Many people think you have to go to a foreign country to care for orphans. What people fail to realize is that there are orphans in our own backyards. Dodge For The Cause was not only a night used to raise money for a local foster home, but also a night used to raise awareness amongst high school students and their families about kids in our local foster care system.

Before the event, student leaders from The Movement sat down with a staff member from Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home to discuss how the home works, its needs, and details for the upcoming night. This first meeting moved hearts, and it became clear that TBCH was the perfect place to get involved. We had been looking for opportunities outside of the country so intently that we almost failed to realize the need in our own community. All of a sudden we had the opportunity and the real ability to care for these children. We used Dodge For The Cause to spread the word about TBCH and local foster care, even reaching people who didn’t attend the event. From cashiers at stores, to students and teachers at schools, to families in homes, The Movement students informed everyone they could about the need.

So, on Sunday January 22, 2012 despite thunderstorms and threats of a tornado, 150 Movement Students gathered together for Dodge For The Cause. The teenage guys were especially excited for the dodgeball tournament, coming together to form intense and spirited teams (many with matching t-shirts!). It was a fast paced night of 2-minute games with teams always on the court. Those that didn’t join in on the games enjoyed watching and hanging out with friends. About 20 high school volunteers helped throughout the entire night. From assisting with welcoming and admissions to concessions and the scoreboard, many volunteers even stayed after to help clean up. The night ended with a bang when CALEB put on an awesome concert (check ‘em out at calebmusic.com).

The Movement exceeded our goal and raised $1,200 for Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home. But we don’t measure the night’s success in just money, but rather in the people who now know about the local need to care for these children. One person at a time, The Movement is making a difference.

-Emma Adams, Sarah Rooker, and Caroline Greene

“If you walk into the Jungle Book room at Maria’s Big House of Hope with a camera, you have to have a certain understanding: you will no longer have control of that camera! Isaac loves to take pictures, and I now have an abundance of random pictures on my camera that he has taken over the past couple of days. Upon entering the room, Isaac will come over and ask for the ‘piktur.’ Then, he holds the camera up and yells ‘KAH-SMILE!’ If you are lucky, he might even take a picture with you. Isaac has a lot of fun taking these pictures, as evidenced by the huge ‘kah-smile’ on his face.

“Here at MBHOH, a smile means everything. It shows that a child is happy and wanting you to return that smile or responding to the smile you are giving him or her. A smile is a display of trust. When you walk into a room, some of the kids may be unsure at first, but usually all it takes is for you to smile and they know that you are here to love them.

“This love is frequently shown on the faces of the nannies here at Maria’s. It is obvious when you enter the room that these children are adored by their caretakers. When a kid falls and starts crying, all it takes is the nanny to pick up the kid and all is well with the world. Maria’s Big House of Hope would not be half of what it is without these incredible nannies. These women share wonderful bonds with the children.

“We pray that one day each of the children at MBHOH will have a loving home where they will be able to share smiles with their forever families. These smiles are truly precious. Next time you ‘kah-smile’ at someone, you might be changing a life.”

-Elena Bell

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“Before coming to MBHOH I had heard facts like 140 million orphans are living in the world today and every 18 seconds a child is orphaned. Before coming here I knew I would be seeing a handful of those orphans, but I never really stopped to think how God has made each of these children so unique. I have seen God in every child’s eyes that has looked up at me. As I started to hold and play with the children, I started seeing them as very distinct human beings and not just one of the 140 million orphans. It wasn’t just because of their special needs, but little things like what makes them laugh, cry, jump in your arms or shy away.

“There’s Cadence, who makes his nannies and everyone here laugh each day. Isaac has so much joy that you can’t help but smile when you walk past the door and he calls “come in, come in”! Then there are the sweet little babies like Joseph and Milton who are content just to lie on your chest and hold on to your finger; And Hannah, though she doesn’t like to be held, her big black eyes look at you with so much hope and peace that I melt every time I sit next to her. These children deserve all the time, prayers, love and hope that we can give them. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to meet these beautiful children. I’ve been able to hold, tickle, snuggle, hug and rock them to sleep. During this trip God has taught me that the orphan crisis is so much more than just a number.”

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17

-Hannah Kelsey

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“Visiting Maria’s Big House of Hope has been such a blessing. It truly is a house of hope. The minute I walked through the door I could tell it was filled with love and compassion. It has been so much fun to make the children smile and to show them God’s love. One child in particular has been such a joy to play with. His name is Jay-ar.

“Jay-ar is super cute and pudgy, has the most adorable smile, and was born with Down Syndrome. I first played with him during a water play-time outside of Maria’s Big House of Hope. His contentment and joy surprised me. While he was in the sand box he did a face plant and got sand all in his eyes, mouth, and nose, but he didn’t cry at all. He just got right back up and went on playing. From then on, he has held a special place in my heart. I keep wondering what his future holds. What will happen to him when he grows up? Who will encourage him through hard times? Who will enjoy his special personality? What struggles will he face? The unknown overwhelms me, but God keeps bringing to my mind Jeremiah 29:11 which says: ’”For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”’

“Even though Jay-ar’s future is unknown to me, God knows exactly what will happen. Not only does He know exactly what will happen to Jay-ar, but He also promises that Jay-ar’s future will have hope. That promise is so encouraging for me. I continue to wonder about Jay-ar’s future, but not without hope – God has it all figured out. What a compassionate and loving God we serve!”

