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ALWAYS PROVIDING A LIFT.

palmerhome.orgALWAYS PROVIDING A LIFT.

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Editor : Mabus AgencyDesign : Mabus AgencyPhotography : Mabus Photography

Palmer Home Magazine is published biannually and is available by visiting palmerhome.org. Palmer Home Magazine is published by Palmer Home for Children, a Mississippi not-for-profit corporation that is recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Robert Farris

Vice Presidentof Marketing Leon Manning

Vice President of Human Resources Lynn Atkins

Vice Presidentof Development Josh Whelan

Vice President of Business Affairs Carol Wright

Vice President of Children’s Services Dr. David Foster

LEARNING TO HEAL& A FRIEND TO MANPALMER HOME ALUMNI

LIMITLESS: TOMORROW’SBRIGHTEST ARE HERE TODAYCURRENT PALMER CHILDREN

FORGIVING DOESN’T ALWAYS REQUIRE FORGETTINGLETTER FROM OUR CEO

P R E S I D E N T & C E O : D R A K E B A S S E T T

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Charles Berry

Columbus, MSDr. Robert Black

Tupelo, MSDolph Bryan

Starkville, MSKaren Carlisle

Memphis, TNHarold Clark

Starkville, MSRobert Clark

Starkville, MS

15 IDENTIFIABLE NEEDS

19 OUR PALMER HOME FRIEND

21 VOLUNTEER CORNER

24 NEWS + EVENTS

CHANGING A LIFE DAY IN, DAY OUTI AM PALMER

Vol. 19

No. 1

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE NORTHPNW SACRED MISSION TRIP

Doug Davis

Hernando, MSKirby Dobbs-Floyd

Memphis, TNLarry Edwards

Ridgeland, MSGray Flora, III

Columbus, MSJack Forbus

Starkville, MSDr. Hugh Francis Jr.

Memphis, TN

Charles Guest

Starkville, MSDaryl Guest

Starkville, MSTrip Hairston

Columbus, MSDewitt Hicks

Columbus, MSRev. Tom Kay Jr.

Aliceville, ALTom McCann

Peachtree City, GA

Charles McElroy

Meridian, MSRev. George McKee

Faunsdale, ALRick Powell

Memphis, TNJon Reeves

Olive Branch, MSDr. Russ Russell

Columbus, MSDonny Sanders

Aliceville, AL

Sunny Stuckey

Olive Branch, MSLisa Turner

Memphis, TNLee Tyner

Oxford, MSJim Walker

Germantown, TNAlan Walters

Jackson, MSDavid E. White

Meridian, MS

HISTORY HIGHLIGHT: A WELCOME HOMEHUTCHINSON COTTAGE

P A L M E R H O M E F O R C H I L D R E N : B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

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IN Mississippi, Tyson Lee is known as the former starting quarterback for Mississippi State University. He’s

passionate, still physically fit and clearly on a mission. He’s much more than a quarterback.

Growing up in a fatherless home, Tyson dealt with the same hard knocks our children have faced, but he overcame those obstacles and now coaches young people in his work with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Tyson recently spoke with our young men about overcoming difficult circumstances. His comments were motivating and insightful, but I think we were all surprised when he told us he had recently reconciled with his father. One of our boys asked: “How did you do that?”

Tyson’s answer? “I chose to honor the position, not the performance.”

Wow. Abandoned children have a lot to overcome, and it’s not

easy to forgive the nights alone or the years without a father, a friend, a coach. The experience turns pain into anger, and the statistics tell the story. The rates of teen suicide, youth crime, and school dropout are dominated by children from fatherless homes. Tyson is the exception.

Hearing his response, I was reminded of what Nelson Mandela said about being wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years. “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to

my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

Forgiving the mistakes of others takes strength, but without it, we remain shackled by anger and resentment.

Recently, two boys came to Palmer Home. Neither had been to a doctor, a preschool, or a church service. They’ve only had each other so they scream if separated. Bedroom doors must be kept open because a closed door has violent implications. They are frightened of the bath and stare in amazement at the television—they’ve never seen one. They cannot communicate because they literally know few words, and one has to be coached on how to eat. He’s only ever eaten from the floor.

Someday, these boys will face a choice: forgive or resent? Making Lives Whole sometimes starts with only a few pieces, and the process can take years—but that’s why we are here. One child at a time, to the best of our ability, we will teach our children to pursue their dreams, to learn the value of serving others, and yes, as hard as it may be, we will teach them to forgive.

