Wanting to plant little seeds of faith, Catie Wendell has spent more than 30 years planting and directing pre-school programs for children ages 3-5.  HAPPY HOUSES, as she called them, were primarily planted in Texas, but now they are going global! The First Methodist Happy House of Gonzales, Texas, was founded by Catie and supported by her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert Wendell.  Our Board, along with Mrs. Wendell and the Happy House she founded, were saddened with Mr. Wendell’s passing in July 2007.  As Happy Houses “go global,” we will remember Robert Wendell as a patron to every child who enters into our Happy House program. 

In honor of Robert, EFI is partnering with First United Methodist Church in Gonzales, Texas and TEND International in South Africa, to enable little seeds of faith to pop up all over the world as little hearts and minds are watered. Funding began in 2007 toward construction of the first Happy House for orphaned and disadvantaged preschoolers in Africa. 

EFI was an integral part of “Africa Day” (April 24, 2008) hosted by the Happy House at the First United Methodist Church in Gonzales.  Board Members Constance Zehner, Catherine Darden, and Rose Simmons facilitated several activities designed to educate the 30 children and their 10 teachers about the people, countries, and products of Africa.  Through song, dance, and hands on activities the kids traveled the continent from the comfort of their classrooms. 

In addition to learning about Africa, the children donated school supplies and socks for their sister school children.  The students also held a fundraiser to support the development of the first Cay Cay’s Happy House in Johannesburg, South Africa which is currently under development.

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