENTS
Page 4
Page 12 & 14
The homeless being helped by Archangels of Texas.
Inspired by God and The Postscript
~ Birthdays ~
~ Important Local Info ~
Wishing Happy Birthday to AJ and Zoё Rain
Important phone numbers for everyday or emergency situations
Page 8
Have Your Business or Church included in your community magazine
~ It’s Easy ~ Call or Email an Account Executive for details and cost
Hazel, Karen or Brenda 2
~ Guest Columns ~
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Cover Story Archangels of Texas Article by Michael Edmonds The plight of the homeless is a very sad, but also very real situation in America. According to a story from Statista, 2020 had a homeless population of a little over 580,000. After seeing a decline in those numbers starting back in 2011, an increase has occurred over the last four years. Although there are many efforts being made to bring these numbers down, it appears that there is still much work to be done. In 2013, Jill Rea saw something that got her involved. On a cold day in December of that year, Rea was driving a cab and was taking her passenger to a local grocery store and noticed a woman sitting outside. The lady had on modest nonwinter type of clothing and a plastic bag wrapped around her shoulders. Jill offered up her coat, let her warm up in her car, and bought her a cup of coffee. The lady had been in a shelter the night before and had all of her clothes stolen while taking a shower. Rea gave her some clothes from a duffle bag she was Continued on page 5
The Archangels of Texas provide for those who are homeless or in general need of basic necessities.
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LIFESTYLE
carrying. She also got her a hotel room and a pizza until the ladies’ daughter could pick her up. Rea never saw her again after that encounter. From that time on, Rea was seeing more and more people that were in obvious need of a coat, and oftentimes gave several of her own to them. She then decided to organize a drive in January of 2014, and told everybody she could, to bring coats and blankets to put in the back of her truck, which they did. A week later, after discussing a huge need in the area with her friend, the Archangels of Alvin charity was born. “We came up with the name Archangels because those are battling angels and that’s what we do, battle for people”, Rea stated. As the organization grew, the name eventually changed to Archangels of Texas. In July of 2018, AOT became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a member of the Alvin & Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce partnerships. They provide for those in need in the northern Brazoria county area. What started out as a group handing out coats, food, and other necessities just to survive out in the streets was a start, the greater need was much more evident. Rea began noticing signs of other forms of struggle by those who were less fortunate. “There are many different levels of homelessness,” Rea said. She knew of families that had fallen on hard times, that were bunking in with friends or Blankets, coats, and personal grooming needs being handed out.
Continued on page 6
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Clothing and shoes were once passed out at a local park, but are now being taken to those in need via the Archangels’ van.
other family members. She was also aware of elderly people, disabled people, those with mental illness, and others that were experiencing generational homelessness. All these groups face challenges due to fixed incomes, or having no way to make a living whatsoever. Those with felonies are also affected and are most prone to homelessness; for them it is very difficult to find a job or a place to call home. Rea feels that if the rules could be relaxed just a bit for victimless felonies, 40 percent of homelessness would be resolved in this state. The immediate goal of the organization is to provide a shelter for people who need to get out of bad weather and to keep them safe. The ultimate dream is to provide a faith based, programmed facility to help people learn basic life skills and obtain a new life. AOT wants those less fortunate to sustain themselves and become productive members of society, and to provide a safe, clean, and healthy space for the elderly and disabled people waiting to obtain housing. Funding for these goals is achieved by fundraisers, grants, and individual donations. AOT recently got a trailer to stock and distribute food in their operational area. They were setting up in a local park for giveaways, but they found that it was difficult for most people to get there. They decided to bring assistance to them and the new mobile unit allows them to do just that. AOT recently held a garage sale fundraiser that allowed them to put a wrap on their new trailer, and to begin a customization effort to fit their needs and get essentials to more people who need them. As far as the impact Archangels of Texas has had, Rea says that people they have helped know they can depend on them to
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help in a crisis to the best of their abilities. “When someone is in trouble and reaches out for help to our city officials or first responders, they call us”, she states. She also adds, “We love our community. All of the community, and not just the homeless, but all of the proud residents of Brazoria County”. As far as the habitat challenged people, Rea hopes to make a big difference in their lives, and has professed her love for each one of them with everything she’s got. “They are special to me,” she added. Looking into the future, Rea would like to eventually open a village for the homeless. To sum things up, Rea explains, “It all starts with people who won’t give up. For some of these people, all it takes is one person to say ‘I believe in you’, ‘I’m here for you’ and follow through with it. No matter how much some people may push you away, remain steadfast and true, and be that rock for someone. Be strong no matter the adversity; continue God’s work no matter how hard.” This is in her heart. This is what Jill does. For more information on the Archangels of Texas or to donate please visit their website at Archangelsoftexas. com or their Facebook page, Archangels of Texas. You can also call them at 832-994-5887.