B Y D R A K E B A S S E T T @DRAKE_BASSETT

forgiving doesn’t always require LETTER FROM THE CEO

FORGIVING THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS TAKES STRENGTH, BUT WITHOUT IT, WE REMAIN SHACKLED BY ANGER AND RESENTMENT.

always require forgetting.

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Request a speakerIf you would like a member of Palmer Home to speak at your organization, please visit the link below to learn more.palmerhome.org/request-a-speaker

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B Y K E V I N T A T E

HA nnah is sometimes shy, but still the small children speak to her. They remind her of how she found her place. They

show her images of what her childhood could have been. They draw from her a love of what their lives could be.

Hannah, an 18-year-old high school senior, says she wants to attend community college next year for the basics, then study elementary education at Delta State University.

“After that, I just want to do what any elementary education teacher would want to do: help young kids,” she said. “I’m interested in this because when I was 12 I got to work with my aunt at her child care center in Memphis. I worked there every day, and something just clicked. I just started doing everything for the kids first grade and under. I helped her with a lot of camps.”

She arrived at Palmer Home a year and a half ago, and those who’ve marked her personal progress in that time are amazed.

“I think one of the biggest things was just allowing herself to heal,” Brittany, her housemom, said. “Every child has a different story, some are harder than others, and she’s come through a lot in her past. Now she’s allowing herself to realize what she’s gone through is not her fault. She’s allowing God to heal her from those

things. She’s great working with the small kids’ age group. We’ve really seen all that shine in our house.”

“Coming here, and there being so many little ones, I can direct them in the opposite way from what I was raised up,” Hannah said. “I can keep them from going that way.”

At Palmer Home, Hannah gets to work with six small children, helping them with nightly routines and homework, babysitting, cleaning their rooms, washing their clothes, anything she can do to help—anything she can do to set a good example. In the 18 months she’s been a part of the Palmer Home family, her own outlook has greatly improved. Her grades and her attitude are outward signs. Inside, she’s found the peace her soul had craved.

“She told me she’s been able to hear more from the Lord than before,” Brittany said. “He’s given her peace from her past. She’s learning to trust people because she’s discerning who she can and can’t trust. She’s making the steps to fill out applications for colleges, she’s applying for jobs, she’s gotten her driving permit, and her grades have improved tremendously.

“It’s exciting. My husband and I love being a part of their lives, even if they’re only here a short time. It’s great to see how awesome God is in their lives. Together we’re becoming who God wants us to be. Hannah has undergone huge changes, but even the small things are huge for the child. My husband and I are very honored to be a part of it.”

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PH ysics students break energy into two categories: potential and kinetic. The first considers what might be done, and

the second defines motion under way. Cody, a senior in high school, is beginning the process of setting his own life in motion and, oh, what tremendous potential there is.

“He will excel,” Chad Lewis, his housedad, said. “He likes to challenge himself. Recently, he and his team won a trebuchet competition as part of an advanced physics class, and they’re headed for a larger competition at Ole Miss. He’s going to Mississippi State University in the fall.”

“I’ve been accepted to Mississippi State, to the Bagley College of Engineering,” Cody said. “Growing up, I’ve always been around building things. My biological dad is a construction worker. I work on a lot of the stuff around Palmer Home. I have a lot of construction knowledge, and I like building things. I’m especially interested in airplanes. Airplanes are the most technologically advanced type of transportation we have as a human race right now, so aeronautical engineering was a natural choice for me.”

“He’s very driven,” Lewis said. “He knows his goals, and he goes for them. Anytime anyone has goals in this atmosphere, it’s difficult. They have to somewhat have their own motivation. I have eight kids assigned and one of my own, so there’s only so much time I can spend with each motivationally. Cody’s the kind of kid who, once they’re pointed in the right direction, they’re good to go.”

That’s a direction that’s been enjoyable to watch unfold, Lewis said. In addition to his schoolwork and competitions, Cody studies music and works part time at a local grocery store. He manages his own money and comports himself with the kind of dignity any parent would be proud to see.

“As a young man in Christ’s body, he’s still trying to figure everything out,” Lewis said, “but he’s had enough wisdom and life experience to make good judgments and good choices about things. My wife and I know we’ll always have a relationship with him going forward. Overall, as much as you say it, we’re really proud of him. I think we as houseparents are proud seeing him grow.

“Palmer Home should be proud. They’re taking a young man with potential and allowing him that potential.”

A PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS'RXJODV�ZDQWV�WR�ZDON�LQ�WKH�ZD\�RI�WKH�/RUGB Y K E V I N T A T E

WH en he imagines his future, Douglas sees himself helping create the kind of fire for the Lord in others

that he now enjoys himself. How he came to find that fire is a story only he can tell.

