Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It is my greatest desire that all of you wonderful supporters who have prayed for us and given to The Refuge in so many ways have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

We have wonderful news! Although we are still looking at properties to buy, we have found a great place to rent until we are able to purchase and either build or remodel a building! And our new landlord is giving us a fantastic deal, because she supports what we are doing. It is in Poteet and located just a block from the school at 815 School Drive. It is in an excellent location and has great parking between our office and a dental office. This will make it impossible for anyone to know if a client’s car is there for us or the dentist, or the real estate office that is housed in the same building with us. And if a girl doesn't have a car, it is within walking distance of the high school or most other locations in town. (See pictures below.)



We are looking at a lot in Pleasanton that we could purchase to build on. It is an excellent location as well, less than a block from the Pleasanton High school. We have enough money to purchase the lot, but we will need more money in order to build.
We have two donors that are standing by waiting to contribute a total of $50,000 in matching funds toward the purchase of or the building of a home for The Refuge Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center. As it is so close to the end of the year, it is our hope that some of you will consider end of the year contributions toward this project. Your money will go twice as far since we will have the matching contributions for every dollar you donate. Remember, in order to receive credit for this year’s contributions, your envelope must be post marked by December 31st.

Send all contributions to:

The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center,
Po Box 509,
Pleasanton, TX, 78064

Praise the Lord! We have more good news. Within 3 days of the board’s making the decision to rent the office space, I received an email from my son that a pastor sent him an email telling him of a doctor who contacted him asking if he knew of a mission that needed some equipment. He is donating exam tables and rolling stools, office chairs, waiting room furniture, cabinets, desks and chairs and some other things. What an amazing God we have!

Again, have a very Merry Christmas and a joy filled and blessed New Year!

Special points of interest:

• Our "Love For Life Banquet will be held February 26, 2009.
• We will be having training for our volunteers February 27 & 28, 2009.
• Open House will be early in early March.
  
  

Prayer Points

• Volunteers!!! That we will have lots of volunteers for the training.
• That we will be able to get everything organized quickly for opening.
• That we will receive other donations that are needed before opening.
• That planning for the “Love for Life“ Banquet will go smoothly and we will have a good crowd.
• Praise and thanks to the Lord for a running vehicle! And thanks to Pastor Kerry who brought me a 1994 Jeep Cherokee to replace my van that stopped running again. God continues to provide as we have need.
  

In Him
ColleneMyers
The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center
830-569-5883
TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com
http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

Update On The Refuge

We have new and exciting things happening concerning The Refuge. We are looking at some properties as possible sites for the opening of The Refuge. What is more exciting is that we have two contributors (wishing to remain anonymous) who have committed a total of $50,000.00 toward the purchase of a property. They are asking us to raise matching funds from others in the community. Their goal is to help us open The Refuge doors debt free, which is a goal of mine as well. Please help us raise the money we need to purchase one of these properties. We need to be open now! I have already received phone calls from prospective clients and mothers of prospective clients in desperate need of help.

More Great News is that the Cowboy Jamboree is hosting a benefit for The Refuge on October 28th. The admission is only $4.00 and we are asking that you bring a baby gift as well. It can be something as simple as a baby rattle or a receiving blanket. Two of our biggest needs are diapers (all sizes, 1-5) and wipes. Please come to the Jamboree and show your support for The Refuge and have a great time in the process. There will be lots of great gospel music and refreshments as well; so come on out to the VFW Hall at 7:00 PM on October 28.

We still need more volunteers soon for our training. We need volunteers to counsel as well as to help with reception, bookkeeping, and to organize the office and donations that will be coming in. We need someone to help us set up our blessing room.
For information on being a volunteer or making a contribution please call Collene Myers at 830-569-5883.

We had a great time at the Atascosa County Fair selling lemonade and nuts on October 4th and 5th.

Remember, please come and join us for the All Gospel Cowboy Jamboree to benefit The Refuge on October 28th!
Admission is only $4.00 + one baby item (This can be anything from diapers to wipes to baby clothes to a baby toy. There is no minimum or maximum cost for these items. Bring what you can afford, and if you can’t bring an item we won’t turn you away.)

Pray about These Needs of The Refuge

· The right property for The Refuge
· More volunteers to turn in their applications
· Male volunteers or strong women to help pick up donations and take to the storage unit
· Shelves for storage and display
· Educational supplies- TV/DVD Player, DVDs, Books, Pamphlets, Bible studies, and etc.
(One can contribute toward a bundle of these items).
· That we will have good attendance at the benefit.

In Him
ColleneMyers
The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center
830-569-5883
TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com
http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/


"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

What's New This Month!

What’s New With The Refuge?

We have new churches and individuals coming along side to support the refuge. Thanks so much to all you volunteers and those who support The Refuge through your gifts. Without you, The Refuge would not be poising itself to open soon!

