Greetings

Hi Friends-  Greetings to our friends and family in Pensacola and beyond..

Thanks for all your continuing prayers and support.  Sorry it has taken so long to give the detailed report we had promised but things have really been rolling since we arrived in Alabama. 

 

We have been at Big Oak Ranch for two months now and feel like the Lord is indeed blessing our ministry.  It's a long way from home, but you are close in our hearts.  We certainly miss all our friends at home, work and play (baseball) and think of you often.  Your emails, cards and visits are appreciated and very encouraging.  Joy Hodges, Martha Woodham, Joy Parkman and Patti McMilion were all very helpful in decorating and organizing!  And we could have never made the move without Jane McKenzie's loving care and hard labor! 

 

Our work here has been a lot of fun but also quite challenging.  We finally have our house set up and our "family" has started.  In addition to Alex, we have two boys, Chaz (15) and Mitchell (13).  Picture attached.  We will have more boys joining us (up to 5 more) over the next few months.  We often have five or so "extra's" staying with us when their houseparents take time off. 

 

Our days have mostly consisted of work on our home (set up from "scratch"), substituting for other vacationing houseparents, doctors and dental visits (the boys often arrive at the ranch without a solid background of medical/dental care), school visits (educational backgrounds are also pretty spotty), CPR classes, dietary meetings, football games (we have boys on three different teams-- 3 games per week), grocery shopping, "ranch chores" like mowing, refurbishing ranch homes, going to the dump, picking up donated items from supporters, picking up food from the B'ham food bank, and the list goes on. Mike has become a regular "country boy" and is enjoying getting out in the fresh air on a daily basis.  He hasn't worn a suit since we moved here (sorry to rub it in folks).  Kim is using her best "mom skills" to comfort hurts and provide loving encouragement.   She also is enjoying have a "real job" again... 

 

We sold the Volvo and are in process of selling our Toyota van to "downsize"economically.  We drive a 14 passenger "ranchvan" most everywhere we go.  It's a tank but it does the job.  It's pretty entertaining to see Kim wheeling around in it with a bunch of kids in tow.

 

We have been able to enjoy a few of the fringe benefits of God's grace for the ranch.  Mike played in the "Legends of Auburn" golf tournament with Bo Jackson, Kevin Green and a lot of other former Auburn players.  Tom Downey's former baseball coach, Jackie Burkett, was in Mike's foursome.  Alex got a football autographed by Coach Tuberville and all of the "celebrities" (including Bo).  Legends of Bama coming up next week, then David Toms Invitational.  Both are big fund-raisers for the ranch. 

 

Kim got to go to an exclusive Paula Dean (the cooking lady) fundraiser social and dinner for the ranch.  The intimate dinner  for 1500 people was in honor of the 14 "moms" at the girls' and boys' ranches.  Also a big fundraiser. 

 

The weather is turning cool very quickly and the leaves are beginning to change.  Fall and Football (Alabama style) dominate the landscape.  Alex is enjoying his new school- Westbrook Christian School.  Made all "A's" on his first report card and has enjoyed dressing up with the different themes for homecoming week.  He is one of the ballboys for the varsity football team and enjoys being on the sidelines for all the games.  He is playing junior football and doing very well for a "rookie".  Last week, he threw for three touchdowns and ran for another.  He is getting his fair share of "bruises" (some of the guys he plays against are twice his size and weight....).  Mom would like for the season to end soon.   Advance word from his coaches is that he will make the area all-star team and get to play even more... He is one of the few QBs in the league who can actually complete passes...  Most are bigger and just run over everyone.  Basketball scrimmages at the ranch gym every Sunday night.  Baseball whenever he feels like walking across the street...

 

Andrew is enjoying law school at Cumberland (won't know how well he is doing until after finals in early December).  He manages to break free for an occasional visit.  Alex got to stay with him in B'ham last weekend.  Haley is doing quite well at Auburn and enjoyingtheir successful football run. She has also been up to visit a couple of times and encourages us in our "new life."  

 

We feel so blessed and fortunate to be able to share our many blessings with these kids.  They so badly need positives in their lives.  The ranch usually gets these kids after they have suffered many (formative) years of hurt and neglect.  John and Tee Croyle and the entire staff here are very committed, sincere, "real", God-inspired leaders for these kids (and each other).  Our goal is to give them a safe, loving home and to prepare them for a better future.  We sometimes feel like we all live in a large "family compound."  The kids come in and out of each other's homes like they are cousins... Today a successful photographer took a group shot of all the kids for this year's ranch calendar.  He grew up at Big Oak almost 30 years ago, has been happily married for 22 years and has built a very successful business.  He attributes all his success to the ranch and the faith he developed here (in God and himself).  That's what it's all about, folks.  That's what keeps us all going when things get tough (and they do from time to time).

 

Mike took Mitchell to "Outback America"  last weekend in Sylacauga.  Walter Pierce Family was there!  Great to see them!  Kim stayed at the ranch for Friday night and Saturday night football games with Alex and Chaz. 