“I was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Miss.,” he said. “Home was kind of rough and shaky. After I was born, my mom left me on the bed and told my grandmother she couldn’t do it, left me with grandparents to raise me, and they did. When I was four, my dad died in a gang-related situation, and for a while life was pretty bitter and boring. Ten years later my mom came and got me back. I was with her but she couldn’t properly provide for us. I was 14 then. She had nine kids and couldn’t provide for us.

“About that time my little sister, Alicia, was going to an evangelist for Bible study. One day he came by to pick her up, and I was on the couch asleep. He asked me if I wanted to go, too, and I did.

“Then I started going to First Presbyterian in Hattiesburg, and the pastor there started to help us out with a lot of things. I was in a church, saved and baptized in May 2011. Palmer Home was offered to me three times, and I kept putting it away. My mom was shown the video, and she told me I should go. I told her if I went I wasn’t coming back. She told me to go, and I went.”

In the two years that separate then from now, Douglas has seen himself grow spiritually in ways he could never have imagined.

“Right now I’m currently a student at the Mayhew campus of East Mississippi Community College,” he said. “I’m doing general studies, and I’m in the process of doing discipleship with one of my friends who works at Chick-Fil-A with me. I feel like I want to go into youth ministry work. After I’m done at EMCC, I want to go to Highlands College in Birmingham, Ala. It’s a two-year Bible college that gets you plugged in with the ministry you want to be in and learn how to be effective in it. In youth ministry, I hope to be able to have younger kids, teenagers, on fire for God. That’s all I want to do. Once you have a bunch of teenagers on fire for God, there’s nothing Satan or his demons can do.”

Part of his motivation, beyond the peace he’s found, is the wonderful example he’s seen.

“To me personally, Palmer Home has meant a lot,” he said. “I felt like there was no way out of the situation I was in. I thought I was going to be in the same situation forever. I had no sense of what life could be here at Palmer Home.”

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IN 1970 Christine McClamroch walked on stage at the Miss Mississippi Pageant and sang for the judges and audience

a medley that included the tune “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Today she says her life, before and since, is a testament that she never has.

“I was placed at Palmer Home in 1955,” she said. “I was six years old. There were six of us and, at the time, my mother and dad didn’t have a stable situation. My grandparents were involved in letting people know about the circumstances and, one day, a beautiful, tall, white-haired pastor picked us up and brought us to Palmer.”

She’s spent a lifetime since then healing from the beginnings she and her siblings endured, along with the common travails that come to us all. Seven years after she’d arrived at Palmer Home she was set to return to live with her mother, but her mother died before that could come to be. In the midst of heartbreak, a realization began to dawn that God had placed her in Columbus for a reason.

“I was 13 years old, and it didn’t happen instantaneously,” she said. “Looking back I can see, even through the consoling I had from Joe and Betty Davis, the superintendent of Palmer Home and his wife, the way she came to me especially, it was very individual, so filled with love. All of it just made me understand that eventually God had a plan for my life. I understood that plan was not diverted by me being at Palmer, but that it was God’s safe place for me.

“I certainly don’t feel like I’ve been the most successful in life—I’ve had a failed marriage—but I do feel that over my life from that point at age 13 on there has been a considerable growing, understanding of God’s grace, and healing has come from that. Besides, there are so many ways to measure success.

“Though there are diversions and setbacks, if we keep trusting God and working forward, wonderful things can happen.”

Christine grew and prospered at Palmer Home, where a support network unlike any she’d ever known encouraged her to see who she might become. She lived mostly on the Columbus campus but spent her senior year of high school living with a

couple in Corinth, where she happened to enter and win the Corinth pageant that feeds into the Miss Mississippi system.

“I was ranked at the Miss Mississippi pageant as a senior in high school,” she said. “The next year I was in college at MSCW, now the Mississippi University for Women, and was asked to be in both the college pageant and the Columbus, Miss., pageant because of my past experience from Corinth. I felt, maybe because of my background as a Palmer Home child, extra honored to be asked. While I was a runner-up in the college’s pageant, I won the Columbus pageant.”

The Columbus win sent her to the state pageant where she won again and became Miss Mississippi. She later placed as third runner-up in the Miss America pageant.

“That was a highlight of my life,” she said. “In my heart, at that age and at that time, I felt, not like I was spiritualizing it, but that I was a representative of Palmer Home; that I was acting from what God was working out in my heart. At the same time Campus Crusade for Christ was taking place for me also. Christ was my answer for everything and, for some people, too much of an answer, but by then it was a part of me and that’s only continued to grow.”

