Issue 2 2026 Across 1. TOCK 3. FAMILY 5. MISSION 6. CAREERS Down 1. TALKING 2. JAMES 4. LIFE Riddles 1. Thunderstorm 2. Turnip 3. Pardon Me Read the full issue below.

By Jennifer Webb In some ways, it looks like an ordinary house build. In other ways, it’s quite extraordinary, and it’s been quietly nestled in the heart of a small town in Cleburne County for over 20 years. A stream of workers in hard hats, tool belts, and safety glasses rotate in and out of the project all day, five days a week. Together, they build a house in 9 months and auction it off to the highest bidder. That process in itself is pretty cool, but unlike most building programs, the main goal is not a financially based one but one of building skills. All the workers are high school students, from Quitman and surrounding schools. Their teacher is Mr. Holland, who starting at ground zero, supervises and manages each build. “I think that for me, it is the best example of a true hands-on learning experience for kids that they can take and will benefit them for the rest of their lives. They are learning a skill and trade in high school that they can take and will always have.” – Michael Stacks, Superintendent, Quitman School District Mr. Holland starts at ground zero in two ways, both with the house and the skill of his crew. He starts with teens who have never built anything in their lives and are at a “this is a hammer; this is a nail” level. All students must complete an OSHA safety course before they are allowed to start working on construction. The house itself starts with laying the floor plan. They consult local real estate agents, learn the trends, and are limited by the size requirements of what can be moved down the road to its new location once it sells. They develop a floor plan, simply drawn on a whiteboard with dimensions. Then they start with laying the foundation. Over the course of the program, the students take the house from planning to foundation, to floor, to frame, to rafters, to roof, to enclosing the walls with sheathing, installing windows and exterior siding, running electrical, installing hvac, installing plumbing fixtures, insulating the walls with spray foam insulation, hanging sheetrock, finishing the sheetrock, building and installing cabinets, laying floors, painting, and all the things that make a house a finished house. As the house grows, so do the students’ skill set and understanding of how things work and are put together. “If it’s not going to hurt them, and it’s not going to cost money, I let them mess up. Then they have to fix it. That’s how they learn.” – Mr. Holland, Quitman Building Trades Instructor Mr. Lonnie Holland runs a tight ship; all students have to have safety gear on before they cross a certain line in the shop. All students can have input on the design of the house, but he ultimately has the final say. (He had to say no to a certain student who was convinced that all the walls would be beautiful in pink.) He did let her pick the hardware for the cabinets, within a certain budget. The moment he printed out a picture of the cabinets and told her, “This is going to go here,” and saw her eyes light up with understanding, he knew he had gotten through to her. This year’s house features a Barn Chic or Barn Boujie look. The ceiling in the living room/kitchen area features boards that were cut to fit, stained, and installed by the students. It’s an open floor plan, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a huge open area in the kitchen and living room areas. It feels spacious, yet cozy and inviting. Mr. Holland draws on his past military and construction experience, as well as his many years of managing the Quitman Building Trades Program. Many of their students have gone on to have careers in the construction industry, while many others have simply walked away with skills that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. “Quitman Building Trades graduates currently make up over 25 percent of our workforce. These positions specialize in fabrication, design, installation, and management. The Program teaches adolescents teamwork, accountability, communication, and leadership. All which are the core focus of our operation today. From reading a tape measure to estimating the cost of a house, Building Trades has and will continue to prepare teenagers for their careers.” – Trey McGhee, Millshop Manager for Nabholz Construction, and Quitman Building Trades graduate They partner with several local businesses that support the program. At the end of the school year, they auction the house to the highest bidder, with one going for as much as $121,000. A short drive will take you past several houses that have come from the Quitman Building trades program, doing the job they were always meant to do—providing a cozy home for a family. Though many students are from Quitman High School, other area schools that include Mount Vernon-Enola, Southside BeeBranch, Guy-Perkins, Heber Springs, and Westside Greer’s Ferry, bus students in to participate in the program. They have recently partnered with ASU-Beebe, and Mr. Holland has earned his credentials to teach the courses for concurrent credit with ASU-Beebe so that enrolled students have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit. “There are some kids that don’t thrive as much academically until you put them in a real world setting like the Building Trades Program. These kids often find a place to land and grow. It opens our school to giving kids opportunities, not just academically but in more areas where they build life skills and apply the things they learn in their academic classes.” – Ms. Halisha Stacy, High School Principal If you would like to follow the Quitman Building Trades Program, Mr. Holland posts updates on their Facebook page so you can watch the progress of the house build each year, as well as find out auction information. Read the full issue below.

