Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
A story of adoption from foster care
The Movie
I had the privilege of seeing an early screening of this movie and I wanted to encourage you to consider seeing it on it's official opening day of July 4th.
My Take Away
While this movie is a powerful testimony of what can happen when the Body of Christ steps up to answer the call to care for orphans it's also a powerful testimony to what we can overcome when we as the Body of Christ stand together.
Standing Together
You may not be in the place to foster or adopt children but are you aware of those in your church who are walking these roads? How can you encourage and support them?
Prayer - Prayer is the most powerful thing you can do for a foster or adoptive family. Just like the struggles they show in this movie, foster and adoptive families face challenges with their children that they may not feel comfortable talking about. - You don't have to know the specifics, just a smile and letting them know that you're praying for them makes a world of difference.
Needs - Another way to support foster or adoptive families is to see if they have any needs you can help with. Some ideas:
- Cleaning - Offer to clean their house or the inside of their vehicles.
- Yard work - Offer to mow their lawn or help with other yard maintenance.
- Laundry - Offer to help them wash bedding (per their specifications).
- Handyman - Offer to do the little tune ups around the house, changing lightbulbs too high to reach, oiling squeaky hinges, rehanging broken towel bars, etc.
- Encouragement - Send them a card to let them know that you're thinking of them and praying for them.
- Groceries - Pick up a bag of groceries or toiletries. Everyone needs toilet paper or tissues. If you know they have a baby pickup some diapers!
Things - I recently heard about a foster family that didn't have enough bikes for all of their children. Do you have things your children or grandchildren have outgrown that you could offer to a foster or adoptive family?
- Bikes, scooters, plasma cars.
- Gently used Easter and Christmas dresses.
- Gently used winter coats, snow pants, boots, gloves, etc.
- Gently used baby clothes.
- Hiking boots, bowling shoes, ice skates.
- Homeschooling supplies and educational toys.
We can be the Sound of Hope
One of the most common comments my parents got when they were adopting was "You're saints!" Adoptive and foster parents would be the first to tell you they're not saints. They're not super humans, they're just regular people like you and I. People who get tired, frustrated, and lonely. Loving them through your awareness of their practical needs meets their greatest need-to know that they have not been forgotten and that they're not alone on this journey.
