The Opening of Amy's House

 

A brass band was playing, to the great delight of the Darius House children, who were gathered along with local dignitaries, pastors from partnership churches, friends and staff of RCE to witness the grand opening of Amy’s House. There was an air of celebration and expectation on the breezy afternoon of May 7th, as RCE’s next step in rescuing abandoned children with disabilities was launched.

 

Mike and Hannah Boyle cut the ribbon and unveiled the Amy’s House sign on the newly remodeled building, originally the Darius House, which has served as a vocational training center and chapel for Darius House children over the past 3 years. It is the desire of the Boyle family to remember their beautiful daughter, who passed away from a brain tumor two years ago, in a way that would help other children who also struggle with broken bodies.

During Amy’s long and terrible illness she knew the care and support of a loving family, pastors, church and community. She did suffer but she did not suffer alone. The young people who will live in the house named for Amy have suffered alone for years. Most were abandoned because of their disabilities and they have known real neglect and abuse before coming into RCE’s care at a Darius House.

 

Amy’s House will be home to those young people who age out of Darius House at 15 and have not yet been adopted. They will live in a family environment with house parents to teach them life skills so they can transition to independent, or semi-independent life, one day. Each will have his own room at Amy’s House, and learn to care for it, how to cook, do laundry, shop for his own food, and be trained in a job skill that fits his ability and interest. And have fun. As Mike Boyle said, “We want Amy’s House to be a place of laughter and joy despite the struggles.”

A few years from now, when they are 18, Amy’s House ‘graduates’ will be welcomed into local churches by pastors who have expressed a desire to continue the work of mercy for these kids in their congregations, providing love and support as needed in a Christian community.

Mike, Hannah, and Amy’s Aunt Betsy, had the opportunity to help put the finishing touches on the house – making it look like a home. They met the boys who will live in Amy’s House and took part in the dedication. “God is good,” Mike said, able, despite the loss of a beloved daughter, to stand firm in the reality of a loving God revealed anew in the creation and completion of Amy’s House, a visible reminder of the compassion and generosity of a holy God who calls His people to care for those in need.

Child Protection Department Director, Mrs. Iuhusz, told the gathering that, “Not only is RCE known and respected in Arad but also in Bucharest where recently a high-level official in the government likened the landscape of programs for disabled children across the country as a field, but with one flower growing in Arad - at RCE.”

What a wonderful opportunity we have been given to show the love of Christ, not only to children in need but also to people in the city and across the country who recognize the beauty of the Gospel being lived out in deeds of love and mercy.

Click here for a short video about the grand opening of Amy's House.

Thank you for your prayers and support for the new ministry of Amy’s House. Contributions to Amy’s House can be sent by mail to: RCE. 21058 Unison Rd. Middleburg, VA 20117