By Jennifer Webb Megan Boedeker always dreamed of badges and sirens. She remembers her dad serving as an auxiliary police officer for Independence County. As a kid, she was fascinated with police cars and always wanted to drive one some day. After she graduated from high school in Batesville, AR, she decided she needed a break from small-town, USA. She went to the University of Central Florida in Orlando, which had around 60,000 students at the time. It was a huge change from her hometown of 10,000. Megan majored in criminal justice with a minor in legal studies. She had longed for warm weather and palm trees but found there were many more adjustments to make than she anticipated, living in a large city and attending a large university. The highlight of her university experience was interning with the U.S. Marshals Service. It was the first time that she got to be in the field, and it gave her a view of law enforcement from the federal perspective. She thought about applying for a position with the U.S. Marshals Service, but there was a federal hiring freeze when she graduated. Standing at a crossroads in her life, she decided to return to Arkansas to be closer to her family. Her first official job out of college was as a deputy jailer for White County. She worked there for a year before going to work at the public defender’s office as a legal assistant. After another few years, she moved to the federal court, where she did civil and criminal docketing. Her job mostly consisted of paperwork, working for specific judges, and making their orders and rulings part of the permanent court records. She also did pro se prisoner docketing. (Pro Se is when an individual represents herself or himself in court.) She worked almost every aspect of our criminal justice system—from court, to corrections, to legal work, to the federal side with her internship at the U.S. Marshals Office—except for one—being a police officer. She returned to Searcy around 2019-2020, after taking a few years off to be a stay-at-home mom with her son. She put in her application with the Searcy Police Department while working in the jail with the White County Sheriff’s Office. Her ultimate goal was to get on patrol somewhere, whether it be with the Searcy Police Department or with the White County Sheriff’s Office. She knew Chief Hernandez from her prior work with the White County Sheriff’s Office. Maybe now was her time? She put in her application with a prayer that someone would take a chance on her. In March 2022, the call came. “I always tell Chief Hernandez that he’s my favorite Chief because he took a chance on me.” - Detective Megan Boedeker Patrol was just as thrilling as she had dreamed. Every day was different. On patrol, every officer finds a niche that each one is good at; hers was talking to people. She leaned heavily on communication, and given a choice, she would rather talk someone into handcuffs than get into a physical altercation. Out of that skill came another assignment—SRO (School Resource Officer) at Westside Elementary. On patrol, she usually interacted with people on one of the worst days of their lives. The SRO position was different. Happy kids would give her hugs daily. They were precious, and they restored her faith in humanity. She was determined to do whatever it took to keep them safe. “What I loved about being at the school was being able to build relationships with the kids. A lot of them already had negative interactions with police, whether it was just seeing someone get arrested, or seeing someone incarcerated in their family. Getting to build relationships with the kids and letting them know we are here to help and not scary was amazing.” - Detective Megan Boedeker She would often go out during recess and push swings or play basketball with the kids to help build relationships with them. The kids thrived with the attention, and she quickly became a school favorite. At the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, she raced after a kid running in a busy parking lot close to pickup time. The only thing she could think of was, “I’ve got to get this kid so he doesn’t get run over.” She caught him, but felt something in her arm and shoulder tear. The only thing that mattered in the moment was keeping that kid safe. Later, she feared that the injury would be the one that ended her career. She had torn her bicep and the tendon that attaches it to her shoulder. She underwent surgery in October. Doctors had to physically move where the muscle attached. It was an extended and excruciating rehab process. She could not move her arm and was in a supported sling for a month. “My husband, Justin, has been nothing but supportive during the injury and rehab and through my career as a whole. I would not have made it through without his support!” - Detective Megan Boedeker When she finally got the ok to return to light duty, she stood in front of Chief Hernandez and told him, “ I will go wherever you tell me to go. I’m just happy to be here.” He told her that she’d still be somewhere with a badge and a gun once she returned to full duty. Her next assignment was with the Criminal Investigation Division. (CID) It was somewhere that she always hoped she might wind up, but had no idea the timing would be now. It was a whole new