“I wanted to be in her company.” – Blackwell This is what ... · the grounds of Cameron Boys...

Charity&ChildrenAnd now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina

Blackwell marks 30th anniversary. (see page 3) Still time to give and guarantee happy summer memories. (see page 5 )

6/13_________________ 126/5_________________

[ “I wanted to be in her company.” – Blackwell } [ “This is what Christ has put in our hearts.” – Andrea Johnson }

Now standing six feet tall, and two years and eight months after first stepping onto

the grounds of Cameron Boys Camp, 16-year-oldTristian is graduating from the wilderness camp-ing program.

“I feel like I’m ready to go,” he says. “I’mproud that I’ve completed the program. Everyonehere at Camp believes I’m ready to go home.”

Readers first met Tristian in the May 2011issue of Charity & Children. He and six otherTrailblazers were building a sleeping tent at theircampsite.

In the December issue, Tristian’s testimony ofhow accepting Jesus changed his life appeared in a special story. He wrote: “On that day, I madethe decision that changed my life forever – I askedJesus into my life. It wasn’t an easy decision tomake, but the effects have been amazing.”

In the July 2012 issue, readers learned thatTristian’s testimony had changed the life of ayoung man who read it while imprisoned. Then20-year-old Travis said in the article. “If it had

not been for your(Tristian’s) testi-mony, I’m not surewhat would havehappened.”

Now almost a year after that story appeared, Tristian looks forward to a new future at home with his family.

“Me and my family have come so far,” Tristiansays. “I can’t even remember the person that I was when I first came to Camp. I’m just notthat same person anymore.”

Tristian describes himself as “a man with Jesus in his heart.” He says there are times whenhe may get angry, but he says that he handles it all differently. “We learn to deal with things in a healthy way at Camp. Getting things right

inside is important. Everything begins to clickwhen you have a heart change.”

For all the campers, Cameron Boys Camp is about giving them tools to deal with the prob-lems in their lives the right way. Tristian says thereare three tools at the top of his list that make himfeel more confident about going home.

“The best thing is that my family has been a part of the change,” Tristian says. “The firsttool that will go home with me is how to problemsolve. When we have a problem now, my familygets together and works out a way to solve it. Mymom and dad have embraced the techniques I’velearned. They’ve taken them and made themwork for our family.”

Tristian says it is important not to push a problem away, but to deal with it and deal with it quickly. The second tool he is depending

on at home is routine.“A lot of times kids say they don’t want

routines,” Tristian says. “I’ve learned routines are helpful. It is great to know what others expect of you.”

Tristian’s parents Sarahanne and Scott haveplaced routines into their family’s day-to-day lifefor all their children.

“My brothers and sisters come in from schooland they all know what to do. That will work forme; I can deal with that,” Tristian says. “There isflexibility and Saturdays are less structured, butour family’s routines are good for all of us.”

Tristian’s final tool for success is Jesus. “It’s thebiggest thing – the most important. All the otherthings will work out when Jesus is at the heart ofwhat I’m doing and at the heart of my family.”

Tristian’s heartfilled with Jesus___________________________________________________

By W. James Edminson, Editor

Tristian has completed the program at Cameron Boys Camp and looks forward to going home. He is confident about going back with his family because they have adopted Camp’s principles into their family life. He credits the

staff members and chiefs at Camp for helping to make him the person he is today.

H O P E HOPE changes lives and dispels

darkness.

When I was a child, I could go out to play in the morning, check in at lunch, and

be gone for the afternoon. Mother’s only worrywould be that I would bother the neighbors.

Today, Mom probably wouldn’t let me out ofher sight, and if I slipped outside of shouting dis-tance, she would call the police to find me. Thetruth is, just when you think maybe the world isbecoming safe for children again, sharks surfaceand pull another young one under. Last month,we saw and read about the horror of a man kid-napping three young women in Cleveland, Ohio.The women were the victims of a decade-long in-carceration.

Parents cringe to hear of a child’s disappear-ance, or of an innocent slumber party that be-comes a horror scene of kidnapping. We wonder,“Am I doing all I can to keep my child safe?”The answer is probably no.

When was the last time you talked to your day-care-bound 3-year-old about good and badtouching? To your 10-year-old?

Does your 5-year-old know what to do if hegets lost at the mall? Could your 8-year-old ani-mal lover resist the man combing the neighbor-hood for his puppy? Would your 14-year-oldarcade devotee turn down the friendly, olderteenager who boasts he can beat him?

I was raised in a mill town (Gastonia, N.C.) inwhich we knew our neighbors and they knew us.Parents knew the people next door would helptheir child, not endanger him.

“Good” neighborhoods don’t guarantee goodneighbors today, even though we flee to the sub-

urbs, from whence comethour safety. In one recentnational survey, childrenages 7 to 17 listed per-sonal safety as their num-ber-one concern.

Giving children age-appropriate preventive information about per-sonal safety “empowers children” and makes themfeel more confident be-cause they know what todo if an incident arises.

Making a blanket state-ment about people some-times has opposite theintended effect, such as telling our children,“Don’t talk to strangers.”

That may be a disserv-ice. It’s developmentallydifficult to expect anychild under 10 to be ableto discern an okay strangerfrom one who’s not.

It’s better to help children identify bad situa-tions: The day-care teacher who wants to play atouching game; the neighbor who happens bythe bus stop before mom and offers shelter fromthe rain until she arrives.

One in three girls and one in seven boys willbe molested and/or abducted by the age of 18,mostly by people they consider to be safe.

Even children five to 10 need tools to be

protected against molestation. Parents shouldidentify private parts of the body and good andbad touching. They especially need to know itsbad touching even if it’s someone you know, like a babysitter.

Make these conversations routine and frequentso that the coping responses become second nature. Maybe, then, we won’t have to face another situation like the one last month inCleveland.

2013 Heritage Award Recipients: Oakboro residents Jerry and Evon Jordanwere honored with a North Carolina Baptist Heritage Award from Baptist Children’s

Homes (BCH). The couple, who are members of Lakeview Baptist Church in Albe-marle, was presented with the award by BCH president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell ata ceremony on April 23 at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center in Greens-

boro. The Jordans have generously given of their resources and time to ensure BCH’sboys and girls know they are loved. The couple was first introduced to the ministry

during the construction of Camp Duncan in Aberdeen – BCH’s residential wildernesscamp for girls. They provided the funding to build the program’s bath house. Jerry

currently serves as a BCH Trustee. Photo courtesy of NC Baptist Foundation; Dan Roberts Photography, Lillington, NC

[ MY THOUGHTS }

Safety first with your child__________________________________________________________________________________________

By Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO

____________________________________________________________________

2 6/13 – Charity + Children – 126/5

Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; W. James Edminson, editor (email: [email protected]); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor (email: jbragsdale@ bchfamily.org). Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year for friends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes and is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC. It is mailed by Excalibur, Winston-Salem, NC.Circulation: 62,000 seven times a year, 30,000 four times a year. Periodicals postage paid at Thomasville, NC, and at additional mailingoffices. For free subscription, or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction or change, write circulation manager Karen Fincher (using the above address), email her at [email protected] or call her at 336-474-1209. Subscribe onlineat www.bchfamily.org/contact/index/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, P.O. Box 338,Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.

