Quad Cities Chapter

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Planting Seeds in Family’s Hearts


The Smith Family

Our family became part of Safe Families for Children in 2016. We will never forget the day we saw another host family’s 6-week-old Safe Family hosting and felt moved to action. While some thought we were crazy for being a part of this ministry, we proceeded with following what the Lord was asking us to do. We learned that one of the top reasons for hosting was loneliness and isolation and we were excited to be part of the solution.
At the time of our first hosting, we had 3 children of our own. They welcomed every child who stayed with us with open arms, an excitement to help, and an eagerness to love them well. Since that time, we have had 6 different hostings. Some have lasted a few days, a week, a month, and one almost an entire year. We feel blessed and honored that the Lord saw fit to bring each of these children to our door. He has shown us hidden treasure that we would not have discovered had we not stepped out of our comfort zones and stretched us in ways we did not know we needed. This Safe Family journey has led us to becoming foster parents as well, which was never part of our plan. But, we are so grateful to part of His.
Throughout the last 3 ½ years of having children in and out of our home, we have stopped and asked, “Is this worth it?”, and the answer is always, “Yes!”, even during the toughest times. We are continuously challenged to keep an eternal mindset and perspective. Paul reminds us that we are to: “Fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:18

By planting seeds in these family’s hearts of love, selflessness, and the truth of Christ’s love for them, we are hoping to see the fruit of our labor. We may not see it, but we have been challenged to keep planting.

We recently had to say goodbye to our foster son who we picked up from the hospital as a 3-day old. He was 11 ½ months when he left our home for the last time. Although we don’t understand, and may never will, we will continue on in this mission He has given us to love and care for the ones the world walks by and forgets. The lonely moms who need the hope of Christ and the forgotten kids who our world says no to because of busy lives, hectic schedules, and fear of the unknown. We are reminded in Luke 6:36 to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”, and in Matthew 5:16 to “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.       We love Safe Families for Children and are so thankful to be a part of this ministry.