Bokenkamp Children's Shelter

El Doris "Grandma" Haverlah enjoys a heartfelt hug from one of the residents of Bokenkamp Children's Center.
El Doris "Grandma" Haverlah enjoys a heartfelt hug from one of the residents of Bokenkamp Children's Shelter.
A resident checks the Bible for the perfect words. All of the students participated in the Grace Graffiti Gathering at the Haverlah Chapel.
A resident checks the Bible for the perfect words. All of the students participated in the Grace Graffiti Gathering at the Haverlah Chapel.
A Bokenkamp resident puts the finishing touches on her favorite Scripture, Philippians 4:13: "Christ gives me the strength to face anything."
A Bokenkamp resident puts the finishing touches on her favorite Scripture, Philippians 4:13: "Christ gives me the strength to face anything."

Bokenkamp Children's Shelter is an
affiliated program of Lutheran Social Services.
 

New chapel 'graced' with graffiti by residents, donors
November 30, 2006

Corpus Christi, Texas - Graffiti is usually painted in a negative light, but not at Bokenkamp Children's Shelter. Residents, donors, staff and volunteers came together Nov. 30 for a "grace graffiti" gathering at the Grandpa and Grandma Haverlah Chapel being constructed on the Bokenkamp campus. Attendees were invited to write their favorite Scripture on the still-exposed studs of the chapel, which will then be covered in drywall, sealing words of hope and faith inside the walls.

"This chapel is a dream, a dream for you," said David Kahle, senior vice president for agency advancement with Lutheran Social Services South, to the residents of Bokenkamp Children's Shelter. "Many people loved you, many who are here today. It was their dream that this building would be built so that you would have a place to worship."

For one person in attendance it was a day of joy through tears. El Doris "Grandma" Haverlah, was in attendance to write words for herself and her late husband, Louis, whose names will adorn the completed chapel.

"It will be most wonderful to see this building finished - this place where all the children can worship the Lord our God, your God. And I thank the Lord that he has given us the ability and means to do this," she said.

After a closing prayer from one of the residents, attendees fanned out, markers in hand, to write their favorite Bible verses on the walls, covering the wood with words of love, hope and faith.

Lola Clary Blair, director of volunteer services for Bokenkamp, chose 2 Corinthians: "We are workers together with God," for the sense of unity the verse offers.

"It says to me that God is not our CEO, that we are working together," she said. "And it also tells us that there are no non-sacred moments."

For Bokenkamp Chief Executive Officer Hector Acevedo, this experience builds on his own personal history, "I did this with my parent's home and my own home," he said. "I am very excited to have this tradition pass on. It's a blessing not just for those who do it today, but for every child who will pass through these doors."

Bokenkamp provides emergency shelter and care for children from Central and South America who have been caught up in the sex and human trafficking trade, or who are trying to find relatives in the United States. It is an affiliated ministry of Lutheran Social Services, the social service arm of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSS serves more than 35,000 children, elderly and poor annually throughout Texas and Louisiana. Its affiliated ministries include children's residential treatment centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, health care and retirement centers, disaster response and emergency assistance.


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