"Our family has always
been a host family in retrospect. I believe that God has been preparing
both my husband and I to host for a long time. Even before we had our
daughter Aubrey, the neighborhood children would randomly come hang out with
us. Tyler, my husband, was always outside working on something... the yard,
cars or bicycles. I often sat with him, just being there. The
neighborhood kids would stop to see what we were doing, I'd offer them a soda,
and that was that. We would have a daily visitor.
As time went forward,
we moved once again to our forever (we think) home. The hustle and bustle
stopped. To me the house seemed so empty. We only had one neighbor
kid that would come over. Tyler and I had heard of Safe Families at church and had
been sitting on the idea for some time. Now that the flow of extra
children had stopped it seemed like a feasible idea.
We began the process
of becoming a host family through Safe Families. God has worked on our hearts for many years, the
neighborhood kids having stories of their own. Our first family has a
story as well.
Our first placement was unusual, it was a part-time placement that lasted for almost 7 months. After spending so many weekends together, the children felt like a part of our family. What an adventure we had together! We introduced the
children to camping, paddle boats, canoeing, they met our extended family,
became part of our church family and our small group family. How amazing
it was to watch their confidence soar and see the love around them comfort
them.
You see, we became a
host family to change children and families lives. We did, and
I know that the children we hosted had a season of life that will never be
taken from them. They feel the value of who they are and know that
there are many good people in this world. And that was my goal.
God, however, has a
goal so much bigger than our one track minds. While we were busy changing
the children's lives, the children were busy changing the world. Those
two children changed the heart of not only myself, Tyler and Aubrey, they
changed the heart of our extended family, our small group, our church family
and even people whom we met camping and will never see again. In each of
these people a new idea was formed. An idea that a person is a person,
just like Horton says, no matter their circumstance, the way they look or
the way they speak. A person is a person and they are Gods children, no
different. A work has begun in the hearts of many, and this work will
never be taken from them.
I want to end with
this point. Safe families is not simply about helping families in
crisis. It is Gods design of a bigger picture. God put us on this
earth to love each other. That is Safe Families design as well. To
open your home and to love. Cherish the change in all of us. The
whole encompassing circle around these families we serve will never again be
the same, because we all now know a different way, and that can't be taken from
us.
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| Jenn and Tyler Barker |
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| Aubrey Barker |
Thank you Jennifer, Tyler and Aubrey Barker for sharing your hearts, your home, and your Safe Families story. To learn more about Safe Families in your area, or for more information about hosting, contact ejohnson@safefamilies.net
