By Linda Elissalde
It was known as, “The House That Doug Built”. Doug Wind designed and with the help of some friends built the house and a fine workshop. Betty Wind created an artistically decorated interior. Planning, designing and constructing was an act of faith and love. Even Hurricane IKE’s flooding and high winds did not destroy the Winds’ home on West Verdia. Family and friends shared many happy moments there. However, Betty and Doug found a new dwelling in San Miguel Allende, Mexico. It was a hard decision, but they decided to sell, “The House That Doug Built”.
Such a unique house needed a special type of owner. Along came Darla and Paul Thompson of Grace Church, New Braunfels, Texas. Just the place to fit their dream for a destination that offered faith and love to others. The Thompsons purchased both house and workshop in 2020. They wanted to create a retreat for church groups to use.
Grace Church is a small church filled with faith and love. Darla is Director of Children and Youth Ministry. Youth Directors are Mike and Melissa Norton. Church members believe in sharing the good news of the son of God, Jesus Christ. The kids do a lot of outreach spreading HIS word and helping those in need as a part of their ministry.
OCEAN WIND RETREAT, named for the Winds, welcomed its first youth group last week. All young campers enjoyed the pleasures of our peninsula including a visit to Smith Oaks for viewing birds and wild life. They cheerfully collected sea shells from the sand. Boys and girls painted uplifting pictures and words on each. Then they spread them along the beach for shell seekers to find. I found a few caught in brush several days later. Surely did want to keep them, but decided to toss them back for someone else to enjoy. If you are searching for shells, look carefully between beach markers 101 and 103. You just might find your own message of FAITH AND LOVE from Grace Church youth.
[Mar-22-2022]
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