Let Me Not Be Forsaken!
The Central Florida Children’s Home
by Rob Swanson

      The kids don’t call them Mom and Dad, but the house-parents of Central Florida Children’s Home have given over a hundred children the love, hope and opportunity that their true parents couldn’t or wouldn’t give to them. The men and women who serve this home of crisis kids bring Psalms 27:10 to glorious life: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”

      God’s work and His special love for children has been CFCH’s concern since 1973, when the late Pastor Clyde Green began taking forsaken kids into his own home and encouraging his flock to do the same. Under his care, followed by that of his son, Pastor Daniel Green, that vision has grown to a home-facility on 12 acres with up to 20 kids for short and long term care. With God’s grace, their future will include half-a-dozen more cottages with several additional house-parents to make an eternal difference in the lives of even more displaced children.

      After 33 years, you might be tempted to call this an “institution,” but the name has it right; this is a home. Walk through the front door and you may see someone playing video games, or a little boy playing make-believe with a toy truck, or an older boy with a radio controlled car, or a teenage girl tinkering with her camera. On the living room couches there might be teenagers in animated discussion; in the kitchen, girls (or boys) could be doing the dishes. A list on the wall determines which children will do the laundry that day in the half-dozen washers and dryers. If you’re really lucky, a talented young man will be playing his own compositions on the careworn piano.

      In many ways they are ordinary children. In more ways they are extraordinary children, and each has their own story. “Mr. Dave” and “Miss Pat,” the house-parents of the twenty kids currently at the home, also make sure they each have a common element to their lives; “we want them to know the love of God and to share it freely with others.” As they talk about the kids, their own love for each child is obvious. Most of the kids were away at camp when I visited, leaving only the very young and the older kids at home. Some were exuberant, some were quiet. All were respectful and polite.

      Children come to CFCH when their parents are no longer able to care for them, either because of incarceration, substance abuse, medical problems, or sheer neglect. It has no affiliation with the state; it isn’t a foster program or adoption agency. The ultimate goal is the reunification of families. Siblings are kept together in hopes that the parents will one day be able to care properly for their children. Sadly, it doesn’t happen often. Despite that, or maybe because of it, this home environment thrives. The kids all go to Eastland Christian School, where special attention can be given if a child’s previous home situation caused them to fall behind. They attend church, do chores, go on outings, and they’ve even begun to do service projects in the community.

      One teenager, the oldest brother of seven siblings, is currently in China on a mission trip. A former resident is now serving in Iraq.  That’s a hint of the selflessness these kids are taught, as much by example as by lesson. John Jensen, the Director of CFCH, works out of a small office in the residence. He gave up a well-paying job in hotels and real estate because, he said, “I would come home every night and tell my wife I’d done nothing of eternal value.” Now everything he does has eternal value. As the Director, he handles administrative duties, including certification and fund-raising. No small job since the Home receives no government funding.

      “We want these kids to have everything our kids have, every opportunity, every advantage,” John told me. “They have the best in education, both academic and spiritual; everything we can give them.” Donations keep food on the table (there are four long tables in the dining room, in front of an oversized kitchen) and clothes on their ever-growing backs. The need is great, as you can imagine. Summers are particularly difficult since donations drop, but school is out so the kids are home more, requiring additional staff and supplies.

      “We need what everyone needs. Food, toiletries, clothes,” Miss Pat points out. “But most of all, prayer. We covet prayer more than anything.”

      Opportunities to help CFCH are plentiful. Prayer, cash, grocery donations, and service donations can be tremendous blessings. Tutors for every subject are wanted, including music lessons – several of the kids are self-taught guitarists and pianists. See the side bar for specific needs, and their website www.cfch.net for more detailed needs.

      Dave and Pat Robinson openly share their desire to help more children. There is room in the hearts of the staff for more of God’s work; now they need the funds to enlarge the home. Contact John Jensen at centralfloridachildrenshome@cfch.net to build up your own acts of eternal value.

How Can I Help?
The needs of CFCH

Two-for-the-price-of-one is a common sales promotion. Why not turn that free item into a gift of eternal value? Everything you need for your home is a pressing need for CFCH.

• Prayer!
• Sealed food in cans, pouches, or bags.
• Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap.
• Dishwashing liquid, clothing detergent, fabric softener.
• New clothes of just about every size.
• Foil, plastic wrap, sandwich bags.
• Christian books.
• One-time or regular gifts of money.
• Just about anything your son or daughter would like!

Also see www.cfch.net for up-to-the-minute needs of equipment and furniture. Donations can be delivered to the Home or larger quantities will be picked up. Go in with neighbors, your church or business. Giving is one of the most valuable virtues inspired by the Holy Spirit. Get creative!