 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A Place of Hope and Healing
By Gwen Walker, Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, Sevierville, Tennessee James* and Billy* were placed in the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home in 1999 by a relative who had guardianship. Their younger sister, Jenny*, was placed in 2000. The relative loved them, but could not care for all of them due to her health and other responsibilities. The following poem written by Billy reveals the hurt in the hearts of so many of the children who come to the Home. Mother The stories you told me were never true. You said they’re about dad, but truly about you. You lied to me, you broke my heart. And said nothing would take us apart.
Well what happened then, where are you now? What words of wisdom can you endow? Why not just say you’re going to leave? Instead of acting like you were getting "room to breathe.”
Now if there is one thing that I could ever learn from you. It’s that a man needs to be honest and always speak true. I have learned to forgive, but never forget. I won’t ever call you mom, and I’ll live with no regret.
But I can’t be too harsh cause I have my own sin. The list is so long I can’t even begin. But there is one thing that I really must do. It’s real hard to say, but I love you. (Dedicated to my mother who left me 5 years ago.) Since coming to the Home, these three children have been loved unconditionally by house parents. Our house fathers and mothers are on the "front line” of the battle for children’s souls at SMCH. Each day they deal with the pain of the hurting children who are placed in their cottages. They model what "family” is all about. With love and patience they help to heal some of the pain from the past as they guide and mold these young lives. James, Billy and Jenny are all doing well. James is now in college. Billy graduated from high school last year and attends Walter State Community College. Jenny is in the eighth grade. Where would these children be? What would their life be like if they had not been placed in the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home? How blessed we are to have a place where hurting children can go for help and acceptance—"A Place of Hope and Healing.” If you would like more information regarding the ministries on our campus, our contact information is listed below. Phone: 800/654-1622 Address: Smoky Mountain Children’s Home E-mail: director@smch.cc Web site: www.carecampusnews.cc *Not their real names
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
