The McKenzie Ministry, The Good Shepherd Childrens Home

Thank you for your interest in our ministry of caring for, loving, and raising 200 children in great need.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Posted by The McKenzie's at 5:55 PM

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Meeting the demand of the wear and tear.

The boys bathroom in casita #1 now has a new face lift. It has been tiled and the rotted wood vanity has been replaced with now tiled concrete support columns. Providing a more lasting durable condition.

Hoping to re-open soon!

Casita #3 recently was closed down (Feb. 2010) due to lack of funding for the home. The 23 kids were placed into the other 5 remaining open casitas, our house and the Vaughn's house, making for overcrowding conditions. We are seeking support to be able to re-open after some much needed renovation.

A common site seen often

These two boys searching through one of the many roadside dumpsters near proverty stricken areas not from the children's home. Many children of our home remember the pains of extreme poverty.

Daily routine for many children.

This girl is rummaging through one of many garbage dumpsters that are placed along the road into Tegucigalpa. It's normal to see children going through these in search of food or things to salvage to possibly sell.

Doing what he can.

This boy is pulling a make shift cardboard sled carrying a large bag of plastic bottles that he fished out from a dumpster. Many children gather plastic bottles or containers from dumpsters or streets to return for a very small cash deposit to help support their families.

Giving back to the Lord through serving.

Some youth from the home leading the Sunday School class for kids outside of the home.

New life in Christ and a new pair of shoes!

Fernando, wearing his only pair of shoes has recently received a much needed pair of new shoes from us on the day he had also accepted Christ receiving new life in Him! Your support helps us not only provide needs for the 196 children at the home but for kids like who live outside the home in need of salvation and things like better shoes!

Receiving the Word

Some parents accompained their children to this Bible Club program done for the first time ever in this remote area of about 50 residents. We felt that this first contact was to sow the seed of the gospel. We look forward for a plentiful harvest later.

Learning to serve.

These three teenagers from the children's home came on the trip to lead the praise songs with the children and helped in other ways. They are being exposed to the great need to evangelize the many lost children and adults who live in the area of the home.

Meeting their need for clothes.

Team member passes out clothing items to the needy children and their families.

Pit stop for group photo.

These members of the Jan. 2010 team made the rough trek up the moutain to reach a community of people that have had little exposure to the gospel.

Jesus said, "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name wlcomes me." Matthew 18:5

Roberto, once a victim of domestic violence. Is now growing up in the refuge of the Good Shepherd Children's Home.

Being a child once again at GSCH.

Anyi, one of many once abandoned children, she enjoys things like climbing trees. Being a child is important for these children enjoying a new life in Christ!

Proud of his puppets!

Lester, age 7 has five other siblings at the home. Struggling to survive he and his brothers and sisters were once living in extreme poverty. They are now healthy and receive provision thanks to God using caring financial supporters to bring hope for children like him.

Boys of the home.

Learning of God's love at GSCH.

What will it take? Are you willing to help?

Jesus said: "Sell your posessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:33-34

A site you don't normally see in the U.S.

These officers are transporting two handcuffed prisoners in the back of a patrol pickup. Old Toyota pickups are used for patrol vehicles.

Making new friends.

These officers came by the home for a visit. (Oct. 2009) The children at the home have been enjoying meeting these officers.

Last days of law enforcement in Mississippi (July 2008)

Kevin with his nephew Ben Bowerman newly hired police officer at Olive Branch.

Enjoying the morning fishing.

This pond is spring fed by a nearby well on the property.

Bryan trying out a rod and reel for the first time.

Proud of what God had provided.

Saul Flores owner of this property shows us the back of the property that ends at a river where we can also fish at. Saul a strong Christian shared on how he was able to purchase this land of 80 acres in 1993. He was so glad to allow us to enjoy this "gift from God" as he explained how God had provided him with the means to obtain it.

Getting a tour of the land.

A little extra play time in the water

The Flores Family with Paul and Kevin of Lifepoint Church.

The day this photo was taken (Sept. 14th) we visited Suyapa, Moncho, and children to let them know that we would be able to meet their need. They were so excited!

Mixing mud for the foundation.

Kevin takes his turn helping Justy and Daniel mix cement.

Doing his part.

The youngest child of this family Cleddy was eager to help with mixing cement and doing other work.

Getting wet and lovin it!

Some of the 200 kids at GSCH having a good time on a hot Sunday afternoon.

All the tias together.

This past week Sept. 14-17 the tias of the home attended some much needed training on child care issues. Meanwhile at the home 23 members of Lifepoint Church, Senatobia, MS were busy taking care of the kids while we attended this training conference. These ladies were so grateful to get this very helpful training.

