Heidi and I went to a conference in Tri-Cities a few days ago that was put on the by Adoption/Orphan Care ministry of the Calvary Chapel in Kennewick. (Heidi and Camille were sick for most of it, so we only got to go to about 1/2 of the sessions, but we are very thankful we went down.)
We went for a few reasons.
1. The Lord has increasingly placed a desire/burning upon our souls to see God's name exalted in families in the Spokane community and we wanted to see how this conference was organized/focused/etc. to get a glimpse and continue to think through if the Lord is desiring us to be involved in something similar in Spokane in the coming year/years, etc.
2. There were several breakout sessions that seemed of interest and very applicable in some of the struggles we are currently wrestling through.
Great Connections
This is the 2nd year that this church has put this conference on and they had about 150 registrants. There are many people in this church who have gone down the road of foster care/foster to adopt/domestic adoption/international adoption.
There is a group of people/churches in Spokane that are passionate about seeing the local church dive into this area of life and ministry and the believers in Tri-Cities have been a great resource for us.
Instead of summarizing the whole thing, let me give you a few links of people/ministries that were/are great resources:
Forever Homes: Lynn and Jennie have started to help many many couples who have struggled through Attachment issues. They have 'foster to adopted' 3 children (I think) and have gone through a lot and they are passionate about helping others who are feeling emotionally drained, weary and in need of practical help.
The Vickerman Family: They were along with many others instrumental in organizing this event. Thank you.
Julee Fesser - Mom of 27 children, (I think). In her breakout session, titled 'life with a multi-Racial, multi-Ethnic, Mult-EVERYTHING family, she shared her/their story of how God ministered to them, called them, and blesses them in this journey. The majority of people who attended her breakout session were wondering answers to questions like, 'How do you survive, how do you get everything done, how do you spend time with each of your children, etc.' She was very gracious to answer those questions, but the main thrust of her story is God! When he calls you to something, he provides the necessary strength and stamina to carry through. She was very honest and transparent and clear that just because God's calls you to something, doesn't mean that it is going to turn out great. For example, He might be calling you to go overseas and serve an unreached people group...and you might get there and within a month die of Malaria. Just because that were to happen doesn't mean it was a mistake or wasn't something God was calling you to. God sometimes works in that manner. Their life and ministry has been devoted to honoring the Lord by giving a home and family to those children who most people would not adopt. Children with Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, others issues. She was a normal person who had a Great Big view of God and thus followed Him in light of His greatness and glory.
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