More stories at www.bchfamily.org

Parents: Help your child by talking frankly, and early, about safety and dangers1. It’s good for children to screamif they feel in danger, but theyshould be specific: “This isn’t myfather/mother!”2. The first time your child comesto you with a secret, even thoughhe knows it will get him in trou-ble, adjust your response forbravery and courage. Otherwise,he may never do it again.

3. Don’t wait until a tragedy is inthe news to talk about molesta-tion. Your anxiety and added ur-gency can be scary to children.4. Play the what-if-game, adjust-ing scenarios to your child’s age.Young children are most suscep-tible to lost-puppy stories, chil-dren 10 and older to lures ofmoney. (“I can make you famous;

let me take your picture.”) Re-sponse to encourage: “I have tocheck with the adult in charge.”5. Kids 10 and older don’t wantto be embarrassed, so theywould tend, for instance, to goalong with someone who showsa badge and says, “I’m a securityguard; I think you shoplifted,” evenwhen they know they didn’t. Talk

about how not all badges arereal, and he can insist on going toa phone and calling 911 to checkon the person. Tell him: “A real of-ficer or guard won’t object.”6. Help your child distinguish be-tween a swell secret (“I’m having a birthday party and you’re in-vited”) and a tell secret (“Let’s play a touching game and not tell

your parents”).7. Be skeptical of someone who:Enjoys your child more than you;babysits without being paid;gives presents for no reason; isunusually generous at holidays;offers no-cost coaching or tutor-ing; has lots of children’s toys orvideos at home.

Find Baptist Children’s Homes on Facebook____________________________________________________________________

6/13 – Charity + Children – 126/5 3

His life has been an open book. . .

There are few people who commit to something and stick to it. But standing up for a just cause and doing what is right is

important to Dr. Michael Blackwell. For 30 years, he has been a strongadvocate for children. It’s been no secret how he feels andto what lengths he would go to serve those who are least among us.

On July 1, Blackwell marks his 30th anniversary as the leader of Baptist Children’s Homes. Always with his finger on the pulse of the needsof children and families, Blackwell has pushed the boundaries of innovation to implement new

ministries. He has overseen growth in traditional services as well as created ground-breaking programs for developmentally disabledadults and the aging. And under his leadership, theministry has maintained unwavering stability despiteturbulent social changes and financial challenges.

Over the years, Blackwell has sustained an unprece-dented breadth of support from North Carolina Baptists. His influenceamong Baptists goes well beyond his role as president/CEO of BaptistChildren’s Homes affording him the unique opportunity to preach in hundreds of churches across the state, from small village congregationsto large urban churches.

Today, Blackwell remains as energized as ever, committed to serve North Carolina’s most vulnerable.

A special commemorative gift –Send for your free commemorative copy of Just Call Me Mickey: From Mill Village to Mills Home, The Journey of Michael C. Blackwell. Each book is personally signed by Blackwell with an anniversarymessage. A “30 Years” silver foil seal adorns the cover.Written by the late historian Wint Capel, the book is a must-have for friends and supporters of Blackwelland Baptist Children’s Homes.

&C

LIP

AN

D M

AIL

Free book offer! Books are limited andwill be available only while supplies last.

Name ___________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

City __________________________________________ State _____

Zip _______________ Phone ________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________

Mail to: Attn: FREE BOOK, Baptist Children’s HomesP.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361 Or, order your commemorative copy of Just Call Me Mickey by calling

BCH’s NCBAM Call Center at 1.877.506.2226.

(

Leave a legacy. Vist www.bchfamily.org/plannedgiving____________________________________________________________________


UpcomingeventsJune 1 – Friends of ChildrenWorkday:Mills Home in ThomasvilleAugust 24 – Hope in Style:GreensboroSept. 5 – Western Area Con-ference:Broyhill Home in Clyde

Sept. 7 – Friends of ChildrenWorkday:Camp Duncan in AberdeenSept. 14 – Friends of Children Workday: Cameron Boys Campin Cameron, Kennedy Home in KinstonSept. 21 – Friends of Children Workday: Oak Ranch in SanfordSept 24 – Founders Day:Camp Duncan in Aberdeen

Sept. 28 – Friends of Children Workday: Mills Home inThomasville and Odum Homein PembrokeNov. 17-24 – BCH’s Week of Prayer: Schedule a BCHspeaker.For more information, call:

Alan Williams1.800.476.3669Ext. 1277

Graduation is a dream cometrue for Keith. He struggled

with doubts and thought this spe-cial day would never come for him.His past haunted him. He remem-bers all too well the feelings of fearand confusion – not knowing whatwould happen next in his life.

Overwhelmed by the chaos in their family, Keith and his auntmoved to North Carolina. Keith’saunt knew they needed a safer envi-ronment. She loved him and Keithloved her, but he was strugglingwith a past that was very hard toovercome. In 2008, Keith’s auntturned to Baptist Children’s Homes(BCH) and Cameron Boys Camp.

In the beginning, Keith struggled with the structure ofBCH’s residential wilderness program, but soon he realized heneeded the structure to focus on his problems. Keith experiencedhope and healing at Camp.

“Camp was a great thing for me,” he says.Keith is very grateful for the relationships he

established with the other boys and especially the relationships he built with the camp’s Chiefs.Keith knew of God before going to camp, how-ever, he had not accepted Christ into his heart.One night he did and Keith’s life was changed.

Keith lived at Camp for two years, moved toOak Ranch in Sanford, and later came to live atMills Home in Thomasville. The encouragementhe has felt from the significant mentors in his lifehas helped him reach far beyond his doubts, pain,fear, and confusion. These special people havehelped him to believe in second and third

chances. They have been his advocates and havecheered for him, taking every opportunity tooffer encouragement as he overcame obstacles.

You also have been among his best cheerlead-ers. You help sustain this ministry through yourfaithful support – enabling us to care for the Keiths today and for the Keiths that will needBCH tomorrow.

Last summer, Keith was part of a mission team that partnered with a street ministry in Vermont. As part of the mission trip, they servedat a homeless shelter where Keith had the oppor-tunity to give back. It was during this time thathe realized he had a gift for helping younger children. Keith does not know what his future

holds, but he realizes God hasgiven him this gift for a reason.Keith claims Jeremiah 29:11,which reads, “For I know the plansI have for you,” declares the LORD,“plans to prosper you and not toharm you, plans to give you hopeand a future.”

In a few days, Keith will receive his diploma. He will hearthe cheers of encouragement andsupport of his houseparents andcottage mates loudly express prideand joy in who he has become andthe obstacles he has overcome.You make it possible for our encouragers to be there every day for Keith – and I thank You!

