Praying, talking with God, sharing joys and burdens, professing our adoration, and connecting with our Lord is a vital part of our daily lives. Prayer is as essential to our well-being as breathing and makes a difference in others' lives.
Will you pray for me?
Each one of us has had someone ask this question, and each time we have answered, "yes." Each of us has had a friend share a struggle they are going through, and we have responded by saying, "I will be praying for you" or "You will be in my prayers." As we leave their presence, we pause and say a prayer with commitment in our hearts to continue to earnestly pray for them.
But have you ever made that commitment and a few days later realized, "I forgot to pray for my friend?"
Our lives are so busy we often forget those things we really intend to do and need to do. With the busyness of life, and as I get a little older, I find myself needing to find ways to remind me of those commitments. I have become a list maker, and it has become a blessing. It helps me remember, and it helps me to go back and see the many ways God answers my prayers. I also use my refrigerator, my notes app on my phone, and my personal journal to get my attention.
Will you pray for "our" children?
Right now, you may be saying to yourself, "Of course, I will pray for the children." Great. Now go get a piece of paper, write in bold letters "pray for the children and the ministry of Baptist Children's Homes," and attach it to your refrigerator or notes app on your phone as a reminder. Our children and staff need your commitment to care and pray.
Our children come from difficult situations that have left physical and emotional scars. It is our hope that while they are with us, they will find hope and healing. School has just begun, and many of our children began the school year behind a grade level. Because of their emotional scars, they come to us believing they cannot learn—believing they will fail.
Take to heart these words:
Ashley, Tim, Kendra, and Mike came into care when their mother overdosed, and their father was still on drugs. They were given love, food, clothing, and a safe place to live. They loved their cottage parents. One day Ashley began to act out, and her cottage parents lovingly struggled with her all day long. She finally screamed out and said, "My mother died on this day, and we were not allowed to go to the funeral!" She cried and asked, "Where is my mother buried?" Everyone was taken aback, and we found out where the mom was buried. The next day, we took the children, each having flowers, to visit their mother's grave. They cried and grieved for her. A month later, BCH staff took up a collection for a gravestone, and we took the children to be there when it was erected. From that point on, the children excelled. They were with us for two years and finally got to go live with a relative. Ashley has visited us, and one of her memories is that we cared enough to help her through her mother's death.
Your prayers and support made a difference for these children!
Kevin was living in a storage bin with his mother and brother. DSS found them and placed both Kevin and Justin at Broyhill Home. The cottage mother was sharing about the cottage when Kevin asked, "Do you have rats here?" The cottage mother was shocked and told Kevin, "We do not." He said, "Good, because I could not sleep, or they would bite my ears." They were so excited about their bathroom. Kevin was crying tears of joy when he asked if we had a washing machine to wash his one outfit of clothing. This was very hard on the cottage mother, and with tears in her eyes, she shared they had a washer and dryer and certainly would wash his clothes. Kevin then sat on the bed and said, "I will take my clothes off and cover up so you can wash these." The cottage mother quickly gathered up clothing for the boys to wear for the rest of the day and then took them shopping. Kevin and Justin had never had new clothing, and they were overjoyed. They quickly grew and loved the routines at the cottage and proudly wore their clothing and new shoes. Kevin asked, "Who pays for this?" The cottage mother quickly responded that many donors to BCH take care of the boys' needs and will always take care of their needs.
Your prayers and support made a difference for these children!
Marcy came into care as both of her parents were placed in jail for robbery and cooking meth. No one could care for her. She was six years old and came with just the clothing she had. She was crying, not about her parents, but because she could not bring Buffy, her stuffed dog. The house was a meth house, and she was not allowed to bring anything out of the house because of the residue. She said, "Buffy helps to protect me when the bad people come." The cottage mother quickly gave her three new stuffed animals from the storage closet. Marcy stopped crying and held onto all of them. She felt safe and settled into cottage life. She was a loving child, and when we prayed with her, she always prayed for Momma, Daddy, and Buffy. By giving to Baptist Children's Homes, you helped to protect Marcy, and you gave her a safe, loving environment to grow. She was finally placed with a foster family who adopted her.
Your prayers and support made a difference for this child!
Every day, the "least of these" walk through our doors. You make it possible for us to be here to welcome them with open arms, sharing God's love.
Please continue to pray for the staff, children, and the many ministries of Baptist Children's Homes. Please continue to pray for the Search Committee as they seek the next CEO to lead BCH. Pray for our Trustees as they lead during this time of transition.
For more information on how you can be a part of helping hurting children, please call me at 1-800-476-3669 ext. 1230. The cost of sending our children back to school is an enormous financial responsibility. It's also time to begin praying about being a Christmas sponsor for a child.
Remember, your investment will reap wonderful benefits. I look forward to hearing from you.
Written by Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications
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