Session Two of Rock the Block in Choctaw County concentrated on " A Great BIG PROBLEM" - S.I.N.
Every one of us has S.I.N.N.E.D and fallen short of the glory of God. This problem began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were disobedient to the Lord our God. They were told not to eat from the from "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but the Serpent convinced them otherwise. We now live in a fallen world and this is a great big Problem.
The children loved eating apples for snack and playing with plastic snakes.
drury swimming
Night swimming at the hotel in Meridian, MS. Our team stayed in a hotel in Meridian as we prepared to do Rock the Block in Gilbertown, Alabama at New Life Church. A few of the children who would be attending the vacation Bible school with us came to spend the night with us at the hotel. They all had so much fun swimming and eating pizza before bed.
sweet hands
bbolden
This morning I called "BBolden" to say hello. She had gallbladder surgery last Friday and has been in a good bit of pain. Four of her seven children were in Birmingham for the weekend and were out of school today for a teacher's workday. As she answered the phone, I knew something was wrong. She was bathing the baby and picking up the house last night and ripped open her incision from surgery. It took her hours to stop the bleeding and her pain has intensified. I recommended she return to the hospital or at the very least call them for some advise.
As I sat down for supper tonight, my phone rang with the MS area code. Oh know, what in the world. I called "BB" back and she could barely talk. She asked for a favor. I agreed. She wanted to know if I would please take care of her children if something happened to her. I became mute. I didn't really know how to respond. She was sobbing so hard that I could not understand a single word coming from her mouth after the first sentence. She calmed a little and began to thank me for loving her and her children. She told me that no one ever loved her and Ranolpho would wait until the middle of the night and then begin to degrade and mistreat her.
I reminded "BB" that God knew her before she was born and loved her unconditionally. We prayed for strength and peace. I asked Josh to get her a cold wet cloth for her face. I asked Jacob to please feed the baby. During this conversation, I realized that she has not eaten in days, she is in so much pain, seven children needed a bath and to be put to bed, and that she was tired, weary, bleeding and scared. OK, Josh (12) has to take control. I talked to Josh again and told him to please (1) make mom a peanut butter sandwich (2) put the little guys to bed for school and (3) love on your mom and tell her it's going to be OK.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for my sons and husband! Thank You for my family and friends. Thank You for loving me. Be with "BB" and her children and draw them close to You. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, Oh Lord my strength and my Redeemer.
b bolden family
more please
Rick and I picked up the oldest four "J's" about 4pm on Thursday, April 1st. Yes, It was April fools days and they played many pranks. Josh (12), Jacob (Jake) (10), JaShawn (Shawn)(7) and Jaylon (JayJay)(5) were so excited to be coming to Birmingham for the weekend. Muscacholi was being prepared at the house by Josh and Staci and almost ready when we arrived. The children ate and ate and ate until their little bellies were extended. The children are all very polite and very sweet to each other. Josh the oldest just turned twelve in March and he is a great big brother and takes care of all 6 of his little brothers. Josh carries so much responsibility for such a young age. After everyone had finished eating on Thursday night, he politely came and ask if he could have "More please". He ate four bowls of food, but not until everyone else had eaten. As bedtime rolled around, Jake and Shawn both wanted to sleep with Josh. JayJay went to spend the night with Josh and Staci and he slept between them. Friday morning I went into their room to check on them and the 7 year old was ironing his clothes. Wow! Friday and Saturday were filled with three boys going to work with me, to Etheridge Barber Shop for haircuts which revealed ringworm and dandruff, fishing at Spain Park, one lost fishing pole that sailed into the lake upon casting, playing with crickets and earthworms, walking across a concrete bridge with great fear, a snake on the rocks, warm showers and coconut lotion, clipped fingernails and toenails, Target and Walmart shopping, Easter egg hunt, swinging and sliding at the park, back yard wiffle ball, roasting marshmallows by the fire, riding in the big black truck, signing songs and talking about Jesus and praying together. It was a great way to celebrate our risen Savior! It was so much fun showing, sharing and serving these children from the black belt of Alabama.
