Pembroke Area Family Services: Journal

Summer Missions Project at Odum Home

06.25.2008

Just when we were up to our ears with food trying to figure out how we would inventory and distribute it all to the warehouse, God sent some angels through NC Baptist Men of Red Springs. June 17 through June 20, Amy Philbeck and Lu Anne Beaver along with ten of their youth from Troutman Baptist Church in Troutman came in the name of Jesus to serve others, and serve they did. Some of the group sorted, some inventoried, and some moved boxes of food from Carter Hall South to the Lumbee food storage building where others were waiting to arrange and shelve the food. We are truly thankful to Troutman Baptist Church for a job well done and to the NC Baptist Men of Red Springs for being a group of angels.

Awards Banquet at Odum Home

06.18.2008

Odum Home director Valerie Wright opened this year’s awards banquet with the welcome and introduced our guest speaker Herbert L. Richardson, District Court Judge for Robeson County, and special guests Bear Swamp Baptist Church pastor Timmy Chavis and his wife Kimberly Chavis, a former Odum Home case manager, and their daughter Ashley; Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church pastor George Matthews and co-pastor Ella Matthews, and a host of families and friends. Pastor Chavis gave the opening prayer. His church family is committed to serving Odum Home children through VBS, Sunday School and Sunday morning worship services. Latta Harnett Cottage boys John, David, and Tramaine inspired us as they mimed (pantomime with masks) to the songs "Never Would Have Made It" and "Stand." Judge Richardson talked to us about the masks people sometimes wear and what people see on the outside is not necessarily what is on the inside of a person when God lives in the house. Judge Richardson freely gives of his time to impact the lives of students throughout the state, not simply providing an insider’s view on a career in the legal profession, but providing motivational words for youth across the state. Panthia Locklear presented trophies for the children in middle and high schools for the highest EOG scores and honor roll. Eight grade honor roll students were Amariari, Julian, Derrick, and John. Students with the highest EOG scores for seventh grade were Alisa (Math), Desiree (English,) and Sara (writing as well as honor roll). Perfect attendance went to Amairani. Afterwards, cottages awarded certificates to each child in care. Pastor Matthews gave the blessing of the food and the closing prayer. Pastor Matthews along with Co-Pastor Matthews and their church family commit every week to teaching vespers and often support the children in other events. The Odum Home staff and children would like to give a special thanks to Ms. Ann Clark for preparing the food. To all the guests and families, we appreciate all you do in “helping hurting children…healing broken families.”

Friends of Children Day

06.09.2008

Danny Hawkins, BCH director of development, southeastern area opened this year's "Friends of Children" event with a welcome, prayer, and talked about BCH. Valerie Wright, Odum Home director, challenged us to sing "If You Are Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands." Jobs were then assigned and groups dispersed to being work projects. Friends of Children was once again an awesome day including cleaning, weeding, grass cutting, planting flowers, leaf blowing, car washing, taking inventory of food, distributing and stocking food. On the surface, the day seemed to be about completing a variety of tasks, but Friends of Children is really about commitment, teamwork, love, and fellowship. That’s what I saw as I look back over the smiles and laughter. The show of God’s love one for another. During lunch we ate chicken salad, chips, and fruit as we enjoyed the children’s choir sing and the praise and mime team worship in song. We appreciate all 193 church members and members of BCH's Board of Trustees who took time away from their busy schedules and came from near and far to demonstrate their love for us. We do appreciate all that you do!

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