Inspired by her own adoptive parents, foster mom advocates for kids in need
Being part of the chaos and fun of a large family was all Amber had ever known. She was adopted, she had grown up with eight siblings, her parents had fostered children—and she knew early on that these things would motivate her to care for children as a foster parent herself one day. “I saw my parents as selfless givers, and that’s totally ingrained in me that that’s how everyone should be,” Amber says. But first, she needed to make sure the man she would eventually marry was of the same mind. continued . . .
Amber and Jake have fostered 19 children and adopted three.
Sharing the love of God through foster care and adoption
FALL 2018
. . . continued from page 1
“I told him right away, ‘If this is going to work, you’d better get on board,’” Amber recalls fondly of her first date with Jake. “He has such a big heart. He was made for it. Neither of us can imagine doing anything different.” And so the journey began. So far, Amber and Jake have fostered 19 children and adopted three—and despite their struggles with infertility, they believe God may also bless them with biological children someday. “We’re open to any way God wants to grow our family,” Amber says. Fostering children has brought her so much joy, in fact, that she decided to serve on the Bethany board and to become an advocate for foster care and foster care adoption. “Having a support group to lean on is crucial to foster parents,” Amber says. “Everyone has a part to play, and sometimes that part is rallying around foster families and providing a meal, for example. “I envision a world where the church supports families, single moms, and those on the margins—and that they realize they need help before the point of losing their kids. Whatever we can do, we should do.”
Their mom was an adopted child in a big, boisterous family, which helped make her the compassionate person she is today.
“He is so very happy to have a family and a home” Little boy with special needs finds his forever family From the time they were married, Rebecca and David were intrigued by the idea of adoption. After their third child was born in 2010, the Lord laid it on their hearts to pursue adoption and see what He would do.
Credit: Laura-Jean Watson Photography
Inspired by her own adoptive parents
“What a faith journey it has been as we watched God put people in place and bring in the funds we needed just at the right time,” Rebecca says. “Bethany Christian Services was key in supporting us through the process. We saw a photo of little Nslzwe—a child with special needs who was on Bethany’s waiting child list—and on September 24, 2015, we received an official referral. What a happy day that was when we traveled to South Africa to meet the boy we would later name Andrew.
“One little phrase Andrew repeatedly said when we first welcomed him into our home was, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’ We, too, want to say, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’” —Rebecca, adoptive mother
“And then to welcome him into our home two months later, it was thrilling to see the Lord work out the details at every turn. He even used us and little Andrew to encourage our South African host family to adopt two children in-country. Such an amazing God we serve who has a compassionate heart for orphans.”
Little Jaden came home to his forever family from China.
“Miracle after miracle” define family’s adoption journey Adoptive parents Rebecca and David were thrilled to welcome Andrew into their loving home.
She adds that since becoming a part of this loving family, Andrew has experienced dramatic and positive changes in his growth, health, and demeanor. “Andrew is so very happy to have a family and a home,” Rebecca says. “Having him in our family is a true joy. We have had a lot of opportunities to exercise patience and love the way we’ve been loved by our Heavenly Father. We don’t do it perfectly, but we feel so privileged to experience this real-life picture of the Gospel being played out every day in our home. “One little phrase Andrew repeatedly said when we first welcomed him into our home was, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’ Those are precious words, especially coming from him. We, too, want to say, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’”
Jennifer and Phillip find their son’s laugh irresistibly contagious Jennifer doesn’t necessarily agree with the old saying that “the pain of labor is forgotten once the baby is born.” But she does believe that giving birth to new life—as well as meeting the challenges of adopting a baby—are more than worth it. In Jennifer’s experience, the process of adopting a baby from China was time-consuming and sometimes tough. But given how much love now fills her home, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Our adoption journey has been an endless testimony to God’s faithfulness.” —Jennifer, adoptive mother
“Our adoption journey has been an endless testimony to God’s faithfulness,” Jennifer says. “Each financial need was met as it came up, and each prayer was answered in God’s perfect timing. We experienced miracle after miracle, from paperwork to bills being paid to receiving a new minivan as an anonymous gift.
