Life has not been easy for 18-year-old Alex Dumont, but you won’t find this young man feeling sorry for himself. What you find instead is a strong, generous, compassionate soul with a grateful heart and tender spirit. Alex embraces life fully, and always wears a smile, in spite of the losses and challenges he has faced.

“Things were really hard for Alex at his home in Abilene the last couple of years before his mom died,” Alex’s aunt, Cecelia Tarr, shared. “My sister Deb was a single mom with three boys and she struggled most of her life. Alex was the youngest and his two brothers were much older. They moved from place to place, didn’t have a lot of money, and sometimes not much to eat. Because his mom was so sick, Alex would often miss school and just stay home with her.

“The last time Deb was in the hospital I think she knew she wasn’t going to make it much longer, so we talked about Alex. She asked me to take care of him and I promised her I would. When she died, I took Alex in. He was only nine years old, and I had two boys of my own.”

Alex’s uncle, Glenn Killam (Cecelia and Deb’s brother), then began to talk to Cecelia about Alex’s future. Glenn and his wife Patty both work at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries (STCHM), and he suggested placing Alex there.

“I was against it at first, but as I thought about it, I knew that I couldn’t give Alex all he really needed,” Cecelia said. “Alex’s dad had never really been in the picture and I knew Alex needed a strong male role model. I look back now and see God’s hand in it all, but I am not going to lie; it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do … to take my nine-year-old nephew to a place more than six hours away and leave him there. He tried to be strong and not cry but I know he had to be scared. I was always afraid he would hate me for leaving him, but Alex has told me that he knew being placed at STCHM was the best thing for him.”

When Alex first walked into Faith Cottage to live with his new houseparents, Jason and April Batley, he noticed a collection of angels.

“Alex’s mom had collected angels,” Glenn and Patty shared, “and his new housemom collected them too. It was like a sign that he belonged, and he immediately began calling his houseparents Mom and Pop.”

“I was nervous when I first came,” Alex said. “I was kind of a grouchy kid. I was used to making my own food and taking care of myself, and I didn’t want people telling me what to do. But then I realized that everyone at the Children’s Home was trying to help me. My houseparents have always made this feel like home to me. I could tell that they weren’t going to give up on me and I wasn’t going to give up on them.”

The Batleys had only been at STCHM for two months when Alex came to live with them. He didn’t know how to ride a bike and had never been swimming.

“Alex had a lot of struggles initially because he had missed so much school, but he has adapted well,” the Batleys shared. “Alex is outgoing and friendly and always wants to be a part of everything. He is so helpful around the house, even when we don’t ask for help, like carrying the groceries and helping with the new baby in our cottage. It has been a real blessing to have him with us. A lot of kids go home for visits and they have a mom or a dad there, but Alex doesn’t. He also lost his grandmother in 2009 and an uncle in 2010. We know we’ll definitely still be Mom and Pop to Alex after he graduates and that’s fine with us.”

Alex and his caseworker, Jake Kelley, also have a strong bond.

“Alex is a fun-loving, easygoing, polite young man! He always has a smile on his face and is always the first to say thank you,” Jake shared. “He has grown so much over the years. He is passionate in his love for the Lord and works very hard to serve Him. He especially loves to serve using his hands. Lately, Alex and I have been driving a lot together to work on his mandatory driving hours to get his driver’s license. I love listening to Alex’s stories about school, football, and his future, and I love to share my heart and passions with him, too, because Alex is a good listener! I can’t believe he’s already a senior.”

Alex and several other STCHM students went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic (DR) this year with Student Ministry Director Becky Moore.

“Alex served with all his heart in the DR,” Jake said. “He came back very inspired and with a new perspective.”

“Jake and Becky have helped me be a leader and not just a follower,” Alex said. “The mission trip was life-changing. In America, everything is always handed to us and we are always complaining about what we don’t have. But in the DR, they have so little and yet they put their whole faith in God. It was my first time to fly and my first time out Texas! I have had so many opportunities to do things here. I also worked with a local plumber this past summer, and I hope to get my plumbing license after I graduate.”

“Being at STCHM has helped Alex physically, mentally and spiritually,” Glenn said. “He accepted Christ into his life at Vacation Bible School the summer after he first came, and the discipline and structure he receives here have made all the difference in the world.”

“Glenn and I first met each other while working at STCHM,” Patty shared. “Neither of us sought out our jobs but were asked to come serve here. We had only been married two weeks when Alex’s mom died. We both believe God brought us here to bring us together and because He knew Alex needed to be here. It was all part of God’s plan for Alex’s life, and it’s been incredible. God’s grace is all over Alex. He has a great strength. I’ve seen Alex take on every challenge that’s come his way – at school, on campus. He never gives up; he’s not a quitter, and we admire him for that.”

Alex enjoys his visits back to Abilene and his Aunt Cecelia visits him at his home with the Batleys every chance she gets.

“I want people who read this story to see how God can take something hard and make something good,” Cecelia said. “Every time I drive through the gates at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, I sense that God uses this place. And when I am there, I see the love and care that the staff and others have for Alex and the other children. I tell everyone all the time that STCHM is and always will be a wonderful place for kids and families who are in the same position we were in. It is a hard decision but is well worth it. Without God and STCHM, Alex wouldn’t be the wonderful, loving young man he is today. He will be the first and only one in his family to graduate from high school. I know his mom and grandma would be proud of how Alex has grown up. We are all proud of him.”

“Alex is the child we have probably learned the most from during our time as houseparents,” April said a bit emotionally. “When we have been discouraged, Alex has been our inspiration to stay. Our home will have a hole in it when Alex leaves but I know he won’t forget about us! Alex will always have STCHM and he’ll always have us.”

“We can’t thank the Batleys and the Children’s Home enough for all they have done for Alex,” Glenn said. “He has a real chance to do something with his life. This is a great place for children to grow up. It becomes family. I think it remains to be seen all the ways this place has affected Alex’s life.