The Colemans attended orientation and signed-up with their small group of four other couples to become Community of Care volunteers. Cherie expressed that at the time they had no set expectations walking into foster care ministry as they had never volunteered for anything like this before.

In late December 2010, Noel received an email that a North Point family recently received placement of a baby girl. He was able to reach out to the family and compile a list of needs for the infant. “We took the bull by the horns and quickly divided up the list,” said Cherie. Noel added that at the time, he was not sure how much their small group would be able to do. By the next afternoon these five couples were able to accommodate the entire list, even pulling from various items their own children had outgrown. With a car full, the Colemans met David and Lisa Hickenbottom the next evening. They also learned about the family’s dietary needs as the family had recently begun the Daniel Fast, and made preparations to provide meals for the following days. The Hickenbottoms were overwhelmed with joy and amazement from the generosity and support shown by these families.

The Colemans were most surprised at how underdeveloped the baby girl was and the additional attention she would require. Noel expressed how rewarding this opportunity had been, “Being a small part in getting to love on a little girl who had real needs and be able to share that love with her, as well as coming alongside a family who has opened up their home and their lives to taking a child like that has been incredible,” said Noel. “Everything worked out perfectly,” Cherie added. “When we all  get involved and do our part, this is exactly how the design of this ministry works.”

Now that the Colemans have served as volunteers in foster care ministry, they confess their expectations have evolved. Noel offers the following advice to those considering volunteering in this ministry, “Just do it! Think of the family as your own family, because they are. This kind of practical love is our obligation as followers of Christ and is an opportunity to live out our faith.”

Bill and Angela Peterson acknowledge they have truly been blessed over the past several years and wanted to expand their family. In late 2007 they began the process for international adoption. “We initially thought we were going to adopt from China. However, the more we pursued the adoption, the longer the process took and the more obstacles were placed in our way,” said Bill Peterson. About the same time they began questioning their current adoption path, North Point Community Church where they attend launched Fostering Together with the support of FaithBridge Foster Care. The Petersons began praying and in time felt confident that God was leading them to get involved in caring for children in their own backyard.

While they didn’t have any expectations upfront about the fostering experience, they certainly had some concerns and even some fears of the unknown. “Our biggest concern when we investigated fostering was how it would impact our three children, what were the risks involved and how would those risks be managed,” said Bill. They even questioned whether they were the right family to foster. As they attended orientation their minds were expanded to where the real need was and how they might be flexible to best serve in this ministry.

In January 2011, the Petersons received their first placement. On a Monday evening their family consultant brought two kids to live them and the reality of this commitment set it. Bill confessed, “I realized I didn’t even know how to introduce myself to the young boy. What do I say to him? We attended training, but now this is reality. They are walking up the driveway.”

The Petersons quickly experienced some hard realities and challenges that come with many of the foster children we are asked to take into care. They recall how shy the young boy was and how sick his little sister was. The boy also came with medical needs and required medication. Bill further explained, “We found out the boy had been placed in over 15 homes which accounted for his high level of anxiety. In the beginning he cried every night and acted out. Angela and the toddler bonded quickly and she was able to nurse the baby back to health.” Bill also worked many hours and traveled frequently. After becoming a foster parent he had to adjust his priorities realizing that the needs of these children were significant.  He admits, “I didn’t anticipate the amount of time fostering would require. I needed to stay close and be more involved than I had ever been.”

This new situation became stressful for everyone in the house. “It takes dependence on God to learn how to love without any reciprocation because that is what God does for us. That was the number one thing that hit me the most. You may receive an icy response at first, but you have to continue to give the love that you have,” said Angela. Despite the challenges, the Petersons were determined to make this experience successful. “We knew we would find a way because we knew how to love kids and take care of them. There were some tough conversations between Angela and I. We had to recommit to each other, to our family and certainly to our faith. It was a real challenge at first, but after a few months, we got into a rhythm. With love and consistency there is a real opportunity for these kids to thrive and to do well,” said Bill.

Education was also key component for the family as they began to prepare themselves for serving children. “We hit the books pretty hard. It is one thing to read about something and not experience it and it is another thing to have foster children in your home and educate yourself on such things as behavioral management when it is real,” said Bill. Angela added, “And, you have to continually educate yourself. It does not stop once a foster child has been placed in your home.”