Keith is impacted by strong role models at BCH. “I see Chiefsand houseparents use their gifts to help others,” Keith says. “Theydo things for other people not expecting anything in return. I want to be like them. I want to be known for standing up for

what I believe in, too.”On graduation day, June 8th, please take

a moment to celebrate, applaud and pray forKeith and the other young people in care whoare experiencing this milestone and healing transformation in their lives. Pray for Keith as he continues his journey. Continue to be hischeerleader and encourager through your prayersand financial support. Keith and hundreds of

children in BCH’s care need You!

Brenda Gray’s passion is children. She serves BCH as the executive vice president, development & communications. Gray directs all fund-raising/friend-raising activities for the state-wide services.

Help a childhave Sweet Dreams bybecoming a Bed Sponsor!For only $30 per month, you can sponsor a child’sbed for a full year. A plaque with your name ismounted on the child’s footboard. Visit www.bchfamily.org/bedsponsor or call 336.474.1277 for more information.

Mills Home resident Keith will celebrate a milestone when he receives his high school diploma this month. With the help of his Mills Home support team, Keith hasaccomplished this important achievement - a goal that was not always a certainty.

Keith has been in Baptist Children’s Homes’ care since 2008.

[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }

Keith experiences healing, overcomes obstaclesto reach goal of high school graduation________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Remember to download

“Enough” byAwestruckWorship onon iTunes

[ S U M M E R A P P E A L }

Make your summer gift online at www.bchfamily.org/givenow____________________________________________________________________


Name __________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________________ Email _________________________________________________________________________

Credit Card Option: Visa Mastercard Name on card: __________________________________________________________________________________

Card #: ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ Signature: ___________________________________________________________

Summer Sunshine sponsor for $5,000 Summer Sizzle sponsor for $2,500 Summer Splash sponsor for $1,250 Super Summer sponsor for $500

Summer Sensation sponsor for $250 Summer Smiles sponsor for $50 $ ______ _________________ Other Amount

Must have Credit Card Expiration Date: ____________ Contact me with information on how to prepare a Christian Will. Three-digit security code (on card back): ___ ___ ___ I have included Baptist Children’s Homes in my estate plans.

Check to sign-up for BCH’s email newsletter or sign-up by texting BCHFAMILY to 22828

Mail to: BCHP.O. Box 338Thomasville, NC27361

To give immediately, visitwww.bchfamily.org/givenow

I want childrento have a summerto remember!

Help children while giving thema summer they’ll never forget...

Summer Sunshine

Keep kids cool! Help with

higher electrical and air

conditioning costs.

$5,000

Summer Sizzle

Keep vans rolling! Help with

the high cost of gas to help

transport children.

$2,500

Summer Splash

Keep fun flowing! Help with

water usage and to keep our

3 campus pools filled.

$1,250

The needs of the hurting children in Baptist Children’s Homes’ carenot only remain great during the hot summer months, but the cost of care expenses also increase. As a summer sponsor, you provide forchildren’s daily needs while enriching their lives by making positive,summer activities and joyous memories possible.

Super Summer

Provide funds to go to muse-

ums, ball games,pizza parties,

church activities, etc.

$500

Please be a summer sponsor. Choose oneof the sponsorship packages below.

Summer Sensation

Make memories! Sponsor

multiple children for church

& educational camps.

$250

Summer Smiles

Fun & laughter! Provide

watermelon, ice cream, and

treats for a cottage.

$50

For some people, friendships form the firsttime they meet. They really can’t put their

fingers on why they hit it off from the start, butnevertheless, there is almost an instantaneousconnection. For Dr. Michael Blackwell and LindaMorgan, their friendship was immediate.

“I knew we would be friends the first time I walked into the office at Broyhill Home afterbecoming president in 1983,” Blackwell says.

Morgan agrees. “Even at that time, I knew wewould be friends. I was struck by the fact that hehad a plan for God’s work to continue, and I sawthat he was what we needed at the time. I real-ized from the beginning that he was called to this ministry and had a vision.”

Morgan was the secretary in the administrationoffice at Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) west-ern campus. She was hired in 1973 when she wasonly 19 years old.

“Linda was the one-person welcoming com-mittee when I walked in the door,” Blackwell remembers. “When I became president, she hadalready been here for ten years and was recog-nized for her love for the ministry. Even as a young woman, she was known by many as ‘Miss Broyhill.’”

Morgan says her feelings for Blackwell wereconfirmed as they began to share their faith. Thefirst bond that they shared was their deep faithand belief in the Lord.

“Dr. Blackwell asserted from the beginningthat we would work to provide the presence of God in the lives of children and families,”Morgan says. “His passion for the ministry was the first thread that tied us together.”

Now as they both observe milestones in their service – 40-year anniversary forMorgan and Black-well marking 30years as president,the two reflect

on their friendship, their longevity and their ideas on leadership.

Morgan says that she and Blackwell both havea strong focus on building relationships. “He is arelationship person,” she says, “I’m a relationshipperson. That focus on relationships is the startingplace for being successful over time.”

“She has been building relationships for 40 years and I have been building them for 30years – and years before I became president.”Blackwell says. “It takes time to establish strongfriendships and for people to recognize that you can be trusted and that you are in it for the long haul.”

They both say that their longevity is built on the relationships they have fostered over theyears.

“As president, you have to make tough decisions sometimes,” Blackwell says. “If yourfriends, supporters and staff see that you are withthem in the good times, they will stick with youwhen the harder times come and trust you tomake the right decisions.”

Morgan agrees. She says that staff membershave learned over time that Blackwell can betrusted. “Dr. Blackwell has stepped out in faithtime and time again. When the decisions aremade, he has our loyalty.”

Trust goes both ways, the two state. Morgan is now the lead area director for all

of Baptist Children’s Homes. From secretary, shebecame administrative assistant and then directorof campus life at Broyhill Home. From that re-sponsibility, she became director of residentialservices and then the western area director.

Blackwell recalls the time when Morgan, asarea director, asked her staff in the west why theychose to work many years for BCH.

“What did they say?” he asked Morgan.“They told me they stay because I trust them

to do their jobs,” she answered. “That level oftrust that we have – me for them and them for

me – amazes me.”Blackwell believes there is a necessity for solid

leaders at BCH. He says that without great lead-ership, staff members will be rudderless.

“An organization needs someone who will bestrong and steady,” Blackwell says. “You have toprovide a safe port for people. You can navigatechange and face a myriad of challenges when a good leader is at the helm.”

“That’s very important,” Morgan agrees.Blackwell has challenged the 60-year-old Mor-

gan to consider being a part of BCH for anotherten years. “Imagine, fifty years will not ever bematched.”

“I don’t know what the future holds,” Morgan says, “but I don’t think you will everhave another 30-year president. Dr. Blackwell is BCH’s longest termed president. He has hadthe Master’s touch and he has been the keeper of the faith.”

In closing, the duo share a final affirmation.“I chose to do this interview with Linda

because she needed to be honored for her 40thanniversary,” Blackwell affirms. “I have 30 yearsand she has 40 years. It made sense. Our rela-tionship has grown and the trust we share hasgrown. I wanted to be in her company.”

