Located in the Ryan Paul Whitaker

Memorial Medical Center

TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries exists to provide compassionate

Christian health care to community members with limited resources.

Executive DirectorJudy T. Deyo

Editor Debbie AndrewGraphic Design TLW Web Design

WritersDebbie Andrew Jan BeallSusan Blanchard Judy DeyoYolanda Garcia Laura KingJoyce Stevens Kate Wells

Newspaper Sponsors:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Griff Jones PresidentRob Hauck Vice PresidentEric Dennison SecretaryDeborah Petty TreasurerDebbie Andrew MemberSteve Campbell MemberYolanda Garcia, RN MemberTom Gloyer, RPh MemberKen Janda MemberDoug Larson MemberLynn LaBouef MemberCliff Rampy MemberJoyce Stevens Member

455 School St., Ste. 30Tomball TX 77375

CLINIC HOURSTOMBALL

8:30 am to 5:00 PM M-F

WALLERSt. John’s Lutheran ChurchThurs. - opens at 8:30 am

281-357-0747www.tomagwa.org

We Have a Heart for TOMAGWA Because...

TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries455 School Street, Suite 30Tomball, TX 77375 At the clinic we saw children suffering from illnesses and diseases that a child in America would never face. Inoculations that we commonly receive they did not have. Hygiene issues caused other problems. And lack of clean water compounded their issues.

All of this struck me at a young age. Even at a youth pastor’s salary, I was rich compared to most of the world. And even though I had never met the people that came to that clinic, I had a sense that somehow I knew them already.

It was on a trip to a remote village to repair a water well that had been dug there previously that I came to understand where that “sense” originated. We were traveling along a dirt road when we saw a young child—about three years old—watching us from the tall grass. His hair was turning slightly orange and his stomach was extended. We had learned enough to know that he was in danger of dying from malnutrition before the age of five.

His eyes looked at us as if he were searching for hope. He needed water. He needed food. He needed clothes. I snapped a picture of him but the image never left my head.

Later that night we were sitting in a small building full of Haitians singing praises to God when it came to me. “I know that little boy’s name. I know why those people in the clinic seem familiar. They are all Jesus.”

Matthew 25 had become real to me. Jesus said that when we give a cup of cold water or feed the hungry or put clothes on those who need them we did it for Him. These people were not mere projects for us. They were opportunities to connect with Jesus.

It’s not just in Third World countries where those opportunities exist. Every Monday through Friday TOMAGWA opens its doors to the ones Jesus cares about. In some circles we call them the “disenfranchised.” People who the world does not esteem. People who are struggling. People who need a cup of hope.

As a pastor who visits those who work and serve at TOMAGWA I see the good things that happen within those walls. People are diagnosed. Medical attention is given. Many are brought to health.

Men and women and children come through the doors with different names. There are Mary’s and Jesse’s and Johnny’s and Melissa’s. But really they all have the same name.

Jesus.

Because the one we proclaim to follow tells us that if we want to be near him we must be near them. He says that if we truly love God then we must truly love them.

Maybe you have been longing to be near Jesus. Giving to and volunteering at TOMAGWA can help ease that longing. A mentor of mine wrote a poem years ago that has stuck with me. Allow me to leave you with it.

“I took a day to search for GodI climbed the highest steeple.

But God declared, “Go down again,I live among the people.”

Meeting Jesus Among the People-- Rick Brown

It was my first trip to a Third World country.

I was working as a youth pastor in a West Texas church during the “We Are the World” era. I wanted our teens to have the experience of seeing first-hand how the world’s most needy people live. Having a connection with a relief organization, we headed to Haiti for a week of service: building a water well, assisting in a medical clinic, and sharing the story of Jesus.

Offering Hope“If it was not for the services of TOMAGWA I do not know where I would be today?” exclaimed Thomas Parker a patient who came through the doors of Tomagwa seeking help.

Initially Thomas sought help through Tomball Hospital. He badly needed help as he was a diabetic, lost his home and his truck. Help did come his way when a hospital employee told him that Tomagwa would be the place to get the kind of help he needed. Thomas said he never heard of TOMAGWA before but now he will get the word out about his wonderful experience.

From the moment Thomas walked through the doors of TOMAGWA, he knew things were going to change his way as he was greeted with loving arms. Hope became a possibility as TOMAGWA had resources available to get the assistance he desperately sought. Thomas was already told that he would need “need cataract surgery on both eyes and without medical insurance and savings or any resources; he needed assistance to get his life back on track. Thomas is one of many patients who receive help from the pharmaceutical services offered at TOMAGWA. Not only does he receive the daily diabetic medication, but he is also monitored with blood tests and educated by the TOMAGWA professional staff.