perspective, and with her other experiences behind her, she leaped in with both feet. She has been working with Detective Joey Corbit, primarily focusing on crimes against children, but also working property cases, crimes against people, and a whole gambit of cases so she can get the whole perspective, learn the processes, and become a well-rounded detective. She also serves on both the crisis negotiation team and the crisis intervention team. The crisis intervention team focuses more on day-to-day interactions with people who may have conditions or situations that make them more prone to experience law enforcement contact. It’s part of community-oriented policing that focuses on building relations with the people in the community. The crisis negotiation team steps in if there is a big crisis event, such as a hostage situation. When she is not at work, she finds nature to be therapy. She, Justin, and their son enjoy hiking around the natural state. Their son also plays basketball so much of her “free” time is spent taking him to and from practice, as well as traveling and watching his games. They are a big sports family, though they all cheer for different teams; yes, they are a house divided on game days. Each year, they take a trip to see at least one NBA basketball game, and she hopes to one day visit every Major League Baseball stadium in the country. Through every chapter of her career—whether she was handling dockets, working in the jail, guiding students, or answering calls in the dead of night—she has carried the same steady purpose: to serve with heart, humility, and grit. Now, as a detective, she brings all those experiences with her, turning them into tools that help her protect the most vulnerable and bring clarity to the toughest cases. Her journey hasn’t been linear, and it certainly hasn’t been easy, but each step has shaped her into a better officer. While she may spend her days navigating crises and seeking justice, she always returns home to the people and the places that ground her. In the end, her story is a reminder that service is not a single role—it’s a lifetime of showing up, growing, and choosing courage again and again. Read the full issue below.

By Mike Moffatt As human beings, we are connected in ways we cannot imagine. In biblical times, after the death of Christ, the apostles were commanded to go and preach the gospel to the known world. It is believed that the apostle James journeyed from what is now the southwestern tip of France, across northern Spain. Today, this path is known as “Camino de Santiago” or “The Way of Saint James.” I began the Camino in St. Jean Pied de Port, France (This translates to “St. John at the Foot of the Pass.”). When I checked in at the office, I received my Pilgrim’s Passport. This credential must be stamped twice each day as evidence that you made the pilgrimage. This also gives them a record in case you turn up missing, as one of my fellow pilgrims did. I began on May 16th and walked for 48 days. I covered a distance of 1,039 kms, or 645.6 miles. While many stop in Santiago, I traveled on to Finisterre, up the Costa de Morte to Muxia, and then returned to Santiago. It challenged me with many lessons with life-changing impacts. The three main things I learned were: As human beings, we are connected in ways we cannot imagine. You can’t judge a book by its cover (I have been told this all my life, but it finally stuck.). One does not need many material things to be content. For three months, I had limited clothes, no TV, no heating or AC, and I handwashed my clothes. I carried 500 Euros, which is approximately $550, enough to cover me for about a week, my US passport, and my bank card. I stayed in albergues (bunk hostels) and did not make reservations. I just walked until I got tired, usually about 2 pm. Almost everything in Spain closes from 2-5 pm for the siesta. I looked for an albergue, asked if they had a bed, and got in it. Albergues furnish a paper-fitted bottom sheet and pillowcase. If it was a private albergue, you could eat a meal with the family. The bed was about $15 and the meal about $10. There are three types of albergues: Private houses, Convents/monasteries/churches, and Municipal. I stayed in all types. The first day of the journey was unquestionably the hardest. I started at St. Jean Pied de Port, France, and continued to Roncesvalles, Spain. In total, it was about 15 miles, but it climbed 4,500 ft upward. As I climbed, a Greek myth came to mind in which the main character, Sisyphus, had to roll a boulder up a hill endlessly. I thought the climb would never end! Other famous instances also came to mind, such as The Song of Roland, the oldest epic poem in French literature. Walking through those misty, lonely mountains, it was not difficult to envision the Basque hordes attacking French invaders. I found my bed for the night in a monastery in Roncesvalles. In the bunk next to me was a couple in their 60s from Worcester, Massachusetts, who ran a Catholic charity. I spent the next several days walking with the lady as her husband liked to walk a bit faster. Her mother was from Memphis. I mentioned that I graduated from Whitehaven High School. She said, “My mother graduated from Whitehaven.” We are connected in ways we cannot imagine. On the