“And I wanted to be in his,” Morgan says.

Dr. Blackwell and Linda Morgan have been friends since their first meeting at Broyhill Home in Clyde in 1983. The duovalue the relationship they have shared over Blackwell’s 30-year tenure. Morgan recently marked her 40th anniversary.

She began as the secretary at Broyhill Home to become the lead area director supervising BCH staff across the state.

News and events at www.bchfamily.org____________________________________________________________________


[ LONGEVITY, LOYALTY & LEADERSHIP }

Blackwell and Morgan mark significantanniversaries – reflect on their long friendship________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


M O R E MORE inspiration in

every issue.

BCH RESIDENTSKeiauna Atwood, a resident of

Mills Home in Thomasville, grad-uates June 8 from ThomasvilleHigh School. She plans to attendGuilford Technical CommunityCollege in Jamestown where shewill begin classes in the school’spre-nursing program.

Isaac “Izzy” Bostic graduatedfrom Union Academy in Franklinon May 24. He is a resident atDrake Cottage in Franklin and is in the process of considering his plans for the future.

Mareli Patricio is graduatingwith honors from Thomasville

High School on June 8. The resident of Mills Home inThomasville plans to attendDavidson County CommunityCollege in Lexington this fall andthen transfer to North CarolinaA&T State University in Greens-boro. Mareli will pursue a degreein architectural engineering.

Cameron Patterson is a residentat Drake Cottage in Franklin.Cameron graduated from FranklinHigh School on May 31. In thefuture, Cameron plans to attendmortuary school.

Brittney Rios graduates fromThomasville High School on June

8. The Mills Home resident’s immediate plans include findingemployment while continuing to live at Huffman Cottage aspart of BCH’s transitional livingprogram for young adults. Brittney will attend DavidsonCounty Community College in the future to study early childhood education.

Keith Smith, a resident at MillsHome in Thomasville, graduatesfrom Thomasville High School on June 8. He wants to pursuework in the veterinary field.

Mills Home resident Karla Thompsongraduates from

Thomasville High School on June 8. She will work and attendDavidson County CommunityCollege in Lexington. Karla willbe taking support courses for the school’s pre-phlebotomy program.

STAFF CHILDREN AND FAMILYBenjamin Adamcik is the

son of John Adamcik, BCH’s director of human resources inThomasville. He will graduate on June 8 from High Point Central High School. Benjaminwill attend North Carolina State University in Raleigh. There, hewill study aerospace engineering.

Austin Ayers graduates on June 7 from Trinity High School. He is theson of Cindy Ayers who serves as an assistant teacher at theFleshman-Pratt Education Centeron the Mills Home campus inThomasville. Austin plans tostudy sports management at Bluefield State College in WestVirginia.

Bethany Grace Daley graduates from UnionPines High School in Cameronon June 7. She will attend NorthCarolina State University inRaleigh where she will major inelementary education. Bethany is the daughter of Paul Daley, Director of Camp Duncan in Aberdeen.

Kristin NicoleFrazier is the daughter of FaithFrazier, Accounting Assistant forBaptist Children’s Homes. Kristingraduates on June 15 from Led-ford High School in Thomasville.She will attend Randolph Com-munity College in Asheborowhere she will begin studying interior design.She plans on transferring to another university tocomplete her higher education goals.

Jonathan Clay Hall graduates on June 15 fromEast Davidson High School in Thomasville. Hewill attend Guilford Technical Community Col-lege in Jamestown to study automotive technol-ogy. Jonathan is the son of Ann Hall who serves

as a pre-kindergarten lead teacherat the Robert Idol Child Devel-opment Center in Thomasville.

Kathryn Margaret Slaughter isthe daughter of T.J. Slaughter,BCH foundationand corporategrants coordina-

tor. Kathryn graduated on May18 from Virginia Tech in Blacks-burg, VA. She received a bachelorof science degree in animal andpoultry sciences. Kathryn plans toattend veterinary school.

Christopher Kirk Ward graduated on December 16, 2012 from Appalachian State

University in Boone where he received a degree in industrial design. He is the son of AndreaWard, an assistant teacher at theRobert Idol Child DevelopmentCenter in Thomasville. Sincegraduation, Christopher hasserved as a staff member for Campus Crusade for Christ

(Cru) at Appalachian State. He will travel toLondon in August where he will serve with Cru for a year.

BCH STAFF MEMBERSCindy Ayers is an assistant

teacher at the Fleshman-Pratt Education Center in Thomasville.She graduated on March 25 fromAshford University with an associ-ate of art degree in early child-hood education.

Gaye Thomas graduated fromGuilford Technical CommunityCollege in Jamestown on May 9.Gaye, who received a degree inaccounting, serves as an adminis-trative assistant in Thomasville forBCH’s Developmental Disabili-ties Ministry.

[ ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS}

GraduatesAchieve Goals_________________________________________________________

News and events at www.bchfamily.org

Atwood

Bostic

Patricio

Patterson

Rios

Adamcik

Slaughter

Ward

Ayers

Thomas

Smith

Thompson

Ayers

Daley

Frazier

Hall

____________________________________________________________________


News and events at www.bchfamily.org

[ HOUSEPARENTS SEE TASK AS MINISTRY }

Johnsons tag up to meet the needs of children_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Houseparents are special people. It is

amazing to watch as theymove with a finesse similarto contestants on television’s“Dancing with the Stars.”The teamwork between thetwo is comparable to that ofa shortstop and second base-man working to complete adouble play in baseball. Andthe compassion multipliedby the two can only bemeasured with the use of aRichter scale.

For Andrea and FredJohnson, their houseparent-ing skills could be comparedonly to the golden quality of championship tag-teamwrestling partners. They saythe key is that they are “con-stantly turning to God.”

“We are so aware of everything we aredoing for the girls inour cottage,” FredJohnson says. “Weare impacting theirlives in so many ways.It’s important that we work hard to make surewe are guiding them right.”

Snacks are prepped by Andrea Johnson and are

ready in the kitchen as the children return fromschool to Blackwell Cottage on the KennedyHome campus in Kinston.

Fred tags up, settling in at the dining roomtable as the girls circle around with their snacksand begin doing their homework.

“These girls are dealing with some toughproblems in their lives,” he says. “You have towork together to meet their needs.”

Andrea asserts that together, she andFred work hard to be there for the girlsin their cottage.

“Children want you to be committedto them,” she says. “They need you tobe committed to them no matter what –with no judgment.”

“Being houseparents is all about com-mitment; it’s not just a job,” Fred adds.

Andrea is taken aside by one girl whoneeds to debrief about her day. Fredgoes outside to shoot hoops with agroup of girls after they’ve completedtheir homework.

“Every child is entitled to a little bitof love and attention,” Fred says return-ing inside for dinner. “They need it,too.”

The group sits together at the diningtable, bows their heads, and gives thanksfor their day and the food they are toeat. After the “amen,” chatter aboundsand there is laughter.