Senorita de Independencia pageant

These girls from the home participated in this pageant; held at the home's school in celebration for the country's upcoming Day of Independance (Sept.15). They wore hand made dresses made by them with the help of other friends. Dresses are made out of natural or horticulture products such as corn stalks, dried plant leaves, beans, burlap, etc.

and the winner is.....Brenda from casita #5

Brenda age 13, once an abandoned child is now one of many they we care for. She has found happiness in Christ and gleams with grace. See our newsletter for a spotlight biography on her.

Sunday School for many children outside of the home.

This past Sunday (August 16) we had 6 new children come for the first time. Would you believe that all of these kids come by themselves with out a parent or adult. Many walk as far as an hour and half away to come.

Craft time

Selenia a teenage girl from the home enjoying her time with the kids helping them with their craft.

Molly with some of her pals.

Its refreshing to see smiling happy faces like this when we face many tiring trying days.

Important ministry links to check out.

About GSCH and how to sponsor a child from the home.
Our sending agency, BMDMI mission site

God's handy work.

One of the beautiful views we see on the way up the mountains from the children's home when we visit people.

Too shy for a picture.

This little girl Edelia, 4 years old at the front door of the house, is one Daisy's niece.

Saying good bye to Marly.

Burying one of Garrett's parakeet birds. The day before a stray cat had got a hold of her.

Homework time.

In the afternoons and evenings we are very busy checking the kids school work not only for the 12 children who live with us but others from the casitas.

Our new swing.

Garrett and Molly trying out the new tree swing. Thanks to Julie's brother James for sending it to us. The kids love it.

Hanging out playing.

At the back of our house our kids enjoy climbing this tree and using an old garden hose they tied to a branch to swing on. We hope some day to have a swing set for them but for now this will do.

Friends and family visit

The 2009 team from First Baptist Olive Branch in front of our house at the home listening to Greg telling them of our ministry here.

Praising God in song.

Some of the kids singing for our home church team FBC of Olive Branch during their visit to the home on July 26.

Ministering through drama.

This ministry of offering a Sunday School class for the kids who live outside the home has really blossomed since we began it two months ago. The kids really enjoy the puppet / drama shows done by the youth from the home.

Working together and learning.

Some of the boys at our home helping Kevin pour cement.

Providing for their physical needs, ministering in the name of Jesus.

This long line of people is waiting to come onto the property of the home to receive medical and dental care along with receiving clothes and shoes. July 20-23 a team of 68 people provided these needs to over 2,500 adults and children.

A birthday hug for Julie on July 2nd.

Yadira, whose mother died when she was 11 growing up never knowing her father now is happy to call our family hers.

New ministry at GSCH

Sunday School class for the children who live outside of the home. Kevin has a group of 5 teenagers from the home conduct the class for three weeks then a new group of teenagers has their turn. It's a great way to show the youth at the home on how to serve others.

Expressing themselves through Art.

Several children received art and drawing lessons from Danny Willfong of Lifepoint Church. Many of their paintings and drawings will be available to purchase to help raise support for the home.

Showing her creativity!

Dilcia Michelle, once a neglected child desperate for attention and a future has found happiness in Christ, The Good Shepherd.

Thanks to our supporters!

Recently we had this outdoor "lavendero" built at the back of our house. It's a place for us to wash our clothes the old fashion way, using two concrete washboards with an outdoor sink in the middle. With your financial support we are able to do needed projects like this.

Celebrating a birthday.

Norbin, turning 18 years old. Before coming to GSCH he was rescued from having to live at a garbage dump looking for food and anything to salvage to sell. Please pray for him as we attempt to help him read and prepare him for life after the home. He is mentaly challenged but has the desire to learn.

Improving their reading and speaking skills.

Julie with one of her daily groups of 1st graders at the home, helping them become better students.

Getting in on a much enjoyed horseback ride.

It was nice to take a break from the busy schedule we have at the home and spend some much needed time with Molly on her first horseback ride.

First Sunday service in the new church building.

This year's Mother's Day program / service was done in this beautiful building that was funded by many caring supporters of GSCH.

Kevin's mom comes to visit GSCH.

It was good to have Kevin's mom for a recent visit. She was of great help with the children and enjoyed getting in a game of checkers or two with some of the kids!

Teaching the Bible

Kevin's mom says good-bye on her last day at GSCH to some of the many children who enjoyed listening to the bible stories she did to them using flannelgraph.

Declaring her faith in Christ... The Great Shepherd.

Yadira, one of the teenage girls now a part of our family is baptized by Kevin.

Correcting their paths

One of these boys are punished for stealing the other for fighting. Several privileges have been taken away from them and replaced with hours of physical work to do daily along with corrective counseling.

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Singing for a visiting team.

Every week that a team comes to visit they are blessed by spending time playing with the kids and getting to know them better.

Smiling faces at GSCH.

Angie, Yami, and Katerine. You never would imagine the horrible pasts that these three have encountered by the look of their evident happiness they have found in Christ!

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