second day, I traveled through Burguette. If you have read Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, this is where Jake Barnes, Robert Cohn, and Bill went trout fishing. It was not difficult to see them fishing in the small Urrobi River as I walked across the bridge. I arrived in Pamplona on the third day. You can drop in at Café Iruna and visit a space dedicated to Hemingway. I spent the night with Pablo who was a Rotary Youth Exchange student in 2009/2010. We walked the next leg to Punte de La Reina together. After climbing out of the Pyrenees Mountains, you come to the province of Rioja, which is famous for its red wine. Walking over the ancient Roman Via through those fields of gnarled grape vines, some of which are 100 years old, it’s not difficult to envision those Roman Legionnaires marching along and hear the tromp, tromp of their footsteps. The large city of Leon is named after the 7th Roman Legion, which was based there. It is about midway during the pilgrimage. One of the more interesting markers was the village of Carrion de Los Condes, which is to the west of Leon. I stayed that night in a convent, which was part of the Iglesia de Santa Maria and is run by the Augustinian sisters, whose mission is to offer comfort to the Pilgrims. There were five young nuns who invited the pilgrims to Vespers. We returned to the lobby of the convent and had a sing-along. There were about 20 of us, and we sang songs in Spanish, French, English, and Italian. It was one of the best evenings of my walk. I left before dawn the next morning, while locals decorated the streets for a festival. The streets are painted and then covered with flowers. The Camino had clear km markers, but I reached a fork in the road. As Yogi Berra said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” I did and eventually came to the remote village of Samos, whose main claim to fame is the largest Christian monastery in the world. It is presently the home of seven monks. In its prime, it had 70 and many students. I spent the night in the monastery and met Judy. Judy is a nun from Chicago and was walking the Camino. We spent the afternoon touring the monastery and walking around the village. The next leg was to Ponferrada where the Templar castle looms over the town. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the Knights Templar’s mission was to protect pilgrims on the three Christian pilgrimages to Santiago, to Rome, and to Jerusalem. From Ponferrada, you climb into the Cantabrian Mountains into Galicia, which is in the Northwest region of Spain (North of Portugal). The typical food is octopus. For many, the journey ends there in Santiago, but I decided to walk on to Finisterre, which the Romans considered the end of the world, up the Costa de Morte to Muxia, and then back to Santiago. I met many memorable people during the trip, but one that stands out is Daniel Salyer. He taught me you can’t judge a book by its cover. I met him three days into the walk, and I immediately knew that I didn’t like him. He came into the albergue and took the bunk above me. He was from Cleveland, Tennessee, but I didn’t believe him. I was wrong. Several days later, I found myself across from Daniel at dinner. He told me his story of leaving California at the age of 17, living in his car, becoming a hobo who rode trains across the US, and finally living in a tent behind a truck stop in Cleveland, TN. He thought the owner would run him off, but instead, the man asked if he had enough to eat and offered him a job at the truck stop, which Daniel accepted. He saved his money and journeyed to Israel in 2023, then to Morocco, then took a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar and found out about the Camino, then made his way to St. Jean Pied de Port, France. Daniel was a person I met who exhibited kindness and pleasant behavior. He only had the clothes on his back but seemed very content. Material things are not very important. On the return to Santiago, Daniel told me there was a pilgrimage in Japan. He bought a plane ticket from Madrid to Tokyo for $400, and while I was still in Spain, I received a video from Daniel showing him climbing Mt. Fuji. Human beings are connected in ways we cannot imagine. Returning to Santiago, I got a bed at the albergue next to the train station. I had an afternoon to kill and was sitting on a couch in the lobby reading the magazines there when an elderly Asian gentleman sat next to me. He initiated a conversation in an unfamiliar language that I did not understand. Although he did not speak English or Spanish, we communicated effectively throughout the afternoon using sign language. The next morning, I was in the station awaiting my train to Pamplona when the Asian walked in with a group of men. He was talking to them and pointing toward me. He walked over, I stood up, he gave me a big hug, and we shook hands. We are connected in ways we cannot imagine. I went to Pamplona to Las Fiestas de San Fermin and spent two more months in Spain. I ended up the last two weeks in Bill Alexander’s condo on the Costa del Sol. This was my second stay at the location, and although I had never met Bill before, I now feel a strong camaraderie with him. As human beings, we are connected in ways we cannot imagine. The