Thomas said that TOMAGWA referred him to Houston Eye Associates, a well know eye center near the Houston Medical Center. Through grant monies, a specialist will be able to do the cataract surgery on both of his eyes in August. He is collecting unemployment through Workforce Solutions and he has been in contact with four companies who said he can be hired as a trucker when he passes all of his vision exams. With this hope of restored vision; along with his diabetes under control, and emotional and spiritual support, Thomas will have his dignity restored. He is eagerly anticipating being able to earn a living once again.

In July Thomas looked at his sister and knew she needed medical assistance. He knew she needed immediate assistance and took her to TOMAGWA. After the nursing assessment by the TOMAGWA staff, it was determined she needed to be taken to the Tomball Emergency Room. She was suffering from a stroke but with quick assistance she is on the road to recovery. “Tomagwa gave my sister and me a new lease on life. The people of Tomagwa make you feel good and they do not look down on you and most of all the staff has charity with a heart.”

Dear Friends,

Health care reform continues to be a “hot topic” throughout Texas and our country. The health care environment remains in an unpredictable state. Due to the uncertainty of what is going to happen, those of us who provide health care need to be proactive in planning for “full implementation, compromise implementation, or no implementation and start over”, of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

One thing safety net charity clinics know is that our services will still be needed no matter what direction this takes. Please understand that not everyone will be covered by health insurance; many will not qualify for Medicaid or the subsidies and will not be able to afford to buy insurance. Another major concern is that even if people have insurance (many in the form of Medicaid), will they have access to care? Will there be enough primary care physicians to provide care?

Summer2011

‘Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him.’ Proverbs 14:31 ESV

Did you know that for 2011

our projections are to provide

33,000 healthcare services?

Tom and Kristi Harrison James and Karen Hathorn

Mike and Judy HebertR.T. and Cynthia Hendrix

Rene HernandezFrancisco and Carmen Hidrobo

Arleah HillegeistE Hoch

Frances and Thomas HohlSteve and Laura Hohman

Shirley HollowayRicki Holt

Teresa A. HoraHP Company Foundation

Edgar HubbardInline Services

Americus Real Estate Inv, Inc.Allison JandaGreg Janda

D.W. and Joan JenkinsElizabeth “Thumper” Jenkins

Jim and Jonnie JenkinsBeverly B Johnson

Susan JohnsonCyndy Justice

Adm. Albert and Cecily KellnMelissa King

Stuart and J KingPeter and Jeanne Kinnear

Chris KleinRobert and Ruthie Klein

Mark and Carol KlineBob and Dixie Klink

Janice KolinBarbara Laake

Susan LaminackMickey Jo Lawrence

Lynn and Kathy LeBouefRichard and Carol LeeLighthouse Hospice

Judges Jon and Tony LindsayLarry Lindsay

Living Stones ChurchLone Star College - Tomball

Donald and Mary LongJames and Karen LoveJoel and Ann Ludeman

Joan LuedkeMagnolia United Methodist Women

Charles and Lorraine Maguire, JrAtlanta Capital Management

Marci and Steve Alvis FoundationPaul and G.G. MarshallPete and Teri Mathieu

Sherrie MattsonSandy Maxwell

Dr. or Mrs. Wade McLeodSusanne McMillan

Austin and Jolynn McQuaryBill and Alleen Meinecke

Memorial Hermann FoundationErnest and Patsy Mendez

Loann MenzelRoyal and Ferne Meseberg

A&B MetalsMethodist Hospital System/Willowbrook

Christ Church United MethodistEd and Katherine Miller

Krista MillerLarry and Merrie MonzingoBradley and Lynda Moore

Clark Rea and Daisy MoralesColleen Moreno

Terry and Jennifer MorganJulia and Chris Morton

Steve and Kathy Nabors, D.D.S.New Hope United Methodist Church

Newfield Exploration Co. Matching Gifts ProgramJane Newton

Mark and Sandra OliverHenry Oncken

MaryLee OsgoodMargie Seber Painter

Marty and Karen PaluchFrank and Marcy Parker

Ralph and Louise PearsonDebra Pena

Cathy PenningtonJohn Louis PetrosinoScott and Tricia Pharr

Loyd and Rebecca PickardKevin and Mary Pieper

Ed and Ellie PorrasCarole and Graham Poulter

Rick and Janet PowellRuss and Lenora PriceDavid and Lori Quinn

Ray and Maribeth RamerRita Ramsey

Ray C. Fish FoundationWilliam and Nicole Ray

Henry and Dale ReidDon Reitz

Shirley RenwickJames and Virginia RobertsonSteve and DeeDee RobinsonLawrence and Laura Rogers

