During 2009 we placed a major emphasis on the Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes. There are five campuses including the original Children's Home in Monticello, the Boy's Ranch near Harrison, the Promise House Maternity Care in Little Rock, and two Emergency Receiving Homes in West Fork and Judsonia. There are literally hundreds of needs and mission opportunities within this multi-campus complex. The various campuses minister to children and youth who simply need a place to live, are facing family conflict issues, are in need of behavioral guidance, are dealing with unplanned pregnancy or need emergency care because of abandonment, abuse or neglect.
Our Judea team of Lloyd Robertson and Pat High organized several 2 to 3 day trips (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) to the campuses throughout the year. Typical activities included maintenance projects, living, dining, and interacting with the children on Friday evening and continuing maintenance projects and recreation with the children on Saturday. The cost of these trips is minimal. We usually have access to the church bus and sleep and eat in campus facilities. Anyone can go. We recently had a couple go who were in their late 70'S or early 80'S and they had a blast. We are working on a trip schedule which we will post so you can make plans to participate in at least one trip during 2010.
In addition to these trips there are rewarding opportunities for SS classes and other groups to minister in their own special ways at the Children's Homes. Here are some examples:
- Sponsor a cottage (up::late or renew cottage rooms, give birthday parties for children, or think up ideas on your own as you interact with the cottage parents.)
- Pick a project off the ABCH website and complete it as a group-access the website at:
www.abchomes.org