Things begin to settle down quicklyas everyone prepares to turn in for the night. TheJohnsons reflect on the day and assert the impor-tance of embracing their calling as ministry.

“You need to be secure in the fact that you arehere for the children,” Fred says. “It’s ministry.”

“Jesus has us here to take care of these girlsand help meet their needs,” Andrea adds. “Thisis what Christ has put in our hearts. We are ateam. This is the place He wants us to be. ”

Counts pens first book to encourage_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jennie Counts dreamed of writing a book and her husband Howard and sons James and David were intent on her dream coming true. The trio set out by combining their resources

and skills. Younger son David joined forces withCounts in editing her manu-script. James used his creativeprowess laying out the pagesand designing the book cover.Howard filled in all the gaps –serving as the hand model forthe cover and signing thechecks.

The family’s efforts pro-duced Counts’ recently releasedbook entitled Go Out on a Limb: That’s Wherethe Fruit Is!

“It was so gratifying to witness my family putall their efforts and resources into making thisbook a reality,” Counts says. “It was a tremen-dous affirmation to have them give of themselves

to help me realize this dream.”Go Out on a Limb is a motivational, self-

improvement book based on Christian principles.Although it is written primarily for a Christianreader as an encouragement for the journey oflife, all readers will be enriched by a snapshot of the Christian life and be inspired by the examples of what it means to experience a lifebased on grace.

“Each of us is unique,” Counts says. “We areall given the gifts and talents we need to be allthat God intended for us.”

Go Out on a Limb encourages readers to venture “out on the limb to pluck the red appleof success.” The 243-page paperback offers les-sons and guidelines to finding satisfaction on thejourney. Counts contends in her book, “With a few well-planned steps, we can inch our wayforward – one step at a time – until the apple is securely in our grasp.”

Counts has served at Baptist Children’sHomes of NC for almost 25 years. During her

career, shehas sharedher motiva-tional gifts as a speaker,seminar leaderand teacher.She says it isher mission togive her timeand talents toencourage others.

“I hope GoOut on a Limb

will help at least one person,” she says. “If oneperson’s life is made better, then I’ll have fulfilledall I hoped.”

If you are interested in learning more aboutGo Out on a Limb, inviting Counts to speakabout the book to your group, or purchasing a copy, email her at [email protected].

Counts

____________________________________________________________________


Andrea and Fred Johnson are houseparents at Blackwell Cottage on the Kennedy Home campus. The couple work closely to meet the needs of the girls in their watch care. The duo

will be seen on the 2013 Thanksgiving Offering video.

C A R E CARE andsee lives changed

forever.

Ihave learned that constant reminders do pay off – so I’m put-

ting Homecoming 2013 before youagain – mark your calendars for Au-gust 2, 3 and 4. Make sure Sally BeckFerguson has any additions and cor-rections on your address. Sally Fergu-son, 25 Southern Pine Trail, OrmondBeach, FL, 32174, 386-676-9246,[email protected]. The print-ing press will roll in late June!

Second reminder: Please find ussome real goodies for the Silent Auc-tion and smaller items for the yardsale table. Anything lower than $10value will be put on the yard saletable. We also need folks to bringbaked goods for a regular auction.

In keeping with my efforts to introduce you to people who serveon the Mills Home Alumni Associa-tion Council, I want you to meetSusan Meeks Woods. At my request,she recently wrote, “I wonder howmany alumni still have possession oftheir original “Plan of Care?” After45 years, I still possess this very im-portant document that changed mylife when my sister Ann and I wereadmitted to Mills Home in June,1968. It was interesting to read thatmy mother was to pay $10 a monthtoward our financial support. “Whata deal!” And there were other pointsabout our mother’s and our respon-sibilities. I think I remember cor-rectly that we left MH in 1971 to livewith our mother and stepfather. I’velearned that hindsight is 20/20 andI wish I could have graduated whileat MH. I did go on to finish highschool and then straight into themedical profession for 30 years. Ofcourse, many good and bad thingshave happened through the years.However, I attribute who I am todayto MH because of the love and care I received while there. It was the bestthing that could ever have happenedto me and I am truly grateful. TodayI am proud to say I am a part of theMH Alumni Council. I really enjoythe work we do to prepare forHomecoming and the things we dofor our younger “brothers and sis-ters” in care at MH.

“How well I remember my second

day on campus and at the Whitty. Myhouseparent Mrs. Bowman called meto see her. She promptly cut off mylong hair and took away my piercedearrings. As I ran crying to my room,who do I meet waiting for me? Mydear best friend Sandy Penley. Sheknew what Mrs. B was going to do tome and she held me while I cried.Well, hair does grow back, and I putearrings in while at school, so thatworked out okay. But the very bestthing that came out of that was myvery best friend for life – Sandy. Mrs.B. did not allow us to have boyfriendseither, but that is a story for anotherday.”

Member of the Class of 1968,Harry Walls recently wrote on Face-book, “I just returned home from theNC Senior Games where I won thegold in all four of my events; discus,shot-put, softball throw, and footballthrow. Yes, Mills Home gave me agreat start and I am still going strong.I will be in the next games in May inGuilford County. If I keep winning,I will be in the Power-Aide games inCharlotte and then state finals inRaleigh.”

I was deeply saddened to hear ofthe death of Mary Charles PainterHill. Friends remember her as simply“Charlie.” She died April 16, 2013 inher home surrounded by her lovingfamily after a brief illness. She cameto MH from Mt Holly in 1947 andgraduated in 1955 by taking her last English course during summerschool. In high school and at MH,she was active in music activities suchas choir and piano. She was also a tal-ented athlete excelling both in soft-ball and basketball. She was anexcellent softball pitcher and wasnamed MVP of the basketball team.We really hated it when she gradu-ated a year early and no longer relyon her basketball skills.

I roomed with Charlie at LittleCottage her last year and had theprivilege of aggravating her and Clai-borne Hill during their dates in MissPritchard’s living room. Over theyears, I often told her I am so glad“we” had married Claiborne. Charlieis survived by her devoted husband of57 years, three daughters, one son,and seven grandchildren. She was

preceded in death by three brotherswith Richard Painter being the onlyone who was at MH with her.

Charlie was a beloved and faithfulmember of Oak Forest UnitedMethodist Church where she was amember of the United MethodistWomen and sang in the choir. Shewas also a devoted volunteer forMeals on Wheels. She spent 22 yearsat Midway Elementary School as ateacher’s assistant and encourager ofsecond grade children in the class-room alongside Ms. Helen Bracey.She was buried at the Oak ForestCemetery. NC. Friends can send con-dolences to Claiborne Hill and familyat 491 Shady Lane, Winston-Salem,NC 27107, 336-764-2571, [email protected].

