The Brumley Cottage and Library

The new cottage that we fondly call the Brumley cottage has a long story.  Parts of it has been told on this blog before.  I will recap its history briefly and add to the the tale.

Money was raised by the Columbus Church of Christ to build a new house for children.  The money was raised in memory of Bill Brumley, a personal friend of ours and a long time member of the church in Columbus.  The group from Columbus was going to come build this cottage and was not able to come in 2008.  They wanted the cottage built anyway and build we did.  Before the cottage was finished, Michael Brumley, son of Bill, died of cancer.  Again the family sent a memorial donation for the Michael Brumley memorial library to be part of the cottage.

The cottage and library were completed and we planned a dedication while the Columbus group was here in 2009.  A political crisis that year prevented all groups from coming.  We did dedicate the new building and library while we were in Columbus later that year.  The entire Brumley family was able to be present.

We went through several houseparents, with none of them being what we needed.  We prayed and prayed over houseparents as we knew there were many children to be rescued.  In March of this year, we finally found Mirian Gomez.  We hired her and she has been a blessing.  She works without ceasing.

Just a few short weeks after Mirian's arrival we were able to take two children and place in the new cottage.

Mirian cares for Adonis and Guadalupe in the most loving way, as if they were her own children.  Not only does she love and care for these children, she has turned the cottage into more than a house.  Her skillful hands have turned it into a home.

In addition, we have recently purchased some needed items for this new home. 

We bought bookshelves for the library.  And Edna Cole, from Columbus, was able to donate the first books for those bookshelves.

In the library we had one little desk made.  It folds up against the wall, when not in use and folds down at study time.  This was a trial.  We like it so well that we will be having more of these made.

A few toy shelves so that everything has a place and everything will be in its place.

You can also see the beautiful mural that Cindy Portell and crew from Overland Park painted last year.  We also purchased some cabinets that will be kept locked for medicines and extra shampoo and toothpaste.

Thanks to the generous people that sent donations so these things could be purchased for the cottage.

All these additions are wonderful, but soon we will have even more wonderful additions.  Two more children to call the Brumley cottage home and to call Mirian mommy.

Terri