The Taunton Family Children’s Home

Luverne and Elba Methodist Churches were with us for a short time, July 17 - 19, ut all those that were at TFCH will forever remember these three days.  Youth Pastors, Joe Driver (Luverne), Scott Batson and Rene Zeringue (Elba) brought a group of 25, mostly teenagers, along with several college students to the Children’s Home.

Everyone worked hard during the mornings, getting the yard and grounds at the Home in immaculate condition.  Afternoons were spent playing with the children.  Lake Mary, with its beautiful beach was a favorite recreational spot.  Many enjoyed Beach Volleyball.

However, it was what happened in the evenings that were most impressive.  Beginning at 8:00, everyone gathered together to listen to a talented trio made up of college students from Troy University.  Following the inspirational music, each night a different youth speaker addressed the young people with powerful, moving messages.

Saturday nights’ youth service was truly an experience that will never be forgotten by those in attendance. God’s presence so saturated the building that hearts were filled with joy unspeakable. Our own Jackson Vine Rona & Stuart’s son) accepted Christ.  Many lives were rededicated.

These groups already are planning to be back next year!  Thanks to one and all, and thanks be to God!

Northside Baptist Church of Panama City has once again blessed us with a hard day’s work on the Summer Camp Project.  Their men’s mission work team under the leadership of Earl Fillingjim hit the ground running on July 19th.  This was their third trip to work on this project, they can get an amazing amount of work done in one day.  Northside has taken a special interest in getting the wooden portion of the Amphitheater seating completed.  Their talented carpenters have almost finished this project, one more days work will probably see this job done.  Thanks Northside for a job well done.

Immanuel Baptist Church of Hokes Bluff, Alabama held a week long Soccer and Drama Camp July 7th - 11th at the Children’s Home.  It was another wonderful week!  Approximately 50 children participated.  During the day work crews did yard work, trimming trees, hauling rocks and lots of other good stuff along with our children.  Then it was cool off time at Lake Mary and preparation for VBS.  

Each night from 6 - 8 there was soccer practice and musical/drama practice along with Bible Stories and crafts for each age group.  On Friday night a “Block Party” was a big hit.  There were two soccer games and the musical “Heaven’s Kitchen” as well as huge inflatables, hot dogs, snow cones, deserts and just loads of fun and fellowship.

Some of this group also decided to brave the Swamp!  Some of the Taunton Crew, Buster, Josh, Jerry, Mitchell, Colby & Dusty served as tour guides for a boat trip through the Dead Lakes and Chipola River and then a “Survival Trip” on foot from the River to the Children’s Home.  They all arrived safely though a bit tired and a lot muddy.  

Thanks for a wonderful week!

Farmstead Baptist Church of Jasper, Alabama did a marvelous job with Backyard Vacation Bible School for us the week of June 21st.  The mission team, 58 strong arrived ready to go to work and eager for a great week. Under the direction of Children’s Minister, Sonny Bennett and Youth Pastor Benjamin Smothers the group quickly began to organize everything from cooking efforts to VBS crafts and schedules.  We had a high count of 49 children for Bible School and it was great!

Bible School was held in the mornings and the Youth Group worked in the afternoons.  They really worked hard and accomplished a lot.  After work they enjoyed swimming in the pond and then game time after supper.  This was one of the best youth groups we’ve had, our children really bonded with them and they were a great influence on our group.  Some of the boys were extremely good at getting things done.

The kitchen staff under the direction of Brother Sonny and caterer Cathy did an excellent job.  They had it down to a science feeding not only their 58 but the Bible School children as well.  It was wonderful.  We enjoyed several meals together and it was great fellowship and food.

This was truly one of the highlights of our Summer.  Thanks Farmstead.

What a blessing the Jasper, Alabama area work group was to us in June when they spent an entire week working hard on projects at the Children’s Home.  This was a very talented group who really accomplished a great deal while here with us.  They built a complicated part of the deck system for the new “Summer Camp”/”Amphitheater” projects.  Yard work, hauling rocks for the putt putt course, cleaning everywhere and working on the office of the golf course was among the many jobs this crew accomplished.  

Jasper has really been a blessing to us in many ways.  Some of this same group came back a week later to do Backyard VBS.�

David and Abigail’s daughter, Mary graduated May 31st from Wewahitchka High School with high honors. Mary was a straight A student, having never made a B in her 13 years of school. 

Having grown up in the home she has mentored many of the children who’ve come our way.  She has really been a blessing to the home.

Mary will attend Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City this Fall.  She will seek a business degree.

Congratulations Mary, you’ve made us proud!

Mt. Zion Baptist Youth blessed us with a day of work during their recent mission trip to Panama City.  The group, 45 strong did yard work on a scorching morning and then enjoyed lunch and swimming with the children.  Youth Pastor Joey Hanner has brought groups to the home on other occasions and they always do a great job.  

A good experience for all concerned.

Thanks Mt. Zion!

Taunton Children’s Home has linked up with YTB Travel to provide travel services to our friends and family.  

Any travel booked online with tauntontravel.com earns travel commissions paid directly to the Children’s Home.  Give it a look, you will find that the prices are comparable to any of the other online servies.

This is a cost free way to help the Children’s Home if you have travel plans.   Give it a try and see if it fits your needs.

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We’ve hit the jackpot!  Papa and Granny Jackson’s garden is producing wonderful vegetables for all of us. New potatoes, squash, green beans, onions, strawberries, cucumbers, and peppers of all kinds have begun to grace our tables.  You haven’t lived until you’ve picked fresh vegetables from your backyard, washed, fixed and cooked them for supper.

Mother’s Day luncheon was filled with lots of these fresh goodies, family and love.  We had a wonderful meal and then retreated to the garden to gather everyone some goodness to take back home to enjoy.  As you can see in the photos, Diana’s Marley was a big help with the gathering.  Her favorite quote is “I can do it — my turn.”   Everyone pitched in and we really enjoyed getting the job done together.

What a wonderful blessing we have in Granny and Papa.  God blesses us everyday with their goodness to all of us.  Thanks!

Granny Jackson’s 2nd Annual Tea Party for the young ladies at the Children’s Home was a wonderful success. All the girl’s from the home as well as several ladies from our community and church enjoyed a beautiful day in Granny and Papa’s yard. Upon arrival everyone decorated theirown personal hat using a paper plate and various flowers, ribbons and such. We had some marvelous creations.

Tea, along with some delightful scones, fruit, petite fours and other treats, was served in their beautiful front yard. Everyone looked like spring time and the weather was gorgeous.

Right in the middle of our tea we had an uninvited guest! Trudy, aka Mrs. Rona showed up wondering where her invitation was. She gave Granny a present just to show there were no hard feelings. Her grandmother’s “Possum Tea” recipe, a closely guarded family secret and a jar of her special tea was presented to Granny. We couldn’t however get anyone to give it a try.

A special thanks to Granny and Aunt Martha for such a marvelous outing. It was enjoyed by all.