“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 107:1 (ESV)

Lisa* has seen the goodness of God in her life. Despite the fact she has been through numerous trials, she gives God the glory for how he has provided for her. Lisa said it was the goodness of God that led her to Baptist Children’s Home, Oklahoma City.

Her first interaction with the Oklahoma City (OKC) campus was in 2017. Lisa and her daughter, Kaylee*, stayed on campus for about two months, but they had to leave because of a family emergency. Lisa’s family lives in Texas, and when she and Kaylee left, she was not sure she would ever see Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) again.

However, some unfortunate circumstances with her family and an unstable living situation in 2019 led Lisa to reach out to the woman who was her family advisor in 2017. Lisa did not expect to come back to campus, but because she had left campus the first time for a family emergency, her family advisor encouraged her to apply to live there again.

“I believe God kept me and my first family advisor in contact after I left because he knew I would need to return,” said Lisa. “He was watching out for me and protecting me in ways I could not imagine. He knew all along I would come back two years later. And I am so glad I did.”

Lisa said she struggled with understanding why she went through the hardships she did before she arrived at the OKC campus, but she sees now that God had a plan for her and her daughter, Kaylee. She and Kaylee have thrived at the campus and continue to grow in their walk with the Lord. Lisa said she had always believed in God before coming to the OKC campus but being on the campus has given her so many opportunities to grow in her walk by connecting her with a local church and a community of believers on campus.

During the year of 2020 and the height of the COVID pandemic, Lisa was worried she would lose her job, but God continued to provide for her. Because she was working in a smaller hospital, she did not experience the job loss her friends at larger hospitals experienced.

“I expected I would lose my job, and I got really nervous when others around me were losing their jobs,” said Lisa. “But I was blessed to keep my job, and God continued to provide for me. I was able to work when so many were not able to.”

Lisa is also the manager of the Boutique on the Oklahoma City campus. The Boutique gives moms the opportunity to purchase items via points earned by attending classes, going to church, not smoking and participating in activities on campus. The moms can purchase clothing items for their children and themselves, household goods, makeup, sheets – you name it, it’s there.

“I’ve been here for a couple of years now, and I know what the moms are feeling,” said Lisa. “When they first get here, I know they are cautious about trusting anyone, and they think they have to do it on their own. But I think the Boutique gives them the opportunity to take ownership and buy things for their family. It gives them a chance to prove they can provide for their family. I love working in the Boutique because it gives me the opportunity to give back to the campus.”

“I’ve been here for a couple of years now, and I know what the moms are feeling,” said Lisa. “When they first get here, I know they are cautious about trusting anyone, and they think they have to do it on their own. But I think the Boutique gives them the opportunity to take ownership and buy things for their family. It gives them a chance to prove they can provide for their family. I love working in the Boutique because it gives me the opportunity to give back to the campus.”

Lisa and Kaylee are currently living in the on-campus duplexes. The duplexes are the second phase of the Children’s Hope program. Living in a duplex rather than a cottage gives the mom more responsibility for her household and prepares her to transition out of the program. Lisa and Kaylee will be moving off-campus soon, and Lisa is confident God will continue to provide for them.

“God has been so good to me. Time and time again he has provided for me. And I cannot thank the OKC campus enough for the impact it has had on me. The people I’ve met and the opportunities I’ve been given just reflect the goodness of God to me.”

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