Peggy RoscoeRose Hill United Methodist Church

Joel and and Laurie RosenbergRotary Club of Tomball

Alfonso RubioTamara Annalora and Robert Rucoba

Judith RustRobert E. Rust

AmyElizabeth and Edward Bertron

Rebecca CuculicJim Holderman

Ken JandaGerald Meinecke

Larry and Nancy MilbergerMary Morrison

Jan ReitzKatie Rust

Tami SabeySue Stevens

Lois West

“CHANGEMAKER SOCIETY Those contributing a minimum of

$1000 for 5 years”

MULTI-YEAR GIVING SOCIETYAny amount for a minimum of 2 years

Dignity

The following donors gave from October 2010 to March 14, 2011. It is our desire to recognize all our donors, however, if your name was over-

looked we do apologize.

Bill and Ruth SabeyJohn and Tami SabeySaddle Creek Church

Salem Lutheran ChurchJoanna C Sanchez

Alisha SaxonTavis and Jennifer SchlickerMike and Pam Schroeder

Bill and Gail SchubertRoger and Lynne Schultz

Steven and Laura Beth ScottRick and Ann Shauger

Kirk and Sherry SheltonLee and Timika Simmons

Sarah SkilesSusan Tingle Smith

Southern Knights, Inc.St. Anne’s Catholic CommunitySt. Martin’s Episcopal Church

St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Inc.Steamboat House, L.P.David and Arlene Stern

Rhonda StrainGeorge and Holly Strapulos

Stringfield SalesSarah Swonke

Dr. Stephen Tabor John and Toni Tackett

Carl and Bertha TautenhahnTerra Verde Community Church

Kathy TerryJoseph and Judith Testori

Texas Citizens BankThe Fondren Foundation

The Lord’s ServantsThe Methodist Hospital System

Tommy and Pat ThompsonTomball Emergency Assistance Ministries

Tomball Lions ClubTomball Regional Hospital

Tomball United Methodist ChurchTomball United Methodist Women

John and Kathy TurnquistEd and Candice Tyrrell

Tonya UptonScott and Sarah Vaughan

Lynda T. VealJudy Vincent

Christi WaldonSteven and Stefanie WareJames and Honey Warwick

Worth WashburnKen Hancock and Paula Whitaker

Russell and Stacey WhiteStephen and Lisa Wilson

Windwood Presbyterian ChurchLinda Dunn Wiseman

Woodforest National BankWilliam and Lynn WrayRonald and Anne Zappe

AnonymousGuy Chason

Mark and Vicki ClarkEric Dennison

Devasco International, Inc.Preston and Dorothy Dodson

Mike and Gretchen FaganGary and Anita Farr

James Geer, DDSJC and Bernice Gracey

Tom and Linda GraysonJohn and Sheri Hamm

High Mountain Arts & DesignBruce Hillegeist

Steve HoffartGriff and Mindi Jones

Jeff and Tammy LaPlanteTommy and Debbie Lyles

Gerald and Bridey MeineckeMoore Family Foundation

Curt and Deborah PettyPaul and Linda Pizzi

Rick and Linda PritchettCliff and Sherry RampyMark and Candy Rigo

Steve and Paula SciannaThe Home Health Store

The Journey ChurchJimmy Thomas

Jim and Ginger BaileyJames and Janet Bohannon, Jr.

Merle and Melba BurginDonna Carnahan

Center for Pain Recovery, P.A.Copper Pixie

Crow CorporationDavid and Linda Flower

Joy FontenotYolanda Garcia

Wayne and Karin GloyerCraig and Carrie Gracey

Goran HaagRobert HauckDavid Herzfeld

Patrick and Grace HessmanDiane Holland

Ronnie and Denise HowardKen and Tracy Janda

David KauffmanKen’s Auto Repair & MufflerBrownie and Becky KimesGalen and Jody Mansee

Larry and Nancy MilbergerBob and Darcy Mingoia

Tray MounceSam and Pamela Murray

Lowell and Dorothy NorrisLinda Oliva, DVM, RAMike and Roseann Ott

Cathy RosadoSchulte Charitable Foundation

Hayne and Patty SheffieldJannis Snaider

Robert and Joyce StevensJoe and Ellen Stutts

Jerry and Nancy ThompsonCarlos and Irene ValverdeLuis and Gloria Vazquez

J.F. and Cora Sue WarrenWatson Family FoundationTravis and Mary Whitaker

Andrea Wiley

HopeCarewould not be possible without our donors. They are a special group of individuals, businesses, foundations and churches with a heart for families and our community.