A warm meal being provided at a giveaway.
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Aaron JeMal Johnson
Happy 8th Birthday, AJ! Love, Dad, Mom and Zoё Rain December 12th
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Zoё Rain Johnson
Happy 6th Birthday, Zoё Rain! Love, Dad, Mom and AJ October 5th
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Manvel teacher brings artistic culture of Mexico to local festivals by Sheila Rieke
Alicia Padilla and husband, Jorge Vite
who worked with the artisan communities. First region she was interested in was Chiapas. It’s a region in Mexico where the women create artisan clothing with traditional weaving and looming practices. They pass it down from generation to generation. The women in the region make it together. Each person preforms a particular step in the process of turning wool into something amazing. One will clean it, another will card it (the process of straightening the fibers) one will spin the wool into yarn, another will dye the wool, and one will weave it into something beautiful. Padilla contacts the artists using an app called What’s Up. It’s kind of like an international phone number to communicate with the artists. They send pictures, discuss pricing and custom orders. It is a business transaction based on a lot of trust. Padilla pays for the goods before they’re shipped, trusting her artists to come through has never been an issue. Now that she has built a network, she can ask for artists that make specific items for her. She also has friends that help at seasonal markets who go from Continued on page 11
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Alicia Padilla is a third-grade teacher at E.C. Mason Elementary School in Manvel by day but come the weekend she’s setting up a booth at a fair or festival near you, selling her unique artisan wears from different origins in Mexico. Padilla, owner of Origen Artesania Unica, grew up in Brownville, Texas. It wasn’t until years later that she would find herself appreciating the rich artisan culture that exists just across the border in Mexico. Her passion for one-of-a-kind artisan pieces started when she went shopping on-line and found an artist who created Mexican traditional clothing with a modern twist. When her garments arrived, she couldn’t believe the quality and the uniqueness of the pieces, “They were something I had never seen here.” Then she discovered more traditional pieces that were specific to different regions in Mexico. Each item being made by artists using the same processes and techniques of their ancestors. It’s a special craft that’s been taught for generations; families continuing the art and being mindful not to leave it behind. From there she got in contact with a person
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town to town who get to know other artisans. The biggest challenge to bringing in the hand-made items is the shipping costs. To save money she has the items shipped to the border. Then she gets in line with the 18 wheelers to go through customs/inspections, pays the fees and brings her inventory home. In Mexican cultures, symbols and motifs have meanings and their different of each region and its people. Her logo reflects these traditional symbols, but it is designed specifically for her. Her most popular item is wooden miniature animal sculptures called Alebrijes made by Martin and Gloria Hernandez, a husbandand-wife team from Oaxaca, Mexico. Martin carves the animals and Gloria paints them. It’s a relatively new artform, originally made from paper. Alebrijes are spiritual animals. When people pick an animal they fancy, in the Mexican culture, they believe that the spiritual animal picks the person. “You don’t choose them, they choose you.” Padilla, her husband and their two sons work as a team in the booth. They have sold her products at Meridiana’s special events, at markets/fairs in the Montrose area of Houston, at HTX markets (usually set up at local breweries) and at Evelyn Park in Bellaire. The most rewarding part of her job is talking about what she sells. She loves telling her customers the background of each item, how it’s made, how it comes directly from the artist, she likes to make sure they understand how unique the piece is and by bringing work to the artists, they can continue their craft and make a livable income. She’s often surprised to discover that it’s the people from Mexico who really appreciate the items she sells. “They respond so graciously and appreciate that the Mexican culture has been represented so
Alebrijes from Oaxaca, Mexico made by artisans Martin and Gloria Hernandez well. That makes me very happy.” Padilla sums up her business in just a few words, “Origen Artesania Unica strives to credit the creators of all the unique products we offer. We take pride in the work, time dedication, passion and love the artisans put in their craft and want to share it with everyone.” This summer she went to Chiapas Mexico to visit five family artisans that she works with to see how they weave & loom their beautiful pieces. Seeing the process from beginning to end gave her a new appreciation for the artists and one-of-a-kind pieces they make.