Many thanks to people like PatHeath Beck and Bennie ChristmanPhillips who frequently share alumniand staff information with me. Ben-nie’s last news is that Afton Quinn hada stroke recently. He is able to walk,talk and use all his limbs, but he doeshave some memory problems. He isalso in a rehab facility but I’m sureMrs. Quinn will be happy to deliverto him any cards that come to theirhome address: 1900 Lauderdale Dr.,Henrico, VA, 23238-3970. I am in-cluding his email address thinkingthat Mrs. Quinn might check hisemails for him. ([email protected])

Other news from Bennie and Pat is that Jimmy Churchill lost hisyoung grandson recently. ChristianChurchill was nine years old and hadsuffered with autism since birth; andthen within the past year, he was di-agnosed with brain cancer. The poorchild had been through so much inhis short life. He was Jimmy’s son’schild. Pat Beck, Dorothy HoffmanVernon and Robert and Jeanette Tran-tham Hensley went to the funeral.For folks who wish to send condo-lences, Jimmy’s address is 2909Greenhaven Dr., Morganton, NC,28655, 828-433-4709.

Friends will want to keep LynnGantt and her husband Bill Drennenin their prayers. He has sufferedmajor health problems for severalmonths now and then he broke his

hip on April 10. I’m sure Lynnwould appreciate cards and calls.Twenty-four-hour-a-day nursing andworking a full-time job is very de-manding for anyone, and that is whatLynn has dealt with. 915-N SouthStrathmore Ave., Lindsey, CA,93247, [email protected], 559-562-1011.

Joson Kopp also recently posted onthe Mills Home page of Facebook inquiring about people who had livedat MH, especially in the Alumni Cot-tage, around 1992-1993. Facebookusers can try to contact him there.

Many members of the AlumniCouncil attended the Friends andFamily Day at Mills home on April20. Jeanie Helms Cooper brought de-licious chili to go with the other fix-ings provided by MH and otheralumni pitched in, cooked the hot-dogs and served the residents/fami-lies and MH staff. This enabled theMH staff to experience more one-on-one contact with the residents andtheir families. Diane described it as a“memory making day!” Dianethought it was special that MH resi-dents were able to witness the strongbond so prevalent among MHalumni.

I have just lost my claim to fame asthe only writer to write two Charity& Children alumni columns simul-taneously. Kennedy Home now has a new columnist – former choir director John Thompson. I was veryhappy to get the news as were the KH folks – but I did enjoy writ-ing for them.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A heartfelt thankyou goes to Lib Johnson for serving asthe interium columnist for theKennedy Home alumni column. Sheserved seven months while a searchfor a new columnist was conducted.Johnson stepped into the role with-out hesitation and, not surprisingly,served the alumni of both MillsHome and Kennedy Home with

journalistic distinctionduring this time.

Lib Johnson was a resident of MillsHome from 1946 to 1957. Johnsonbegan writing the Mills Home alumnicolumn in 1992.

[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Homecoming Silent Auction items needed –Alum credits success to Mills Home_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Lib Smathers Johnson, 5612 Bledsoe Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 299-7412 [email protected]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millshomealumni____________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________Camp Duncan

Bailey created these earrings. The CampDuncan resident found the wood, roundedthe edges, and burned the word “love” ineach earring. Crafts are a big part of BaptistChildren’s Homes’ (BCH) residential wilder-ness programs at both Camp Duncan andCameron Boys Camp. Learn more aboutBCH’s wilderness camps at www.camp-duncanNC.org and www.cameron-boyscamp.org.___________________________________________I.G. Greer Society

Girls from Mills Home in Thomasville recently shared during morning worship at First Baptist Church in Madison. They met Margaret Joyce there. Joyce is a mem-ber of BCH’s I.G. Greer Society. Membersgenerously remember BCH in their long-term giving plans whether it is including theministry in their will or other forms of estateplanning. Learn more by contacting WileyDoby, BCH Director of Planned Giving, at336-497-1703 or [email protected].___________________________________________Broyhill Home

In April, members of Tuxedo Baptist Churchin Zirconia delivered a day of fun to children

at Broyhill Home in Clyde. The group pro-vided inflatable games, a petty zoo, a horseand wagon ride, face painting, and a meal.___________________________________________Cameron Boys Camp

Boys at Cameron Boys Camp not only live in the woods, but they also worship at theirforest chapel. The chapel is an outdoor areawith pews made of tree logs. Recently, theboys learned about Paul and Silas’ imprison-ment, as described in the book of Acts, byacting out the powerful Bible story.___________________________________________Kennedy Home

The Women of Vision, a group of Christianwomen dedicated to helping others, sharedmusic, led in devotions, and planted flowerswith the single mothers and children atKennedy Home’s Family Care cottage. Theyalso pampered the mothers by giving themmanicures.___________________________________________Oak Ranch/DDM

The residents from Mercer and Lanier Homes,BCH’s two homes for developmentally

disabled adults in Sanford, spent a day at Oak Ranch grooming and caring for horses.___________________________________________Western Awards Banquet

Ralph, a developmentally disabled adultwho lives at Alverta Bolick Home inAsheville, is recognized at the western area awards banquet. Each year, BroyhillHome in Clyde hosts the ceremony for the residents in BCH’s western North Carolinahomes. Every resident receives an award celebrating their accomplishments. This yearwas the event’s 40th anniversary.___________________________________________Camp Duncan

Volunteers from Paws for People, a non-profit organization committed to providingtherapeutic visits to community people whowould benefit from interaction with a lovingpet, brought some canine friends to visitwith girls living at Camp Duncan.___________________________________________Oak Ranch

Oak Ranch resident Zeonte rides Spook, oneof the ranch’s many horses, while residentsOlivia and Celina assist. The children and thesingle mothers in the Family Care programat the ranch regularly interact with thehorses and receive riding lessons.

Find Baptist Children’s Homes of NC on Facebook

[ AROUND THE STATE }

Every day at churches and BCH facilities “around the state,” residents, staff members and North Carolina Baptists are mak-

ing news. In Charity & Children and through BCH's social media posts, friendscan connect daily, weekly and monthly to learn about all of BCH's happenings.______________________________________________________________________________________

Stay connected online at www.bchfamily.org and on Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, and Vimeo. Also follow NCBAM (www.ncbam.org) and BCH'sDevelopmental Disabilities Ministry (www.hereismyhome.org).

We need you to lend a helpinghand. Share your time, talents andresources to meet the daily needsof BCH’s boys and girls. You canhelp in these ways:___________________________________

Friends of Children Workdays:From painting to planting, partici-pants help with special facility projects, tour campuses and havelunch with children and staff. Call 336-474-1209.

Food Roundup: This is a great opportunity for churches, businessesand organizations to help provide thefood needs of the boys and girls incare. Call 336-474-1277.

Bed Sponsor Program: Become a bed sponsor and have a plaquewith your name mounted on a child’sbed. Your name reminds a child thatyou are praying. Call 336-474-1277or visit www.bchfamily.org/bed-sponsor.

Mile of Pennies: Help by collecting a “Mile of Pennies.” When it comesto providing care for hundreds ofchildren, it takes everyone workingtogether – one penny added to an-other penny and then another penny.Continue to multiply the pennies andjust imagine how far you can go inmaking a real difference! Call 336-474-1209.

