Children's lives are transformed as you reach out
On Sunday, August 11, the girls from Camp Duncan joined me in sharing the “BCH Story” at Rocky Hock Baptist Church. It was a wonderful day! What made it wonderful? The courage of the girls to share and the amazing way the people of Rocky Hock embraced the girls and the many ministries we provide. When I shared that we had touched more than 94,000 lives last year, there was an audible gasp of surprise that we were caring for so many in need. When they heard the good news that 669 had made professions of faith in the last five years, they clapped with joy and celebration –– praising God for what He is doing in the lives of the boys and girls He entrusted to us.
I began to walk through our many ministries sharing how each ministry is impacting those in need. I shared a story of a single mom receiving help at our Family Care home in Ahoskie –– a mom who had broken the bonds of poverty and abuse, graduated from Chowan University, and is now teaching. The story touched them in a special
way because they had personally been a part of helping her.
The story of four children coming from an opioid addiction situation grabbed their hearts.
It was in the middle of the night when the children arrived on our campus. They were dirty, hungry and frightened. They had been through so much trauma. The houseparents had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and milk on the table when they walked in the cottage. After eating, they were shown their bed rooms which was a new experience for these children. They had been sleeping on the floor. The houseparents patted backs and helped the children get to sleep. Later in the early morning hours, the house mother walked in to check on the children to find one of the little boys asleep with his blanket on the floor. His housemother scooped him up and placed him back on the bed and began to pat his back until he was once again asleep. As I shared, there were tears being shed all over the congregation as they heard the hurt of these boys and girls.
More importantly, there was joy and celebration as they heard of the transformation taking place in the lives of these precious children. In Mark 10:13 -16, Jesus demonstrates how important children are and the importance of being present in the moment. In the final verse, Jesus picks the children up in His arms, places his hands on them, and blesses them. As I looked across the congregation, I was so grateful that they too understood God’s calling on their hearts to care for the least of these, the calling to bear each other’s burdens.
The Camp Duncan girls joined me on the platform and what followed was amazing. Their voices resounded throughout the congregation as they praised God in song. Following their beautiful and incredibly inspiring music, one of the girls made her way to the podium to share her testimony. She was born in Russia. When she was a very young child, her mother died in a fire. Her father was not able to care for her and she was placed in an orphanage. She was adopted by a family in North Carolina. She was confused and struggled to adjust to her new family and a totally different culture. As it usually does, it took a while for her to begin to feel she was safe and cared for –– then her life seemed to fall apart all over again when her parents decided to divorce. She was angry, confused and hurting. She began to act out by being dishonest, stealing and displaying an attitude of “I don’t care.” She was actually crying out for help the only way she knew how.
The congregation listened intently as she shared her story. She came to Camp Duncan and God has used this ministry to transform her heart and her life. She shared how God was repairing her relationships with her family. She shared her faith walk and how much she has grown in her faith. As I looked across the congregation, I realized I probably should start bringing a load of tissues to these services. It was evident God was moving among His people. Once again, I felt such gratitude that they understood God’s calling on their hearts to care for the least of these and to carry each other’s burdens. As she finished sharing her story, the congregation erupted in applause for her courage to share and in celebration of the amazing transformation that has taken place in her life.
This is not an unusual reception as we share the “BCH Story” with churches and groups across our state. We are so very grateful for every church, Sunday School class, and individual that makes this ministry possible. Every day gratitude floods my heart as you demonstrate your understanding of God’s calling on your heart to care for the least of these and bear one another’s burdens.
A friend recently shared with me how he enjoys his visit with me each month. I guess I looked a little perplexed. He shared when he gets Charity & Children he feels that I have visited with him. So as I end my visit with you this month, I end with this –– THANK YOU!
You are an amazing blessing!
Please call me at 336-689-4442 if I can assist you in any way as you continue to prayerfully invest in the lives of the least of these.
There are two ways you can help now!
- Bills are now pouring in for back to school expenses, which is a tremendous challenge. It is not too late to give and help with this enormous financial responsibility.
- If you have not had a speaker in your church you are missing an opportunity to bless and to be blessed.
Call now at 336-689-4442 for more information on how you can schedule a speaker.
Worthwhile Investments is written by Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President of Development & Communications