Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Short Story: Angels Among Us

Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) likes to run short, 250-word stories in each weekend's bulletin to tie in with the sermon or events happening within the church. The approximate bulletin count is 9,500 every weekend.

Angels Among Us

There is no way to deny the facts. Did you know that every year in the U.S. there are over 3,000,000 reports of child abuse/neglect? In Arizona alone, last year there were 35,000 reports of child abuse/neglect. And currently in Arizona, there are over 10,000 children in the foster care system. These statistics should not only alarm you, but move you. There are little angels among us who need daily love and support.

CCV Members Jason and Shawna Seeger recognized this reality when they ventured out to Bulembu, Swaziland for a short-term mission trip last year. On their journey, they fell in love with the many orphans and wanted to adopt, but weren’t allowed to due to strict laws on foreign adoption. Instead, this couple came home with a new vision: To foster and/or adopt local children immediately.

“Each and every case is different, and there are many uncertainties. But one thing we know for sure: God continues to stretch us, bless us, and allow us to know how to love in a whole new way,” explains Shawna.

The Seeger family is currently caring for a baby girl. “We love her because we love God. It’s an amazing experience to be the physical arms that God needs us to be to hug her each and every day we have her. We will continue to provide foster care and/or adopt children as God continues to use us in this way,” the Seegers said in agreement.

If you are interested in foster care or adoption, CCV will host an orientation on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 pm in the Children’s Bldg. Christian Family Care will facilitate this meeting and can get you started on a new journey much like the Seegers. Also, the West Valley Foster & Adopt Support Group has a BBQ scheduled for May 31 from 2:30-6:30 pm and will be held on the CCV campus. Please visit WestValleyFosterAdoptSupportGroup.blogspot.com for more information or to register.

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