This issue of Charity & Children is highlighting the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Almost immediately after the storm impacted the coast, Kennedy Home in Kinston and Odum Home in Pembroke were evacuated and five of our other locations were without power. When the lights go out at a BCH location, it can be extremely frightening for the children. Darkness reminds the children of an environment in which they are all too familiar – an environment of fear. But in the midst of the darkness caused by Hurricane Matthew, there was light. The light projected by loving staff members.
While the Kennedy Home children and staff members were displaced and living at Mills Home the week after the hurricane, I had the opportunity to spend time with them and witness their resilience – it was inspiring.
The children and staff members on all of BCH’s impacted campuses have been inspired, too. They have been inspired by you! They have been inspired by the outpouring of love and concern from friends all across the state. Calls have come daily with questions of concern, assurance of prayers, and promises of coming support. Restaurants, churches and individuals provided meals. Others are helping with special offerings or fund raisers. Brushy Mountain Baptist Association and Thomasville Medical Center are holding special drives to replace food and cleaning supplies BCH lost in the flood. Others are offering help daily and we are so thankful.
You are piercing the darkness. You are lighting the pathway to safety, hope and healing. We are humbled and grateful for every prayer and every call. Thank YOU!
In scripture, Matthew 25:35-40 reads: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
After Hurricane Matthew, this scripture became real to our children, families and staff members as you gave in Jesus’ name. At this time, we do not know the extent of the damage. Very soon AFTERDISASTER will access the damages. No matter the extent of the damages, we know that you will be there to rally with support. We know that you will continue to intercede on our behalf.
In just a few weeks, churches across North Carolina will be gathering their annual Thanksgiving Offering. Your gifts of love this Thanksgiving is more important than ever. How can you help? Please share this issue of Charity & Children with your church, Sunday school class, and family and friends. Encourage them to live out the power of the good news of the Gospel of Matthew by helping those impacted by the bad news of Hurricane Matthew!
For more information on how you can help financially, call me at 336-689-4442. If you have a group interested in cleanup and repair, call Sam Barefoot at 336-474-1224. Watch for more information on BCH’s Facebook page and at www.bchfamily.org for updates.
Note: We are very grateful that once again we have a $250,000 challenge gift. Every individual gift given between October 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017 will be matched up to $250,000. Thank you for your much needed and prayerful support!
You can help immediately by giving to BCH's Hurricane Relief Fund. Visit www.bchfamily.org/givenow and choose "Hurricane Relief" to make a donation.