I have not been able to stop thinking about all I learned about foster care at the Orphan Summit a few weeks ago! My parents fostered 2 teenage siblings that were friends of friends before I was born. Just as I have always wanted to adopt since I was a young girl I have always been interested in the idea of fostering children as well!
The images in the videos from 4 Kids of South Florida keep playing through my mind. I especially think about the moment that children are taken from their home. I can't even imagine all that a child goes through in those moments - extreme fear and confusion - maybe for some even relief? What I wonder most is if they think THEY did something wrong. How could they not? They are a young child and the police come and take them away in a car - they take them to the police department and take their fingerprints - isn't that what they do to criminals?
And the parents - I can't begin to think what it must be like to have your children taken from you. I see the mom in the video that is standing in the street - screaming after the police car for her children. I am also coming to realize that as much as I'd like to think that I would NEVER get myself to the point where my children had to be taken from me - there but for the grace of God go I! Being a mom is the hardest thing I have ever done and there are days when I feel "near the edge". Add in major financial stress, relational and emotional duress and it suddenly doesn't seem so hard to imagine!
I applaud those that work in this field - it is a labor of love. I am sure that they are overworked and underpaid and underappreciated! I admire those that have been willing to take these children into their homes and hearts and have helped them see that it is NOT their fault and that they are valuable and loved by God!
I am still praying about what my (and my family's) piece is in all of this. I am trying to research online and learn more about the system here in Michigan and how it works. And I am looking for a starting place, a place to connect and come alongside and support and assist.
At the Orphan Summit we learned about a National Foster Care Prayer Vigil that Family Life is promoting. It is May 19th - 25th. We are not going to formally host an event, but I am going to encourage those that I know to be a part of praying this next week. I would love by next year to get multiple churches involved and have it be a co-ordinated event! It will be intersting to see where we all are next May!
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I don't know what they do in other states, but in Texas the police officers do not take the kids. A CPS caseworker takes the kids in their car directly to the foster home. I would guess most states do the same. This still is not easy for the kids, at all, but at least it isn't the back of a police car.
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