Little Gifts From God - One Hour In The Life Of Krista Davis

Last night I was at the CVS pharmacy downtown, getting my dad’s 17 new medicines filled.  I had his dog “Charlie” with me, who loves attention and is well known downtown.  I sat in the pharmacy area for about an hour, awaiting his new scripts and met many interesting people - Charlie attracts a lot of attention. 

I talked with a homeless young woman whose boyfriend is incarcerated.  She whispered into my ear that she was pregnant and due in December. She said she had little help, but another young man was “keeping her safe”.  By looking at him, you could tell that he had some obvious differences – his gait unsteady, his hair unkempt, large forehead, missing teeth.   The nurse in me had to advise her about prenatal vitamins, and we took a short tour through the vitamin section of the store.

I met another man who I believe was homeless since he was carrying his nebulizer with him.  He explained that he too, had just been released from the hospital and was feeling poorly with emphysema (COPD).  He didn’t have anyone to pick his medicine up for him. Interestingly, he asked me if I lived on the north side.  I thought I was fitting in, but apparently I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Then a mother came in to get a prescription for her epilepsy.  She had her one year old daughter with her.  The child (Betty)  was clean, dressed very well and even had her hair done with matching bow.  She had just received 3 immunizations at Blackburn. She loved petting Charlie, and the mother seemed to be glad for a distraction for little Betty.  We talked about how the bus worked when you have a stroller and groceries to carry.  I remember thinking that this gal must have some help or a lot of stamina, cause she is making it very well.  She took her script and left.

My order was finally finished, and I was given the log to sign for the meds.  Anna’s mother’s signature was above mine.  She (Helen Smith) has used Safe Families multiple times.  With a wave of gratitude for the validation of our work, I thanked God for you four, and for his blessings.

Krista Davis

Jason and Holly Sayer - A Page From Their Life Story About Kids

How it all began:

We heard from Krista Davis that 3 brothers and sisters needed to be moved from a situation that was just not working out. We looked around and saw that we had a baby and a small house with little room left for 3 children ages 7, 9 and 14 years. The sleeping arrangements would be tight, but we could make it work. So, while the biological mother had a bowel transplant, we had a sudden increase in family size.

In 3 days we learned how wrong our assumptions had been. Based on my (Holly) work experience as a mental health specialist working in residential care facilities and hospitals, I had assumed (we all know where that path leads) that I would meet a woman with poor parenting skills and a poor family environment. But after seeing the mom and children interact, I walked away saying to myself, “That is the kind of respect I want when we have our own children.” From the time we walked into the hospital room, until we left, the kids poured forth with “yes ma'am, no ma'am, we love you mom.” Love and well being for her kids was what mom demonstrated to us. Respect and love for their mom came from the kids. I learned a big lesson that day. “Do not prejudge anyone, because you could be so wrong.” I had done it and I was wrong. I want my kids to respond to me the way they did to their mom.

It was a short but sweet experience as a host home for Safe Families for Children.  We said “yes” to be a host because we felt this is what the Lord wanted us to do. We thought He wanted us to do it for the kids. We will probably never know how those 3 days affected our guests. But it allowed God to show us a few things about ourselves. We came away with a greater awareness of how closed-minded we were. Without a doubt, our faith has been strengthened.

Shortly after the 3 Safe Families kids went home we received another call regarding being foster parents. We had begun the process earlier, and now it was going to bear fruit. Zane was the name of the child who would be coming into our home. We were excited. Then the phone rang again. Zane had a sister who needed a home. And then the phone rang AGAIN. We were chosen to adopt Sean. “I think we broke some records by going from 1 to 4 kids in 3 weeks!”

During this time our small group has been very involved in our lives. We are blessed to share life with a wonderful group of people at Trinity. They are truly committed to spreading the love of Jesus in the community. Just recently two other families in our small group have decided to become host families. We can't wait to see the blessings the Lord will pour down because of their obedience.

HOLLY & JASON


Today the Sayers have adopted all 4 of their children. And even though they are not currently taking in any other children, they actively promote Safe Families in the community.

Based on professional training and work experience, as well as being a mom, Holly shared a few interesting insights into the work of Safe Families for Children. “Children are best off in a family environment. They have the best experience when they are in a family situation with other children. It is hard to objectively see the impact of a short stay within a host home. But I truly believe they will not forget the experience, no matter how short, and recall what they have seen and heard once they become responsible for their own decisions. God will use that experience to give many kids a frame of reference that they might not get in their own living experience.  Safe Families for Children is a model that works.”

