Tackling the steep hills together brings success

Sunday, August 17, I made my way to Mills Home Baptist Church for a very special day. Three children were being baptized. As they made their way to the baptismal pool, they were anxious, but you could see the excitement and sincerity on their faces as they proclaimed their faith in Jesus. As the last young man entered the water, he loudly proclaimed, "It is cold! It is really cold!" We all chuckled and felt blessed.

We sang a couple of songs, giving Pastor Luis time to transition to sharing his sermon. At one point in the second song, I stopped and just listened as everyone sang with all their hearts. Pastor Luis asked this question of the congregation: "Why was the book of Mark written?" They responded, "To prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, who suffered, died and rose again as Lord." He then asked, "What is Jesus' plan?" Again, the congregation answered, "His plan is to save the world from its sin through His death and resurrection." It is amazing to witness God at work in these lives. I am moved by the image of transformation.

For our children, life has been a difficult uphill climb. Their struggles and traumas are unfathomable—but real. You have been there helping them, encouraging them as they walk up these "steep hills" each day toward transformation.

I embarked on a quest to lose weight and live healthier a year ago. Last May, I was walking to the cottage at the top of the hill at Broyhill Home. It was a steep hill. It resulted in me huffing and puffing and wondering if I would make it.

Life has been like walking up a steep hill for those we serve. Children, through no fault of their own, struggled just to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Most of our lives are like walking on flat, smooth roads. Maybe there are some rocky spots and inclines from time to time, but nothing like the lives of these children—"uphill" looks different to them and their families.

Consider the children who come to us without the foundation of parental love. They are children who have never felt treasured. They come to us believing they cannot achieve and be successful. For these children, life is made up of far too many hills to climb.

I have found over the past year that walking uphill is good for me! Theoretically, I can improve my overall health and well-being by spending a little time walking uphill. But if you have nothing but hills, it is easy to grow weary, get tired of the struggle, and give up.

It is easy to believe there will never be any level, smooth places in your life. Think for a moment how discouraging that could be and how easy it would be to lose hope. This is where your ministry through BCH comes in. Through you, we are in the business of providing smooth and level places for children to walk, giving them love and hope—in some cases for the very first time.

There is a familiar verse in the Old Testament about mountains and hills and uneven ground. Part of Isaiah 40:4 reads: "...every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain." This passage is about the coming of the Messiah. It is this Messiah who is the basis for loving and conveying hope to the families and children in our care. We cannot undo the mountains and rough places our children have already traversed or protect them from what might lie ahead, but we can offer them love, security, and the knowledge that they will never be alone.

During my quest to lose weight and get healthier, I have had numerous times when I was ready to give up. But I have had lots of help. The kids on campus have been one of my special sources of encouragement. In the heat of summer, I have been walking and praying in the church. On Sunday mornings after church, the children have joined me. "How many steps have we made, Miss Brenda?" "Are you close to 10,000?" "Are we close to 10,000?"

This week one of the boys walked by me while I was walking outside. "How many steps have you made, Miss Brenda?" I reply, "About 2000." He encouraged, "You can make 10,000!"

He joined me and began walking with me up the hill.

Encouragement is such a powerful thing. Your encouragement is an amazing, powerful gift to our children and our wonderful staff.

Next week, our children begin the new school year. For many of them, their circumstances have caused them to be very apprehensive. For many of them, school has been a major uphill climb—often leaving them afraid to even try.

Hannah was told she would never amount to anything. For a time, she believed it. When she came to BCH, she was emotionally and physically drained by the physical and sexual abuse she had endured since she was eight years old. But now she has hope.

Hannah accepted Christ as her personal Savior and is beginning to experience healing. Some of her favorite things are taking naps, eating desserts, working with younger children, and singing. Hannah has so much promise.

She begins this new school year with a very different perspective. This year is filled with hope! She will have all she needs (new clothes, school supplies, backpack, etc.) and be surrounded by people who believe in her, encourage her, and walk the steep hills with her. You are one of those who are walking with Hannah and the hundreds of other children we serve.

The cost to prepare for school for "our" children is enormous. They have grown over the summer. The jeans that fit last year don't fit. Winter coats and shoes have been outgrown. If you would like to know more about how you can help meet these needs, call me at 336-689-4442.

Thank you for being a part of their journey!

And thanks to all of my encouragers, "especially our kids at Mills Home," who have kept me walking my journey—both physically and spiritually. I have lost 35 pounds so far and I am much better able to climb those hills!

Written By Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications