Change Who Waits Rally

Join us at the Change Who Waits Rally on May 5, 2012
at Grove Avenue Baptist Church, 10 AM - 12 PM

watch a video here: http://vimeo.com/37216838

For more details click on the image below:

Our Advocate. Their Advocate.

As the Foster Care discussion last Wednesday approached, I was tempted to believe the information wouldn’t be new to me. Our family has already walked down the roads of domestic and international adoption. I have seen and read about specific foster children and we even put our name in to be considered as adoptive parents several times. It was PAINFUL. 

But I was pleasantly surprised on Wednesday night. Jim Carey, from the Department of Social Services spoke about PROGRESS in the implementation of new goals and procedures within their department and in the state. I saw HOPE because it seems these goals mean fewer children are entering the foster care system. 

Yes, foster families and adoptive families can join the system and help, but what these children really need is an advocate. On Wed. night, I was reminded that they have one.

Even as believers, we often forget we have an Advocate.

“… the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27

Thankfully our advocate isn’t wishy-washy like I am or fearful of turning life upside down. He is capable of perfectly loving the lowest, the neediest and the helpless. He is capable of giving me exactly what I need to follow Him.

Often times, we get bogged down with the details like: 

“How on earth can we matter?”
“This problem is so HUGE!”
“This might be HARD”
“How can God possibly use us here?”
etc...

On my own, I am not equipped to love these children. It is my LORD who is equipped and he generously invites me to join him. 

I don’t know what lies ahead for this Schwarz clan of 7 in caring for those in need. I do know it is our job to be willing to enter wherever HE calls us. It is rarely neat and orderly and under my control and it doesn’t have to make perfect sense to me. I just need to follow him. 

If we had never followed His ever so simple nudge, I know 2 toddler boys from Ethiopia who would not be gracing our home with JOY and LOVE. YES... there is sacrifice. SO WHAT? Why did I work so hard to avoid that? For I have learned that the smallest of sacrifices on my own part allow me a taste of the ultimate sacrifice on my behalf.

In addition, recently God is reminding me that HE does put people in our paths. Do we see them? Are we bothered by them? I’m grateful for a few of them that text me, call me, ask me for help, receive my little help and prayers, and allow me to enter into their world; one VERY DIFFERENT from mine. It gets me out of thinking MY world is THE world and into HIS heart and KINGDOM. It’s better!

I'm challenged to consider if I really believe my Advocate is for me and those in need. Since He is, then it's worth following Him where He leads. 

By Cindy Schwarz, group member, adoptive mom

Broken

“Foster care will break your heart.” Jim Carey, Department of Social Services.

On Wednesday evening, I joined the other folks in our Missional Community Group (MCG) to hear from Mr. Carey about foster care in our area. As I sat there listening to real stories, my heart felt broken. I had moments of sadness and joy.

To be honest, life is full. Most/all of my brain power goes to being a wife and mom. I struggle often and know that it is God who gives me strength and energy to make it through some crazy days with my three young boys.  Over the past couple years, I’ve been so thankful to renew a closer friendship with my Savior. I enjoy talking with Him, but the focus of my prayer life is often my family, my circumstances and praying for my friends. Did you hear all those “my’s”? yikes!

So what does this have to do with foster care? I have been so stretched to think outside of my personal zone this year as I participate in our MCG. It’s not all about me?!?! Something I'm reminded of often. As I absorbed all the information on Wednesday night I had a variety of emotions. I felt so sad for all these children, who by no fault of their own, are forced to deal with terrible situations. TERRIBLE! It made me mad, angry, and confused. Then, I felt hope and joy as I heard success stories of children who flourished in the love and care from their foster families.

I also heard loud and clear that fostering children is not an easy path. It sounds lame, but I don’t feel God has equipped us to be a foster family. But, how can one walk away from this information and awareness and slip back into regular life and ignore it? Ignore that there are children out there who are hurting? Ignore that there are children out there who are not even having basic needs met? How many times do we hear a great message and sit there nodding our heads, taking notes, agreeing excitedly and then walk away and resume life just like it used to be before?

For now, the only thing I know to do is to pray. To pray with a new understanding of the hurt and brokenness. To pray with a slightly deeper understanding of how privileged my own kids are to be fed, clothed, protected and loved. To pray that I won’t forget and slip into my own self-centered world. Dear Jesus, give me eyes to see.

Will you join me in praying?

By Jill Smith, group member

Join Us

I don’t know much about foster care. Sadly, what I know probably falls under the list of general misconceptions.  I don’t first think about the amazing opportunity it would be to share Christ’s love with a hurting and scared child, instead I usually go straight to thoughts of how “messy” it would be to enter into. I have recently felt compelled to pray for people who welcome these children into their homes. They are an example of Christ’s love not only to the foster children, but to the rest of their community.

Is the church body setting the same example?

Christ’s love should compel us to love those who need it most. Not because it’s easy or glamorous, but because He has called us to love one another. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13

Our MCG is excited to welcome Jim Carey from the Henrico County Dept. of Social Services, this Wednesday night, February 15, at 6 p.m. He is eager to help us better understand the foster care system and ways we can help.

There are approximately 5,500 children in foster care in VA alone. Most of these children need a temporary home and about 800 of them are waiting to be permanently adopted.

How can followers of Jesus care for these children?

I hope you’ll join us this week as we explore the avenues of respite care, foster care and supporting those involved in foster care.

By Ali Fogarty, group member.

Adoption Day

Our family has been doing interim foster care for Bethany Christian Services since June, 2010.  Since then, we have had 9 children; 8 of whom were adopted, and one who was reunited with birth mom.
Our placements have ranged in age from 2 days old to 4 years old.  They have lived with us anywhere from 7 days to 7 weeks.
Interim foster care allows time for the birth mother to make a final decision as to whether she will place or parent her baby.  It also allows her time to choose an adoptive couple, if she hasn’t done so already.  Typically, the little ones in our care are newborns, and we keep them until the birth parents’ rights are legally terminated, and the baby is ready to go to its adoptive family. 

I don’t think we’ll ever forget our very first adoption day.  The adoptive couple had chosen not to meet or see pictures of Aaron, guarding their hearts for fear that the birth mother would change her mind and choose to parent at the last minute.  So, when I placed that 10 day old baby into his forever mom’s arms, it was equivalent to being in the labor and delivery room (yes, with some obvious differences!)  They were seeing their son for the very first time, and a new family was formed before our eyes.  To be a part of an event like that? There are just no words to describe it.  What an honor!!! 

 

We have since been a part of several more adoption days, and although no two are alike, they’ve all had one thing in common- TEARS. Not just from the adoptive parents but also from me. Tears, as I’m saying “see you later” to the precious child I’ve been having lots of 3a.m. parties with and have loved like my own. Tears, because what we are witnessing is so beautiful. It is a picture of God’s heart.  He sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6). Thank you, Jesus, for adopting ME!
And sometimes there are tears because the birth mom is there, and she is making a decision that is so painful and sacrificial, out of pure love for her baby. 

 

So, what is adoption day like from the perspective of an interim care family?
It is JOY.

By Tracy Scoggins, group member, interim care mom