THANK YOU.

Henry and Connie AbelKathy Adams

Lloyd AdamsonSteven Alanis

Stan and Karey AlbaughIgor and Donna Alexander

Richard and Margaret AndrewsTerry Andrus

Jacqueline AngeloAnonymous

William and Jean ArchibaldAriel Corp

Andrew AustinJess and Sandy Babbitt

Robert BaileyTom and Becky Bailey

John and Christine BarnettBaylor Methodist Community Heath Fund

Dottie BeallJames and Anne Beall

John and Jan BeallCharles Begley and Laurie McGill

Bob and Phyllis BehrendRus and Meg BelAlisha Boettger

Suzanne BradleyJohn and Ann BroadfootMarshall and Beth Brown

Susan BrowningFrederick and Karen BuckwoldLeonard and Katherine Burts

Caldwell CompaniesJames and Shelly Callahan, Jr.

Dee and Don CampbellStephen and Sheryl Campbell

Carolyn ElseyKim Casey

Eldon and Ruth CatlettCharles and Roberta Cederberg

The Money Center, IncChampions Christian Counseling Center, LLC

Gertie ChennaultChevron Humankind Matching Gift Program

Conrad and Linda CollinsworthCommunity Christian Church of Montgomery County

Jerry or Linda ConnerRonald Cookston and Mary Koch

Crane Fund for Widows and ChildrenLavonne Crim

Jeffrey and Joan CrowPeggy Crozier

Gail and Janie CuculicSusan Cuculic

Nance Amelia CunardRonald and Ellen Curfman

Cypress Woodlands Junior ForumLarry and Marion Darnell

Jim and Lynda DavisRobert and Carma DavisGene and Sandy De Cet

Fred de Roode and Diane OlsonDave and Judy Deyo

Bruce DiceJeff and Donna DonnellanRobert and Penny DowdyTed and Diane Downing

John and Betty Mae DyckDawna Dyson

Gordon and Virginia EatonRon and Cheryl EldridgeEnvirOSH Services, Inc.

Jeff and Sarah EslickExxon/Mobil FoundationGreg and Cynthia Faldyn

David FantinThe Village at Gleannloch Farms

Fellowship Baptist ChurchKevin FennellPaul Ferguson

John FieldFirst Baptist Church of Magnolia

First Presbyterian Church of TomballJohn and Diane Fishero

Joan and Maurice FitzgeraldRichard Fitzgerald

Martin and Lois FleckCharlie and Senie Fogarty

Ryan Paul Whitaker Memorial Charitable FoundationCharles and Christina Fowler

Scott and Diane FrancisAmy FrederickMartha Gallien

Douglas and Geni GarrisonPatricia GaugerColleen Gilbert

Lee and Sally GladneyKyle and Elizabeth GlassTom and Kathy Gloyer

Linda GoodrichGoodsearchVicki Gordy

Graceview Baptist ChurchJerome and Saundria Gray

Jim and Hariette GrayCarol Gregg

Ron and Belinda GriffinErik and Alicia Grimm

Edna GunnJulia Hampton

Walter and Ellen HamptonPatricia Handley

Hands of Grace Medical Services Dottie and Phil Hardy

Hap and Shirley HarringtonRonnie and Donna Harris

TRIBUTES Donations made in Honor of or in

Memoriam of the following:

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 Melinda worked as a legal secretary; however, in 2010 she lost her job and her health insurance. In an effort to find a job she attended a Between Jobs Ministry class. While there, she heard about TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries. At the time she had Cobra insurance, however, without a job she had to drop her

insurance as the premiums were too expensive.

As time passed, she was in need of blood pressure medicine. Without insurance she couldn’t afford a doctor’s visit or a refill of her medicine. At this point she became very concerned and nervous about her health care. She remembered TOMAGWA and decided to research the ministries in the Tomball area. She called the clinic and made an appointment for financial and medical screening. To her relief, she was accepted as a patient. Melinda has been a patient ever since.

Melinda states that the TOMAGWA staff and personnel are very compassionate about their service. They are very caring, helpful, friendly and above all, love what they do. In Melinda’s words “It has been a great experience having TOMAGWA as my health care provider”.

man who is pouring his blood, sweat and tears into “paying it forward”.

Just a few years ago Charlie had it good. He had family, friends and owned a successful business with his son. After a falling out, his son froze him out of the company and almost overnight Charlie found himself unemployed and penniless.