Camino brought me closer to many people that I would not have otherwise met. It was such a life-changing experience that I have plans to make another journey soon. The Pilgrim’s Credential As pilgrims traverse the Camino, they carry a passport known as the “credencial,” which is stamped at various points along the route. This document not only serves as proof of the journey but also holds symbolic significance. It is a physical representation of the pilgrim’s commitment and progress, a tangible reminder of the miles walked and the experiences gathered. Upon reaching Santiago de Compostela, the completed credencial entitles the pilgrim to receive the “Compostela,” a certificate of accomplishment. Stories of Transformation Countless stories of transformation and healing emerge from the Camino. Pilgrims speak of newfound friendships, unexpected acts of kindness, and encounters that seem guided by faith. The shared experience of walking the Camino fosters a unique sense of community, where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together with a common goal. The journey often catalyzes personal growth, helping pilgrims grow their faith, confront their fears, rediscover their strengths, and embrace new paths in life. The Legacy of the Camino The legacy of the Camino de Santiago extends beyond the individual pilgrim. It is a living testament to the power of faith, the enduring human spirit, and the bonds that unite us all. The routes are dotted with albergues (hostels), churches, and monuments that bear witness to centuries of pilgrimage. The Camino has inspired art, literature, and music, enriching the cultural heritage of the regions it traverses. It stands as a reminder that, in a world often divided by differences, the journey of the Camino brings people together in a shared pursuit of meaning and connection. Read the full issue below.

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Article by Jennifer Webb Photos by Schellenbach Photography & Design Specializing in the Waterfowl Hunting and Sporting Dog photography Instagram: @schellenbachphotography In January 2002, four Army Rangers came to Arkansas to hunt ducks. They had just finished the first of many combat deployments, and the hunt became an annual event. For Shawn Daniel and his friends, the weekend away was exactly what they needed. They came to hunt ducks, but they walked away refreshed, ready once again to face harsh realities of another deployment on the horizon. “The wars and their effects are constant. It’s something that doesn't go away, so we try to help. The conversations that happen here around the fireplace or around the table are simply remarkable.” - Dena Daniel, Wife of Col. Shawn Daniel, Executive Director of DWS They learned a powerful truth as a result of their Arkansas rendezvous — nature heals. And Darby’s Warrior Support was born. The idea hatched where many great ideas hatch, around the dinner table. They devised a way to share the experience with others. The model was simple and down to earth. They would use southern hospitality in the beauty of the natural state, combined with traditions of hunting and fishing, to reach out particularly to members of the special operations community. The warriors they hosted would only have to pay for the cost of their hunting/fishing license. They would arrive on Friday, and stay through mid-day Monday, making use of a weekend pass in an effort to not use leave days. Meals, lodging, and all required hunting gear was provided. Then, the magic would happen naturally . . . in the duck blind, around the kitchen table, or sitting by the fire. “It’s not about the hunting. It’s about being in the duck blind and watching the sunrise together, seeing God's glory, and being with those you spent some hard days with overseas. It’s about sitting around the campfire and saying ‘Are you good?’ It’s about committing to somebody that, ‘Yes, I’m good. I’m going to be ok, and if I’m not, then I’ll call you and say I need help.’” - Dena Daniel, Wife of Col. Shawn Daniel, Executive Director of DWS They started small, with Shawn’s parents, Jim and Julia Ann Daniel, hosting and resourcing the hunts out of their home in Bald Knob, AR. In 2015, a local businessman made a renovated farmhouse available in Bisco, AR. As they hosted hunts, they saw healing happen again and again. They also noticed something that wasn’t happening — they were operating at a 0% suicide rate. They had not lost a single warrior who had been on a hunt. Suicide rates among US military personnel are higher than among average US citizens, and special-operations military suicide rates are 30% higher than standard US military rates. What they were doing was working! “It’s not just the things that they've been through as soldiers, it’s the pressure and the guilt of what they've put on their families, the pressure they’ve put on themselves. There’s also pressure when they step away from the military community. The civilian world is very different.” - Dena Daniel, Wife of Col. Shawn Daniel, Executive Director of DWS Colonel Shawn Daniel retired from the US Army in 2017 and assumed full-time duties as executive director in 2021. He came before the board with an ambitious plan; he wanted to take Darby’s Warrior Support to the next level. His dream was