Burl Butler and Chip Moore visit the High Plains

From August 21 - 28, Burl Butler and Chip Moore began a 7 day tour to visit churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. They were able to visit 68 churches while covering 2,441 miles, and make contact with dozens of congregations who are interested in learning more about Westview and how they might be of assistance to our boys. During that same trip, Burl and Chip were able to make three presentations about the Home during the regular meeting times of their host congregations in Wellington, KS, Des Moines, IA, and Kearney, NE.

Three boys choose a new lifestyle

Over the last four weeks, three of our boys have decided to become Christians. These life-changing decisions were the result of extended conversations and study over some weeks with Westview house parents and staff, as well as teachers at church and church camp. Each young man fully realized the change in life that such a decision will bring about, and each one carefully made their choice. The Home is careful that boys have their spiritual questions answered without undue influence or pressure to make faith decisions. We rejoice that blessings, both physical and spiritual, continue to come into their lives because so many people work together to make this Home possible.

Back to School!

Wednesday, August 10th, our boys are back in school! Many thanks go to those who have contributed to our "Back to School" plea for funds.

Hollis Teachers honored

On August 9th, Westview Boys' Home held its 5th annual Teachers Appreciation Luncheon. Educators, who were at school for their in-service day before classes started, came to the chapel at the Home's administration building where the Westview staff served lunch: hamburgers, baked potatoes, and all of the trimmings. Westview has continued this tradition to honor the hard work of all of the Hollis Public School staff on behalf of our boys. It give the Home the opportunity to show our appreciation, and to communicate our willingness to cooperate in the education of children. Thank you, Hollis Educators!

More boys go to church camp . . .

This week, a group of boys who were unable to go to church camp in the first of July head out to Quartz Mountain Christian Camp for a week of fun and spiritual growth. They are accompanied by Mark and Laurie Lance from the Hollis Church of Christ, and several of the young people who attend church at Hollis with them. We look forward to hearing about the many good things they will experience there.

The boys go see the dentist

Today, a group of 11 boys went with two of our houseparents to visit the dentist and the orthodontist in Duncan, OK, and the oral surgeon in Lawton, OK. These boys received a variety of dental services ranging from dental cleanings, to filling of cavities; from adjustment of braces, to education in good dental health. We are grateful to the many dental professionals who help us take such good care of our boys' teeth.

Fun in the park

Two of our youngest boys, Matt and Tyler, have a fun afternoon in the park with Tracey and Denise.

Romas wins an award

We are proud to report that Romas won an award at QMCC this week for being an outstanding Christian camper. Congratulations, Romas!

Westview honors staff members

At the annual board/staff dinner on Friday, July 8th, several Westview employees were honored for their service to the boys at Westview.

Four staff members were honored for their years of service to the Home: Michael Ladymon, 5 years; Dennise Gonzalez, 10 years; Doug Gonzalez, 10 years; and Geraldine Hillis, 20 years.

The board also presented the Ed Deaver Service Award. Each year this award is given to a Westview employee who has served the children at the Home in an outstanding way. This year, Ron Bruner presented the award to Dennise Gonzalez, a ten year veteran of the Home. Dennise has previously served as a houseparent, and currently manages the mail room for the Home.

Making new friends at camp . . .

The boys are ready for church camp!

Every summer, the boys at Westview enjoy one of the spiritual highlights of their year: church camp at Quartz Mountain Christian Camp. This year is no exception. Westview houseparents Keith and Valerie Brown will be taking a group of the boys to QMCC during Phillip Thomason's session, July 3rd - 9th. Our hope and our prayer is that they have a great time playing, singing, climbing mountains, worshipping, and meeting other young people to whom God and faith are important.

Boys in the calf program travel

Every summer, the boys who are a part of Westview's calf program are rewarded for a year of hard work by being rewarded with a special trip just for them. Previous years' trips have been to ranches in Wyoming. This year, Westview's Ranch Manager, Doug Gonzalez, took the boys to a ranch in Iowa, with special stops along the way. Boys participating in the trip were: Robert Bryan, Jeremy Menchaca, and Romas Roberson. The boys returned from this trip today, tired, but ready for the rest of their summer. We're proud of these boys, and we're glad that they are having an extraordinary summer.

Summer Work Program

Although work has been going on at Westview's campus earlier in the summer, the Summer Work program began in earnest this week. Ron Bruner (Executive Director) teamed up with John Moore (Director of Social Services) and Michael Ladymon (Maintenance Manager) to line out a list of tasks and a plan of attack to get the work done. Houseparents will be leading individual crews from each of the cottages, and Doug Gonzalez (Ranch Manager) will supervise a crew of older boys who will do work around the Ranch. With 1,500 acres, six cottages, several barns, and miles of fence, there is plenty of work for everyone!

The Butlers head out to Red River

On Friday, Burl and Y'vonne Butler head out to the Red River Encampment in Red River, NM. Burl and Y'vonne served as houseparents at the Home for a number of years; now Burl is our Director of Church Relations. For the last three years, the Butlers have represented the Home at the Red River Encampment, maintaining old relationships and establishing new ones. The Encampment is an annual meeting of individuals from the Churches of Christ who meet for spiritual renewal. We are proud of the Butlers' decades of service to the Home and to hundreds of boys, and we are proud to have them represent us there.