Changing the World a Family at a Time
by Bob Gerstmyer, Executive Director
At 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, Melissa Mazeski and I met a family at our offices in Columbia, Maryland. The family consisted of two grandparents, an uncle, and two children ages 11 and 5 months. The family traveled from southern Maryland to place the children in our Safe Families for Children (SFC) initiative. It was a bittersweet time as we welcomed the children and prepared for their arrivals into the families that have so generously donated their time and resources.
As we were getting to know each other, one of the Safe Family moms arrived to receive the precious five month old little girl. It was clear that the grandparents and uncle had mixed feelings about letting the children go. Yet they had no place or resources to care for the kids. They were extremely grateful for our assistance. After the SFC mom left with the five month old, the adults would take the 11 year old young man to meet his SFC parents. One poignant moment was when the boy asked to hold his infant sister and say goodbye. When he received her, he pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. After what seemed like a long time, he kissed her and handed her back to his grandmother. As we all said our goodbyes, sadness and anticipation hung heavy in the room. Soon we were all on the road to our separate destinations. Thank the Lord that we were able to help this family in distress and provide a safe environment for the kids while the family works through their distress.
As of today, April 29, the kids are adjusting well to their temporary homes and we are grateful to God for His provision through us. In the meantime, we have had to turn away two other families because we do not have appropriate homes for the children. Pray with us for more safe families to step forward to "visit orphans" in their distress. God bless you.
SUCCESSES!
Note: These stories are taken from our monthly "PrayerGram." If you would like to receive the Prayergram by email, please click here and leave us your address. All names have been changed to protect the identities of our kids and families.
Melissa approved two new families for our Safe Families for Children program. One family is from Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie and the other is from North Harford Baptist Church. We also welcomed two new CHOSEN families earlier this month --one from Howard County and the other from Baltimore County. We are happy that they are willing to open their homes to children in need.
There is great news to pass along about Ching Lan, for whom you have been praying over the past several months. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in January and started a full time job with benefits this week. Ching Lan is now looking at a more stable future.
Darron took his GED test this week. After he receives the GED, he has a job lined up and ready to go.
Kudos to foster parent Tamara Harris for her willingness to stay up all night during a recent hospitalization with her CHOSEN child.
Prayer Requests
...for a foster child who is having difficulty with the transition back to his biological family and is acting out.
...for a foster teen who has not had contact with his biological family for years and is hesitant to respond after they reached out to him through social media.
...for a woman who lost her husband on Monday; she is feeling overwhelmed by the logistics of his burial as well as the grief of losing him.
...for a foster child who is struggling to stay on task at school.
...for a young man who is seeking a diagnosis for chronic abdominal pain.
...for a foster child who has been experiencing suicidal ideations.
...for a man who will undergo cataract surgery next week.
...for a young mother who is recovering from a severe infection in the brain and going through physical therapy.