Now Christine Spain is a happily married mother of two boys who are grown and living productive lives of their own. Today her spirit shows through even in quiet conversation.

“I just feel that I’ve kept recovering,” she said. “My life has been about healing. It’s like I feel, when you pray for the answer, even part of sitting down and talking about life, the most useful, most true testimonial expressions would come out of our time with others. Not to talk about what my life has been like, not the road you find yourself struggling away from, but the road you return to.”

L E A R N I N G T O H E A L

“Because of all the stability and significant people who were involved in my life at and through Palmer Home, I feel there was a stability I could always return to.”

THOUGH THERE ARE DIVERSIONS AND SETBACKS, IF WE KEEP TRUSTING GOD AND WORKING FORWARD, WONDERFUL THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

- CHRISTINE SPAIN11

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SO me things are made better by taking them apart. For Virgil Kimbrell of Columbus, Miss., life has been about

the parts and how they fit together.

Retired now from the Navy Reserves, where he served his country, and from a host of businesses and vocations through which he served his fellow man, he continues to give back, promoting, supporting, and loving.

When he and his three siblings arrived on the Columbus campus in the 1950s, they joined a throng of 80 other youngsters. There they were under the care of Joe Davis, Palmer Home’s superintendent, who Kimbrell soon came to look upon as his father. “We learned how to work at Palmer Home,” he says, “and Mr. Davis showed us how.

“That was a bunch of kids to be there at one time, and Mr. Davis had three children of his own to boot,” he said. “He had his hands full because, along with everything else, he had to go out and do all the fundraising. But we went to church every Sunday together, had devotional after morning breakfast and again at

supper, where we all ate together in the dining hall. We saw the Lord in his examples.”

These examples remain with Kimbrell decades later, examples he passed along to his own daughter, who named her first son, Davis, in his honor.

“He encouraged us to be the best we could be and take advantage of any opportunity we had,” Kimbrell said.

Those opportunities began to arrive early.

At the time Palmer Home’s residents were largely fed from the home’s farming and dairy operations. The necessities of keeping the livestock and growing the vegetables meant real responsibilities and required real effort from the boys and girls who provided the labor. In addition to doing his part in the stewardship of the plants and animals God created, Kimbrell was intrigued by how manmade things worked.

“I’ve been an electronic person all my life,” he said. “I took things apart to see how they worked, then put together, hooked up, and blew up enough things to learn my way along. I was in high school when the TV station here in town had a man going off to engineering school, which left them shorthanded. They needed someone to help out around the studio, to run camera for the

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news and things like that. They asked me if I’d like to do it, and I went to work that afternoon.”

After classroom lessons during the day, he spent afternoons and nights learning the capacitors and resistors of the broadcast business from the inside out. His intelligence, work ethic, and good nature made him a coveted employee and successful businessman throughout the rest of his career. While in high school and working for the TV station he also drove a school bus. Later, after graduating, he opened Kimbrell Electronics, where he installed sound systems for schools and restaurants. He worked for the railroad, had a security business and, at 38, joined the Navy Reserves. He’d wanted to serve in the military in the late ‘60s but the line to join the National Guard was too long, and his draft number never came up. Years later when he saw the Navy Reserves’ advertisement seeking enlistees with certain skills, he knew it was his chance.

“I was looking for the educational component of the training and also for a little travel,” he said. “I wound up going a little farther than I’d thought.”

He shared his skills with the Navy’s engineers stateside for nearly 20 years until, in January 2005, at age 55, he was deployed to Iraq.

“I WAS ONE OF THE OLDEST OVER THERE, AND I PROBABLY COULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF IT, BUT I DIDN’T WANT TO,”

- VIRGIL KIMBRELL

“I was one of the oldest over there, and I probably could have gotten out of it, but I didn’t want to,” he said. “I knew it was my duty to go.”

On May 10, 2005, Kimbrell was riding in a convoy when his truck struck a massive bomb crater, saddling him with a host of injuries that required two immediate surgeries, and recovery went downhill from there. A major infection and further surgeries to treat it led to many months of struggle and an eventual medical retirement. Today, though, he’s home and happy to be alive, and still happy to help his fellow man however he can. A lifelong habit of ceaseless effort keeps his hands busy. A joy that comes from God’s grace gives him his smile.

“I’M A BLESSED PERSON,” HE SAID. THANKS TO WHAT HE LEARNED AT PALMER HOME LONG AGO, SO IS EVERYONE HE MEETS.