-Annie Ownbey

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Brittany Baker wrote this song, “Make It Me, Lord” for a little girl named Dreena (pictured) and another little boy she met at Maria’s Big House of Hope.

Pulling into a ‘Great Big House’ on Father’s Day night
Hoping to SEE the needs of the orphans plight
But when she called me ‘Mama,’ then my heart did break
All they need is a family; who will fight for their sake?

Make it me Lord; take my hands.
I may be broken Jesus, but I’ll fulfill your commands.
Help me live out your example of love,
That they may know it comes from above.

Walking into a small room with mats on the floor
Seeing so many children that are broken and poor
But when I put the boy down, he reached up to me
All they need is a family to love unconditionally.

Make it me Lord; take my hands.
I may be broken Jesus, but I’ll fulfill your commands.
Help me live out your example of love,
That they may know it comes from above.

The needs are so great; our hands are so small.
Give us ears to hear Your specific call.

Make it me Lord; take my hands.
I may be broken Jesus, but I’ll fulfill your commands.
Help me live out your example of love,
That they may know it comes from above.
That they may know it comes from above.

“God works in amazing, extraordinary, and unexpected ways. I never expected that God would use a mission trip spent playing with precious children to change my life. God has broken me, but built me up more beautiful. As Caroline mentioned in her blog post, our team has received the challenge to reach out to kids at MBHOH who aren’t always played with. With that in mind I walked into the Peter Rabbit room today. Without even thinking about it I gravitated towards the kids who were ‘easy’ to love–those who responded quickly to my tickles and who were fun to play with. Suddenly I realized what I was doing. I was avoiding the kids who needed love the most because it was too difficult. I selfishly put my needs and my comforts above these precious children.

“I decided to go to the mat where two children with very obvious special needs lay. One little boy responded when I touched him; he used all the energy he had to smile. The other little girl, however, did not respond to anything I did. Things that would make other children laugh, smile, and giggle caused no sort of response from her. It was so discouraging to not get the response I so desperately desired. I became frustrated with myself and with the situation. I wanted to feel the warm feelings of hearing her laugh or seeing her smile, but there was nothing. As I sat staring into her big blinking eyes and looked at her small frail body, my heart broke thinking of the possibility that her mind and her body are not aligned, that she was furiously fighting her body. I prayed that God would give me a sign that she would be okay, that she was content inside. I sat there stroking her just to make sure she knew that I was there. My heart continued to break as I looked into her eyes.

“At that moment I did the only thing left that I could do. I began to sing. Or rather I tried to sing. I’ve always been embarrassed to sing out loud, but I thought that this could be one thing I could do for this little girl; I could try to comfort her with my singing. I began singing my favorite childhood song- ‘Jesus Loves Me.’ Softly I sang: ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.’ Unexpected tears began streaming down my face as I sang that line… Little ones to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong. The little girl I sat trying to comfort has a body that was weak, but she has a God who is so strong and loves her so much. That was the sign that I needed. This little girl’s future is in God’s hands and He is strong. He will never let her go. He has His hands wrapped around her. In His arms, she will be comforted.

“‘How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance for your house and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you the fountain of life in your light do we see light. -Psalm 36:7′”

-Sarah Rooker

“Being back at Maria’s Big House of Hope has been surreal. I had my first experience here in June of 2010 and I am so thankful for the Lord’s leading in bringing me back to this incredible place. Today was a ‘play with kiddos all day’ kind of day, which I absolutely loved. Mikey gave our team the challenge of loving the kids that others pass by. He was talking about the kids who have more serious conditions–the ones that don’t smile right away or run into your arms when you enter their room. They are the ones that cause you to go out of your comfort zone. For me, it was a little boy named Jordan.

“When I entered the Peter Rabbit room on the 4th floor of MBHOH, most of the kids were napping so I sat and chatted with our team leader Chris and team member Dan. I noticed a little boy who looked very agitated and  scooted over to his rocker to see if there was anything I could do to comfort him. His nanny was rocking him and I began scratching his back and rubbing his head in an attempt to stop his tears. He seemed uncomfortable and continued to shake his head back and forth. It broke my heart that there was nothing I could do to make him feel better. I was overwhelmed with emotions and began to weep over Jordan. I prayed over his little body and questioned God. What had Jordan done to deserve his condition? Why do I have a family, but he goes to sleep every night without one?

“As I continued to pray, I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 that talks about the plans God has for each and every one of our lives. He has a plan for Jordan’s life just as He does my life. He has a plan for every single one of the children here at MBHOH and each of the 140 million plus orphans in the world. As I held, kissed, and comforted one of those precious orphans today, I am even more grateful for His plans. While they may be confusing or painful at times, they are always for the good. He knows these kids names and the number of hairs on their heads, and He loves them so much. I trust Him, and I hold onto that hope. At Maria’s Big House of Hope, these kids have hope.

 ”I go to bed tonight more passionate than ever about the calling God has placed on my life to care for orphans. We have to speak up for these children. I can’t wait to SEE what the Lord has in store for the rest of this trip. I can already tell that these children are going to teach me way more than I could ever teach them.”

-Caroline Greene