big — to build their own facility. Their dream was a massive 10-bedroom lodge with over 20 beds, 10 bathrooms, a dining area, a kitchen, and a game/rec room. The facility would be facing a private lake stocked with game fish, and on the grounds would be a rifle range, a pistol range, and a clay/skeet shooting area. In the garage area would be individual locker areas, with all the gear, and parking room for small vehicles for easy transport. The board approved and started a campaign to raise the money for the project in 2022. From there, God started putting all the right people in their path and the grand vision started becoming a reality. They found the perfect piece of land, with a discounted price specifically for DWS (Darby’s Warrior Support). From there, he and Nick, Director of Operations, rode around in the side-by-side, planning the facility’s layout. They measured, spray-painted, and prayed hard. Through the generosity of donors, God provided the money. With grit, determination, hard work, and a tremendous amount of God’s blessings, they built a 9,000-square-foot facility that’s more spectacular than they ever imagined. The DWS staff is a small but committed group of former special operators who have a passion for hunting and helping others. Personal touches are all over the lodge. “Gretsky” is the nearly record-breaking Caribou that hangs over the fireplace in the dining room. He was harvested by Shawn and Dena’s son on an Alaskan hunt when he was 8 years old. He hung in their home for years, but when they finished the lodge, they knew they had a special place for Gretsky at the Patriot Outpost. Through their early work hosting different groups, they soon found that instead of inviting a group of random people, it worked better to select one person and let them select who to bring. This model results in instant chemistry within the group, and the weekend becomes as much of a reunion as it is a hunting trip. Each group is treated to guided hunts during hunting season and can also take advantage of fishing the stocked lake, shooting skeet, and practicing on the pistol range. Everything, including gourmet meals prepared by professionally trained chef, Heather Burns, is provided. In the off-season they will host various unit-led events, unit reunions, and corporate retreats, making use of the facilities year-round. It’s part of their mission to reach out and help as many people as possible. In the past year they hosted 286 veterans and hope to expand that number to 800-1,000 with the addition of the new facility. Darby’s Warrior Support continues to be in need of financial donors to continue its mission to heal our veterans. If you would like to learn more or schedule a corporate retreat, please visit them online at darbyswarriorsupport.org/ or contact Shawn Daniel at sdaniel[at]darbywarriorsupport.org or 931-220-2919. Read the full issue below.

Tricia Kauffman Visitation Room By Jennifer Webb Photo by Kim Boyd, Zoe Art “There’s something I need to tell you,” Chris started. “Ok,” Tricia responded, not sure what was coming next. “For our 25th wedding anniversary, I had a visitation room named after you, and the official opening is in ten days.” “That’s so sweet!” Tricia looked up at her husband, knowing the thought he had put into the unusual gift. Fostering had been a part of their story for most of their lives. God had put it on her heart to foster when she was only 12 years old. When she and Chris started dating, she told him, “If you don’t want to foster, then we don’t need to date because I know that it’s going to be a part of my life.” He agreed to her terms, and they dated for two years before getting married. They welcomed their daughter, McKinley, to their family in 2003. At the time, in the early 2000s, not many people in Searcy were fostering. Tricia still felt it heavy on her heart, so in 2004, she went down to the office and got the paperwork to start their journey as foster parents. She filled it completely out, but when she took it to Chris, he told her, “I'm not ready yet.” Disappointed, she put the paperwork away and prayed about it. After ten months or so, she gave up trying to make it happen and threw the papers in the trash, surrendering to God’s timing. The next week, Chris told her what she had been waiting nearly a year to hear. He was ready. She went back to the office, got more paperwork, and filled it out. They officially started fostering in 2005, after McKinley turned 2. They brought her a newborn baby boy, straight from the hospital. It was the start of a 10-year period in their lives, during which they fostered 11 baby boys and provided respite care for a few families at church. It was rewarding and heartbreaking at the same time. Even babies straight from the hospital carry trauma that has to be dealt with. Since the goal of fostering is reunification with the biological family, visitations were a big part of their journey. Tricia dreaded the visits. Many occurred in the DHS office, which was a sterile and intimidating place with numerous people trying to work. Some occurred at a local fast food restaurant, which had an indoor play area. The kids knew what was happening when they arrived at the DHS office. Many visits started with officials having to rip a frantic, crying child