Written By Nora & Peter Sykes
Where is God? Does it seem as though prayers are not being answered?
Right here in our Parish, at Church of the Ascension, some prayers are being answered daily.
This weekend we are celebrating the First Anniversary of the Ascension Foster & Adopt Ministry (AFAM). Under the umbrella of the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office, this ministry supports families that are currently fostering and/or adopting the most vulnerable among us. These families have answered God’s call to bring children into their homes and love them.
Unfortunately, only 50% of families that foster continue to foster after the first year. Many of these families have said they can’t do it, they don’t have the support they need and feel as though they are on their own. This is where AFAM comes in. There are currently 33 active members in the ministry. These members have also answered God’s call to help the most vulnerable children by providing weekly meals, child respite overnights, child care and transportation. We are an extended family that has celebrated a High School graduation, an Adoption celebration, and birthday celebrations. We have assisted with home improvements for the families we support. We have collected bicycles for their children as well as tents, sleeping bags and fishing equipment so some of the children could go on a camping trip. However, praying in response to weekly prayer requests from the families, is the most important part of the AFAM ministry.
We currently serve 4 families. Two have been supported for a full year and two are receiving support since March.
But the numbers are not the important part of this story. Statistics show that families with support continue to foster past the first year at a rate of 93%.
God is working through AFAM members. They are truly the hands of Christ. The Holy Spirit has found a way to bring our fostering and adoptive families to AFAM.
Thank you to all the AFAM members for listening to the call from the Holy Spirit and allowing Jesus to work through you. The prayers of these families are truly being heard and answered.