Safe Families for Children Central Indiana
Get involved at: http://www.safe-families.org/

Is God At Work Through Safe Families for Children Central Indiana?

Short answer: Yes

I know this might be a bit boring, but it provides a foundation for the answer.  We have measurable strategic objectives than enable us to see if we are on target with our SFFCCI efforts.  We want everyone involved being aware that this is the work of God in and through us verses us working on our own strength.

At the conclusion of each hosting experience, the host family receives an invitation to give feedback through an electronic survey.

The responses to the following two questions allow us to say “yes”.

One of the core values of Safe Families for Children is that volunteers are primarily recruited from faith institutions and their faith is a primary force driving their service. Was your faith a primary force in your decision to be a host family?

100% of the responses are “yes”.

As a Safe Families for Children host home, did you see God at work?

92% of the responses are “yes”, with the remaining “uncertain.”

In addition, we hear verbal reports, particularly at the weekly staff meeting, about how the staff and volunteers see God at work.  Some of these stories get back to you via Facebook.  (Just a short rabbit trail – TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK)

We are mindful of need to constantly remind ourselves that God created SFFCCI, He is fueling the engine and He gets the glory for the results.  Ephesians 2:10 summarize it for me.  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

If you want more details on any of this discussion, contact me.

Chuck Gross

President – Advisory Board

chuckgross@me.com

Our Three Days with Chuck & Vivian

“I’m going to tell you all about my time and days with Vivian and Chuck.  It was fun to be with Vivian and Chuck.  We did a lot of fun things during are time with Chuck and Vivian.  We watched some movies on the big TV. We took Libby on a walk.  We played on the Wii.  We saw a frog and toad.”

“I had a lot of fun telling you about what we did with Chuck and Vivian.  I hope we get to see Chuck & Vivian.  I hope you enjoyed me telling you about the time I spent with Chuck and Vivian.”

“I loved that they where very, very, very nice.  They are funny and their house was very big.  They let us watch lots of movies.”

These are the words of two sisters, 4^th & 5^th graders who stayed with us for three nights while their mom got some rest.  This afternoon they will take the bus home instead of being picked up by us at their schools.  They were a delight to have in our home and it was fun getting up and taking them to their schools.  It was a blessing knowing that we were providing a loving service to the mom and her.  Our prayer is that this experience will be one they remember as different.  We tried to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.  As you know, there was more to their stay than movies and T.V.  Finally, if you are not “in the game” of being the hands and feet of Jesus to the least of these, be stretched and “get in the game.”  You will be the winner.

Chuck & Vivian Gross

Proud Volunteers on a God Focused Team

9/2011

How will God play a role in your life now that you have been to Springhill Camp? - 18 Happy Campers Post #3

I now believe in God & know that God is with me

I need to pray more and ask for His help

I will rely on Him more, this is a better thing for me

I want to know more about God

I learned to put people up & not down. God made them beautiful

I did not change, my life will be the same

God will be in my life more

I will be happy, nicer and pray more

Because of my talks with the counselors about God, I am a better person

I will try to be nice and kind

I will  forgive more

This is the final of 3 posts about the kids that SFFCCI sent to camp during the summer of 2011.

Get more information and get involved with SFFCCI at www.safe-families.org

Chuck Gross - President Advisory Board

           

           

Springhill Campers Share, How Their Lives Were Impacted - 18 Happy Campers Post #2

How Was Your Life Impacted?

Gave me passion

Learned about God & how to interact with people

I am more committed to the Lord than I was before

I got to have a lot of fun

I was not praying or reading my Bible much, but here I am

Played games I never played before

Learning more about God

It made me realize God wants to have a relationship with me

I had fun

I played outside and my counselor always prayed with me

I am happy

I became a Christian

It was awesome. I learned a lot about God

It was nice

It made me think differently about how I treat people

Understand how Jesus died for me

Next Post: How will God play a role in your life now that you have been here?

Eternal Changes In Martha Because Of Linda

“as I pulled away from Burger King this morning waving good bye to my new sister in Christ, Martha, , I thought…. now what?   Where do I go from here with this gal?  She wants me to help her find a church, understand the Word and teach her how to pray… , I realized I had not helped her with any of her long list of earthly life issues.

And YET………….

HOPE was hers today.  She left with a changed heart, a bible in her hand ( brought one with me J) and tears and a smile because she is not alone anymore, Jesus is her companion.”

Follow the example set by Linda, get involved with Safe Families for Children Central Indiana at: www.safe-families.org.

(Names of SFFC clients are changed to protect their privacy)