“My husband Phillip and I named our adopted son Jaden, which means ‘God hears.’ His name and his presence in our family are a beautiful reminder of God’s greatness and goodness. “I cannot explain the emotions that go into meeting a child who is now a part of our family. All four of us—my husband and two children—went to the government office to pick Jaden up, along with my sister so that she could film the whole thing. We arrived at the same time as the orphanage director with Jaden, and ended up meeting our son on the elevator! He was scared, but he let us hold him and play with him.” Jennifer describes the transition home as a rollercoaster of ups and downs. But she also sees regular progress. Jaden’s laugh is irresistibly contagious, she says, and they are getting to know each other better day by day. She is deeply grateful for Bethany’s ongoing support. “Our God is so good, and our family is so beautiful,” she says. “Thank you so much for being a part in bringing Jaden into our home. We are blessed beyond measure and so grateful.”
BRANCH: Atlanta |(367)
REFUGEE CRISIS UPDATE
By Marla Bliss at 10:56 am, Sep 11, 2018
Mother and child reunited after separation at border The family is a fundamental building block of the kingdom of Christ, which is why Bethany Christian Services has been working for years to reunite children who have become separated from their families. The recent refugee crisis has made our calling to serve these children even louder—and with the support of generous donors like you, we have reunited 100% of the refugee children 5 years old and under placed in our care after being separated at the U.S.-Mexico border over the past year. One of these families had fled gang violence and threats to their lives in Honduras. After an arduous trip north, Maricel,* her husband, Carlo,* and their three-year-old daughter and infant son arrived at a border city on the Rio Grande. There they turned themselves in as asylum seekers rather than try to live on the run. They were immediately separated.
Maricel and her son were sent to stay with extended family members in Maryland. Carlo was put in immigration detention in Texas. And Maricel’s daughter was placed with a Bethany foster family in Michigan. Months later, with support from Bethany, a reunion between mother and daughter was scheduled. Maricel was anxious throughout the 10hour drive. But once she saw her little girl—who had turned four while they were apart—she was deeply relieved. For now, the family’s future is uncertain, and they are taking things day by day. “My children— and fighting for them—give me hope,” Maricel says. To learn how you can help families like Maricel’s, please visit www.bethany.org/Refugee
Inspired by her own adoptive parents, foster mom advocates for kids in need
Maricel, a Honduran asylum seeker, leaned heavily on her faith in God after her daughter, now 4, was removed from her care at the U.S.-Mexico border.
*Names changed to protect privacy
To give a gift online, visit bethany.org/LovingFamilies
Events and Happenings
November 9 • Changing Children’s Lives Fundraising Dinner 6:30-9:00 p.m. • Westin Atlanta Perimeter North • Register online at bethany.org/atlanta/events.
GEORGIA
November 27 • Giving Tuesday Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that celebrates and supports the giving work of others. Join us on Giving Tuesday and each gift to Bethany’s Caring Connection fund will be matched to double its impact! Last year through your support and the matching gift, we raised $103,966 to help give children the gift of a family! Be sure to visit bethany.org/GivingTuesday on November 27 and show your support by giving generously to bring children and families together!
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Being part of the chaos and fun of a large family was all Amber had ever known. She was adopted, she had grown up with eight siblings, her parents had fostered children—and she knew early on that these things would motivate her to care for children as a foster parent herself one day.
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“I saw my parents as selfless givers, and that’s totally ingrained in me that that’s how everyone should be,” Amber says.
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But first, she needed to make sure the man she would eventually marry was of the same mind. continued . . .
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Amber and Jake have fostered 19 children and adopted three. Photo: Meredith Benton Photography
Sharing the love of God through foster care and adoption
FALL 2018