A Heart for Bonton

When Ron and Cheryl Murff walk through the Bonton community in South Dallas, it seems everybody knows them.

As Chief Financial Officer of Guaranty Financial Group, Inc., Ron has led his company's involvement in four Habitat for Humanity builds, the annual Clean Sweep and a summer basketball league for 12- and 13-year-olds. "Our participation in the Bonton area allows us to have continuity and focus in a particular area so we can build a real relationship with the community," Ron said.

And as founding members of Prestonwood, Ron and Cheryl have always had a heart for that community.

On this particular Saturday, as Prestonwood and other churches launch the 90 Days of Blessing with the fourth annual Clean Sweep, the Murffs step out of the car and are each greeted with a big hug from Pearl Brown. Pearl spent hot summer days last year working right alongside the Murffs and Guaranty volunteers on her beautiful Habitat home on Choice Street.

"It's always so wonderful to see them because they are like family," Pearl said. "They have touched my heart and mean so much to me."

The Murffs became involved in the community through Minister of Global Outreach Mike Fechner. Mike is also co-founder of the non-profit ministry H.I.S. BridgeBuilders, which has actively served in the Bonton community for more than a decade.

But in the past year the Murffs felt a pull to do even more, said Cheryl, who is Special Assistant to the Executive Staff at Prestonwood.

"We wanted to do something different than we've always done," she said. "We've been so blessed that we wanted to share that blessing. And just seeing Mike's heart for the people of Bonton, it's hard not to be excited, to want to do more yourself."

Mike suggested mentoring, and the Murffs, who have two adult children and two granddaughters, were paired with Rodrick and Lisa Yarbrough, a young couple with four children.

The age difference, the cultural difference, the geographic difference didn't matter.

"We had an instant connection, not like a parent-child connection but like peers," Cheryl said. "It's really blossomed into a great friendship. We go on date nights and just sit and talk. They've become part of our family."

The Yarbroughs, also Prestonwood members, say the relationship is a true blessing.

"I would never have imagined this relationship," Rodrick said. "They have walked with us, they've prayed with us, and they've taught us what it is to really love God and serve Him."

Rodrick said Ron has taught him how to be a man of God, a good husband and a good father. Lisa said she has learned from Cheryl how to be a godly wife and mother.

Oh, and also, how to organize, Lisa said with a laugh. She was amazed that Cheryl went over one Saturday and spent the whole day cleaning and organized their apartment. Just like a mother or a sister would, Lisa said.

"I have always kept to myself, try to handle everything myself," Lisa said, "but Cheryl makes it easy to open up. She's one of the few people I've ever let in."

Rodrick feels the same about Ron. "I can talk to him about anything. He's just a phone call away."

"They've done so much to help," Lisa said. "We can't thank them enough. It's a God thing."

God's hand is truly on the relationship. When the Yarbroughs applied for a home through Habitat, they didn't know who the sponsors would be. They found out a few months ago: Guaranty Bank.

While volunteering at Clean Sweep, the two couples, along with Mike Fechner, gather for prayer on an empty lot on Silkwood Street. In August, construction will begin on the Yarbroughs home right here on this gorgeously wooded piece of land.

As they stand there, taking in what will one day be their first real home, the Yarbroughs cannot contain their excitement. And neither can Cheryl.

"We are going to have so much fun decorating," she tells Lisa. And the two women walk off together, grand plans for the place already percolating.