Showing His Love
Pictured, Ricky and Debbie Thacker, at the Friendship House
Missions had always been on Ricky and Debbie Thacker’s hearts, and going somewhere overseas had been something they talked about doing when they retired. God certainly called them to missions—but little did they realize it was just a few minutes away from where they lived.
Almost ten years ago, Debbie worked as a secretary in our Birmingham office, and Ricky was a pastor. “We were asked if we could stay at the campus home in Gardendale so the house parents could have some relief time.”
Those few days forever changed their lives. The house parents decided to turn in their notice, and the Thackers were asked if they would step in while they searched for new house parents. “After about a month . . . Ricky called me during lunch one day and said, I think the Lord is leading us in this direction,” Debbie said.
They were house parents in Gardendale for four years, and in 2013, the Gardendale home transitioned to one of our Family Care homes. The Thackers missed being with the kids, and they decided to move to Oxford when a position opened up to work at Friendship House, a Shelter Care home providing short-term care to children while a more permanent plan is put in place. Children stay in shelter anywhere from a few days, up to a few months.
They learned right away that these kids need a safe, stable environment. “We try and find ways to make it easier for them, to make it as stable as possible,” Ricky shared, “since many kids aren’t sure what’s going or who to trust.”
“These kids come from hard places and experiences, and I am amazed by their resilience,” Debbie said. “You realize some kids don’t have things we take for granted every day, such as running water, clean clothes, power, etc. I hope and pray we can show them something different, something better . . . to show them the love of Christ.”
Debbie and Ricky love spending time and sharing new experiences with the kids, such as trips they’ve taken to the Smoky Mountains. Several kids have never been on a trip like that, or even a place that far. Even everyday experiences, like going to a movie theater or the mall can be exciting because many haven't often, if ever, been before.
“I remember one time a girl was with us, and she was invited to a birthday party by a little girl in her Sunday School class,” Debbie said. “It was the first time she had ever been invited to a birthday party, so we went to the Galleria for a hair cut. She was absolutely amazed." This sweet little girl was taking in all the amazing sights at the mall when she came across something she’d never seen before—an escalator. “I explained that these were moving stairs, and we probably went up and down the escalator six or seven times, because she loved it!”
It’s the small things that truly make a difference in the lives of these children. The first-time experiences, the stability, even things like a warm meal that is always there. The kids that come through the Friendship House may barely remember Ricky or Debbie’s names, but they’ll certainly remember the love and care while there. Debbie says, “We can point them to the one who is, and can be sound and secure for them—Jesus Christ.”