THIS MEANS WAR: Preparing Christian Families for Fostercare or Adoption By Cheryl Ellicott, copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce.Message from the Author: This book is meant to educate, equip and protect adoptive families, so they in turn can protect the homeless children of the world. The book is geared toward parents, but I pray it will also bring encouragement and understanding to those who were adopted as children. If you’re a family or individual hoping to adopt, or have recently adopted, chances are the adoption agency didn’t give you enough information to prepare you for success. If you don't already realize that adoption is ministry, that you're applying to become a missionary, then you really aren't ready yet! 
This
book is a compilation of things I’ve learned and also stories shared with me by other
adoptive families. Since 1989 I’ve worked with approximately 50
children. Mike and I were house-parents to about 25+- teens and pre-teens in crisis in a
long-term shelter. We were foster parents to an additional twenty-five+- infants and
toddlers in our home in subsequent years and we adopted three special needs children
through the foster care system (in addition to our three biological children). Mike spent
over fifteen years working with adults with disabilities and we did in-home care for that
population as well. In 2001 I founded "Specialmom", a support group for foster
and adoptive parents. The group is still active today. Through this little family of
likeminded parents, I’ve been encouraged as an adoptive mother and as a believer. I
hope you also find a supportive group to hold you up in prayer and encourage you on this
quest. In the meantime, I pray this book will prepare you to stand firm and be used
mightily for the Kingdom of God.
Without information and preparation, too many have waltzed in over their heads, fallen and seen their families damaged. If the focus of this book seems negative, that should offset the fact that you’re probably wearing rose-colored glasses. You’re most likely already envisioning the joy and success of loving an unloved child. You know it’s more blessed to give than to receive. You believe God’s version of love never fails. You expect you’ll reap a harvest if you continue to do good and do not give up. I want to prepare you for the fight to come, in hopes that you’ll persevere long enough to see that harvest. "You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." (Rev 2:3-4) If you learn only one thing from this book, let it be this: It's easy to get caught up in the work of a humanitarian and forget our main objective in life is to love God with all our heart, mind, body and soul. The only way to succeed in life is to remain as a branch connected to the vine [Jesus]. Keep your relationship with God through Jesus as the most important thing - the ONLY thing that matters - and he will pour out his spirit on the children....in his time. "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV)
|