On Saturday, June 30th, Chris and I were privileged to be a part of the annual benefit dinner benefiting the children of the Medina Children's Home. Avery Johnson was this year's guest speaker. He was awesome! But more on that later.We were a part of the auction committee so we were there beginning at 9:30 at a.m. that day. It was a long day, but when you hear the stories of those children, it's all worth it! It is so cool to be a part of something that does so much for the kids at Medina. Between the silent auction and the live auction alone, $36,000 was raised for the children. (At the silent auction there was a really cool Pirates of the Caribbean Movie Poster with an inset autographed picture of Johnny Depp!! It went for way out of my price range...But Johnny Depp is another story!!:) That doesn't even include donations made that night, corporate donations and the 1300 seats that were sold!! It is truly amazing to see all of that go to these kids.
We have been privileged to help and attend for several years and it's always amazing to hear the stories of some of these kids and the struggles they have overcome. I cannot even imagine telling a child, "even God doesn't love you" as one girl who is now graduating from A&M was told by her mother before she arrived at Medina. It literally breaks your heart. And to see how far these kids have come because of a place like the Medina Children's Home is just amazing. Only a God who truly does love them very much could get them to where they are now. Praise God and praise God for the Medina Children's Home.
It was also a great privilege to hear Avery Johnson speak. Somehow, God graciously allowed us to sit at the 2nd table from the front! I don't know how that happened, but we are so grateful! What an incredible, Godly man Avery is. His story was amazing. He has overcome so many things to get to where he is and said that he realized, "If things don't change, things don't change". He gives God the credit and the praise for where he is in his life. I only wish he had more time to speak. Not only is his story very inspiring, he has such a gentle voice. He is known as "The Little General". But there is nothing little about him. He has a big hear
t, a big love for God and a big smile that can't help but make you smile also. A big thanks to Avery for giving his time to such a worthy cause.May God continue to bless the Medina Children's Home and all the good work going on there.
Jesus said, "Let the little chidren come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19:14
and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19:14
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4 comments:
Avery Johnson! I can not believe it! I would have so much loved to be there, especially at your table so I can bump into Avery! I am amazed at what Medina has done over the years. I remember attending the dinners in year's past. Great post! Td
I had a good friend who was a social worker at Medina for several years. I always meant to visit because he said how pretty the campus was. All of our children's homes give children an opportunity they would not have otherwise, and most importantly the seed of the gospel is planted in hearts (if not embraced). The success stories do touch your heart, having God's unconditional love surround you can make a difference. Most of our homes are not being supported by churches anymore,I am glad you and Chris can help keep the word out there that a difference can be made.
Almost every congregation I have ever worshipped with supports Medina. They do such a great work. I worked in an emergency shelter for kids and then a residential treatment center for 5-12 year olds and then a psych unit, plus I have had a whole bunch of foster kids so places like Medina have a special place in my heart.
Thanks for the post, Liz
Peace
Neva
We support Medina Children's Home. I wish I could have made the benifit. My dad was raised at Sunny Glenn Children's Home and I know if it wasn't for the Christian enviornment and the loving house parents that he had, he would not be the godly man he is today. I would not be the preacher I am today. So, supporting children homes is very important to me and my family. I pray that God will continue to bless the Medina Children's Home and the wonderful work that they do. I also pray that God will bless Avery Johnson for his generosity and caring spirit. Thank you for sharing this post with us.
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