Neglected, abandoned children loved through FBCH

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

My eyes filled with tears as one of our 9-year-old boys in Residential Care quoted 1 Corinthians 13 in its entirety as a part of a skit for a local WMU meeting. This same child, whose behavior at times causes us to wonder if there has been any change in his life, has hidden in his heart the biblical definition of perfect love.

His life, along with the lives of all Florida Baptist Children’s Homes’ residents throughout the state, has been filled with anything but perfect love in their short lifetimes. Neglected, abandoned and abused, these boys and girls come to us with incredible need. I am blessed to be a small part of trying to not only help fill that need, but to direct these children to the true Healer and Provider.

As a counselor, and most recently Residential Services director at our Jacksonville campus, I find it can be overwhelming to delve into the past of the children we serve.

It can also be equally overwhelming to deal with the special day-to-day changes in their lives — getting adopted, returning home, learning that a judge has terminated their parents’ rights, etc. — along with the normal changes that just about all youngsters experience. Add to all of that behaviors such as disrespect, distrust, disobedience and destructiveness that are borne out of confusion and hurt.

However, my fellow staff members and I know that God has called us to minister to these children. His Word stresses many times over that we are to care for the fatherless. The pieces of the puzzle to care for these children include many roles, each an intricate part of the molding and remolding of these children’s lives. I am so thankful for each person God calls into these positions. Among them:

• The counselors who are able to give these youngsters an outlet to share their feelings and help determine what’s going to help establish change in their day-to-day lives and even their future.

• The enrichment coordinators who plan activities for the children and also enable our teens to learn the skills they will desperately need in the near future. Among those skills: money management, cooking, handling life’s crises, etc.

• The house parents who have truly sacrificed their lives to enter a mission field of caring for children on our campuses and making the cottages their homes. Their job from moment to moment is determined by these children’s needs.

• The foster care staff who are seeking out and training foster parents to give our children a real home and family, even for a short time.

• Our adoption workers who are seeking and training parents, real parents for our adoptable children.

• Our foster parents who are willing to open their homes to care for hurting children who have never known the security or love they can offer.

What have I seen, even in the short three years I have been with Florida Baptist Children’s Homes?

• I have seen a precious 12-year-old girl go from kicking and screaming, to finally working through her distrust of adults, and being adopted by a wonderful Christian family.

• I have seen a vulnerable 13-year-old boy share the Gospel in front of his class as part of a presentation.

• I have seen children go home to their families. I personally get to follow-up in ministry to those families and watch dedicated house parents and counselors do the same.

Most of all, I have seen what happens to children as they learn about Jesus Christ, accept Him into their lives and make Him their Savior and Lord.

If nothing else, we plant, water and nurture a seed while the children are in our care; when they leave us, we pray that He will protect and nurture the sapling He has started. I occasionally have to remind myself God is bigger than we are. He’s in control and He is with them, no matter where they go.

This ministry is also “bigger than we are,” and I praise God for the consistent support from churches and individuals. I also praise God for the emphasis at this time of year for our statewide ministry. I pray that each of you will consider the seeds you will plant with the 2005 Mother’s Day Offering.

Please continue to pray for our children, and for the missionaries God has called to serve Him on our campuses and in our foster homes.

Dana Busekrus is the Residential Services director for the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes’ on the Jacksonville campus.