“I KNEW IT WAS MY DUTY TO GO.”

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WE HAVE LOVED THE MINISTRY OF PALMER HOME FOR MANY YEARS, AND AS A FAMILY WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO CONTRIBUTE. - JOHN HUTCHINSON

A WELCOMEHOME.Hutchinson Cottage

TH e day was July 19, 1967, when J. Dudley Hutchinson Sr. and his son, J. Dudley Hutchinson Jr., from Columbus, Miss.,

were aboard Piedmont Airlines Flight #22 on a business trip. While the father and son were en route to Virginia, a Cessna 310 collided with the commercial jet, costing the lives of all 84 people involved in the deadly crash midair over Hendersonville, N.C. This accident set into motion new FAA regulations to prevent another catastrophic collision.

Mr. Hutchinson Sr. was a supportive member of his community; an elder in his church, First Presbyterian of Columbus; a loving husband; and father of three boys. The children of Palmer Orphanage all attended the same church as the Hutchinson family. At the untimely deaths of the father and son, the Hutchinson family directed memorial gifts to Palmer Orphanage. There was such an outpouring of support that the superintendent at the time, Mr. J. O. Davis, asked Mr. Hutchinson’s widow, Frances, if she would approve the funds to be allocated to establish a new cottage that would house the youngest children of Palmer.

In 1967, the other cottage on the Columbus campus was Frierson, which had more of a dorm setting, and Mr. Davis longed to construct a home with the feel of a single family home, which is the model that Palmer Home still uses today. Mr. Davis ensured that Palmer did not go into debt as it expanded, so when the funds were secured, construction began on Hutchinson cottage in honor of the Hutchinson men that lost their lives. The cottage was completed and dedicated in 1968.

John Hutchinson, son and brother of the men that were killed, was 14 at the time and remains a faithful supporter of Palmer Home today. Upon moving to Jacksonville, Fla., 20 years ago to pastor at Christ Church, he led a group of volunteers to come to Palmer Home; they haven’t missed a year since. Wonderful relationships have grown out of this tragedy, and Palmer Home will be forever grateful for the Hutchinson family.

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“We started off with a youth group, doing private Bible lessons once a week, getting ready to go, seeing who and how many we would take,” Nail said. “We wound up taking five guys who gave up a Disney trip to go. They knew what we were going into. It wasn’t a playing trip. We did get to see Seattle and hike a mountain, but for seven days we were busting our humps building a church in a high desert in 100- to 110-degree heat. We made sure the guys knew what they were going into, but they wanted to go, and we had a blast.”

Sacred Road Ministries, the church the group was going to assist, was established by the Pacific Northwest Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America to serve the people of the Yakama Reservation.

WH en it comes to helping those in need, often the more you give the more you receive. Personal and physical

sacrifices bring spiritual rewards. That’s something five young men from Palmer Home found out last summer on a high desert in the Pacific Northwest.

“The trip was kind of my baby,” Zack Nail, a Palmer Home houseparent and past mission trip leader said. “I’m a housedad in an all-girls cottage, so no kids of mine were there, but it was on my heart to lead a group and go.”

He and Chad Lewis, another Palmer Home houseparent, led a group of five young men to the remote town of White Swan, Wash., where they worked on a church and ministered to children living in the kind of situations they themselves had escaped.

SACRED ROAD MISSION TRIPB Y K E V I N T A T E

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“We really didn’t know what to expect from our guys on that, but three of the young men we took were African American and one was Native American, and their skin color helped the kids there respond to them,” Nail said. “The fact the kids there were seeing people who looked like them, people who came and loved them and played with them, it was really amazing to watch, and such a blessing. The kids from the reservation talked to them when they wouldn’t have talked to me. One little boy, around three or four years old, who’d been coming to their little children’s group for a month and a half, had never spoken a word or played with anyone, but he was talking and playing with two of our guys in no time. It was so beautiful. It’s really hard to explain.

“One of my favorite pictures I’ve got above my desk is of one of our boys and this little boy sitting under a tree. Our young man is reading a story to the child, which is great, but there’s more to it than that. Our young man learning how to read is a recent thing because he has trouble with his eyes, but you could see the Lord working through him, and he was reading a small children’s book to a small child. It was great and awe-inspiring, it really was.”

The realities, it seems, cut both ways.

“Honestly, just for our kids to see kids that were really worse off than they’d ever been was significant,” Nail said. “All five of the guys we took had experienced extreme poverty and/or abuse at an extremely young age. One of our young men saw it and said he had lived just like that.”