 

We strongly encourage and welcome visitors to the ranch.  We are only an hour east of B'ham.  We have plenty of room at our house and the "retreat home" is also available for visitors (as long as we reserve it in advance).  There is room for camping for those who are so inclined.  There is plenty to do and see.  Keep your cards, letters, emails and visits coming.  We are very aware of and grateful for the great network of prayer support that has and will continue to sustain us. 

 

You can reach us at home (256)892-2007 or on our cell phones (when they work out here) 850/291-7070 (Mike) and 850/525-7575 (Kim).  Or email us. Our address is 250 Jake Mintz Road, Gadsden, AL  35905.

 

Sorry if this is too long.  We'll keep future reports a little shorter but there was a lot we wanted toshare with you initially.

 

With love and appreciation for your friendship--- Mike, Kim and Alex Perkins, and Chaz and Mitchell

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PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL ARTICLE

Published - June, 14, 2006 

Big hearts, bigger sacrifice

Attorney, wife to help needy youths

Troy Moon
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com

 

Two children have left the nest. One child remains.

So what are parents to do when they have more love to give and want more children to give it to?

Move to a bigger nest.

That's what Mike and Kim Perkins, both 48, of Pensacola are doing. The couple is leaving friends, jobs and a home behind in order to be "house parents'' to needy children at Big Oak Boys Ranch near Gadsden, Ala., a nationally celebrated children's home for kids who are abandoned, neglected, abused or orphaned.

The job pays much less than what Mike Perkins, an attorney, makes working as general counsel and vice president for Pensacola-based Landrum Human Resources Companies Inc.

And there's no telling when, or if, the couple will be back.

Their commitment is open-ended. And their sacrifice is immense.

And so is the size of Mike and Kim Perkins' hearts, friends say.

"When they told us, I was amazed, excited, anxious and a little bit in awe of the courage it took to hear and follow God's call,'' said good friend Cindy Smith of Pensacola, who, along with other family friends, organized a farewell reception for the couple at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday. The Perkinses have been members of the church for nearly 20 years.

"They're going to be an incredible blessing to these kids,'' Smith said. "They're wonderful people and fabulous parents.''

Mike Perkins leaves his job at the end of this month, and the couple, along with their youngest child, 12-year-old Alex Perkins, will move to the 143-acre Big Oak Boys Ranch around the end of July. The couple, along with Alex, will live in one of the ranch's nine residential homes, which house eight children each.

Mike Perkins worked on the board of a local, now-defunct boys ranch about 10 years ago, and met Big Oak founder John Croyle when the former University of Alabama football player visited Pensacola. The Perkinses have kept tabs on the Big Oak Boys Ranch from afar ever since. Over the last few years, the couple has been heeding a spiritual call to do more with their lives and recently settled on being house parents at Big Oak.

"Sure, we have mixed feelings,'' said Mike Perkins, who formerly worked as an attorney for the local law firm of Clark, Partington, Hart. "And it's becoming emotionally difficult as we start to leave friends. But we're excited.''

Mike Perkins has given much to local youth, friends say, coaching area baseball teams, mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters and helping organize and mentor for area father-son camping trips.

Kim Perkins said the family has considered, talked aboutand prayed on the decision to move for about three years.

"We want to do something that will make a difference,'' she said. "We didn't just want to live in the rat race where everything is for your own self. So, we've just felt like God has gifted us in dealing with children, so this is where we could do the most.''

John Croyle, the ranch's founder, attended Tuesday's reception and said the Perkinses will bring light to children long accustomed to darkness.

"Many of these boys have never had a real relationship with a mother,'' Croyle said. "Some have never had a birthday party or been tucked in at night. And some have never had the male guidance to show them how to be a man. They (the Perkinses) felt there was this hole in their heart, this passion they couldn't scratch. Now, they'll have seven more sons.''

The couple's long-time pastor, the Rev. Henry Roberts, who recently retired from First United Methodist Church, said he couldn't be more proud of the Perkinses.

"This couple has always sought to make a difference in people's lives,'' Roberts said. "And now, they're making a pretty huge sacrifice to do it.'

 

About Big Oak Boys Ranch

Big Oak Boys Ranch was established in 1974 by former University of Alabama football player John Croyle, along with his wife, Tee Croyle, to provide a loving, nurturing environment for neglected, abused and orphaned children.

The ranch is located on 143 acres in Southside, Ala., just outside of Gadsden.

The ranch has nine residential homes, a gymnasium, equine center and swimming pool.

As many as eight children live in each two-story brick home, supervised, cared for and loved by a married couple serving as "house parents.''

Children have assigned chores in their home and also work throughout the ranch.

Each house "family'' works together, plays together and attends a local church as a family unit.

In 1988, the Croyles opened Big Oak Girls Ranch in Springville, Ala.

Croyle, who played defensive end for legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, is the father of former Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle, who starts his rookie season with the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs this season.

Details: www.bigoak.org