Walk for Change: Perfect for yourchurch or community organization –walkers recruit financial sponsors togive a cash gift for walking a certaindistance. Set your goal, secure yoursponsors, designate a safe route, and have fun! Call 336-474-1209.

Recycle Projects: Collect emptyprinter cartridges (laser, inkjet andfax cartridges). Deliver items to anyBCH facility or use prepaid shippinglabels to send items to recycler. Mil-lions of cartridges are thrown awayeach year. Begin collecting and helpthis year-round program earn moneyfor children. You can recycle cellphones, too. Call 336-474-1209.

Bike for Change: Bike for Change is a fun and dynamic way for childrento help "change" the lives of children.By pedaling bicycles, children raisesupport and awareness for BCH’sboys and girls. It is a great serviceproject for schools, churches, andother children’s groups. It alsoteaches children the importance ofparticipating in missions outreach.To learn more, visit www.bikeforchange.org. Download a planningguide and other resources. ContactBike for Change coordinator JayWestmoreland at [email protected] for more ideas.

Helping Hand

____________________________________________________________________


EDITOR’S NOTE: John Thompson is the new columnist for the KennedyHome alumni column. Thompsonserved as the Kennedy Home choirdirector from 1972 to 1977. He lovesKennedy Home and is actively in-volved with the Kennedy HomeAlumni Association.

The 2013 Kennedy HomeHomecoming is right around

the corner! It is scheduled for theweekend of July 5 and 6. Make plansnow to be there on both days for agreat time with our old friends. Every-one will be receiving a very special let-ter giving you all the details. Hope tosee you there. Bring your whole fam-ily for a great time of celebration.

Ed Pait (1960-1969) and AlumniPresident Graham Jackson asks all ofus to contact at least 10-12 peopleand remind them of Homecoming.All of us have at least ten folks that wewrite to a lot. Hurry! We want a bigcrowd on July 5-6.

A big thank you goes to Lib Smath-ers Johnson for being the guestcolumnist for the past months. Onbehalf of the alumni, I thank her forall the hard work she did “above andbeyond” the call of duty to keep thearticle going for us. Our hats are offto you, Lib!

Also, special thanks goes to DorisHartley Powers for her support inkeeping the column going as well.

Of course, we all know that DonnaDuty keeps after us all to turn in arti-cles for the paper. Donna has been in-valuable in helping me get ready formy first column. Thank you, Donna!

Former Staff Member: When I found out I was going

to write for Charity & Children,I wrote Betty Beacham (1969-1996)first thing and asked her to send mean up-date on her life.

“I lead a quiet life – meet friends atthe Dunkin’ Doughnuts for coffee,ride my bicycle, go to church, go overto Denise’s – have about a 30 mile ra-dius in which I drive – have my quiettime, play canasta, email and text, stillclean my house (when the spiritmoves me), don’t cook much anymore, sit in the sun, read, I’m healthy

for an “old woman,” still hear fromfriends in North & South Carolina,and am watching my grandchildrendevelop into young men and women!

“Dylan is a rising senior at the University of Florida; Sidney, his sis-ter, will be going there in the Fall.Emma, Denise’s adopted daughter(her husband’s first wife died), will begoing to the University of NorthFlorida in Jacksonville in the Fall.

“One little bit of surprise for methis year! I was 80 years old on Feb-ruary 25th! (Wow! Betty, how does isfeel to be 8o? I’ll be 70 this September. –JT) Denise, Guy and Sharon surprisedme with a party on the 22nd. Sharon,Lynn & Chris Cromer from S.C. flewin. Dickie Maynor, who was one of theoriginal “dirty dozen” we had atLenoir Cottage also flew in, some ofmy neighbors and friends from thisarea were there, and I talked withDavid Maynor that night, and Dickie’swife, Pam. Also heard from some others – like Terri Woodard Creech.The next day, Sharon, Denise, Guy(her husband), Dickie and I wentdeep sea fishing. The fish didn’t co-operate, but we had a good time.What fun! Everybody fell in love withmy granddaughters Sydney andEmma! Guy is a great host – youwould love him. Denise planned thissurprise party for months and I hadno clue! She mentioned that Wayne(Daniel) Jackson had hoped to come,but had a fire that week. Not real surewhat happened there, but would loveto see him and all the others I havehad the privilege to live with. I hearfrom some of them on Facebook, butI don’t go there often – am afraidthey share too much information withthe world. When Sharon was inChina, she said China doesn’t allowFacebook.” (Betty, try to come andbring the whole family to the 100th.Kennedy Home Homecoming in 2014.It would be great to see you. – JT)

Christian Sympathy: Our sympathy is extended to the

family of Cathy Lewis, 65, who re-cently went to be with the Lord onApril 24. She was the wife of RayLewis.(1946-1961) Pray for him andhis family during this time of bereave-ment. Services were held on April 27.

Thanks to Dan Medlin (1943-1954)for contacting me about Mrs. Lewis.

Guilty or Not Guilty: Georgia Greene Roach, alumnus

from the seventy’s, wrote to make aconfession. She states: “I’d beenwatching some cinnamon buns in thepantry for several weeks and when Igot up the courage and was desperateenough, I went down and ‘took’ sev-eral of the buns after everyone hadgone to bed. I don’t remember toomuch about the details, but as far as Ican remember they never knew whodid it but I was nervous as a ‘cat on ahot tin roof’ and my heart waspounding like crazy! I just knew I wasgoing to get caught but I never didand I swore right then I’d neverEVER take anything else that didn’tbelong to me. . .just the guilt of it wasmore than I could bear. . .or the fearof getting caught.” (Thanks, Georgiafor sharing with us. Now I know youfeel better. You know what? We still loveyou just the same.)

Attention Alumni! What is some-thing you did that you would like toconfess? Send it to me so I can use it.

A Lesson Well Learned: Donna Weeks Duty, (1967-1974)

sends us the memories of her first daycoming to live at Kennedy Home.

“I came to live at Kennedy Homein 1967 and left when I graduatedfrom North Lenoir High in 1974.Upon arriving on the campus thatfirst day in 1967, I was taken to theBrokenhurst Cottage by my socialworker and introduced to my house-mother, Mrs. Rae Brock. She pro-ceeded to show me around thecottage and then took me upstairs toshow me my bedroom. She asked meif I know how to make up a bed, andin a very low voice with my headdown, I said, “No ma’am.” Then shebegan to give me my first lesson inmaking up a bed, and told me that Iwas to make my bed every morningbefore coming down to breakfast. Ithought to myself, ‘Oh no, AuntMary didn’t tell me about this!’ Mrs.Brock then took me downstairs andshowed me where the ironing boardwas, then she asked me if I knew howto iron clothes? My reply again was,

‘No ma’am.’ She gave me a quick les-son in how to iron, and then told methat I would be ironing my ownclothes! Well, I didn’t like sound ofthat either! Next, we went out on theback porch and she showed me thewashing machine, and of course thenext question she asked me was if Ihad ever washed my own clothes? Iimagine by this time she knew whatthe answer was going to be from me,but she asked anyway! She showedme how to operate the washing ma-chine. I really starting to feel over-whelmed and very scared! All Iwanted to do was find the nearesttelephone, call my Aunt Mary and tellher that Kennedy Home was not theplace for me and for her to come andget me as soon as she could!

