Blog entries

Arkansas Diamonds help fill the Pantry

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:51:09 +0100

Have you heard our food pantry has been empty? That we had to quit distributing food boxes for a few days? We had green beans and corn and baby formula, but that's a long way from supplying four days worth of food for our client. Well the word got out through our Volunteer Coordinator, our Volunteers, the Conway Downtown Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce and many facebook fans and friends. And the pantry is getting restocked. Thank you! In addRead More...

From an Intern's perspective

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:37:31 +0100

Recently I asked one of our interns to write a little about her experience at Bethlehem House. You can read what Kayla P had to say here:

When I began my internship at the Bethlehem House, I didn’t really know what to expect. I haven’t had a lot of experience within this realm, so to say the least, I was nervous. After my first couple of days, my nerves ceased as I realized helping others is what this place is all about. My eyes and heart are opened to tRead More...

The Blind Side

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:23:44 +0100

I recently saw The Blind Side. I loved it! It had truth and family and hope and compassion, love and a happy ending! I mean, if you’ve seen the movie, didn’t you come out of there saying to yourself, ‘WOW!’? And, if you’re willing to tell the truth, didn’t you wipe a tear or two while you were there? When Michael found his mother had moved, or when he asked Mrs. Tuohy why they did wRead More...

Fear

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:21:27 +0100

Think about what occurred in your life today. You woke up, took a shower, brushed your teeth, got dressed and went to work. Then you came home, spent time with your family and went to bed. These are all basic needs that most people take for granted and things that everyone deserves. Unfortunately, not everyone has the pleasure of living their daily life in this manner. Far too many people live their lives in fear of where they will sleep, eat their next meal or fRead More...

Life Change

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:59:56 +0100

It's finally Friday - yep, that's the title of a song, and today, I am so glad it is FINALLY Friday! And, not just that, but a sunshiney Friday!

We're busy today interviewing potential residents. Yep, we have two women's beds open and it's possible, we might be able to sneak in one more man. So, Debbie, our Case Manager, is busy asking what some might consider 'nosey questions'.

Our job is to help people change their lives, to create new habits, to start oRead More...

Volunteer Reception

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:18:19 +0100

The work we do in this community would not be possible without the help of our volunteers. We have so many people that contribute their time and talents to making life better for the homeless in our community. For the person that drives to Searcy to pick up food, or the one that brings a meal once a month, the one that volunteers to work in the office, or the ones fixing our trailer and hauling off junk - we couldn't do our job without you! Thank you!

As a smRead More...

Food Supplies

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:11:34 +0100

You know the old saying there are three types of communication, telephone, telegraph and tell a woman? Well, that's obviously way out of date and yes, I'm screaming my age here. Well, that saying was light years from the internet and email.

Last week an email screamed through Conway like a wildfire alerting many of you to our empty food pantry. And, many of you have responded. Yes, you've made an impact in our pantry, and thanks to you, we've been able to Read More...

It takes a community!

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:29:40 +0100

Sometimes it really does take a community. We recently signed up with Feed The Children to get food for our pantry. As part of the agreement, we're supposed to store the food on location and pick the food up in Oklahoma City.

As you can imagine, we're not prepared to drive our little 8 passenger van to OKC to pick up food. But, Virco stepped up to the challenge. They've agreed to pick the food up on their way back through from one of their deliveries.

Do not read before 3:05 pm, Friday, 8/28/09

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:58:04 +0100

If it's before 3:05 pm on Friday, August 28, 2009 - PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER!

Because at 3:00 today, we are doing something very exciting and almost secretive. Well, secretive up until the time we sign on the dotted line... Wait! Did I just spill the beans? Did I really just tell you that we are closing on land for a new facility? It's a good thing I told you not to read this until after 3:05 pm. I'll just have to trust that you folRead More...

Wonderful Wednesday!

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:30:17 +0100

Happy Wednesday! It's a Wonderful Wednesday here at the Shelter! We're full with 4 single men, 2 single women and 3 single moms with 6 children. Anytime you have 6 kids running around laughing, giggling, playing, whining, fighting and having a good time - it's a Wonderful day! Loud, but wonderful!

So often we think of the homeless as the man on the side of the freeway with a sign that says, 'Will work for food'. (I would like to stand behind thaRead More...

“The Shack” ~ An Evening of Opportunity

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:25:02 +0100

Guest Blogger - Missy Johnson - Bethlehem House Director

On Monday, August 17th, Bethlehem House had the honor of hosting author Wm Paul Young at Fellowship Bible Church of Conway. If you have read “The Shack”, then you know the impact of this book. We were able to spend the evening getting to know the author and have iRead More...

Wednesday evening....

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:54:45 +0100

Wednesday afternoon, 4:47. Although we don't start non-resident hours until 5:00 pm, we've already handed out 3 food boxes. I've taken names of 2 families, 2 single women and 3 single men to add to the waiting list today. It's miserable hot outside - I'm sad that anyone has to worry about where they'll spend the night and what they'll have to eat.

I thank God, that for this time in my life, I'm able to help these people. I know that any single event could Read More...

Happiness Happens

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:52:21 +0100

It’s a normal, busy, rushed Monday. Lots of phone calls, several visitors and a few residents at home. I’m happy to be at work, at the very place God has for me. I’m happy to encourage others, to be of service, to listen and to learn.

Speaking of happy, I’m happy that someone has made this Read More...

From an intern's perspective

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:20:12 +0100

Guest Blogger - Leah Carvajal

As a Psychology & Social Services major at CBC, I am required to complete 120 hours of internship experience to get my degree. When the end of last semester came, it dawned on me that with only three semesters left before graduation, I needed to go ahead and get that internship done before my time ran out. I didn&rsRead More...

Time to Party!

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:13:00 +0100

Time to Party!

It was his birthday. He lived in a homeless shelter. He expected no one to remember. After all, he was turning 57. It was just another day – right? Wrong. It’s not just another day. It's time for a celebration! It's a time for friends. It’s a day to remember and honor and be thankful for the life of this soul God has placed in our midst. So, Happy Birthday JP!Read More...

Empty Places

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:29:05 +0100

Okay, I run a homeless shelter. And, I love it. I LOVE IT. I love the people, I love knowing I can make a difference in someone's life, I love the challenge, I love the hopeless, I love my job. But, some days are just harder for me. Take Monday. I'm sitting in my nice, comfy office, working away and a woman, in her mid-thirties comes in. She's looking for a refrigerator. One of the guys that works for me had told her he would have one here for her yesterRead More...

The Tale of Two Baby Showers

bhouse@conwaycorp.net — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

I’m about to be a grandmother for the very first time and I am so excited I can hardly wait! Every other thought that runs through my mind is about this precious baby girl my son and his wife are bringing into the world. I pray for her spiritual, physical and emotional health. I pray for her to know Christ at a very young age. I pray for her future husband. I pray that I’ll get to hold her all the time. I pray that I can be the grandmother that Read More...