Charlie told TOMAGWA “I couldn’t find a single bright spot so I started planning to end my life, I even knew where I was going to do it.” Right about that time Charlie ran into a friend that knew he was in big trouble and his friend was able to convince Charlie to go to TOMAGWA.

With the help, support, medical care and prayer from TOMAGWA, Charlie began to realize he had a purpose in life and that God had not abandoned him. Today Charlie states “life is still a struggle and I have my ups and downs but I am getting better!”

Charlie has started a new company and has great plans for success and dreams in the future, but that was not enough for Charlie. He knew God wanted him to help those who had helped him. Because of Charlie’s passion for TOMAGWA he has spent months of planning, organizing, investigating and almost begging for support from community members. Because of his unwavering desire to help TOMAGWA help those in need we are honored to announce the first annual Magnolia Motor Madness Fundraiser to benefit TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries. The event was held October 29, 2011 in Magnolia Texas. The first annual event brought thousands of people into Magnolia and was a huge success. The event included a monster truck show, crackle fest and tractor pull. Charlie and Committee are looking forward to an even larger event next year. We are so proud of Charlie and are already looking forward to next year’s Magnolia Motor Madness!

Tractors, Trucks, and TOMAGWA

WHAT DOES CHARLIE HARPER, TRACTORS, MONSTER TRUCKS AND TOMAGWA HAVE IN COMMON?

Who is Charlie Harper? If you asked Charlie he would say he is just a man that is trying to do the right thing but anyone who knows Charlie would say that he is a

Health insurance was something that Holly Stewart had always been provided by her employers. It was when she no longer had health insurance, yet became sick that Holly turned to TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries. When Holly learned her primary care doctor would not work with uninsured patients on a payment plan, she remembered

Holly Stewart, Restoring Dignity

reading an article in the newspaper about TOMAGWA.

“I had never been to a health clinic so the idea of going to a nominal-fee clinic was hard for me,” Holly recalled. Much to her surprise, TOMAGWA left her with a whole different impression of what a health clinic is and offers. Holly said, “I was so pleasantly surprised with not only what they offered, but how they offered it. They were loving, caring people that ministered to me!” Holly recalled how she was thankful TOMAGWA was there for her when she needed it and reflected on the type of staff that provided care for her. “They are not just health care professionals, they love and care about people. It is evident in everything they do and the services they provide. When I had insurance, I never got the compassion from a doctor that I get from the doctors at Tomagwa. It is a compassion that money can’t buy, it comes from the heart,” she fondly said.

The Red EnvelopeExcerpts by: Nancy N. Rue, Source Unknown

Day without him, the first birthday, the first anniversary . . .” They hadn’t been kidding. What they hadn’t told me was that Christmas was going to top them all in hard-to-take.

Instead of buying me a gift, Tom always wrote a check in my name to Compassion International or a local food pantry, place it in a red envelope, and tucked it onto a branch of our Christmas tree. “This is a true Christ-gift,” he’d tell me. “It’s a small demonstration that Christ is real in our lives.”

Christmas Eve

After church services on Christmas Eve, being thankful for my family being there but missing Tom so desperately the family returned home, still avoiding the uncomfortable subject of Tom’s abscense. It was Christmas as usual - easier to pretend everything was normal than deal with harsh reality. They all got to open the customary one present on Christmas Eve, and after doing so, we schlepped off to bed.

But there was one more thing that had to be done. I went over to Tom’s desk, found a red envelope in the top drawer, and stuck into it a check made out to the American Heart Association. It seemed appropriate and I simply wanted to keep his memory alive.

Christmas Day

“Mom!” Patrick yelled from the living room. “You’ve got to see this!” What I saw was our Christmas tree, dotted with bright red envelopes. I walked over to the tree and touched each one of the five envelopes I hadn’t put there. “Open them, Mom,” Molly said. “This was always the best part of Christmas.” In each envelope from Tom’s children were checks or cash designated to go to five things in Tom’s life that would have meant so much to him.

“You know what’s weird?” Molly said. “I feel like Daddy’s right here with us. I feel like he’s been here this whole time. I thought I’d be all bummed out this Christmas-but I don’t need to be.”

As this poignant story reminds us, the true meaning of Christmas isn’t in the commercial wrappings that our materialistic world would like us to believe. Christmas is about Christ…giving….loving. The father in this story left a lasting mark on his family. Imagine the joy of this mother upon seeing the Christmas tree full of red envelopes; each one put there by a child who watched and saw their father live out his faith each Christmas by giving to others in need.

The First Christmas

All my friends had been telling me the same thing since the day of the funeral: “Pam, the first year after you lose your husband is the hardest. You have to go through the first Valentine’s