Mike Hasha (pictured here), Director of Missions for 62 Southern Baptist churches and missions that comprise the Ridge Baptist Association in Central Florida, wrote the following (we added parenthetical information for clarification):

On Saturday night, I was out with my family eating a meal together. It had been a busy week and we were all trying to catch up with one another.
 
As we were getting into our car to go home, I received a call from Jerry Pyle (pastor of Rivers Community Church, one of the 62 churches in the Ridge Association). He told me of a family he was ministering to that lives close to The Rivers Church. It turns out that the mother of the family left home three days ago leaving the 11-year-old girl in charge. Can you imagine being 11 years old and having to care for four children ranging in age from 9 to 1? Can you imagine not hearing from your mother for three days? Our hearts were broken for these kids. 
The father is incapable of caring for the children. He was at the end of his ropes and made the decision to turn his children over to foster care. At this point, Jerry Pyle really got involved. I thank God for Jerry Pyle being ready to help. He began the process of getting these children connected with the FLORIDA BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME.
 
Several people from our churches go to The Rivers and minister to these children on a weekly and monthly basis. One person especially involved in their lives is Becky Andrews of (nearby) Calvary (Baptist Church). Jerry contacted Becky for help. On Sunday morning, Becky called my wife and daughter and the three of them helped Jerry and the children’s father take these five beautiful children to the FLORIDA BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME in Lakeland. 

When my wife came home last night, I asked her how things went with the kids. She reported to me that the transition into the Children’s Home could not have gone any better. The children at the home were very open and receptive to the kids. The house parents were unbelievable. Our five children from The Rivers immediately felt loved by everyone at their new home. They will enroll in school tomorrow and start their new life.
 
Several weeks ago, my wife and I were at The Rivers to help with Sunday School. As we were going home, my wife said, “These kids don’t have a chance of making it in life unless the Lord steps in and rescues them.” Perhaps He did through the ministry of Florida Baptists and the Florida Baptist Children’s Home.
 
I can tell you a few things: (1) I will remember that “catch up meal” that I had with my family this past Saturday night for a while.  (2) I will not take my wife for granted this Mother’s Day. (3) I pray that everyone in our Association will think of these five children when they give to the MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING ON SUNDAY.

Keep praying for these children and let’s GIVE BIG on Sunday.