Choctaw African Christmas
Tonight was wonderful! We shared Christmas with two families from Choctaw County in our home. After much work and many phone calls, Tikisha Brooks-Graham, the social worker for Choctaw County Schools, was able to get a van and bring a family to Birmingham for the first time. Bobbi Bolden and her six boys, Imani, Edna Brooks (Kesha's mom), Kari, Demondre, and Mrs. Anderson, the school counselor arrived around 6:30pm. Mr and Mrs Santa Claus arrived with gifts and stockings for all of the children. Many friends and family attended to bring good tidings and hugs for these precious children. Bullen and Andrew from the Sudan were here, as well as Ricky Barwick from the Alabama Children's Home. We had chicken fingers, cupcakes and sweet tea. What a blast to watch these precious children look to Santa with respect and love. Rick told the Christmas Story about baby Jesus to all of the children. This will be a night to remember always. Thanks you Jesus for allowing our family to provide many needs to these families. Our prayer is that seeds were planted and each and every person present will know you as their personal Lord and Savior.
Beyond Blessed
Seven of us left for the Black Belt at 8:45 am. It was a beautiful day and we were off to be the hands and feet of Jesus in LA (lower Alabama). We met the social worker at the York drug store to follow her to the Ethridge's with 5 children. Ms. Lisa Ethridge was so sweet and she had written us a card of thanks. We left the middle of nowhere and headed to the Bolden's.
Ms. Bolden has six children - stair steppers - up to age 10 and no running water. She looked so young to be a mother of six and was so thankful for the food. All of the children came running out of the house when we arrived to help carry the items. As we loved on the children their little hands were so cold, but their smiles were so warm.
Back in the car to travel to Board of Education Office to reach Ms. Jackson before she got off from work. We arrived too late, Ms. Jackson was already gone. Kesha began a man-hunt to find her. In the meantime, we drove to the Butler Piggly Wiggly to see Ms. Nora Compton. She has just started a new job at the Pig after new management at the KwikMart laid her off. Ms. Compton was a short round faced lady with a genuine heart of thanks. She is working so hard to make ends meet with two teenage children.
Ms. Jackson called Kesha back and she was at a friends house around the corner from Ms. Compton waiting on a ride home. We delivered Ms. Jackson's food to the front porch. A nicely dressed lady who requested prayer for her husband and his unspoken situation. She expressed hard times making ends meet and thanked us so much for the help.
Last family was approximately 5 miles away. We drove up to this nice house, with Christmas lights strung across the front porch, a two car carport that was as neat as a pen, a nice grass front yard and a shy little girl (9) peeking over the rail. Ms. Carrington greeted us with a hug in her velour sweat suit and her hair tied up in an Aunt Jemimah scarf. We entered this super clean house with new floors, a nice futon sofa and a table and chairs. Mom and daughter appeared very cowed, but very thankful for our generosity. As we left the house, Kesha's eyes were filling with tears. What! This precious little girl had come to her office last week hungry and told her that she had been eating syrup made from sugar and water due to hard times. Kesha explained that this nice home was an old daycare that has been empty for some time and Ms. Carrington had acquired it trying to get back on her feet.
My heart is heavy and my mind is racing on how to help these people - --------
IT IS SO MUCH BETTER TO GIVE than to receive! We are beyond BLESSED!
Choctaw Social Worker
Today I talked with the social worker in Choctaw County, Alabama. We were mapping out the delivery of meals for Thanksgiving to several families next Tuesday. Kesha has been such a blessing to the people of Choctaw County. She is always helping these families with every day life. She is being used by God to help the poor. She is the angel who has been sent to see the needs of the people in this community. I am so thankful that we can be a part of this process. Lord, go with us to this community and help us to show Your love and compassion for those in need. We thank You so much for the abundance of food that we can share.
"Dressing" Day
Today is Dressing Day. Mom and I will be making Thanksgiving dressing for our family and 4 families in Choctaw County, Alabama. Mucho cornbread, loaf bread, celery and onions. This dressing is a recipe that has been handed down from my paternal grandmother. It is SOOOOO delicious and it could be the only thing on the menu as far as I am concerned.
A small group Bible Study will deliver Thanksgiving Dinner to 4 families in Choctaw County next Tuesday.