The Petersons expressed what they have found to be most rewarding. Bill shared, “Putting your head on the pillow each night and knowing you have provided a home for children who wouldn’t have had one, and knowing these kids are safe and no one is going to harm them is a tremendous feeling. You are doing God’s work in helping kids that can’t help themselves.” Angela continued, “These children have given us more than we could possibly give them. They are a part of our family now.”

The Petersons offer the following advice to potential foster families, “Pray and know what you are willing to do and what you are not willing to do. Be honest with yourself before you get involved. There is no quitting on these kids. These kids are left to suffer all the consequences. When it gets tough, seek out help from friends, family and FaithBridge and pray for your own spiritual commitment to be able to work through the challenges you will face. It will be an incredible and rewarding experience.  And dads, the father’s role you play is a tremendous one. This is a family commitment, not just the parent’s.  I have been proud as a father of my family’s commitment to this ministry,” said Bill.

Many prayers have been asked and many prayers have been answered for the Petersons. Bill explained, “While pursing adoption from China, we use to pray every night with our children for baby Sophie – the name Sophie represented the idea of adopting a baby girl and providing a home for a child that did not have one. The kids we have today are the answer to that prayer.”

Fostering was on the Troutts’ minds for quite some time before  North Point Community Church launched its foster care ministry, Fostering Together, in the fall of 2010.  “We didn’t know what we were about to jump into, but the timing of Fostering Together’s launch seemed perfect. We were ready to stop talking about fostering and to actually do it,” added Angel.

Angel admits, “When we started the process we were slightly overwhelmed. I was not as prepared to answer some of the questions that were being asked of me in the home study process as it brought back much of my past, therefore taking me longer to work through it.” As Paul and Angel continued through the approval process, they felt excited and anxious. It was becoming more evident that this is what God was calling them to do.

In early February 2011, the Troutts received their first placement of two adolescent girls. They quickly noticed some social issues and physical needs that would need to be worked on. “The oldest girl was in a very dark place and wore all black from her clothing to her choice of make-up. If you were to see her now, she is wearing glittery eye shadow and fun colors, and she is happy and laughing. She was excited for that upcoming school year because she was going back as a completely different person — different wardrobe, outlook and attitude,” said Angel.

The girls have also been reaching physical milestones. Both girls came into care struggling with their weight. In their time with the Troutts, they have learned about nutrition and how to gauge what they should and shouldn’t eat. “Losing weight was encouraging for them and they now begun to feel pretty and to care about the clothes they wear as well as themselves,” she added.

After fostering seven months, Angel expressed that it had been an adjustment for the whole family. While their three kids were 100% on board with the decision to be a foster family, they equally had to adjust to changes within their own home environment. “We do everything together as a family. When I come home from work everything is routine. When routines are made, you know the expectations are met. When routine is off, then expectations are broken. So every day when we walk in the door we unpack lunches, let the dogs out, feed the dogs and do whatever dishes are in the sink and start dinner.”

“Helping me cook is also teaching them how to take care of themselves and learn life and work skills. Everyone in our house is responsible for their own laundry which helps them to learn to plan ahead. So while these things were a struggle in the beginning, now it is running like clockwork and they are enjoying it,” Angel added.

The Troutts have enjoyed their fostering experience and feel the greatest benefit of working through FaithBridge is their family consultant, Maribeth Nolan. “Anytime something happens with the girls, our family consultant is right there when the DFCS social worker is just not available.”

Angel further shares an example of Maribeth’s commitment to the girls by attending their performance at a summer glee camp. “I tried to let as many people involved in the girls’ lives know about the glee camp’s week end performance because a child is so encouraged when people show up to see them. Maribeth was there with flowers for the girls. It is so amazing for her to go out of her way to do that.”

The family has also built a friendship on a personal level with Maribeth. “When my brother passed unexpectedly, the first thing she offered to do was drive down to Jacksonville, Florida with me, allowing my husband to stay with the kids. I never would have expected her to want to do something like that for me,” said Angel.

“After asking my son what he thought about these girls staying with us longer he said, ‘It is different than it used to be, but I can’t imagine them not being here.’ To me that said it all and you’re right, it is different. I can’t imagine them not being here. There would be a void in our home if they weren’t in it.”

Angel offers the following advice to potential foster families, “Hang in there and always go back to reason why you are doing this – not for your own personal glory, but for the glory of God. When we do things that are called of Christ, it is not always easy, and we are going to be tested. At the end of the day, He will get the greater glory, and it will be the most rewarding thing you will ever do.”