Thursday, May 29, 2008

Another Graduate

Meet Bernadette. She graduated from high school this month. She came to Friendship House wanting to work toward her GED. She had attended school before Hurricane Katrina and then took the required tests for graduation but somehow got lost in the system. She called the school board requesting her scores but they never would give it to her . She figured she didn't pass and gave up on trying to get her test scores.

Until 2 years later she came to Friendship House and met Michelle. Michelle is our US/C-2 missionary that has her MSW degree and is working toward her license. She started working with Bernadette to prepare for the GED test until she found out the whole story. Michelle called the school board and found out what Bernadette had been waiting for 2 years to know... she had passed the test! She was technically a high school graduate!

All it took was a phone call from our social worker to find out that Bernadette had passed her test. She had to wait two years to find out, but she did not let that stop her. She was so excited and immediately worked toward participating in this year's graduation at her high school.

Bernadette has so many plans for her life. She is working toward attending college in the Fall and has a goal of being a nurse. Please pray for her as she takes these new steps in her life.

We are so lucky here at Friendship House. We have the honor of being a part of the small and big things in people's lives. All it took was a phone call--taking the time to help someone, however small it may seem, can change people's lives.

Dr. Kay Bennett





Congratulations to Kay on her graduation day! She is officially Dr. Kay Bennett!! She received her D.Min. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary on May 17th. Her dissertation (Project in Ministry) dealt with training people to help abused women.

We are so proud of her! She has worked so hard and deserves this honor of being called "Dr." She is a brilliant director and we LOVE her very much!!! :)

Congratulations Kay!!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Go Hornets!


Since 2005 we have been given the opportunity to volunteer at New Orleans Hornets NBA games. It has been especially exciting this year since we've been in the playoffs. The Hornets have been good to us--in remodeling part of the building and David West helping our at our health fair, so we want to help them.

They play tonight at the New Orleans Arena.... we are rooting for them.

Go Hornets!

Life at Friendship House






People ask us what happens at Friendship House...


LIFE happens at Friendship House.


Kids get sick. Study for a test. Cook supper. Plan for parties. Help out neighbors. Have bible studies. Clean up. Celebrate birthdays and graduations. Go to New Orleans Hornets basketball games. Play. Pray for each other.


We are a family here at Friendship House. Its the every day life where ministry gets to the heart of the matter. This is where you connect with others and not only share Jesus but BE Jesus to those around you.


While we do ALOT for our neighbors--in different ministries and events--we are blessed to be able to share our lives with each other--our residents, volunteers and staff alike. We are all equals and on this journey of Life together.


What a beautiful picture of God's plan for his children....right here at Baptist Friendship House.


Thank you for your part in this ministry. Without the prayers and support of people like you we wouldn't be able to do this ministry. So consider yourself a part of our family.


So join us on this journey of Life as you continue to pray and support us. We have many new and exciting things coming up, so continue to keep an eye out on our blog and website!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

We Love Mavis Beacon!


Here are a few of our ladies in a computer class....with good 'ole Mavis Beacon! Mavis Beacon is a typing program where it teaches them to type. They can work at their own level and play fun games.

Where was Mavis when I was learning to type in school? Actually where was the computer? I learned on an actual typewriter. Yes I said TYPEWRITER. Do those still exist? Remember those white out strips where you had to put on the paper and hit Backspace to correct a mistake?

Kay tells a story of a lady that was taking a computer class here at the center. She was typing on the computer and she made a mistake. She asked how she was going to use the correction strips on the computer screen. She couldn't understand that all she had to do was hit Backspace. It amazed her!

Many of the women that come to the computer class have never touched a computer and when we mention a "mouse" they look at us funny. So we start teaching them how to use the mouse and how to type. Then we teach them different programs, such as Word and Excel.

But we are thankful for good ole Mavis! She makes it easy and FUN to learn to type. And this is a great way for us to teach women new skills for employment or to just to learn something new.