Since my husband and I were dating we talked about adoption and our desire to welcome a child that needs a family into our own. It was clear for us that if we have the benefit of a stable living situation, the support of our church family, and enough spiritual and financial resources, then we would move in that direction God put in our hearts. As we researched about the different options (private, infant, international), we came across the foster care program which was very different for me (coming from a country where it doesn’t have a foster system).
The foster care program is not necessarily an adoption avenue, although it is not always possible, their main goal is to reunify the child with the birth family. When that doesn’t happen the child needs a permanent place and a safe family that is willing to adopt them. After a lot of prayer, research, and countless hours of Youtube videos, the desire to start our foster care journey just became stronger. We were willing to adopt the ones who needed permanent care, but also to be a support for the children who need temporary care.
Our journey started December 2021 and in July 2022 we were ready to welcome a child into our family. In fact we did that, only 3 days after we found out our license was approved. Sadly, the need is so big and there is no waiting time for the families who decide to embark on this journey. To share just a few numbers from last week from our County, these were the children and youth in need of foster caregivers:
- Sibling Group 1: Girl, 9 months; Boy,7
- Sibling Group 2: Girl, 8; Girl, 6; Boy, 5; Boy, 11
- Sibling Group 3: Girl, 3; Girl, 1
- Girl, 15
- Boy, 5
- Boy, 4
- Boy, 3
We need more christian families who are willing to share the unique gift of love and grace of God through their testimony of caring for children in need.
The need is big, and the challenge is even greater. We need more families that are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to invest in the lives of these children and youth. We need more christian families who are willing to share the unique gift of love and grace of God through their testimony of caring for children in need. This is not an easy task but it is what we are commanded to do.
1 John 4:11 says “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Adoption is a big part of the Gospel message! We were lost and God welcomed us into His family ( Eph. 1:5). Nothing resembles the love which God loved us more than welcoming a child into our own families. In 1 John 4:19 the Apostle John gives the beautiful statement “We love because He first loved us.” God is our ultimate example and because we received His love we can share it with the ones who need it.
Matthew 5:14-16 says that we “are the light of the world. […] Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” We are to show our light through the testimony of our lives and here are some practical ways you can do that:
- Adopt someone who needs a permanent family.
- If You Can’t Adopt, Foster someone who needs temporary care.
- If You Can’t Foster, Sponsor someone who can use your extra resources.
- If You Can’t Sponsor, Volunteer to help families that would benefit of some extra help.
- If You Can’t Volunteer, Donate to organizations you trust and are doing a faithful job.
- If You Can’t Donate, Educate yourself and others about this cause that is so important!
Ana Luiza Lupinetti is passionate about helping and serving people. As a pastor’s daughter and a pastor’s wife, she loves using her gifts and talents to help ministries succeed.
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT 