One thing we decided in November was to broaden our perameters with our desire to adopt a little boy. John and I agreed that it was ridiculous that we have had a bed, clothes, toys...all ready to go to receive a little boy for over a year now and still CPS has not given us a child to care for. So, we changed our status to being open to fostering, respite care or whatever was needed--especially over the holidays. We figured that certainly the need might be greater over the holidays. We also were excited at the possibility of being able to have a new child to love and serve as a family over Christmas. The interesting thing is that indeed we have been blessed with being able to stand in the gap for some children in need this Christmas but it didn't come through CPS or the foster care system.
Our good friend Becky has been involved with a family on the east side of Buda for over a year. This is a family of 14 children ages 2 years to 16 years who are all being care for by their grandmother due to delinquent parents or parents in prison. A year ago they all lived in a single wide trailer with no shower and cooked over a butane camping stove. (Yes, for all 15 of them) Our church partnered with Austin Angels to remodel the existing construction trailer they were living in and also providing another single wide. Later we built a deck between the two and got them a stove, refrigerator, and window AC units. Though this was a real help the family still struggles tremendously financially. Right now they don't have electricity (which is no fun with no heat or lights at night) because they are so behind on their bills.
Well, Becky saw another need a year ago to begin mentoring 3 of the older girls. For the past year she has taken these girls to her home every weekend to shower, wash clothes, and just be with her family. To have someone to help with their homework, to see a mom and a DAD, etc. They have been serving alongside Becky as well. Another amazing thing is that after John and the Peru team returned from their trip in October, they brought 10 kids before our church who needed sponsorships to attend school in Peru. Well these girls Becky mentors decided to sponsor a child in Peru. They now work hard babysitting and cleaning to pay the $35 a month to sponsor their child.
Another family from Austin New Church has also been taking two of the grandma's younger girls to their home on the weekends. This is such a service to the grandma and the kids because she has to work and often the kids aren't adequately supervised or fed.
So, our family has also had the privilege of getting to help these kids recently. We have been taking 5 year old Louis with us for the past month. We have been enjoying the Christmas season with him (and his sisters on one occasion as well) He and Tyler have really clicked and the girls love him too! We have him signed up to play basketball on Saturdays with the kids in January. Though Louis is not 'officially ours' we are privileged to care for him for now primarily on the weekends. I am especially grateful for John and the way he is showing Louis what a dad is and how a dad should lead a family.
