Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.

We all know that song.  We've sung it, and taught it to our children.  We know that it's true because we have scriptures account of Jesus telling his disciples to let the little children come to Him.  Jesus tells us to have the faith of a child and that whoever embraces a child, embraces Him.  God's love for children is obvious all throughout the New Testament  I've always known that.  I had it hit home in a fresh way yesterday.

For those of you who haven't read it, I strongly recommend "Heaven Is For Real" by Todd Burpo.  Todd chronicles the life of his family over a 3-4 year time period, beginning with his almost 4 year old son Colton's emergency appendectomy.  I won't spoil it for you, but in one chapter, Todd recounts Colton's incessant reminders that God "reeeeaaallllyyy" loves children.  In fact, eventually, Todd has to almost force him to stop. 

That makes me all the more excited to continue on this journey.  If God really loves children, then i want to make sure that I am loving them all the more.   How can I better serve as His hands, His feet, His voice to those around me than to love them as He does and to make REAL sure that they know He reeeeaaalllyyy love them?

Frank and I and a small team of others are meeting on Tuesday to firm up plans for us to begin operations on the property I spoke to you about last.  We have hiked the full property twice now and are just amazed by God's provision.  I hope to bring you lots of details next week.  Please pray for us.  We need a big "shot" of Holy Spirit power as we seek to follow God's plan for these kids.

Here's one more thing.  If you read the book, you will understand why I'm putting it here.  Either way, this is an incredible story about an incredible child artist.  Take a few minutes and watch.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmm-0-Rdxo8&NR=1

Blessings!!

Land Ho!

Happy Saturday!  I hope you're all having a chance to grab some much needed rest and perhaps a little fun, too!

So much has happened since our last post, less than 2 weeks ago, that it's hard to know where to start.  As the title suggests, we're in negotiations for some land.  It's 125 acres and already includes a "children's home" on site.  It's a beautiful property with great potential.  The couple/organization that currently own it are PRECIOUS!  It's our desire to see their mission continued through us, if that is what the Lord has.

God has also continued to bring like-minded people to join our team.  The numbers of people willing and waiting to volunteer are just amazing to us.  We have met with individuals, couples and church leaders that are all excited about what God is doing and are praying with us as we try to stay in step with His leading. 

Very soon, we will begin to ask people to start saving their gently-used kids clothes, toys, etc and to start watching for specials on things like soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes.  We will need towels, sheets, comforters and much more. 

God is moving friends.  This could happen so much faster than we thought it would.  Please be in prayer as we await the price on the property.  Pray for wisdom in how/if we should proceed.  We are currently penning our vision and mission statements, preparing our financial predictions, by-laws, etc.  All of the detail things that have to happen in order to proceed. 

These are such exciting times.  I wake up almost every night to pray and praise.  He puts a song in my heart and praise on my lips as I think about the way He is allowing us to be a part of His plan. 

Thank YOU for being a part of it too!

The Visit

Can I just say wow?  This past Friday, Frank and I met with one of the sweetest couples ever.  Sal and his wife have operated a children's home outside of Waxhaw for many years.  They came to NC to retire, and instead, found an undeniable call to take care of unwanted children.  They shared story after story of children that came through their home.  You could see the love for each of them as they shared.
They are "retired" now.  Both well into their 80's, they deserve it.  They are looking for someone, privately, to continue their mission. 

We spent more than 2 hours with them.  We shared our vision, they shared theirs, and we marveled at how similar they are.  We were given the grand tour of their facility...one that's in excellent shape, but perhaps in need of some TLC and an update.  It was built above code, with the future in mind, as was the land that surrounds it.

They have 125 total acres, with 10 currently developed.  It's being offered either together, or separately.  Of the 125, 50 of it is farm land, part of it boasts a barn, but noone knows what kind of shape it's in.  The home itself is approximately 5,000 sq ft, with 10 bedrooms, each with adjoining baths, a separate living area, commercial grade kitchen and large laundry space. 

To say that we are praying about this potential is an understatement.  I know it has to sound like there should be zero questions, but is it ever that easy?  It's one downfall, for lack of a better term, is that it's WAAAAAYYY out there.  About ten miles outside of Waxhaw. 

Question is, will that be too far out for people to feel ownership in Charlotte?  Will we be so far out that volunteers will have a hard time committing to come?  Too far out for people to come and serve?  What are YOUR thoughts?

