Tuesday, June 29, 2010

god's plans are unconventional pt. 2

Last week I posted about Lacey and me entering the world of parenthood through fostering some great kids.

We first met David last October, along with a couple other guys from Boystown. As we spent more and more time with these guys, we realized how much potential they each had. Adam, Scott, Michael, David, and Eddie were getting connected into Velocity, and God was transforming their hearts. I kept praying and asking God to pull on hearts of those in our church to provide a home for these guys. I could only imagine what it would be like to start a movement in Gateway to care for orphans who were so close to our church campus. I even had the thought of "I wonder what this would look like for us" but didn't think it was feasible on so many levels.

At some point, we stopped wondering who else would do the work and realized that we were somebody who could. We could provide a home for them. We could believe in them. We could love them. And what greater way to disciple and redeem a life than to invite them into our family.

To be completely honest, I never felt God say, "Do this. This is my next step for you." Even after all the prayers and thoughts, what I felt from God was "This is your choice. It's not wrong if you don't, but this is an opportunity to change the course of history for so many lives. Do you really trust me? If so, this will lead you to the next level in your relationship with me."

As we said yes, we then found out that it wasn't possible to foster just one. David had a sister, Stephanie, and legally they had to stay together. Isn't it funny how God sometimes scaffolds you into his plan?

I kept envisioning foster care and adoption being something that defined our future development work, while God was wanting foster care to define our present and shape our future.

Can I be bold? Thanks...

If we can do this at 25, anyone can do this or whatever it is God is asking. I say that with so much humility. We are certainly not capable, nor do we feel prepared. People tell us we are "so nice for doing this" and "so brave." Neither is the case.

We have just been changed by God.

May God's work in us inspire you to pray, to serve, to be audacious, to get involved, to be unconventional, to trust God.

Nothing is too unconventional for God.

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posted by Seth Henderson at 11:11 PM 1 comments links to this post

Thursday, June 24, 2010

god's plans are unconventional pt. 1

I'm working to return to the blogging world soon, though Twitter definitely gets more of my attention these days.

Lacey and I are the process of big life change. Last October we came in contact with Boystown through Velocity. The people we have met through this organization have changed our lives and brought so much joy to us. We have developed such close relationships with the Family Teachers - Andy and Angie, some of the Directors and Admin staff, and the teenagers who are in their care. It's pretty incredible to step back and see that God is orchestrating some things that I think will have some major future impact.

As for the present though, we recently completed all of our training, home studies, interviews, and inspections to foster two teenagers from Boystown. What makes this even sweeter is some of great friends are doing this alongside us with two other kids.

The elephant in the room for our first interview was how young we are. I threw it on the table and addressed it quickly by stating that we love these kids and want to make a life-long Kingdom impact in their lives. It's certainly a little unconventional. All I know is this a big need God placed in our lives, and we want to respond to opportunities and needs in obedience and faith.

So without further adieu, welcome David and Stephanie into the Henderson Home. They will join our family in the next couple weeks. A new adventure awaits...



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posted by Seth Henderson at 10:28 AM 0 comments links to this post