The desire to be involved with foster children is something that God has been working in my life for some time. While attending school at Berry College, I was able to get a glimpse of foster families through the Winshape Foster Homes that are located on the campus. During my freshmen year I attended a Bible study hosted by one of the foster families. I only attended once, but God used the mother’s words to speak to my heart. I began to see these children and His love for them. She said that this (the foster home) is a place where children can finally have a home, a place to feel settled, a place to hear the truth, a place they can call home and that they do come back to even after being out on their own. God let me see. It was just a glimpse, but when you see things close to his heart, they don’t go away. This stuck with me, and I knew that I wanted to be involved, just wasn’t sure how.
Doors opened up to be involved when I heard about promise686 and the opportunities available through the community of care. The community of care comes around foster families to provide the support they need while taking care of these children. It could be anything from taking a meal, transporting a child to an appointment, or having the child come and stay overnight. I originally signed up to just take meals. I figured it was one way I could serve and do something I rather enjoy doing— cooking.
Not long after signing up, I had an email that a family would need a meal. After taking the meal and meeting the children and parents, I knew I wanted to do more than just meals. So I dove into childcare, knowing that this would mean that I would have to conquer my fear of dirty diapers (I don’t have kids of my own).
I can’t even begin to describe what an amazing experience it has been, and I’m not sure that words could ever express. God has allowed me to meet families that not only open their homes to these children, but they have shared their lives with me as well. The children are precious and just love it when someone comes to hang out with them. It is exciting to spend time with these kids, to get to know them, and to be a part of their lives. It is also chance for them to see the Gospel lived before them, to show them that they are loved more than they could ever know, and then to serve and support the families so that they may love the children well. I still feel that I have only had a small glimpse, but it has left me longing for more whether it is more service to the foster families or one day fostering on my own.