Bobbie Himel – Turning Life’s Strifes into Unconditional Love

BY JACLYN ROSE – 

Bobbie Himel did not have an idyllic childhood, but when she allowed God to take over her life, He provided her with a purpose and has allowed her to use the pain of her past to minister to people and show them His love.

Himel is married to Milton and between them they have four children: Jye, Misty, Bernie, and Brice.  They also have a grandchild and another on the way.  “Milton is a saint.  God brought him to me at the worst part of my life. I had been alone for what seemed like forever, and had three kids and he took on my kids as his own.  He’s God sent and a very godly man.  I’m funny because I always wanted to be a grandmother before I was a mother,” said Himel with a smile.  “I love the unconditional love that comes from being a parent and I just love being a grandma.”

The Himel family lived in Louisiana where they worked and owned rental properties.  On their honeymoon, they traveled up to Petit Jean State Park and fell in love with Arkansas, some time later they felt called to move to an area between that little town called Mena and Hot Springs, and found their dream property in Big Fork.  “We fell in love with the property.  It had seven acres and a creek and Milton heard a deer blow and that was it, he was sold.  We moved up here in December four years ago and Mena welcomed us with open arms.  The people here are the best in the world,” said Himel.

Himel has been a realtor for 12 years and works at Select Realty. “We treat people like they want to be treated.  I love seeing people’s dream become a reality.  We always try to take good care of our people and never pressure them,” explained Himel.

The real passion in Himel’s life is for hurting and displaced people.  And she, along with a great team that consists of her husband, Milton, Le-Ann Holmes, Alex Vaughn, Roxanne and Michael Aleshire, Lynnette and Warren Schaeffer, Jack and Cady Schultz, Buddy and Becky Hooper, Jessica Anderson, and several more volunteers began Stream of Hope Ministries. Streams of Hope is a 501 (c) 3 organization that reaches out to those homeless or displaced and provides education, skilled training, budget training, medical assistance and housing assistance.  “We found out when we moved here that this area has everything that it needs, it has so many resources, but needs something to connect all those resources.  We want to work with these resources to provide assistance for those that want the help so that they can become productive members of society,” explained Himel.  “We can’t help everybody, because there are some that don’t want help, but the percentage of those that do want help, we want to be there for them.  We have to be their voice.  I had a girl ask me, ‘why would you want to help me, my own family has turned their back on me,’ and I told her that it was God’s love for her that motivated me.  We stick with, and become life long mentors, for these people who need help.  I, for example, am the only one in five generations in my family that has raised her own children, and I had the chance to take that same road, but because of mentors and God’s love for me, I chose the right way, and now my children are raising their children,” explained Himel.  Himel has also served as a speaker for women’s groups and family conferences for the past 18 years and has written a book, Starting Your Victorious Life, available on amazon.com.  “Any time we come in contact with a person who is displaced or in transit, we offer them a packet with personal hygiene products, a Bible, my book, and the resource book put together by Polk County Quality of Life.  You can find us on our facebook page, we are always in need of volunteers and transportation providers,” explained Himel.

Streams of Hope Ministries has currently teamed up with The Covenant House, another local ministry that currently works with battered and abused women.  Together they are working towards the completion of their new women’s facility.  There will be a luncheon fundraiser held on May 26th from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm at Rich Mountain Community College’s new Ouachita Center.  Tickets are $15 per person in advance or $20 at the door and all proceeds will go to The Covenant House.  For more information contact Bobbie at 479.437.9348 or visit www.icovenanthouse.org.

“I love the people in Polk County.  God is important to them and that is so rare and such a blessing.  I love our church, The Crossing; Victor and Susan are the best and have such a heart for our community.  I can say that Milton and I both have better and more real friends here than any other time in our lives and you don’t find that anywhere,” said Himel.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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