Alicia (right) with Flor Hernandez who specializes in loom-weaved woman’s accessories from Chiapas, Mexico
Alicia (center) with the Gomez Diaz family who are loom weaving artisans from Chiapas, Mexico
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COLUMN Inspired by God By Bill Derixson
Famine for the Word of God
Pastor Bill Derixson
Amos 8:11-12: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. The nation of America has devolved spiritually to the likes of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are living in a time where a majority of the population care only for the things that create their own happiness. The government is stealing more freedoms from the people while promising them self-indulgence. When did the government get involved with population control, sexual identity, rent
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control, and individual selfesteem over what race God made you? I’ll tell you when, when we entered a famine for the hearing of the Words of the Lord! When the Word of the Lord is not preached and taught, people serve themselves. We have so much greed, injustice, idleness, and luxury at the expense of others, because we have despised the Word of the Lord. We are traditionally religious but practice little to no true righteousness. We disregard God’s warnings of impending judgment, like hitting snooze on our alarm clocks. No one wants to wake up to the reality that we are far from God and will face His wrath for sins committed. Such as, the murder of innocent lives in the womb, the reassignment of genders, as if we can do better than
God, and the institution of marriage between same sex couples, which is sterile and blatantly against God’s command to be fruitful and multiply. God said that the famine that would destroy us would not be a hunger for food and a thirst for water, but a famine for hearing the Word of the Lord. That does not mean that we will not have a famine of food and water, but that the famine of hearing and understanding God’s Word is far worse a judgment. Even though the Word is preached multiple times a week, it is God who opens the eyes and ears of our understanding to be able to receive the truth of it. What if God sent no more true prophets to us to reveal His Word? We see the lack of spiritual understanding in the leadership of our churches
already. What hope is there for their congregations? If the righteous are scarcely saved, what hope is there for ministry to those lost in sin and shame? The hope is always in God and His mercies toward us, but He has warned us He will not always strive with man. We better begin meaning business with God. Repent! Turn from your sin. Call on the Lord while He may be found, reach for Him while He is near. Hide God’s word in your heart, that you might not sin against Him. Meditate on that Word day and night, until the Lord grants you a revelation of Himself. Be reproved, grow in knowledge and in the fear of the Lord, and stay connected to God. Blessed are the hungry and thirsty for righteousness for they shall be filled.
