A better place for the children

We are asking our supporters and friends to consider helping us in one of the most needed areas of the home which is the renovation work of the casitas. In September 2009 we moved all the kids, Tia Carmen and Tia Cristina of casita #1 to Casita#10 to begin renovation work. As you might guess it was the first Casita to be built in 2000 to house some of the first 20 or so children of the home.

On the other side of this wall is the boys bathroom the drywall has gotten so damaged from moisture that concrete blocks were placed in the 8-10" high holes to keep from kids being able to see through into the bathroom.

Ten years later it was in need of much repair. From large gaping holes in the bathroom walls from the constant moisture to the rotting wood kitchen base cabinets to mildew and mold infested bathroom vanities. It was clear that work needed to be done. Thanks to some caring supporters of recent mission trips to the home we have slowly been getting the bathroom walls muded with cement, laying tile, stuccoing the many interior gypsium board walls, redoing the base kitchen cabinets to all concrete covered with tile, repainting the inside to installing a concrete bench and table counter to the outside for the kids to have a place to eat meals.

Kevin has spent what time he can working in Casita #1 with certain boys like Justice from the home teaching them to apply stucco to laying tile.

Unfortunately this a common site in almost all the casitas. This is one of the bathrooms in casita#3. Next on the list hopefully to begin renovation.

Thanks to volunteer workers who have helped out and to some generous donors we have been almost able to complete the work at Casita #1.

We are hoping to be able to start work on casita #3 which is also in terrible shape. It has been recently closed, the 23 kids from there have been already moved to the other 6 casitas due to low funding in the home.

Would you consider helping in supporting this much needed makeover to make these houses be a healthy place to raise and care for so many children and youth in great need? The cost to renovate a casita is $2,850. God can use any willing person to come on one of the four planned mission trips to be a big help in working at repairing and renovating these cottage houses for our children. Would you consider coming to work or help financially in this wonderful investment for the home?

Any donations can be received through our mission's stateside office at:

BMDMI, 11 Plaza Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Checks can be made payable to The Good Sheperd Children's Home and designated "Casita Renovations" to be applied directly to this great need. Or contact the office (662) 544-3586 to make other form of payment.

We pray that soon we can continue in providing the improvement of the living situations here and with your help and prayers we know God will provide!