A Foster Family’s Account

What if God called you to Fostering or Adoption? What if your role of parenting went beyond your own children, and God trusted you with a child who was lost and looking for love? The statistics are outstanding. At last check, in a five county district, there were 4,000 plus children in the fostering program. Newborns to teenagers, all separated from their families for one reason or another. School enrollment applications now ask, whether the child is homeless or not and an increasing percentage of children only eat at school. The numbers are staggering, but there is hope. We are a people of hope, moved to answer the call for the sake of the next generation. This is a short story on one family's attempt to make a difference.




Guest: Sandra Gilbertsen (mother)

My family has been a fostering in Hernando County, Florida for the past six years. Being a foster parent has had its rewards and disappointments. I understand what these children are going through because I came from a home with domestic violence and neglect.  After I gave my heart to the Lord, the Lord called me to foster parenting.  One night while in prayer, I asked Him, why couldn’t I have known you when I was younger. I wouldn’t have had suffer as much in my life. That night in prayer He spoke to me, to teach the children about Him. The foster children come to our family with all kinds of hurts and fears; fears that I can relate to. It is heart-breaking to see what they go through. We receive them into our home and from the time they are with us, we pray over them and love them like they are our own.  They come to us shaking with drug withdrawal, neglected, dirty, afraid, and sick, along with many other issues.  One three year old boy came to us losing his hair and teeth from living in a meth house. Our motivation and reward is seeing them grow and thrive and to witness God healing. 
 
Olivia, our oldest adopted daughter, who was removed from her home at age four, still remembers that incident clearly and is able to understand the kids and connects and helps them. We have adopted four children so far, every child with a special gift from the Lord.  In Romans 8:28 it says, “and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”  Sometimes it seems like we are walking through mud, the forces seem strong against us, but then God steps in and shows us what we are doing and who we are doing it for.  He gets all the glory.

It is hard to hear people say, “I can’t do that fostering, I can’t let go of the children when it is time for them to leave”;  but somebody needs to be there to pick them up, kiss their booboos, tell them they are loved, and pray for them.  Yes, they do have to leave, but it is not about us, it is about how God can use my family for His glory.  We are a changed family because of this and He has taken my pain and turned it into joy.

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