This month has been an eventful one!
May is National Foster Care Month and as foster care missionaries, we like to take opportunities to bring awareness of the need for Christian families to care for the vulnerable, abused and neglected children in our communities. We also believe The Church can be instrumental in ministering to these families, by wrapping around them with tangible, practical help, as foster/adoptive parents are in the trenches– caring for the least of these.
The top two issues in foster care are:
There aren’t enough families to foster and adopt
50% of foster families quit after the first year; another 50% quit after the 2nd year.
Churches are positioned to solve both of these issues. If you want to learn how your church can be a part of the solution, contact Sandra Hogue at Sandra@onefamilyfl.com or by phone or text 386-383-2553.
So far this month, Stephen and Sandra had the opportunity to speak on the radio regarding foster care and adoption through foster care and how we need the Church as a whole to step into this space. Sandra trained a group of child welfare professionals on how to use a computer program to enter in needs that churches can fulfill. We are also utilizing social media as a huge part in how we share statistics, scripture that supports orphan care, and encourage the Body of Christ to answer the call to care for orphans in their time of need (James 1:27). Secondly, with the possible upcoming overturning of Roe V wade, there will be a new kind of crisis. Currently, 3000 babies a day are aborted in America. What happens to those babies when abortion is no longer legal in certain states? Will babies now have a better chance at life? And if so, will the mothers have the support they need to parent their children? And what about the moms who choose an adoption plan? Will there be enough Christ followers to step up and adopt? And how will these decisions impact the Church?
As disciples of Christ, we should pray about our role as individuals and as the Church. We must prayerfully be prepared to respond. This could be our opportunity to Rise and Shine!
On a personal note, the third oldest Hogue, is graduating from high school on May 20th. He plans on attending Daytona State College and live on campus. Our son Silas and our daughter Selah will be seniors in high school next school year. Sophia is going into 11th, Samuel and Solomon will be starting 7th grade, and Sarai and Siloam are currently finishing 4th and 3rd grades.
The kids have worked very hard this school year! We plan on doing some fun activities over the summer, as well as, attend summer camps.
In honor of National Foster Care Awareness Month, purchase copies of I Promise, a children’s book that brings awareness of foster care and the theme, “when people break their promises, God never will…”
Join Sandra Hogue for a FREE book study each month as she will dissect Karyn Purvis' well known book: The Connected Child, for parents who have welcomed children from other countries and cultures, from troubled backgrounds, and/or with behavioral or emotional needs. It is also recommended for church leaders, teachers, or anyone who works with children from 'hard places'.
The Connected Child will help you:
Build bonds of affection and trust with your foster/adopted child
Effectively deal with any learning or behavioral disorders
Discipline your child with love without making him or her feel threatened
It is recommended that you purchase the book. However, it is NOT required to participate on the ZOOM call.
When: May 26, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lc-GsqDsqG9UnwfigceRE9DkV0Eto1xpz After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Thank you for your continued prayer and/or financial support. You are a vital part of this ministry. Together we will see the Body of Christ be moved with compassionate action to care for kids in foster care and support those who do.
For more info, to partner with us, to shop in our cyber store, or to check out our ministry resources, click here: onefamilyfl.com. If you want to partner with us financially with a one-time gift or a recurring one, click here onefamily.kindful.fl.
Lately, we've been meeting two Thursdays per month at the Salvation Army in Daytona. In May, we will only be meeting on May 26th at 6:30 PM. If you live in the greater Daytona Beach, FL area, please join us!
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