an unexpected answer to prayer

"And who are you, miss?"

"Soccer coach. I am the boys' soccer coach."

A few weeks ago, I had the frightening experience of discovering two of the children in our soccer league were under the care of DEFACS (department of family and children services). I called their mom and asked what happened. She told me that she left her four children with her sister to watch while she ran to a birthday party. When she returned the police immediately hand-cuffed her and took her to jail. Her sister went down the street to get her make-up done and in effort to keep out of jail, she didn't take responsibility for leaving the children home alone.

I knew the kids had to be frightened and distraught as they had been in DEFACS for nearly a week before their mom got a court hearing. I took the mom, who is without transportation to the court date. (I had been praying for opportunities to spend time with the parents, but I never thought it would happen like this!) As I walked into the children's playroom at the courthouse the kids' faces were very surprised to see me. "Hey bud, you doing okay..." Silence. There really wasn't anything to talk about. Although, I may be a familiar face, these children want their mother.

Long story short, they are in foster care now and unable to return home until the mom gets a job. They have re-enrolled into a brand new school and are only able to have two supervised visits with their mom/ week. At the family team meeting (which included the mom, myself, and seven social workers), they asked if I would maintain regular contact with the kids by continuing to take them to church.

This is really a blessing in disguise, if the mom will reach the guidelines the state has required of her, the whole family will have a better life. I encouraged the mom, "do not just work the system. do not do the bare minimum to get your kids back. you take advantage of every opportunity and resource they provide for you so that you can get out of this cycle (she grew up in the same community they are living)."

Support system.

I never understood the importance of it. This mom has no family or support system to help her raise 4 children, one which has cerebral paulsy. Can you imagine living off of $600/month? A 2-bedroom apartment for 6 children and 2 adults. Something's gotta give!

We do soccer. But it doesn't stop there. Christ call's us to serve. And service is messy! Messier and less predictable than writing a check to help someone out. FCA is in a community like Allen Hills to minister to the athlete but also to the families. We best serve by meeting a need. And by helping those families to become self-sufficient.

Thank you for your support. Without you, this family would have no one at the 'Family Team Meeting'. Because of your investment, this family has much more. They have me and they have you. Let's intercede on the Bell family's behalf to our Father God who will meet all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus! Philippians 4:19