We still need more volunteers soon for our training. Volunteers can help with various jobs. You are not all expected to counsel. We need volunteers to help with reception, to organize the office and donations that will be coming in. We need someone to help us set up our blessing room. We rented a storage unit because donations of baby items and furniture have been coming in and we had no place to put them. My house was running over. Praise the Lord! That’s a good problem.
For information on being a volunteer or making a contribution please call Collene Myers at 830-569-5883

We are still looking for property!

We have an office space on Reed Street, but we will not be serving women from this location. It will give us a good place to get organized and to meet with business people, pastors and others from the community. However, what we really need is a piece of property on which to place a building or better yet, a property with a building already on it. We have also been looking at places for lease, but haven’t been successful in finding what we need.
The South Texas Regional Health Fair went well. Many people came by our booth and received information. We made new contacts and met possible new clients as well.

Up coming events:
Please come and join us for these events.

· October 4th and 5th we will have a booth at the Atascosa County Fair.
· October 28th there will be an all gospel Cowboy Jamboree to benefit The Refuge.
Admission is only $4.00 + one baby item (This can be anything from diapers to wipes to baby clothes to a baby toy. There is no minimum or maximum cost for these items. Bring what you can afford.)
· November?- Volunteer Training

Pray about These Needs of The Refuge

· A property in which to open (rental or purchase)
· More volunteers to turn in their applications
· Male volunteers or strong women to help pick up donations and put them in the storage unit
· Shelves for storage and display
· Educational supplies- TV/DVD Player, DVDs, Books, Pamphlets, Bible studies, and etc. You can contribute toward a bundle of these items.
· Office equipment and supplies
· That we will have good attendance at the fund raisers.

Personal Prayer Request

· Please pray for my grandson Neill. He is having another MRI to determine what the problem is with the function of his eyes. They are not sure if it is a muscle problem or neurological, but he can’t look straight at an object. He looks from the side. He is also having a little bit of a balance problem only occasionally. He had one, but it didn’t turn out. He will have to be sedated for this next one.
· His mother Crystal is having lots of kidney problems, stones and infections, and was in the hospital four times during the month of September.
· I also have been having quite a few health issues of my own.

The RefugeAtascosa Pregnancy Care Center

830-569-5883

TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com

http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's

womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

The Refuge Showing It's Presense At Cowboy Homecoming In Pleasanton

The Refuge Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center made its presence known at the Cowboy Homecoming Fair in Pleasanton City Park over the weekend (August 15-16). They sold ice cold lemonade and water to hot and weary visitors. They also sold homemade baked goods and glazed and spiced nuts baked by precious volunteers. Thanks so much to all you volunteers and those who support The Refuge through your gifts. Without you The Refuge would not be poising itself to open very soon!

Left to right three of our volunteers Crystal Koonce, Laurie Miller, and Robin Porter are pictured in our booth ( Ignore the date. My camera was acting up).

We need volunteers very soon for our training. For information on being a volunteer or making a contribution please call Collene Myers at 830-569-5883.

We were a little disappointed. Our deal on the house fell through, but I know that if God closed this door, he has something even better for us.

We have a new office space on Reed Street. We will not be serving women from this location, but it will give us a great place to get organized and to meet with business people, pastors and others from the community. We are looking at some places for lease.

We rented a storage unit because donations of baby items and furniture have been coming in and we had no place to put them. My house was running over. Praise the Lord! That’s a good problem.


Up coming events:

· September 25th we will have a booth at South Texas Regional Health Fair.
· October?- Volunteer Training
· October 4th and 5th we will have a booth at the Atascosa County Fair.
· October 28th there will be an all gospel Cowboy Jamboree to benefit The Refuge.

Pray about These Needs of The Refuge

· A building to open in (rental or purchase)
· More volunteers to turn in their applications- we need this immediately in order to have people trained before opening.
· Male volunteers or strong women to help pick up donations and put them in the storage unit
· Shelves for storage and display
· Educational supplies- TV/DVD Player, DVDs, Books, Pamphlets, Bible studies, and etc. You can contribute toward a bundle of these items.

In HimColleneMyers

The Refuge

Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center

830-569-5883

TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com

http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

August 2008 News Letter

August, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,

Well I had an email almost completed to send you last month and various circumstances stopped me from sending it. I was going to tell you that things had fallen through on the house on Main Street. Well praise the Lord! They are back on again!