We hope to schedule a prayer walk around the property in the next week or two.  How many of you would be willing to join us?  We are interested in hearing your thoughts.  Please take a minute or two and leave a comment.

Please, also, forward this and/or suggest to others that they join us on Facebook.  Dogwood Ranch Carolinas. 

As always, we covet your prayers as we seek God's direction for our family and the families we will serve.

With much love to each of you,
The Browns

The Trough List

You know, it's kind of like a bucket list, only it holds alot more.  ;-)  Seriously, after a load of great challenges from a new friend, we needed something a whole lot bigger than a bucket!  Frank and I had the privilege of meeting with Michael last week.  One of his true giftings is helping people refine and define their vision.  We experienced that and so much more during our time with him.  We walked away with our heads spinning, our ideas flowing and our faith challenged. 

We've always known that Dogwood Ranch was going to be a God-sized project.  I mean, realistically, what two people with a 2 kids of their own and a middle class lifestyle suddenly seek to build something like this?  We don't have large sums of money stored away to just pay for it.  We don't have acres and acres of land that we can just decide to develop.  We don't even have an extra bedroom to put our first foster child in.  (That seriously makes me laugh.)  What we do have is the burning desire and absolute belief that kids deserve a place to call home, a place to belong, a place to feel safe and to know that no matter what happens, they are loved. 

I don't think that either of us had tried to put a dollar amount on what it would take to get things started.  Michael asked the question and we started throwing around figures that don't even make sense to me.  When it was all said and done, the target was $5 million.  I almost typed that without giggling, but that's it.  That gives us a budget for houses, barns, staff, equipment, computers, etc. We know that won't happen over night, most likely.  We do know that the lives that will be impacted by it are worth far more. 

We are inviting you to pray accordingly.  God knows His donors and already has the funding in place.  We just have to be obedient in sharing the vision He's given us.

On a much smaller scale, we have a more immediate need.  We have talked with the people from CORE (the COalition for Residential Education) and truly believe that they will be an invaluable resource for us.  The membership fee for startup homes is $2000.  That will give us access to training, legal help, help with our business plan, curriculum, etc.  They are having a Conference for members and for those interested in becoming members in March.  Our conference fees and travel expenses will be right around $1000.  I can get exact figures if you need them.  We are praying for those expenses to be covered very quickly.

We are assembling a complete top ten list.  Right now, the CORE membership and Conference are at the top.  If you know of someone who would be interested in giving, please forward them our information. 

We have 2 critical meetings later this week.  First on Thursday and then on Saturday.  Please be in prayer for those as well.  They could HUGELY impact how we proceed.

Blessings!!!!

Hold on TIGHT!

Hello dear friends!  I cannot begin to tell you how completely overwhelmed we've been the last week or two.  God has continued to move on behalf of Dogwood Ranch in some incredible ways.

A HUGE thank you goes out to Suzanne and the girls at BLOOM for all that they did for us last week.  They pulled together a meeting for us of approximately 16 people.  The goal was simple, get the word out. The results have been that the word is seriously out.  We met with a handful of people before and after church on Sunday that are interested in being a part of the process and who share our vision.  In fact, no matter where we go, we are meeting people who have always wanted to do something similar.  It really seems like God is refueling the hearts of His people with an urgency to do something about the foster care situation in our country.

Last week, we started our journey towards being licensed by NC as foster parents.  Whether or not it is necessary, it should provide us with a framework for understanding the needs in our area.  Our classes should start in the next week.  We are excited!

Our website is officially under construction!!  :-)  We will be www.DogwoodRanchCarolinas.com.  Frank and I will have our emails plus an info email address up tonight.  (frank@dogwoodranchcarolinas.com, etc)  Feel free to test them tomorrow so that we know they are working.  As soon as we have those, I will get our Facebook page up.  IT IS SO FUN TO HAVE TANGIBLE THINGS...EVEN IF THEY'RE LITTLE.

One thing I would like for you all to concentrate on praying about this week....LAND.  Those who came to the meeting last week, and those who couldn't make it, are all on an no holds barred search for land.  We have so many things ready to be implemented as soon as we have a place to pursue as our own.  God knows the details, we just need to be lead to the right spot.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support.  Dogwood Ranch feels like it is so close!  Blessings upon blessings to all of you!