It Takes a Village

It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child.  That thought comes to mind as we reflect back over our week at Kennedy Home.  Friday morning came.  Our team packed up for the return trip home.  We gathered in the gym to share a last lesson in geology and to finish up the story of Joseph.   We finished group time with the words "You are God's favorite, and I love you."   

For those of you who have been following devotions through Disciplines, we read this week about the man in the field that told Joseph where he might find his brothers.  What if Joseph had never met that man?  What if Joseph had returned home, and never been sold into slavery?   Yet, the brief encounter an unnamed man in a field sent Joseph down a path that would later restore him with and save his family.   We question how our brief encounters from our village may affect the lives of the people we have served this week.  We know that we have been touched through our time at Kennedy Home. 

Yet, as we say our good-byes, two more children arrive at Kennedy Home; two more children who need to know that they are God's favorite and He loves them.    As we prepare to go home, we realize that our task is not finished. 

We had a great core team that spent the week at Kennedy Home.  The nights were "short" during the week as we rose early to prepare for the day.  Our days and evenings were filled with teaching, studying, preparing food, preparing for crafts, swimming, cleaning up, recreation, and sharing time with residents.   During that time we got to know the young people living there a little bit better.    Living in our village this week were Jerry and Joyce Causey, Bob and Barbara Whiteman, John and Sue McGrady, Linda and Bill Giles, Jim McDaniel, Clara Gay, Susan Hailey and Cindy Tuttle.  We were sad to send Maggie Gordon home early due to illness.  We hope to find her well upon our return home.

We were also blessed to have folks share their gifts by joining our team for short periods of time.  We were thankful to have Sandee Finerhty join us Tuesday for some great volleyball and swimming instruction.  Craig Bowers was also able to join us for a couple of days to pitch in with preparations.   We appreciate the Randall Family (Dan, Kimberly, Courtney, and Lexi) coming down for some serious basketball.     We are also indebted to David Hawkins who came down with the youth on Wednesday and then drove back on Thursday to help grill hot dogs and hamburgers.     

We have seen God's hand at work over and over in the details of our week.   We have been grateful for the prayers and support of our friends and family at home as well as the opportunity to serve.  We hope that others will listen for God's call and the opportunity to serve His children here at Kennedy Home in the future.

It's All About Me!

We may not often get the chance to say those words, yet sometimes they can mean the world.    The kids started off their morning with an opportunity to write checks and budget their money.   They realized they might have to make some tough choices when starting out on their own.

Today was also a day to finish off the treasure boxes.   There was a lot of excitement as each person showed off their personal accomplishments.

Throughout the week, Clara had been taking pictures of the kids during various activities.  Today, she brought prints of the pictures and helped them prepare folding scrapbooks with their pictures.  They had such a great time and were so proud of their pictures.  The shared their scrapbooks with everyone around them.  Susan pointed out that today's project is "All about me!" 

We finished our last night together with a cookout pool party.  We feasted on hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cupcakes and watermelon.   After a feast, we went and enjoyed some fun together in the pool.    It was a great evening of just enjoying one another's company.  Tonight, it was all about us!

In The Pursuit Of Happyness

The last couple of mornings, we watched clips from the movie “In the Pursuit of Happyness.”  We have looked at a guy that had been “down on his luck” and wondered after the end of each clip if that was the end of his story. Each day, we learn more about Joseph, another guy often “down on his luck.” Is Potiphar to be the end of Joseph’s story?    

In the pursuit of the perfect cupcake, today we had our own version of “Cake Boss” hosted by the McGrady’s.   After some tutoring in cupcake decorating, the folks here created a table filled with masterpieces.  We had two young men, and a young lady win prizes for most creative, most elegant, and most unusual.  And yes, the guys REALLY got into it!

During the afternoon, we continued with “Woodwright’s Shop”, Kinston style!  The excitement grew as the treasure boxes came together with hinges and hasps. The boxes really took on some personality as each person stamped or painted his/her lid. And yes, the girls REALLY got into it!

We all gathered in the evening for a dessert social featuring our incredible display of cupcakes.  After dessert, we all settled in to watch a movie.  What should we watch?  Pirates of the Caribbean?  Is it the latest one?  Nah.  National Treasure?  It’s about the Declaration of Independence.  We’ve talked about that. Nah. How about, In the Pursuit of Happyness?  We’ve been watching snippets from it each morning. Yeah!

For these young people, the pursuit continues. We continue to be awed at the way God has intertwined our activities this week. Thank you for continuing to pray with us for these young people, their caregivers and their families.

Note that our youth group also came down for a short time today.  They painted picnic tables and then had lunch with our team.  During lunch, one of our young ladies made a very special gift to Ms. Sandy for use at Kennedy Home.

Specific Prayer Requests for Thursday

• Continued heath in the heat (cookout and pool party on Thursday).
• Safe travel for team members on the road.

The Heat Is On...

• as we stretch our brains with mental math and learning about financial management.
• Joseph, as he finds himself sold into slavery; yet as we study about him during Bible Study, we also learn not to give up our dreams.
• in the pool, warming up the water for an afternoon swim.
• in the workshop (meaning, NO AIR CONDITIONING) as the guys break out the power tools and begin building treasure boxes.
• as teams compete to find the necessary items to win the baseball scavenger hunt.
• as batters face the Kinston Indians pitcher.
• the fans as they watch the K-Tribe play.  
• as we rinse all of those rainbow colored T-shirts.

We’re having a great day with the kids!

Specific Prayer Requests for Wednesday

• Safety for team members and the HBBC youth group as they travel.
• Healing for Maggie Gordon (she returned home yesterday due to illness).
• Health for everyone as the temperature is expected to be 100+ today.
• Clear skies for the telescope viewing tonight.

Rainbow Colored Children?

How often do you associate rainbows with signs from God? Many view rainbows as a confirmation of God’s will as they begin or end a journey. Rainbows remind us of God’s promise to always be with and care for us. Tonight, long after clouds had passed and blue skies appeared, we saw the colors of the rainbow!

Our team arrived safely in Kinston late this morning and began the tasks of unpacking supplies and setting up for the rest of the week. Kennedy Home folks pitched in alongside our team to set up tables, volleyball nets, and video viewing capability. A highlight of the afternoon was hearing the music of laughter and six ice cream freezers churning at once as everyone bustled around mixing ingredients and scooping ice. The results would have made Baskin Robbins proud: Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and peach ice cream as well as sherbet!

At 5:00 we had our first group gathering with the residents here at Kennedy Home. After a delicious pizza meal, we learned a lot of interesting facts (and fiction) about one another. After a few rounds of bingo, we tie dyed T-shirts. Remember those rainbows I mentioned? Children and adults alike gathered around the tables excited by the prospects of creating their own designer T-shirts. While gloves were available, a group of teens (and a few adults) thought it might be more fun to dye their hands while also dying their shirts. Rainbow colored children?  Signs from God? 

Yes, we are all glad to be here and praying for the residents and staff as we walk amongst them this week.

Specific Prayer Requests for Today

• Safety as we work with power tools on a woodworking project today.
• Safe travel for several of team members
• Healing for a team member and child care worker
• Safe travel as we embark on an off campus outing with the children this evening