Things have been moving along, but perhaps a little more slowly than I would have preferred. After the great news that we had finally received our long awaited Federal Non Profit Status or 501 (c) (3), and donations could now come straight to The Refuge I expected to be getting into a property right away. Instead, the property we were hoping to buy was taken off the market after the owners turned down our offer. We were disappointed, but were looking at some other properties, and were also checking out rentals. I asked the real estate agent to ask the owners of the Main St. house if they would consider renting for a while. They wanted to meet with me and long story short, we came to an agreement and the sale is back on. Sometimes I want to get in a hurry, and God says “Just slow down a bit. Don’t get in a hurry.” He let me know I needed to just rest in Him for a while and wait for Him to do His work. To see a picture of the property, scroll down.


This property is in an excellent location with relatively high traffic. There is lots of property so we can add on in the future. And we will be able to have discrete parking in the rear. We will still need teams to help with remodeling and decorating. If you or your church is interested in doing some of these things, let me know, and give me a date that you might be available. You can also go online to TheBridge@namb.net to see the projects I have listed there. This property is right next to the park. What a great area for a mission trip to combine remodeling The Refuge with neighborhood Bible clubs in the park!

Thank you for your prayers. God hears and answers!


Up coming events:

· August 16th we will have a booth at the Cowboy Homecoming in the park. We hope to sell lots of lemonade, water and homemade treats to raise funds for The Refuge. We will be able to advertise that The Refuge will be open soon! And actually point to the location from our booth!

· September 25th we will have a booth at South Texas Regional Health Fair. This is a great public relations opportunity with the general public and a chance to mingle with many other medical and help oriented agencies.

· October 28th there will be an all gospel Cowboy Jamboree to benefit The Refuge.

· Some time in September or October- Volunteer Training



Prayer requests:

· For the owners to agree with the terms of our offer and give us the time needed to raise funds for the purchase of the property. It is our desire to remain debt free.

· For God to provide the finances needed to pay for this property before the closing date.
· For consistent finances to meet monthly commitments.

· For more volunteers to turn in their applications- we need this immediately in order to have people trained before opening.


In Him
ColleneMyers
The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center
830-569-5883
TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com
http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

May News Letter

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Dear Friends and Family
Last month I gave you the great news that we finally received our long awaited Federal Non Profit Status or 501 (c) (3); so donations can now come straight to The Refuge rather than funneling through a church. This month I am pleased to tell you that we have found a property that we hope we can soon call the home of The Refuge. We are making an offer on it tomorrow June 3, 2008. It is located on Main Street in Pleasanton and backs right up to the city park. I think it is a good location and is in very good shape. It is small, but has plenty of space on the property to add on when that is needed. The lot is a full ½ acre. It is also an excellent building to add onto when we are ready. Because it has only one large and one really large room besides the bathroom, it will be easy to build in the rooms we need. We will need teams to help with the remodeling and decorating. If you or your church is interested in doing some of these things, let me know, and give me a date that you might be available. Since our property is adjacent to the park, some of you might want to consider a mission trip to work on The Refuge and combine it with teaching neighborhood Bible clubs in the park.

I actually put this picture in the news letter about three months ago as a place of interest and asked you to pray about it. Praise the Lord! I think He is answering those prayers.We only need approximately $30,000 more to purchase the property outright. Then after that, we will need supplies to fill our blessing rooms and offices.
We have a good start on some baby items thanks to my sweet daughter-in-law, Carolyn and some of you, my sweet friends. Thank you so much for the wonderful baby things you sent. Don’t I have a sweet daughter-in-law? God has blessed me so much with a wonderful family.

I participated in a health fair on May 7th with good results. Many people came by my table asking lots of questions and picking up information on the refuge.
Prayer requests:

For the owner of the property to accept our offer.

For God to provide the finances needed for us to purchase this property; so we can move forward.

For consistent finances to meet monthly commitments.

For more volunteers to turn in their applications- we need this immediately in order to have people trained before opening.

Up coming events:
In August we will have a booth at the Cowboy Homecoming in the park and may participate in the Cowboy Homecoming parade as well. If all goes as planned, we may be able to advertise our Open House for The Refuge Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center at this function!
In Him

ColleneMyers

The RefugeAtascosa Pregnancy Care Center

830-569-5883

TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com

http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

Dear Friends and Family

I have great news! We finally have our Federal Non Profit Status or 501 (c) (3). We are still looking at properties and hope to have a place soon. I hope you will all be considering what you can do to help once we get a place. We will need teams to help with remodeling, decorating, and we’ll need supplies to fill our blessing rooms and offices. If you are interested in doing some of these things, let me know, and I will start to put together a list of contacts, so I can let you know as soon as I do what needs to be done.

We had a great Board training class this month. All six of our board members were present. I can’t believe I forget to take the opportunity to get a picture with everyone in it. I still don’t have a good picture to show you.

I have continued to speak at various churches and next month we have the opportunity to participate in a health fair. Be in prayer for us concerning that on May 7th.