“What we took away was an understanding that Palmer Home has a lot to offer,” Douglas said. “You get that feeling like, without Palmer Home, our lives would be just like theirs: on the streets, no food, nothing without Palmer Home. What we take back from it is, without God placing us here, we could not see the real joy of life.”

“One of the young ladies there broke down and cried when she heard our kids had given up a Disney trip to come work in a hot, dusty desert,” Nail said. “She was so thankful. I wish all our children could experience it.”

BEYOND THE PHYSICAL LABOR, WHICH EVERYONE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE YOUNG MEN DO, THE SPIRIT THEY SHARED WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE RESERVATION EXCEEDED EVERYONE’S DREAMS.

According to the ministry’s website: “In 1855, the Yakama people, along with 13 other tribes and bands, signed a treaty with the United States government, which established the Yakama Reservation at the foot of Mt. Adams in south central Washington State. Since that time, the culture, families, and dreams of the Yakama people have steadily disintegrated.” Their people are some of the poorest on the continent and many of their children are the poorest of the poor. The ministry seeks to serve this community.

The Palmer Home team’s mission was to help build a church for the group at a new location during much of each day and perform children’s ministry in the afternoon. The guys excelled at both tasks.

“We went up there and stayed in a local church without air- conditioning,” Nail said. “We bedded down on the floor on air mattresses. We slept in small Sunday school rooms that had small windows. It was very hot, and there was one shower in the whole place. The five boys we took are used to working because we work here at Palmer. We rose above the expectations of the people there because we were able to really get after it. Our boys put up walls, did subflooring, and worked on the roof. It was really awesome to see our boys work like that, to rise above the challenging conditions and accomplish what they did.”

“They were having to remove the church from its downtown location to a place several miles down the road,” Douglas, one of the young men on the trip, said. “In seven days of work we got half of it done. It should be opening this summer.”

“They have well water there,” Nail said. “Because of that it was a long and complicated process getting the plumbing done, but Chad Lewis is a qualified plumber, and he was able to do it.

“One of the young ladies there broke down and cried when she heard our kids had given up a Disney trip to come work in a hot, dusty desert,” Nail said. “She was so thankful. I wish all our children could experience it.”

Use your birthday to help make lives whole.

by asking your friends to donate to children in need.visit palmerhome.org for information to start your campaign

19

there aren’t many parts of the Columbus campus that someone from Christ Church hasn’t worked on at some point. It is encouraging to see the fruit of the cumulative efforts of so many as it supports Palmer’s mission. It has also been great to see Palmer’s reach expand through the addition of the Hernando campus, providing a greater capacity to serve. Beyond all of those things, however, I most see our support in action by seeing the children grow in grace, mature, and embrace the potential of a hopeful future.

What is your favorite aspect of Palmer Home?

One of my favorite moments each year is when our bus arrives on the Palmer campus for our annual mission trip and our group steps off of the bus. I always enjoy watching the staff and children emerge out of the cottages to greet us, renewing old friendships and beginning new ones. That moment speaks to the close relationship we have formed with Palmer Home over the years that now spans multiple generations. Our week at Palmer Home each year remains the most popular event on the calendar because of the impact of that relationship on the many youth and families that have participated.

What sets Palmer Home apart from other charitable organizations for you?

The children, the staff, the relationships are all personal to us, and we feel as though we are a part of the extended Palmer family as we labor together to live out the words of James 1:27. Palmer isn’t a monolithic organization to us, but rather a tapestry of relationships, and that is what sets it apart.

O U R P A L M E R H O M E

How do you know about Palmer Home? The founding pastor of Christ Church, John

Hutchinson, was originally from Columbus and had ties to Palmer Home, so when our first youth director asked Dr. Hutchinson for mission trip ideas, Palmer was an obvious choice. At the time I was a volunteer leader with the youth ministry and was asked to be a leader on that initial trip. I didn’t know exactly what to expect going into it, but after spending a week on campus getting to know the children and staff, I was convinced of the importance of Palmer Home’s history, vision, and mission. That was the beginning of a growing relationship, both with me personally and our church, that has spanned more than 20 years. Over that time, it has been exciting to see so many youth and families in our congregation and beyond exposed to the work of Palmer Home—many becoming advocates for Palmer’s mission as well.

What inspired you to support Palmer Home?

The children who come to Palmer Home often have stories filled with hurt, brokenness, and fear. Seeing the houseparents and staff step into the children’s stories to deliver desperately needed love, hope and stability is truly inspirational, if not heroic.

