August 7, 2024 / by Cara Johnson
For some, the call comes in the middle of the night. Or on the weekend. Or right before a significant life-changing event.
For me, the first call came as a text message from a friend who is also a foster mama.
“Hey Lady! Quick question for you. If they (DCFS) were to expedite your license, would you be willing to take in a 2-year-old girl and her 5-month-old brother?”
This was followed by a cute picture of the two kiddos snuggling on a couch.
The second “call” came via email from my licensing worker.
“Hey! I know your home is currently closed, and you aren’t planning on taking on any new placements until the first of the year…BUT I have a seven-month-old boy who may be in need of placement as early as next week… Oh, and mom is pregnant and due in the spring.”
Being a foster parent has put me in a very unique position. I have the opportunity to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable. But at the same time, I have been given the opportunity to be served by others in my community. There are a few times that come to mind when people in my community stepped in and offered me a helping hand.
The first was a neighbor. Last spring, as I was trying to calm a crying 6-week-old, he knocked on my door (a look of shock and confusion on his face because he did not realize I had a newborn) and asked, “Is it okay if my son and I tackle the leaves in your yard?” It was my turn to be shocked, and replied, “Yes, please!” This neighbor came back again in the fall and again cleared my yard of every single leaf.
The second, a man, whom I’d never seen or seen since, showed up on my doorstep with his grandson, “I drive by your place almost every day, and I notice that you haven’t been able to dispose of the landscaping debris. Would it be okay if we took care of it for you?” Again, a shocked yes was my reply.
The third was a gentleman who lives a few doors down. Twice he has walked down to my house after a snowstorm and cleared my drive.
These three men will probably never understand what it meant to a single foster mama of three to have these tasks taken care of. Or the fact that their acts of service were the answers to unasked prayers. These men simply knew what skills they had and the time to offer them.
Foster Care is all about community! Like these three men and the people from church who send gift cards for dinner, buy diapers, or even purchase a car seat. It is because my community is willing to give time, money, and at times manual labor that I am able to serve.
Not everyone is called to foster, but everyone is called to be part of our foster care community!
Cara has been attending East White Oak Bible Church for the past 12 years. Cara volunteered with Safe Families for Children as a host family for six years, before making the leap into full time foster care in the Fall of 2021. Cara has had approximately 23 children come through her home and she just adopted her son, Jacob, in July. In addition to being a foster parent, Cara is also a 3rd grade teacher.
At East White Oak we assist orphans through our Adoption, Foster Care and Global Orphan Care teams.
Learn more about Neighboring!
Consider how you can serve your neighbors by visiting the East White Oak Outreach page and discover creative ways to serve your neighbors, make disciples, and read some fantastic stories! Download this Community Engagement Guide or grab a printed copy at the Gospel Resource display at church to learn how to engage with and share your faith with a simple 3-Circle Gospel Outline!
We’re praying for your outreach! Do you have a story to share? Contact [email protected].