Prayer requests are:
For God to provide us with a property so we can move forward.
Consistent finances to meet monthly commitments.
More volunteers to turn in their applications.
Up coming events such as the health fair in May, Cowboy Homecoming parade and in the park in August as well as other functions not mentioned.

In Him
ColleneMyers
The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center
830-569-5883
TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com
http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

PS

I wanted to share with you about something that I forgot last time. My granddaughters, Kathrynne, Madelyn and Noelle Myers, shown in these pictures along with little brother Jonathan, thought of a unique way to earn money to donate to the Pregnancy Center. They have been making cards for special occasions and selling them; and in addition they have been making chocolate covered pretzels and snacks and selling them during break at there home school co-op classes.

All of this was their own idea and through their own labor. Now I’m sure mom supervised, but she has assured me the girls did the work and the selling on their own. Last month they presented me with $34 , and are planning to continue selling their pretzels for a while. This might be a neat idea for children’s groups that would like to raise funds for the center. Thanks for allowing me to brag on my grandchildren.

In Him
ColleneMyers
The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center
830-569-5883
TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com
http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

Dear Friends and Family,
I have been remiss in keeping you posted. Please accept my apology.
We had a wonderful time at the Love For Life Banquet! The program, including speakers Carol Everett and Lisa Rush with music by Strings of Grace and special music by Danny Myers, was great! The food prepared by Lupita Criado and her group from Hosanna Baptist Church was absolutely wonderful. We also had ice cream provided by Keith Shearrer of Kaleidoscoops. Everything was wonderful!
Over $13,000 was raised that night and we received commitments of over $1,200 per month to follow.
I am so excited! It is starting to look like we may be able to open soon. Please be in prayer for specific things.

Pray that:

• We will receive additional funds needed to purchase property and open the center.
  
• More ladies will hear God’s voice and step up and volunteer to serve at the pregnancy center.
  
• Other workers, men and women will be ready to do the work needed on the building God gives us.
  
• We will choose the right building/property that God has waiting for us.

I have found a small house on a large lot that I think may be a good location and starting building for us. It is small, about half the size we expect to need; so we will need to add on or possibly get another building on the same property at some point in the future. We could even possibly use this first building for a thrift store (at a later time) that could help provide income for the center and a place where we could distribute clothing to the mothers for their babies after adding another larger building fro the pregnancy center. Many Pregnancy Centers are now doing this with great success. Here are some pictures of the property I looked at. I believe it can be purchased for less than the asking price (possibly $50,000). In that case if we chose this house, we would only need another $35,000 to make the purchase. Please be in prayer.

• Address:812 N. MainPLEASANTON, TX 78064
• Type: Commercial for Sale
• Floors: Single Story
• Square Feet: 800
• Lot Size: 60 x 362 (1/2 acre)
• School District: Pleasanton
• Price: $60,000.00

• 

In Him
ColleneMyers
The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center
830-569-5883
TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com
http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV

First Annual Love for Life Banquet Coming in February

Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center

Invites You to a
Fundraising Dinner
Love for Life

With Featured Speaker
Carol Everett
Of the Heidi Group

Carol Everett is unique because she comes with an overwhelming amount of experience in the area of abortion. Carol knows firsthand about abortion, having been both an abortion consumer and provider. Carol was involved in the operation of four abortion clinics from 1977 to 1983, overseeing 35,000 abortions. Carol experienced a change in her life when she came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Today, she is committed to safeguarding the health of women and their babies all over this nation. She also speaks to the post-abortive men and women to offer a message of healing and hope.
Carol has spoken on national broadcasting programs with Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, Dr. Marlon Maddox of Point of View, Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries on Truths that Transform, and Pat Robertson of the 700 Club.
Carol is president and founder of The Heidi Group which offers many services to pregnancy centers all across Texas.

Special Music by
Strings of Grace,
Billy and Danny Myers and Judy Sanders

The Strings of Grace believe they have been called to share the Gospel through music. They are a southern gospel/country/blue grass quartet made up of two couples, Mike and Linda Bender and Chuck and Becky Lum. They have performed frequently in the South Texas area. Their performance will be a real treat.
Billy and Danny Myers and their sister Judy grew up in South Texas as well. Their beautiful voices will bless your heart.

Join Us

Saturday, February 16, 2008
6 PM

At Cowboy Fellowship

Pleasanton, Texas

There is absolutely no charge to attend but please RSVP to Suzy Hull 830-769-3081, Abby Pawelek 830-570-4969, Caryl Hudson 210-254-4041, or Lisa Rush 830-569-8888
by February, 9, 2008 to reserve your seats.

Please join us for this very exciting and important event in the life of The Refuge.

In Him
ColleneMyers
The Refuge
Atascosa Pregnancy Care Center
830-569-5883
TheRefugeAtascosa@yahoo.com
http://www.therefugeinatascosa.blogspot.com/

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13 NIV)