Fishing Fridays!

New Life

Academy stu-

dents enjoy

Fridays par-

ticularly. Fri-

day afternoons

are spent fish-

ing, and

PRAISE GOD,

there are fish

to be had in

local ponds!!

The times

spent out-

doors, building

relationships

and making memories

are first priority; win-

ning at the weekly

fish count is secondary.

God is so good to us, no

one has fallen in yet. Don’t let the picture of Eli fool you. He didn’t fall in—he

was only trying to grab the fish that got away from his line! Thank you, Lord, for

good times and memories made!!

The builder

A quArterly publicAtion of the oblong children’s christiAn home

Fall 2018

A publication of the Oblong Children’s Christian Home 4094 E 1050th Ave., Oblong, IL 62449

(618) 592-3633 www.oblongchristianhome.org

or visit us on Facebook

The Builder HELP to children.

HOPE to families.

HEALING through Christ.

Visit our Facebook page for lots of great pictures. “Like us” and get daily updates!

New Horses Over the summer, we put out several

pleas for horses. We had a small

budget, but to expand our herd so

that, per home, we had one riding horse per child,

we’d need some donations as well. Praise God!

He heard and answered. While our herd is not

yet the size we would like, we’ve seen it grow this

summer, and we’re thrilled at the new partner-

ships we’ve made with folks we didn’t even know

until we shared our need. God is good!

Each year, this issue of THE BUILDER is a favorite. It is our

chance to share news of our blessings. We GIVE THANKS because He Is Good! Praise the Lord along with us; He has pro-vided so much more than words

can describe.

Introducing Charlie Duke!

Praise God! We’ve been praying that

God would bring the right man for the

job at the Children’s Home at just the

right time. And, we believe He has an-

swered. Charlie Duke began his ten-

ure as Executive Director-Child Care

for the Oblong Children’s Christian

Home on October 1. Arvin Moden,

who blessed this ministry with nearly

21 years of service, has officially re-

tired. His final day in the office was

October 12. A mailing that detailed

this “passing of the baton” was circu-

lated in mid October. Charlie’s intro-

duction was more formally made

through that communication. In the

brief space we have here, suffice it to

say that Charlie is fully prepared for

the work at hand. We know that God

was preparing Charlie for us and was

simultaneously preparing us for Char-

lie. God is so good like that!

In Memory E.H. Baare Corporation in memory of Gabrielle Dorn, William Kollasch, “Corkie” Bolton, and Robert “Bob” Cravens ♥ J.D. & Judy White, Sue Robinson, Joel & Mickie Owens in memory of Robert “Bob” Cravens ♥ Lonnie & Billie Ann Kesler and David & Dorie Holmes in memory of Gerald Shew ♥ Michael Robison in memory of Debbie Robison ♥ Rick & Sharon Kirk in memory of Sandy Bilyew ♥ Joan McCarty in memory of Edith Rodgers ♥ Joan McCarty in memory of Edith Rodgers ♥ Linda Whinery in memory of Shirley Colman ♥ Edna Whitehurst in memory of Bill Henderson

In Honor Elaine Grimes in honor of John Benton ♥ Jess Newton in honor of Jason Newton and Roy & Pauline Hill

How’s that

Coming Along? Praise God! When the

remodel of the red, brick

building on our campus began, the timeline

was flexible, but when Charlie Duke was

hired, the completion date was firmly estab-

lished! (Charlie will reside in the west unit

of the campus duplex.) We can’t begin to

count the number of volunteers who have

helped with this project. We’ve welcomed

Volunteer Mobile Missions, Marathon staff

members, church youth groups, groups from

as far away as the Chicago area, and even

our own New Life Academy students. God is

so good. The project is nearly finished and

should be finished as you read this!!

High School Homecoming. . .Yes, indeed, we are praising God for a fabulous

homecoming week in Oblong. From our own campus, we had young people involved

as a part of the emcee team for the coronation, as a part of the color guard for the

band, and as a part of the cheerleading squad. God is so good to give these high

schoolers a place to fit in and a weekend of fun memories!

Praise God for A Successful Fundraiser!

This year, one of the

biggest fundraisers of

the calendar year COULD have been in jeopardy, but

God is so good, He would never have let that happen.

Kris McCarter, housemom and “chief cook and bottle

washer” for the annual Labor Day Chicken and Noodle

Dinner, had just been through some medical procedures

that limited her lifting and stamina. She worried about

how successful the fundraiser might be. Why

worry? The Lord provided many hands to

make light the work. AND, when

every penny was counted, we EX-

CEEDED our goal! Thank

you, Lord for seeing us

through!!

Please join us on November 10, 2018 from

1:00-4:00 pm at New Life Academy on the

campus of the Oblong Children’s Christian

Home.

Arvin’s Retirement Open House

Happy Trails to Arvin!

It's time for adventure in the great outdoors for Arvin

and Nancy. Their camping stuff is ready to go!

We won't roast marshmallows, but we might "roast"

Arvin with some good stories. So come to the open

house for "S'more" fun. You must in"tent" to come!

"Canvas" friends who know Arvin and "hike" on over to

the "site."

If you are unable to attend but would like to show your appreciation to

Arvin, you may send a card to the address below.

Oblong Children’s Christian Home

4094 E. 1050th Avenue

Oblong, IL 62449

ATTN: Arvin’s Retirement Party

DYBALL CONSTRUCTION It’s a little harder to catch volunteers in action

when the home under construction is 70 miles

south! Nonetheless, work is being accom-

plished: plumbing, electrical, drywall, new sub-

floors. . . what a transformation of space! We

are on pace for an opening in January, and we

cannot wait to increase the number of families

we will be able to serve. Praise God!

He is SO GOOD to us!