Houseparents embrace summer as a time for making memories

By Blake Ragsdale, Editor, Charity & Children

The ferry that shuttles passengers from the shores of the Outer Banks to the beach near Cape Lookout Lighthouse carries a unique group on this particular Saturday. A dozen children, ages six to 14, and two couples who serve as Baptist Children's Homes (BCH) houseparents are among those making the trip.

Joy peers over the side of the boat as it glides across the water. It is the first time she has ever felt the salty spray of the ocean on her face. She and her two sisters are not only taking their first boat ride, but they are also seeing the ocean for the very first time.

"We all went ghost crabbing on the beach. You have to go at night and use a flashlight to see how many you can find before time's up," Joy explains as the ferry continues toward its destination. "You put them in a bucket. We counted about 22 and then let them go."

"The first one out came crawling back to me," she says with a giggle, recalling what is sure to become a lifelong memory.

In many respects, the children and their BCH caregivers are one large family making summertime memories, just as many families do this time of year. Because of a variety of circumstances, the children are in the custody of North Carolina's foster care system. For BCH houseparents, stepping away from daily life in their family-style cottages for a vacation is one of their favorite ways to create joy, build connections and give children lasting memories.

Experiencing the beach through children's eyes

Even BCH's houseparents, who serve sacrificially in their roles, enjoy the unique experiences with children in their care. Adam and Sian Saunders, who have served for 34 years as houseparents at BCH's Broyhill Home in Clyde, have taken many beach trips with children through the decades. Chris and Lisa Huskey, who serve in the same role at BCH's Truett Home in Hayesville, are experiencing the beach through children's eyes for the first time.

"My favorite is just seeing the kids' faces," Lisa shares. "The smile of the youngest, who just turned seven, has this smile... this little, toothless smile."

The houseparents are always mindful that many children come from situations where they took on responsibilities far beyond their years. As Sian explains, the beach provides a place where boys and girls can simply enjoy being children.

"Sometimes the kids come to BCH, and they don't know how to play," she shares. "We arrived at the beach and handed six-year-old Alena a kite. It was like her world changed as she flew it."

A cottage built from a donor's dream

Summertime adventures and activities would not be possible without the generosity of BCH supporters. That is especially true for beach trips, a tradition rooted in the vision of donors George and Alberta McNeill.

The Morehead City couple donated land at Indian Beach in 1962. Their dream was for BCH to build a cottage where children in the ministry's care could experience the beach. Two years later, McNeill Cottage opened its doors. The rustic, two-story cottage has provided a place for hundreds of children and their houseparents to stay while making memories that span generations.

For houseparents, these trips offer more than an opportunity for fun. They create moments to teach gratitude, strengthen relationships and help children experience the simple joys of childhood that many have missed along the way.

"Right before bedtime, one of our girls thanked me for literally 10 different things she got to do that day," Lisa says.

"I gave little Joy a hug as we put them to bed. She looked at me and said, 'Mr. Chris, I've never seen a crab before!'" Chris continued. "That was so cool. It's just been so much fun."

New friendships between two cottages

The two sets of houseparents and children are also grateful for the new friendships they've formed. It's an opportunity created by bringing together two BCH cottages from different Western North Carolina communities for a week at the beach.

"I've really enjoyed hanging out with Truett Home," says Amy, one of the girls from Broyhill Home's Carolina Cottage.

"It's been really good seeing the older kids helping the younger ones, like making sure they all found crabs the other night," Lisa shares.

The same holds true for the houseparents. The beach trip created an opportunity for the Huskeys and the Saunders to work together for the first time and form their own new relationships.

"We were excited to come with Adam and Sian because they've done the beach trip before, and we haven't," Lisa says. "Chris and I have learned something new everyday."

"And it's not a one-way street. I've talked to Adam multiple times about takeaways from the Huskeys," Sian says regarding their co-workers' skills.

Pointing children to Jesus

Amid the learning, relationship-building and first-time memories, the beach also gives houseparents an opportunity to focus on what matters most: pointing children to Jesus and His love for them.

During devotions and time around the dinner table throughout the week, the children have shared, from their hearts, the things they have learned each day as they've had fun experiences and witnessed the beauty of God's creation.

"I think God made everything for everyone," one child said.

"Yes, and He created everything for a purpose," another responded.

"I'm thankful I found two shark teeth," one boy shared.

"I'm excited we're going to the aquarium. I was going to go for my birthday, but then we had the hurricane," an older girl added, referencing Hurricane Helene's impact on western North Carolina.

For BCH's houseparents, moments like these serve as reminders that God is working in children's hearts through both everyday life and extraordinary experiences.

Regardless of the storms the kids and their families have faced, we get to point them to hope in Jesus. As houseparents, we walk alongside them whether it's in the cottages where we live or through a summer getaway. We witness the Lord using all of it to transform lives in ways only He is able.

Adam Saunders, BCH houseparent

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For their privacy, the names of children in foster care are changed and faces are not shown.

Wondering what the houseparent role actually involves? Learn more about residential care at BCH.