When my husband and I first began dating, we would spend hours every evening cozied up to a campfire in his backyard. Those are still some of my favorite memories we’ve shared with one another. In the dark & quiet, we shared our deepest dreams, our fears, where we saw the future taking us. We talked about what our wedding would one day look like, how many kids we would have. And we envisioned how God would use us to change the nation of – – – – – , in southern Asia. We both longed to be there, teach there, show the lepers & the outsiders that they are loved. We would dedicate so much of our time making sure they knew that Jesus loved them, and that we loved them. We desired to fight for justice. And we both had our hearts set on {some day} adopting from there as well.
Time flew by. We traveled to – – – – – together, and back home again. In 2011, a proposal on South Beach, and a wedding on the rainiest of days in Central Florida, came and went. This couple that had wild adventures planned to change the world, had no idea how greatly their plans would be turned upside down.
This couple would struggle. They would soon find out they battled infertility. Their future held lots of doctors appointments, testing, tearful prayers & tense conversations.
This couple would face immigration complications. They would spend a good portion of 2013 separated from one another, waiting for paperwork and attorneys and the government to reunite them.
This couple began pursuing adoption, only to be, instead, led to fostering. Which, in turn, led us back to questioning what will happen to our dreams of changing the world. The two of us could no longer run off halfway across the globe when the opportunity presented itself. We had always planned on being a family in missions… that we would allow our children to experience other cultures; we’d bring them with us and allow them to share the good news in their own innocent ways. It was something we greatly looked forward to. However, we would not be allowed to take foster children out of the country with us. The nature of foster care is temporary & ever-changing. You can go from a family of three to a family of seven overnight. The following day, or week, or month, your family can grow or shrink without so much as a knock on your door or a single phone call. It would be impossible for us to pursue missions.
But how can this be? We know God called us into missions. Without a doubt, 100%.
And we also know that God called us to foster. Without a doubt, 100%.
Somehow, these two callings would have to collide. And collide they did.
Entering into the fostering world, our eyes were quickly opened to the injustices. We saw first-hand a broken system, as well as the brokenhearted children trapped in it. We found a hidden group of children that have somehow been forgotten. And God revealed more of His heart within us. Within our reach, we had tiny “outsiders” who so desperately needed to know they are wanted. They are voiceless, but we can speak up on their behalf. We would be there for them, teach them, and make sure they know that Jesus loves them, and so do we.
Our mission field has shifted just a tad. We are still called to work in Asia, and we’re committed to going at least yearly, for a short trip. We have invested our efforts in pouring time & resources into a local ministry there to better equip them. We’re trusting & believing God to bless our efforts and this ministry, to do even more than we could do on our own. However, being blessed to care for the least of these in our own home, it’s also given us opportunities to minister to our neighbors, to school employees, to nurses & doctors & therapists, to social workers, to court officials, and so many more. Doors are swinging open left & right to praise Jesus… the ONLY one who could possibly give us the strength to walk out this calling.
“God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true.” -Psalm 18:30
Fostering Life 