#WhyWeHost Reason #3: Because it is God's design

The Barker Family Story

"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.

Tyler and I moved from our starter home after the birth of our daughter.  When we landed at Tyler's childhood home in the country, we thought that would be the end of the neighborhood kids.  God however has a sense of humor and at that house it was actually worse.  Now that Aubrey was two, they would come over to "play with Aubrey."  In reality, the boys would be outside with Tyler and the girls and I would be cooking, chatting, playing with Aubrey and having a good time.

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.

If I could list how many people have been touched just by this one family in crisis, it would begin with me and spiral all the way to that one woman in line at the grocery store that saw us interacting together and loving one another.  Her question to me from three people back in line was "Are they all yours?"  My response was, "we are a host family for Safe Families, to get more info you can Google it.  No, they are not all mine, but I sure do love them all."  A work begun...even in the line at the grocery store. Observers are around us that I will never even know, yet the seed is planted just the same.  Beautiful."

Jenn and Tyler Barker

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

#WhyWeHost Reason #2: Because We Didn't Close Him Out

This host family story is special.  Rhonda and Stan Angermeier were one of the first families in Madison County to step forward and say "Yes" to the call of hosting children in their home.  I remember reading through their application, amazed at this families' story.  Early in their marriage, Rhonda and Stan decided to live below their means in order to allow space in their lives for God to use them… and has He ever used them!  Before becoming a host family, Rhonda and Stan adopted two sweet girls from China.  Their oldest daughter, Qiao, was adopted at age 4 with a diagnosis of retinoblastoma.  Much to their surprise, Qiao's eyesight deteriorated quickly and she went completely blind only 3 months after her adoption was final.  The heartache this family endured was steep, but it didn't stop them from continuing to allow God to use them and be a blessing to others.  

The Angermeier's were approved at rapid speed for a placement need that came in practically overnight.  They agreed to take in a baby for one month, but were prompted to serve two young boys instead.  After some thought, they agreed and this family became a place of peace and rest for two young boys that desperately needed it.  In their home,  they paid careful attention to the emotional needs of these boys and watched them blossom into sweet, playful children.  The space this family left in their life has been filled in ways that cannot be measured.

Stan, Allean, Rhonda & Qiao Angermeier

"Why did our family chose to be a host family?  There are so many answers to that question -- because both our daughters required some else to care for them for a time, because we understand how healthy experiences can help to heal the brain of traumatized children, because God had provided an extra room in our home…but, the main reason was because we felt God tug at our hearts and we didn't close Him out. We haven't always made that decision (the one to obey, to listen to the still small voice), but when we have, God has always blessed us.  We have learned to that to say no to God is to say no to an opportunity--an opportunity to know Him better, to learn His ways, to see His best.  Hosting two sweet little boys (even for a short time) has had an impact on us, and our children.  I've watched the prayer life of our daughters deepen as they pray for the real needs of another child.  Likewise, we have grown in our understanding and expectations of how God works.  God's call is never without a stretch, a little discomfort, but the rewards are always worth the light and momentary troubles."
--Rhonda and Stan Angermeier, Host Family