My Book Buddy: The Story of Oakmont Book Buddies

For the history and inspiration behind Book Buddies, see article in July 8 Daily Reflector.

Rev Layne Rogerson in the
church prayer room.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) sponsors Together for Hope, a ministry program to serve the poor in areas of the country with a high rate of illiteracy. One such program is Stories on Wheels and Book Buddies mission projects located in south east Arkansas. Oakmont Baptist Church has sponsored mission teams to work with Ben and Leonora Newell who, like Eric and Julie Maas are field personnel with national CBF. After our trip to Elaine Arkansas last summer, I kept thinking how good it would be to provide a similar camp for children at Oakmont Square Apartments and the surrounding community such as Carriage House Apts. Working with Jimmie Hughes and Layne Rogerson, we talked about a full day, week-long summer literacy camp. This was an ambitious project, but the team had a common vision to provide the children with a summer camp. For me, the deepest desire was to provide good books, informational books, and Bible story books for helping children learn to read to improve their lives.

We don’t have to go outside the country, state, or even Pitt County to see great needs related to poverty and illiteracy. My hope was for volunteers to be able to commit to one full week and count this as their summer mission project; and many have responded. It was a big idea that required a big team and I’m very thankful for all the people who have donated books, Oakmont Baptist church ministerial staff and support staff who provided much support during the camp as well as Sunday School classes who provided lunches and teachers and leaders who have worked with the camp curriculum. We also teamed with St. James Methodist Church, the Boys Scouts of America at St. James Church, Trinity School, and several faculty from East Carolina University. I am thankful to God for each person who has contributed to the Book Buddies.

Scouts solve a problem.

The literacy camp began each day with “O Taste and See How Good is the Lord” cooking projects. Many children may leave home each day—hungry. We wanted to help them enjoy the first part of each day with a fun and filling food project.

Let the Games Begin!

OBC Summer Interns Stacey (above) and Katie first blog page.

The Bible curriculum was a VBS type program called “Where Does the Bible Come From?” and includes lessons on the history of the Bible, from oral traditions, to scrolls, to the printed word, and even into today’s electronic version of the Bible. Teachers, Elaine Anderson, Lauren Boucher, Mary Cavanagh, Martha Dacus, Julie Edwards, Shannon Hall, Pat Hamby, Gerry Jolly, Dot Seay, Sara Stevens, and our two interns Stacey McKnight, and Katie Thompson worked tirelessly to make sure the children learned as much as possible about the history and content of the Bible.

O Taste and See, the Lord is Good!

A visiting community speaker came each day to explain how reading helps them in their work. I wasn’t sure how children would receive these adult professionals into the daily camp, but I underestimated their interest in why adults read and what is interesting for adult readers. A great deal of expertise was shared by community health educator, Megan Hauser, puppeteer and minister Reverend Steve Harding, academic health librarian Jeff Coghill, computer scientist Rick Castles, and medical academic advisor Anthony Coutouzis.

Hi-Tec Science Lesson for Buddies

Special thanks to carpenters Bud (above), Scott Bradley, and Nathan Hand

Following lunch provided by OBC Sunday School classes, and work on their Buddy project, children had a chance to unwind with games, recreation and swimming –in the OSA pool. Nikki Coutouzis led the swimming team with Ron Curll has an expert helper. Swimming and recreation would not be possible without Mattie Cavanagh, Callie Fry, Jack Cavanagh, and Mattie’s friend Grason.

Each day of the camp required a step-by-step process for completing their Buddy Bookshelf. Research in reading and literacy suggest that children will read independently if they have their own books in their own space, and can choose their own reading materials. And, research says, boys will read informational books that match their special interests such as astronomy, nature, or athletics.

Swimming for Fun!

Learning to Swim.

Buddy kits were cut out by Scott Bradley, Bud Wooten, and Nathan Hand and his family who are our partners with St. James. Kits were ready for the children to sand on Monday, assemble on Tuesday, paint, on Wednesday, and decorate on Thursday. Friday was celebration day and book dissemination day. OBC provided a copy of the Jesus Bible Storybook which is the first, and most important, book donated by our church.

If you give a mouse a cookie......

It was glorious! Books are laid out flat on tables while children slowly circle around the tables to select books to add to their Buddy shelf. After over 400 books were given away, children browsed through their library and were able to take a turn at the microphone to tell about their favorite book. People ask me if I think the children will really like these books. I can say, "sure yes, they will like them", but you have only to look at these photos to see how great is their response to choose books of their very own.

During the week of August 6 – 9, OBC, and our partner St. James Methodist Church, will provide a 2^nd Book Buddy camp for children at Building Hope Community Life Center. This will be a shorter day, but I know the curriculum and literacy projects will be just as rich as this past week here at OBC. For the Where Does the Bible Come From curriculum we need several teachers who would like to work with a small group of children each day. Please let me know if you are interested.

Bible Artists

Boundless Grace

Storytellers build an altar

I think, just as Abraham had vision of a far-off land, Noah had a vision for a storm he has never seen, and Peter had a vision for a new kind of church, God gives people a vision for what might be possible and what is possible for a person’s unique education, background, and interests. This is why I am thankful for the Book Buddies and for every person who also had a vision for working with the children and literacy.

Community Buddies