Beautiful Strength: The Podcast STP Productions

This week’s episode comes from Anaheim, CA. We are sitting down with Erwin Rocha. In December of last year, Annette met Erwin’s mom, Nelly, in Homestead, FL. Annette kept her word that when she made it to the west coast, she would connect with Nelly’s son. Two months and 2800 miles later, it happened!

“Erwin Rocha, husband, father, police officer, Mentor, music producer, and follower of Christ. I'm just an ordinary guy trying to make the world a better place by serving the community. As a seventeen-year veteran police officer, I have been inspired to mentor at-risk youth and their families. I've been blessed with the opportunity to create music camps, hiking clubs, and leadership curriculums. My Parent Formula class has been extremely helpful for parents seeking emotional and inspirational support. Music is the universal language that breaks all barriers and unites us all. As proud owners of Harmony Studios, My wife Aubrey and I, find great joy in sharing our love of music with the world. (bio provided by https://www.erwinrocha.com/about)

Today’s episode comes from San Antonio, TX. Annette sat down with Desmond and Mary. Desmond’s late wife and Mary’s sister Debra,  founded Faith Bound Street Ministry in 2015. Their Mission Statement starts with a quote from the Bible. It states in Deuteronomy 15:11 "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you shall open wide your hands to your brother, to the needy, and to the poor." 
 
Faith Bound Street Ministry is committed to extending their hand and opening their hearts to every individual they serve. Their mission is to help restore the lives of individuals living in homelessness with the faith, hope, and love given to them by their savior, Jesus Christ.
 
 

Today's episode is Vincent Robinson, in San Antonio Texas. Vincent was born in San Antonio Texas. He came from a broken home that dealt with a lot of mental health issues along with alcoholism in his family. At the age of 14 he joined a local gang and began to go down a troubled path. In 1991 Vincent was shot in the lower back (spinal cord) and it caused neuropathy in his lower body. As a result he couldn’t walk for almost a year. After recovering from the gunshot wound he continued down a spiraling path that led to him to seven years of his life incarcerated. Ten years ago he gave his life to Christ and wanted to see a change in the environment he grew up knowing so well. Vincent wanted to serve the community with humility and support; offering different types of services available to the community. The Harper's Chapel Baptist Church, which Vincent is now the Pastor of, resides in the most impoverished-stricken zip code in San Antonio. The vision he had is to offer necessities and assets needed to get this community back to stability. There is a mobile shower that comes to the church every Wednesday, along with Texas Workforce Commission, San Antonio Police Department, and several universities that come out and offer different resources for the residential and homeless community. Robinson's goal is to continue to be a community church for the community. (https://harperscbc.com)

This week's episode comes from Katy, TX. (Maria) Paula Gonzalez was born in Bogota Colombia and moved to the USA in 2001 when she was just 10 years old. Paula has always been a very positive person; very athletic and outgoing. Maria is also a boat propeller survivor due to an accident that occurred on July 28-2018 in lake Charles Louisiana. The boat propeller cut her leg into pieces. She was airlifted from Lake Charles to Shreveport, LA where she flatlined two times. Maria spent three long months in the hospital. She endured 23 surgeries, skin grafting, blood transfusions, dialysis, as well as renal failure and necrotizing fasciitis that attacked her body. To this day, Paula Gonzalez is a strong-minded woman that still has a life ahead of her. " It’s never too late to keep going. And remember. It only takes one leg to kick ass!"

Lita Edwards Benduhn, owner of Metamorphosis Ink in Dunedin FL motto is  “Transforming scars, transforming lives, one drop of ink at a time.”  Lita is using her amazing skills as a  tattoo artist to help others through the healing of tattooing. Lita has worked with cancer patients creating masterpiece mastectomy tattoos, cutting and scar coverups, burn victims, and a variety of skin scarring that most tattoo artists shy away from. Lita provides a safe space for her clients to share their stories and works with them to transform their scars into beautiful works of art.
 
In this episode we also hear from Chris. Lita and Chris are currently beautifying Chris’s arms covering up childhood scars from cutting. Her tattoos are giving her confidence to show her arms, confidence in her workplace, and have created a lifelong friendship.
 
For more information about how to book Lita or another talented artists at Metamorphosis Ink head on over to https://www.metamorphosis-ink.com 

In this episode we're sitting down with Ramiro Ramires. Ramiro came to the US in his early 20s and worked hard in the tomato fields as well as numerous other jobs. He later became a member of the maintenance team at the Everglades Alligator Park. Hard work, determination, and a mind set on succeeding, Ramiro saved until he was able to open his own business. Years later, Ramiro has created a world where his success is not only in the 2 restaurants that he owns as well as the multiple properties, but in the success and opportunities he is opening up for others. Ramiro is respected and loved by his employees as well as by the city of Florida City and Homestead. 
 
If you're ever in the Florida City area, stop by Taqueria Morelia at 961 W Palm Dr, Florida City, FL 33034