How do you see your support in action?Over the years I have had the blessing of being

able to support Palmer in a variety of ways including our work projects during our annual mission trips, helping with the initial planning of the Hernando campus, and sponsoring a Palmer child. As you can imagine, after 20 years of bringing work groups,

0,.(�6+(5%851(�2)�&+5,67�&+85&+�� �-$&.6219,//(��)/25,'$

Mike SherburnePaster to youth and family

Treble Makers was formed for the children of Palmer Home to learn music and share their experiences through song.

The choir travels to churches, civic, and community events where guests see firsthand the positive effects Palmer Home is having on children. For information on the program and scheduling the Treble Makers to sing for a worship service or community event visit us at

palmerhome.org/treble-makers

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU...THE WORK YOU DO? COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT? FAMILY?

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HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PALMER HOME FOR CHILDREN?

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SINCE YOUR INVOLVEMENT, WHAT IMPACT HAVE YOU SEEN FOR YOURSELF OR THE ORGANIZATION?

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WHAT ARE THE BEST ASPECTS ABOUT WHAT YOU DO HERE?

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JOIN MACBECOME A VOLUNTEER

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22

What is your position at Palmer Home, and what do you do on a daily basis?

We are houseparents in Cooke-Miller Cottage at the Hernando campus. While our responsibilities can change from day to day, we do have some that are consistent, such as preparing daily meals (breakfast, lunch if the children are home, and dinner), homework assistance, laundry, paper work, budgeting, keeping the home clean and inviting, interaction with the children, and devotionals, to name a few. There are times where we will have meetings, appointments, parties at school, children’s sports, and then every other day grocery shopping. Our days change often though, as you can imagine with a family of eight children and two adults. There are many times things come up that were not planned. God has really helped us though, as they say, “Roll with the punches!”

What is your favorite part of your job?It is really hard to pick our favorite part of our job because we

do not see it as a job. My husband and I know it is a calling and one we enjoy. Even though it was challenging to come up with our favorite part, we would say it is the impact we get to have on a daily basis on the children God brings to Palmer Home and into Cooke Miller Cottage. It excites us to know God trusts us to help build His kingdom and influence children who are broken and desperate for people to love them. Many times we think about the next child that God may bring and know that they will find a safe and loving home at Palmer.

One of the best things for us to hear when we have people who visit and walk through our home is, “It really feels like a home where a family lives.” It may not be “normal” to the world, yet it really is the only normal most of our children will ever know.

AL AND BRITTANY FISHBURNHOUSEPARENTS

One of the best things for us to hear when we have people who visit and walk through our home is, “It really feels like a home where a family lives.” It may not be “normal” to the world, yet it really is the only normal most of our children will ever know. We want to give them memories of family dinners, vacations, game nights, and devotions, to name a few, so when they do grow up, become adults, and get out on their own they will have stories to share with others.

How does your job affect you personally?The calling God has for us still shocks us so many times. One of our

prayers is that we never take for granted what He has called us to do. It has been a sacrifice, as God called us from a big city, Indianapolis, to pack up, and move eight hours away from all we have ever known. It is a challenge at times, the sacrifice and missing of family and friends; however, it is very humbling and amazing how God has made this our home and given us a peace that surpasses our understanding. What God has shown us is a deeper need for a Savior. Jesus really makes all the difference, and everything flows from His Spirit. This “job” has given us a better appreciation for what we had growing up, rather than looking at what we did not have. As husband and wife, we appreciate each other more, and it has shown us different things about each other we did not know existed. It has also shown us areas where we need God more and how we can only do this through Him and in His strength. It really goes back to love and how we can only love because He first loved us. Our prayer is that we will love these children with His love, continue to remind them of the hope we have in Christ, because He has shown us through this ministry there is always hope in a Savior who puts all our broken pieces back together and helps our light to shine through all the cracks. The sacrifices we make are well worth it, if God is truly in them. We are thankful and blessed that He is in ours.

23

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/HDUQ�PRUH�DQG�DSSO\�DW��palmerhome.org/houseparent<RX�FDQ�PDLO�\RXU�UHVXPH�DQG�WHVWLPRQ\�WR�Attn: Human ResourcesPalmer Home for ChildrenPO Box 746Columbus, MS 39703

How do you feel you and others can make a difference at Palmer Home?

There are many ways people, including ourselves, can make a difference at Palmer Home. If we were to stop right now and think back to our childhoods we all could think of one person that made an impact in our life just by investing a part of who they were. Some people are fortunate enough to have a couple or even several people who played that role. Then there are those who do not have someone that invests. God made us to be relational, and let’s be honest, we desire to have people be interested in who we are and encourage us along the way. We, as houseparents, get this opportunity every single day and it is very rewarding, however others can have that chance too, just by sending cards, asking how they can pray, being a sponsor physically, prayerfully, and financially. You do not have to be considered staff to make a difference in the lives of those at Palmer Home. You can be part of something bigger than you and me just by giving of yourself, if even a little. We would encourage you to pray about how God could use you.