“The next morning, I managed to make up my bed and get down to breakfast on time. After breakfastMrs. Brock informed me that I was to go outside in the dark and the cold(it was winter) and help another girl hang clothes on the clothesline!Uh oh! I had never done this either!At that time the cottage did not havea clothes dryer. I had never been so cold in all my life trying to get thoseclothes hung. You can imagine my delight when a few months laterour cottage got a clothes dryer. I thought it was the most wonderfulinvention ever!

“Looking back now, I am verythankful for all the chores I had to do at KH because it gave me the work ethic that I have today –a work ethic I passed down to mychildren. My husband, Dave, still tellsme that our floors are always cleanenough to eat off.

“Thank you Kennedy Home forteaching to take pride in a job welldone!”

Attention everyone! I need moreinformation for the column fromalumni and former staff. Please con-tact me using the information aboveor email me at jthompson117@ec.

rr.com.

[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Thompson tackles role as new columnist –Alum remembers first clothes dryer_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By John Thompson, 205 North Avenue, Beaufort, NC 28516 (252) 728-6882 [email protected]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kennedyhomealumni____________________________________________________________________


John Thompson was the choir director at Kennedy Home from1972-1977. Today, he enjoys a veryactive retirement.

1.Western Area Family Services 828.627.9254 Linda Morgan, Regional Dir. Broyhill HomeDrake Cottage Moody HomeTruett Baptist Assoc. Home

2.Central Area Family Services 336.474.1200 Mills Home Care House Oak Ranch

3.Eastern Area Family Services 252.522.0811 Sandy Perry, Regional Dir. Kennedy HomeOdum Home Britton Ministries

4.Cameron Boys Camp 910.245.4034 Stephen Ashton, Director

5.Camp Duncan 910.944.3077 Paul Daley, Director

Weekday Education Thomasville, 336.474.1201 Linda Russo, Director

Developmental Disabilities Ministry 336.474.1261Peggy Pennington, Director

North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry336-474-1221Dr. Sandy Gregory, Directorwww.ncbam.org

Calling All State Employees!Choose BCH as your charity in theState Employees Combined Campaign.SECC code is 3641. Encourage others toas well and better the lives of childrenand families in North Carolina.# 3 6 4 1

We participate in these areas:C F C # 3 3 2 4 1

Baptist Children’sHomes provides only

the highest quality of carethrough a highly trained,skilled, Christian staff whosepersonal and professionalmission is “sharing hope. . .changing lives.”

Can BCH be of service?Call 1-800-476-3669.

Can we be of service to you or someone you know?Research Triangle Area CFCCape Fear Area CFCCamp Lejeune/OnslowCounty/New River CFCSoutheastern North Carolina (includes Fort Bragg)

Greater North Carolina CFCCherry Point CFCRowan/Iredell County CFCCFC Central CarolinasCFC of Western NC

South Hampton Roads CFC(Camden, Chowan, Currituck,Dare, Gates, Hertford,Pasquotank, and PerquimansCounties and Albemarle andElizabeth City)

____________________________________________________________________

12 6/13 – Charity + Children – 126/5 More Homeword at www.bchfamily.org/about/homeword

The last time I was at the Trailblazers’ campsite a little more than two years ago,

I was told by a camper after being “howed” intothe group that a person is a “Trailblazer ‘til the day you die.”

Taking his words to heart, I’ve been wantingto return. So, I took an opportunity to visit andsee the new cook tent they recently built.

“Everyone gather around,” Chief Paul callsout to the campers as I walk into the campsite.“Let’s welcome Mr. Jim into the group again.”

If you spend any time with the campers attheir site, it is awkward if you have not beenmade a formal part of the group. Being“howed” is as important to the group dynamicas it is a privilege to the adjunct Trailblazer.

I join the boys in a circle, Chief Paul countsone, two, three, and all the boys in unison shout“how, how, how!” It’s official; my relationshipwith the Trailblazers at Cameron Boys Camp has been renewed.

“This is the first day we are using the cook

tent,” 15-year-old Chris says. “We’ve worked on building it over the last three months.”

The menu for lunch is attached to a clipboardand hangs from a nail on a post just inside thecook tent’s doorway. Today’s lunch featurestacos, and a large amount of ground beef is frying in a big, black, cast iron skillet over an open fire. Joey uses a metal spatula to stir in peppers and his secret spice – cinnamon.

Luis dices tomatoes while Chief Paul overseesthe boys’ work. Daniel C. begins to set the tablein an adjoining tent. The aroma of the meat be-gins to draw the attention of the other camperstidying up around the campsite.

Chris says it takes a lot of effort for the groupto accomplish a task like building a cook tent.“It’s too big for just one camper to do. Youcan’t even have just a few of the guys do it –it’s too hard. It takes us all working together.”

Lunch is ready, and we all take our seats onwooden benches surrounding a square table.Daniel O. leads us in singing a prayer of thanksgiving for the food.

I am amazed how the group mentality permeates everything we do as plates filled with food are passed around the table to the campers. No one takes the first bite until each camper has his food and a glass

of milk or water.It takes a great amount of discipline to be

part of a group, but the main emphasis is respectfor each member. I ask Chris after the meal if itis difficult being part of a group all the time.

“Sometimes it’s hard to do everything together,” he admits. “It takes a lot of under-standing. You have to think about the other guy just as much as you think about yourself.”

Chris reminds me how my fellow Trailblazersare living a biblical truth. Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians of the importance of the groupand even though the group is made up of manydifferent and unique people, it is still one groupand is God honoring when it works together.

When the group unites, each member helps the weaker member. And each membercelebrates when one in the group succeeds.

It’s not just building a cook tent, it’s buildingcamaraderie as each boy takes ownership andpride in the group’s creation. Individuals are

united and each become stronger.

Edminson is editor of Charity & Children and writes“Homeword” to inspire and encourage families in themidst of full lives and hectic schedules. He is availablefor preaching and speaking opportunities. Email him at [email protected] for availability.

[ H O M E W O R D }

TrailblazersGod honoring_______________________________________________________


The Cameron Boys Camp Trailblazer group recently built their new cook tent. The boys worked together planning every detail and then labored together to build the tent. Tent building helps to strengthen the group. The Trailblazers

are, left to right, Joey, Nate, Chief Paul, Luis, Sammy, Daniel C., Daniel O., Miguel, Eddie, and Chris.

I stepped from behind the camera for a quick picture

with the group.

“I wanted to be in her company.” – Blackwell This is what ... · the grounds of Cameron Boys...

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Transcript of “I wanted to be in her company.” – Blackwell This is what ... · the grounds of Cameron Boys...