Boys and girls who come to live at the Children’s Home are met with new senses of normalcy, raised by devoted house parents in loving, stable environments.
Lynn Davis has ministered with us as a house parent to teen girls for twenty years! Read on to learn more about Lynn and her experiences as a mentor, minister, and parent here at the Alabama Free Will Baptist Children’s Home.
An Average Day
Every morning, Lynn helps the girls get ready for the day; once they’re off to school, she finishes up some extra cleaning, makes appointments for the kids, and works on whatever else needs her attention.
When the kids get home, they have some free time. “That’s time to interact with them,” Lynn says, “then we all have supper together at the ‘Big House;’ homework or study time; family devotions and snack time; chores, and bedtime.”
The next day, they continue this routine, just like your average family.
“Weekends are a little more laid back, and we attend church on Sundays.”
Blessings of the Home
Lynn has a passion for sharing the message of Christ with the children. “One of the greatest blessings is leading a child to the Lord [and] seeing their lives change after accepting Him,” shares Lynn.
To Lynn, another rewarding part of being a houseparent at the Alabama Free Will Baptist Children’s Home is witnessing the kids growing into mature young adults overcoming “the challenges of their life circumstances.”
Some of the Challenges
Balancing everyone’s needs and giving appropriate attention to each of the children’s concerns can be difficult sometimes.
“Time management when you have five or six girls is always a challenge,” Lynn admits, “Sometimes you have so much going on you feel like you really need to be in two places at once! You have to learn to prioritize and deal with things on the fly.”
One of Lynn’s most significant challenges is when the child struggles to make connections or falls into patterns of bad habits.
According to Lynn, “Investing in a child’s life is just that – an investment. It costs you, emotionally and physically, but hopefully and prayerfully, you will see the rewards eventually as their journey in life continues.”
Memorable Experiences
There’s no shortage of memorable moments for Lynn at the Children’s Home; some are hilarious, while others are emotional.
Lynn recounts, “I have watched kids grow up here and graduate, then have wonderful families and children of their own. I have attended funerals for some. Life really is bittersweet, isn’t it?”
Lynn’s Calling to the Children’s Home
Before becoming a house parent, Lynn was a schoolteacher. As a friend and former classmate of the Home’s director, she visited the Children’s Home and instantly fell in love.
“The kids, this place, the camaraderie, the hustle and bustle of everyday life here—I just loved it! After that, I came down as often as possible,” recalls Lynn.
However, at the time, Lynn was content with her life circumstances. “Eventually, though,” Lynn remembers, “the Lord worked on my heart and made me see that this was where I was supposed to be and I am so glad He did!”
For Lynn, the greatest draw to the children’s home was the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Lynn’s always said that she wants to do something that outlasts her. “What better way to do that than to invest in the life of a child?”
Support the Alabama Free Will Baptist Children’s Home
We want to thank Lynn for sharing the remarkable story of her life with us so far at the Alabama Free Will Baptist Children’s Home. She is truly a blessing to us, and is an integral piece of our organization.
Please consider donating if you would like to support Lynn and other house parents, our children, and our ministry.
Plus, visit our About page and other blogs to learn more about our ministry!