Amos 8: 11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD
Everyone Is Welcome At Church
The Churches below are extending an invitation to you to Come worship God with Family
Have your Church listed Call 281-331-4421
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The Postscript by Carrie Classon
Belt and Suspenders
Carrie Classon
My husband, Peter, is taking no chances. I knew this about him before I married him. Peter has a plan for everything and a plan in case the first plan doesn’t pan out. My father would call this “belt and suspenders” planning. Peter’s been walking around in a belt and suspenders ever since I’ve known him. Peter’s planning has made surviving the pandemic a lot easier than it would have been otherwise. We never run out of anything. That might sound impossible, but it’s almost true. Peter buys everything in quantity and notices when supplies start to run low. This allowed us to adopt the “Every Other Week Grocery Buying Plan.” Occasionally, I would consume more milk than Peter had estimated, and we had to dash out to the local convenience store. This prompted Peter to create the “Powdered Milk Back-Up Plan.” “Powdered milk is great!” Peter said. I don’t know if powdered milk is great, but it’s better than no milk at all. Peter is also the one who tried
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to enlist me in the “Hiking Pole Plan.” I resisted mightily. I first saw hiking poles about a decade ago, used almost exclusively by people walking on dry sidewalks where they seemed entirely unnecessary. “That’s the dumbest thing ever,” I declared. Then I met Peter. Peter was enthusiastic about hiking poles. “They’ll catch you if you slip!” Peter said. “You could fight off a dog—or even a bear—if you were attacked!” Peter had lots of good reasons I should adopt the “Hiking Pole Plan” and I wasn’t buying any of them. “How would I talk?” I asked him. “I need my hands to talk and, if I had hiking poles, I wouldn’t be able to say a word!” Peter did not seem to think this was such a terrible idea. But then one day we got a lot of snow and I decided to hike with ski poles. They were super helpful. By the time the snow melted, I had gotten used to them. I tried hiking poles. I liked them. I still haven’t had to fight off a bear, but I’ve been using them ever since. “You see?” Peter said, “Aren’t they great?” The wonderful thing about Peter is that he never gloats when I come around to adopting his plan. He is just delighted. Most of the time, however, Peter just pays close attention and plans accordingly. He notices what I am consuming, even if I don’t. If I suddenly start eating oatmeal and raisins, Peter takes note. “You’re eating a lot of oatmeal and raisins!” Peter says, and starts ordering massive quantities of both.
If I stop eating something, Peter also notices. “You’re not eating peanut butter anymore!” he observes. “Um, I guess not.” “I better cancel our order. I had a case coming!” I find this amazing. I also find it a great comfort. I honestly have no idea how much coffee or oatmeal or raisins or peanut butter I consume, but Peter does. (He told me I ate more than forty pounds of raisins last year, which sounds preposterous!) All I know is that we never run out of anything—not even milk. “You take very good care of
me,” I tell Peter. “You take good care of me!” he always replies. I don’t know if that’s true. But I know I appreciate him, and I’m much more willing to listen to his plans than I used to be. I call this the “Letting Peter Take Care of Me Plan.” And he’s right. Powdered milk isn’t that bad. Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.” Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.
Departments / Phone Numbers www.iowacolonytx.gov/
Iowa Colony City Hall, 12003 Iowa Colony Blvd, Iowa Colony, TX 77583
Department
Phone
Department of Community Development
281-369-2471
Department of Finance
281-369-2471
Department of Public Works
281-369-2471
Municipal Court
281-369-2471
Office of the City Manager
281-369-2471
Office of the City Secretary
346-395-4526
Community Development handles permitting, platting, inspections, and engineering.
The Department of Public Works is responsible for keeping all city assets and facilities in a state of good repair. Public Works contains streets and sidewalks, parks, municipal buildings, and right-of-way maintainance. Municipal Courts are the judicial branch of city government. In addition, the Municipal Court is part of the state judicial system. Municipal Courts hear Class C Misdemeanor criminal cases, including traffic violations, for which the maximum fine, upon conviction, does not exceed $500, and for which no jail sentence may be assessed. They also hear cases involving violation of city ordinances, which may have fines up to $2,000 for certain offenses.
The City Secretary is the clerk of the City serving as a link between the citizens and the City organization. The City Secretary’s office is committed to providing excellent customer service to the public in a timely, professional and efficient manner. Responsibilities: Provides all pertinent information for City Council meetings; Custodian of all official records of the City, including agendas, minutes, agreements, ordinances, resolutions and contracts; Maintains the City Seal and attests official documents; Oversees City elections; Provides the public with information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act; Administers the oath of office to new City employees and officials; Publication of legal notices
Parks
Iowa Colony City Park • 4003 Meridiana Parkway (Next to Meridiana Elementary School) City Hall Park • 12003 Iowa Colony Blvd (Behind City Hall)
Police Department
281-369-3444
Mosquito Spraying Requests for mosquito spraying can be made online with Brazoria County Mosquito Control.
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