Moving Day

Moments like these are what we live for at Baptist Friendship House! One of our families transitioned in her own housing this week. What a celebration!

It is very difficult for single mothers to save up enough money to find their own housing. Often people ask us how long it takes a family to transition to their own housing, but every situation is different. Each family comes in with a different story. What is so great about our transitional housing program is that we individualize their case plans and help them to create goals that works best for their situation. Very rarely is this an easy process. There are many obstacles they must get through in order to reach self-sufficiency. Therefore, "success" is different for every individual.

Our recent family that transitioned to their own housing had their own issues and barriers to overcome. However, with the help of Christ, and the staff at BFH, she has been able to secure housing and move into her very first home. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to learn valuable life skills and provide for her family.

If you want to know more about her story, the Times-Picayune featured her story and Baptist Friendship House here.

Chicken, Chicken and More Chicken...

Yesterday we picked up 300 boxes (over 9,000 pounds) of chicken quarters. Yes, I said 9,000 pounds. And we unloaded them and put them in our walk-in freezer at Baptist Friendship House. However, our walk-in freezer is no longer a "walk-in". We filled the freezer to the door with chicken! What crazy and amazing things we get ourselves into! God surely continues to bless us!

Fall Festival

The theme to this year's fall festival was, BOOk it, in which children's book characters were highlighted. We had several different games the kids loved, and as always, plenty of food. We also gave away children's books, snack packs and Whole Foods treats to all who attended.

Thanks to all our and volunteers donations for this event. We couldn't have done it without you!

The Saints & Feed the Children

Kay with Sean Peyton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

On Friday, October 16, 2007, the New Orleans Saints Offensive team held a fundraiser for Feed the Children, benefiting the Covington Food Bank as well as Baptist Friendship House. Kay spoke briefly about the need for hunger relief in New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana. Many items were auctioned off to provide trucks of food for the two centers.

** Below is a picture of Kay with the Offensive linemen from the New Orleans Saints.

We all can make a difference in the lives of children that go to bed hungry in the United States. There are many agencies all over the country working to feed hungry families. Baptist Friendship House is one of those agencies committed to providing food for families in New Orleans.

If you would like to know how you can join us in ending hunger in our community, please contact us. Thank you for always supporting us in the ministries at Baptist Friendship House. We cannot do it without your help!

**If you are on Facebook, become a Fan of Baptist Friendship House to stay updated!!

Thanks

Here is a poem written to the staff at Baptist Friendship House by one of our GED students:

Thanks

Thanks for teaching me
All I need to know.
Thanks for believing in me
And giving me the strength to grow.

The words you have said to me
I will always keep deep in my heart.
For they are what gave my life
It's brand new start.

When I look back
On all the times we shared
I will always have the memory
Of how much you cared.

Even though I'll be gone real soon
I don't want you to fret
Because everything you taught me
I will never forget.

I know I said it once
Or maybe twice.
Thank you for the things you have taught me,
And for always being so nice.

by Vonetta W. Taylor
September 2009

We {Love} Get Real

Last week we had our friends from Get Real come and minister in New Orleans. They have such a heart for this city. Take a look here at the pictures on their website and see all the great things that did while they were here at Baptist Friendship House.

They minister to the homeless at the Wall (the place where homeless gather at the end of Elysian Fields Ave. and different groups provide meals for them nightly). They brought them hygiene items, held church services, cut hair, provided meals and made relationships.

Up2HOPE 2009

We had an amazing summer this year with Up2HOPE. Up2HOPE is an intensive, free program for girls ages 9 and up in New Orleans. The theme of this year's program was AmazinGrace. We incorporated the Amazing Race game with the idea of God's amazing grace in our lives. We took the Fruits of the Spirit for each week as they learned ways to make the Bible real in their lives.

Also, we had many games, learned dance and sign language routines, made several crafts, had new cultural experiences each week, had scavenger hunts, went on field trips and many, many other fun things. The girls were taught Taekwondo and they broke wood on graduation day.

The summer is one of our favorite times of the year. It is always an honor to be a part of these amazing girls lives. Please continue to pray for them to remember what they learned as they start school and make new friends.

Please pray for the summer missionaries as they headed back to their colleges and continue their education (A shout out to Hannah, Darlene, Amber & Charlene!!). We are always so lucky to have amazing young ladies come and serve with us each year. Please continue to pray for the staff at Baptist Friendship House as we continue to reach out to our community.