How does Palmer Home positively affect its children?Palmer Home affects our children positively in so many different

ways. There are often children who come to us who cannot read or write; even something as small as brushing their hair or teeth can be difficult. Many children come scared and broken. Trust is something they have not been able to do easily. Here at Palmer Home we help pick up the broken pieces in their lives. We know that God is the ultimate healer and can break every chain, and He uses Palmer Home to help with this. It does take awhile for most of our children, but slowly you begin to see a glow that was not there before. Palmer Home looks at the whole child; from spiritual to mental and physical to emotional, we care about it all. We have counselors who help the children work through fears, insecurities, and wounds from a life they did not choose. There are tutors who help the children learn to read and write or help advance them in academic struggles. Houseparents are encouraged to get the children active, stay up on physicals, and get them involved in activities they enjoy, and spiritually it is our desire to teach them the love of Christ and that in Him there is always hope. We do our very best to meet the needs of the child so when they do leave Palmer Home, they leave encouraged and ready to make a difference. Our hope is they leave stronger than they were coming in.

What is the biggest need for these children?We would say there are a few big needs for the children that we

have been part of at Palmer Home. The first would be love, as we believe that everything comes from love. We do what we do because God has given us a love that could only come from Him. It is a love that shows the children they are safe and secure from hurts, fears, and disappointments from past situations. These children need to be shown a love that is consistent and stable. It is a love that cares about where they are academically, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, and it is a love that will keep on going no matter the struggle in these areas. The second would be academic growth, as many of our children are behind when coming to Palmer Home. Math and reading seem to be the hardest areas for the children. Our desire is to help build up their confidence, as it seems this helps them with their learning. Lastly, being part of a family.

PALMER HOME AND U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE CONNECT(DFK�\HDU�����8�6��)LVK�DQG�:LOGOLIH�HPSOR\HHV�SDUWLFLSDWH�LQ�WKH�$GYDQFHG�/HDGHUVKLS�'HYHORSPHQW�3URJUDP�DQG�LGHQWLI\�D�´FRQVHUYDWLRQ�OHJDF\µ�RSSRUWXQLW\���7KLV�\HDU·V�HYHQW�KRQRUHG� 6DP� '�� +DPLOWRQ�� IRUPHU� GLUHFWRU� RI� WKH� 8�6�� )LVK� DQG�:LOGOLIH� 6HUYLFH�� DQG�3DOPHU�+RPH�IRU�&KLOGUHQ�� �7KH� OHJDF\�SURMHFW� WLWOHG��´&RQQHFWLQJ�&KLOGUHQ�ZLWK�1DWXUH�DW�1R[XEHH�1DWLRQDO�:LOGOLIH�5HIXJH�µ�HQDEOHG�WKH�FKLOGUHQ�IURP�ERWK�WKH�3DOPHU�+RPH�&ROXPEXV� DQG�+HUQDQGR� FDPSXVHV� WR� EH� WUHDWHG� WR� D� GD\� LQ� WKH� JUHDW� RXWGRRUV� DQG�WR�ÀVKLQJ�HYHQWV�� � ´7KLV�EULQJV� WRJHWKHU� WZR�JUHDW�0LVVLVVLSSL�VWRULHV��3DOPHU�+RPH�IRU�&KLOGUHQ�DQG�6DP�'��+DPLOWRQ���:H�DUH�H[FLWHG�IRU�RXU�FKLOGUHQ�WR�H[SHULHQFH�WKH�RXWGRRUV�ZLWK� SURIHVVLRQDOV�ZKR� OHDG� WKH�ZD\� LQ� WHDFKLQJ� WKH� YDOXH� RI� QDWXUH� FRQVHUYDWLRQ� DQG�FUHDWLRQ���,W·V�D�JUHDW�HYHQW��DQG�ZH�DUH�WKULOOHG�WR�EH�D�SDUW�RI�LW�µ�– Drake Bassett

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Learn more atpalmerhome.org/volunteer

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Keep in touch with the amazing work Palmer Home is doing. You can read more of the news stories, get more details about the needs, and register for events at palmerhome.org.

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Whatever the length of stay or depth of need, Palmer Home is here to extend

effective, healing help. Please call us if you know children you believe could

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