from around Tricia’s neck. It broke her heart. After several repeats, she finally started staying in her car, requiring them to get the kids from there for the required visit. The whole experience was not a comfortable one for anyone involved, but many of the mandates stated it had to be in a public place. Many years later, when Chris saw in the church bulletin that Children’s Homes, Inc. was needing funding for a foster care visitation room located in Searcy, he knew it would be not only the perfect surprise for Tricia, but a way to pay it forward to other families involved in fostering. He made the arrangements in secret, with the agreement that the room would be named in honor of Tricia. It took some rearranging of everyone’s schedules, but Tricia and Chris were able to be at the ribbon-cutting. They held the ribbon as it was cut and declared officially open for foster children to be able to visit their biological families. They celebrated with snacks and refreshments as they took in the surroundings of the room. It was clean and very kid-friendly. The couch gave everyone a place to sit, and along the walls were shelves lined with puzzles, books, and toys. There was a rocking chair where mommas could sit and rock their babies, and the couch was just right for snuggling and reading a book. It was a far cry from the sterile DHS office. It was a public place, but at the same time, it was private where biological families could spend time with their children. There on the wall by the door was a sign that read “Tricia Kauffman Visitation Room.” As she read it, Tricia felt her husband’s love for her and for their life together over the past 25 years. What a beautiful tribute and way to pay it forward to other families! Read the full issue below.

By Jennifer Webb Lance Hendrix paced his floor, August 30th, 2005, watching the devastation on his television. He knew that Hurricane Katrina was ravaging New Orleans, but this really hit home. They were using the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge to aid those affected by the hurricane. That was close — seven minutes away close. “You have to do something to help! God’s done so much for you” kept ringing in Lance’s head. But there were a million questions and “what ifs.” The hurricane had been bad, but Louisiana residents were no strangers to riding them out. This time, the levee broke and flood waters rushed into New Orleans. The news said 80% of the city was flooded. LSU became a triage center, and the campus was being overrun with refugees. They soon began asking local churches – including his church’s campus ministry facility, to take people in and shelter them. Within a couple of hours, the student center overflowed its capacity, so church members were called for help in taking flood victims into their homes. It was a big ask. ”I want to help, but bring displaced strangers into my home?” Lance considered. He had seen refugees on TV. In his mind, they were usually the poor and downtrodden. But what if people they housed were criminals? What if they had a drug problem? It could be dangerous to bring a total stranger into their home with his wife and kids. Still, the primary thought echoed in his mind, “You have to do something to help.” For “safety’s sake,” Lance sent his wife and their two children to stay the night at his mother-in-law’s house and got in his car. “This doesn’t make sense, Lord,” he silently argued as he drove to the LSU campus to pick up total strangers to bring home. He entered a long line of cars and waited. The more he saw, the more he understood why they had relocated the upcoming LSU home football game against Arizona State to Tempe. Things would have to be extremely dire to move a home game that brings in millions of dollars into the Baton Rouge economy. Lance and his brother, Blake Hendrix, who lived in Searcy, AR, had tickets to that game. When it was his turn in the line, three adult family members got into his car, and Lance took them to his house. They were exhausted, but otherwise looked fairly normal. He thought, “What is ‘normal’ anyway?” Everyone looks exactly the same – caked in dried mud, clothes sweat-stained, and faces haggard. They changed his previous idea about what a refugee “should look like.” They introduced themselves as Bobby, Tony, and Diane. As they ate supper, he learned that they had fled their half-million-dollar home. The flood waters came unbelievably quickly. Bobby pulled out a BlackBerry (the most advanced tech at that time) and explained that he was a lawyer. They had gone to a hotel for the night, but when Bobby stepped out into the hotel hallway and saw a man walking down the hall with what appeared to be a machine gun, they realized that things had gotten worse than they feared. He tried to call the hotel front desk, but no one answered. He dialed 911, no answer there either. New Orleans was under Martial Law, but there weren’t enough people to protect his family. It was up to him. They could either flee or spend the night in the hotel with the door locked. They chose to flee and catch a bus to Baton Rouge since they heard the LSU campus was taking in refugees. They slipped out the back and hiked through knee-deep water to the bus stop. It was dark. They saw snakes in the water and displaced fire ants