I recently left the home of a woman we hosted for 2 months while she was pregnant. She entered her pregnancy unstable and unsure if she would even carry her baby to term but now she is holding a precious 3 week old baby girl! This was an unusual hosting because this was not a child we were hosting but rather an “adult” (legally) but still a child in many ways.
Were we hosting her or her unborn child? Did it matter? We just wanted to provide a safe place for this young woman to live while she tried to get her feet on the ground… I don’t really think she listened too much to the advice we gave her as far as budgeting, saving money, or the realities of life but she knew she was loved and safe. She knew we wouldn’t turn her out on the street and make her fend for herself. She knew that it was because of the love in our hearts put there by God Himself that we would open our home to her (despite having 5 bio kids of our own and hosting an orphan from the other side of the globe too!) and she walked away from here knowing she had friends for life.
We are hopeful to be able to serve this single mother in the future when she returns to work by caring for her baby a few hours each month when the daycare center isn’t available. We hope to continue to be a family friend to her and a “safe family” for her baby should she need a reprieve.
I’m proud of her for choosing life when her family and boyfriend (now an ex) encouraged her to abort. She loves her baby and it’s written all over her face and somehow I see myself in her eyes. I was in her shoes and it doesn’t seem that long ago although it’s been 15 years now. God is so good.”
I’m thankful for SFFC for making me a better person.
Lisa Thomas (and Doug… and our beautiful children, Lily, Holly, Sage, Aspen, and Cedar)