April 2010

Dear Friends,

What beautiful spring weather we have been having! It has already been in the 90's. We have been busy getting our garden ready and planting trees. So far we have planted 6 apple trees, 4 pecan trees, 6 blueberry bushes, 2 Crape Myrtle trees. We are getting ready to plant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash in the garden. 

The children have already been asking when the pool will be ready and believe it or not I think it won't be long. But the water temperature has to come up quite a bit before it will be comfortable enough to be in for very long. 

Things have really been busy as Kris, Chelly, and I have been working hard in our foster parenting class (Model Approach to Partnership Parenting or MAPP). Why do we need classes on foster parenting? Well many of the principles that we are learning can be applied to our work at Open Door Christian Ministries. For Kris and Chelly, it gives them an idea of what they will be facing as new relief houseparents. For myself, it is a refresher course and out of it I get a few “a-ha moments” because strategies change and new ideas are put to test. Some of the children who come to Open Door have similarities to the kids in the foster care program as well. They come from backgrounds that may include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect. Many of our children come from blended families or single parent families. Some of the kids who come to ODCM have social problems or problems at school. Their parents may also have problems with substance abuse. So the things we learn in MAPP Class apply to helping the children out at the home. The classes are sometimes a bit emotional and we have homework to do as well. There are ten sessions that are 3 hours long. Even when we are finished with the class there will be interviews with the social workers as well. It is a lot of work but it is totally worth it. Another benefit of taking the MAPP training is that we are building a professional association with the social workers who are training us. This will help when we have future questions or needs in which these workers can help us.

We are already getting calls for VBS and Camp. If you would like us to come and tell your children about the ministry we would be glad to set it up for you. Please call soon as dates are starting to fill up. We also some projects for workgroups if you would be interested in coming. Or if you would just like to schedule a visit we would love to have your group come. 

Did you know? 

• Donovin played JFK for a black history month program.
• Brenton is going to “big boy school”.
• Thomas is getting pretty good with the guitar. Sammy also wants to learn guitar.
• Olivia is taking culinary arts classes.
• Kaiyden has three new teeth and is starting to walk
• Cody is a big help at planting trees.
• Chelly made Tabatha’s Easter Dress.
• Mary, the goat, went to farm animal heaven.

Thank you again for your support.

God Bless You,

Loren Harold Lung

houseparent