rolled through the water in living balls. Fortunately, the family managed to avoid being bitten by either. They had backpacks, flip phones, the BlackBerry, and a couple of Ziploc bags with personal items in them. That was it. It was all they were able to grab from their home with only minutes’ notice. They made it to the bus station, and from there to the LSU campus. They were on their way to stay with family in Louisville, KY. After sharing the meal and some stories with their newfound host, Bobby, Tony and Diane headed to bed, understandably exhausted. When Lance awoke the next morning, to his surprise, they were already gone. Their beds were made, and on the kitchen table was a note: “Sept 1, 2005 Dear Lance, Becky, Peyton, and Marylee, Your graciousness, warmth and charm have set the standard that we will aspire to and hope to emulate. We will pass on to others your sharing and care, and they may never know it started with you, and then they may pass it out to others. As terrifying as this experience has been, I wouldn’t give up the experience to have met people who on a moment’s notice give you their home! One never knows that what seems like bad news is really good news. And Lance, thank you for the special blessing last night. You will hear from us soon. We also never thought it could be so inspiring after going through Hurricane Hugo in 1989. I knew I would learn and grow from this experience, but I never expected to experience so much love, selflessness, and inspiration from one family. With great appreciation, Bobby, Tony, and Diane P.S. We never knew being a refugee could be such a positive experience. Becky, Peyton, and Marylee - we can’t wait to meet you in person.” Inspired by his brother’s experience, and the scripture “The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt 25:40) Blake Hendrix was moved to action in Arkansas, wanting to help as well. Blake had been a Louisiana resident for 17 years before moving to Searcy in 2001 to start his own State Farm Insurance Agency. He learned that Camp Wyldewood had opened up their cabins for Louisiana residents fleeing the massive destruction. 1.2 million Gulf Coast residents had been under evacuation orders - voluntary and mandatory. He also received phone calls from other agents in Louisiana asking him for help for their clients who had fled to White County. Three families that had fled were staying in a hotel in Beebe, AR. After several days living in a small cramped hotel room, the dads were going a little stir crazy and called Blake to help. Not only did he deliver their claim checks, he also took them to Searcy Country Club for a day of golf. “They just wanted to get out and do something ‘normal.’ I’ve never seen people so grateful to be taken for a round of golf in my life. It drove home the fact that many of the refugees were just like me.” – Blake Hendrix, Founding Member of the Wyldewood Golf Tournament The Hurricane had driven out over two hundred thousand people without prejudice. That round of golf got him thinking, “What can we do to help?” Blake had organized a golf tournament for Searcy’s Rotary Club for a few years and decided that a fundraiser was something that he knew how to run. Why not whip up a golf tournament and give the proceeds to the refugees for clothing, food, or whatever else they needed? He talked to Jim House, the owner of River Oaks Golf course, who agreed to let them use the course for a reduced rate. He recruited several ladies who he knew were influential in the Searcy community. Christine Faith, Betina Ramsey, Sherri Adcock, Michelle Davis, and Blake went to work, calling businesses, explaining what they were doing, and asking for teams and donations. Everyone they called gave something. Businesses and people gave $100 here and $200 there. Three weeks later, by the time of the tournament, they had raised over $23,000! Twenty years later, Blake reflects on how the people of Searcy came together to support people they didn’t know who needed help. “Looking back on that time, I really enjoyed getting to know and working with Christine, Betina, Sherri, and Michelle and the relationships we formed over those couple of weeks putting the tournament together. It was my first experience watching this community rally quickly to support those in need. It certainly wasn’t the first or last time, and I think that’s what makes Searcy such a special place.” The Wyldewood Golf Tournament was such a success, it went on to become an annual event. Now in its 20th year, it is one of the largest golf tournaments in White County. After Katrina, nearly half of the residents of New Orleans decided not to move back but relocated elsewhere. Eighty percent of the city was flooded, displacing the rich, the poor, and the middle class alike. They suddenly had nowhere to go, and their homes were gone or badly damaged. Katrina caused approximately $125 billion in damages and 1,833 fatalities, according to Wikipedia. But even the worst storms run out of rain . . . and hope, like the sun, will always shine again! Read the full issue below.

Issue 6 2025 Across 2. NOTHING 6. FINDING Down 1. FOUNDED 3. TWENTIETH 4. NATURE 5. FAITH Riddles 1. Try To Understand 2. Afternoon Tea 3. Two Eggs Over Easy

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