God is faithful when we step out in obedience.
God began stirring my heart for the need for foster families in November of 2018.
My husband, Nathan, was about to start a new job, and life was a little uncertain.
These are often the times that God truly begins to shift things because that is when
it takes the most faith to step out and do His work.
My husband, Nathan, was about to start a new job, and life was a little uncertain.
These are often the times that God truly begins to shift things because that is when
it takes the most faith to step out and do His work.
From the moment I told Nathan what was on my heart, he was on board and standing
behind me in this very unclear vision that I had at the moment. He did not hesitate
or question the things that I was feeling. I wasn’t really sure where this was going
or what God was actually calling me to do, but I knew that something was shifting.
behind me in this very unclear vision that I had at the moment. He did not hesitate
or question the things that I was feeling. I wasn’t really sure where this was going
or what God was actually calling me to do, but I knew that something was shifting.
After I took a leap of faith and made a phone call to speak the desires of my heart,
He really began revealing to me that the Tangipahoa/Washington Parish area is in
desperate need of foster families, and that led me to some very sad numbers. In
November of 2018 there were 179 certified homes in those two parishes. 83 of those
are child specific which means only 96 are open homes. 66 of those 96 are at/over
capacity. The 30 remaining homes are all in Tangipahoa Parish and only have
availability for 1 child, but most of those 30 already have a high need child so they
often say no to another child. That means that ALL 39 foster homes in Washington
Parish are at capacity. These numbers made my heart break, and I knew that this
was a need that can’t be ignored.
He really began revealing to me that the Tangipahoa/Washington Parish area is in
desperate need of foster families, and that led me to some very sad numbers. In
November of 2018 there were 179 certified homes in those two parishes. 83 of those
are child specific which means only 96 are open homes. 66 of those 96 are at/over
capacity. The 30 remaining homes are all in Tangipahoa Parish and only have
availability for 1 child, but most of those 30 already have a high need child so they
often say no to another child. That means that ALL 39 foster homes in Washington
Parish are at capacity. These numbers made my heart break, and I knew that this
was a need that can’t be ignored.
Weeks went by, and God repeatedly confirmed the things that I felt in my soul.
People we don’t even know began to speak into this vision and provide the
confirmation that I really needed. God strategically placed people in my path to
ensure that I would not let the tremendous amount of fear I felt in my mind stop
me from pursuing this huge thing He had placed in my heart.
People we don’t even know began to speak into this vision and provide the
confirmation that I really needed. God strategically placed people in my path to
ensure that I would not let the tremendous amount of fear I felt in my mind stop
me from pursuing this huge thing He had placed in my heart.
God has shown me that these kids need someone that focuses on Washington,
Tangipahoa, & Livingston Parishes. A voice and a face to be in constant contact to help
recruit new foster families and get local church support for these rural areas that are
often forgotten. Someone that is willing to stand with current foster families and support
them when they have a placement. Someone that is willing to be a voice for these kids.
Someone that is willing to help plant a seed in someone’s heart that they ARE capable of
opening their heart and home for one of these children. Someone that is willing to work to
change the stigma that foster children often have on them by no fault of their own.
Tangipahoa, & Livingston Parishes. A voice and a face to be in constant contact to help
recruit new foster families and get local church support for these rural areas that are
often forgotten. Someone that is willing to stand with current foster families and support
them when they have a placement. Someone that is willing to be a voice for these kids.
Someone that is willing to help plant a seed in someone’s heart that they ARE capable of
opening their heart and home for one of these children. Someone that is willing to work to
change the stigma that foster children often have on them by no fault of their own.
I am that someone.
“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story” Josh Shipp
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