CHILDREN'S HOME LOOKING FOR MIRACLE

GORDONVILLE, Mo. -- Shepherd's Cove Children's Home is in search of a miracle -- again.

The children's foster home, operated in association with the Abundant Life Church in Gordonville, has little time left to repay a loan and faces closing its doors to the more than 30 children who have received help and a home there.

A benefit auction is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday at Mathes Land Development Co., between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., on Highway 25. Several businesses have donated items, including two vehicles, area rugs and shotguns.

Food and refreshment will be served under tents throughout the day. Gospel groups also will perform.

Radio station KWKZ 106.1 FM will be taking phone calls for donation pledges today on the Cousin Carl program. Call 334-7800 to pledge.

"We were in the same predicament three years ago," said the Rev. David Butler, pastor of the church. The congregation isn't a large one and just "bit off more than we could chew" when it built the home and began operating it in 1998.

The foster home is licensed by the state but receives no government funding for its construction and maintenance. That support comes from individual donations and the church. A separate board of directors oversees the foster home's operation.

"We need help and people have to get involved," said Mike Mathes, who has been working to help raise the money by collecting donations.

1999 troubles

The congregation nearly lost the home in 1999 when the property was slated for auction, but the Rhodes Trust paid the bank loan and allowed the church to repay it instead.

However, the Rhodes Family Trust needs to collect at least $190,000 or the property might be sold again. The family trust is forgiving $10,000 of the original loan amount.

Butler said there had been a misunderstanding among many people who believed the trust had simply paid the loan off. However, the church has been renting the home back from the trust since that time.

The house sits on the eastern part of a 10-acre tract along Route K and Highway 25, adjacent to the church.

For information or to make a donation, call Mathes at 450-1370 or Sherry McConnell at 450-5353. Donations are also being accepted at Bank of Missouri branches.

HOW TO HELP

For information or to make a donation, call Mike Mathes at 450-1370 or Sherry McConnell at 450-5353. Donations are also being accepted at Bank of Missouri branches.