VALDOSTA — The burglary of all donated items to “His Hands Ministries” last Thursday did nothing to dampen Sunday’s open house festivities.

The open house at the corner of Brookwood Drive and Troup Street had already attracted more than 20 people shortly after opening its doors to the public, and many more people were expected, said Mary Corbin, director of His Hands Ministries, which is owned and operated by Southland Church.

Despite the burglary of items donated by members of the Southland Church, Corbin maintained a positive attitude.

“Even though it was a bad thing, I figured God had a plan for it,” Corbin said. “Even bad things work out for the good.”

Good things have already happened as a result, she said. The owners of Action Alarms Inc., Allen and Ginny Catoe, called Corbin after reading about the theft and volunteered to donate an alarm system for the building, because they believed it was something God wanted them to do.

“We’re very aware of Southland’s ministries in the community, Mrs. Catoe said. “They have reached and touched so many lives in the community.”

Corbin, 26, said Kim Megow, a local pediatrician and member of a charitable organization in the community, wants to donate money to replace everything that was stolen during the burglary. In addition, a member from the Southland Church has already donated a Nintendo game to replace the one that was stolen.

The opening at 10 a.m. today of the His Hands Ministries building will offer children from Ora Lee West and the surrounding area an opportunity to experience activities they wouldn’t have have had before. There are plans for a summer reading camp scheduled from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There will also be a Bible study on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Corbin said.

“We’ve had contact with about 200 children from Ora Lee West and the surrounding area,” Corbin said. “When the children come, they soak up the love we give them.”

Corbin’s caring attitude for children started about 16 years ago when her parents started a similar program. She described her parents as basically missionaries. She has been involved with Ora Lee West for more than two years, she said.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to work with underprivileged children,” Corbin said.



To contact reporter Rip Prine, please call 244-3400, ext. 237.