The Indianapolis Star
IN HER OWN WORDS
Krista Shepard Davis, Agape Families

The first few days after receiving a child from the Department of Children’s Services are stressful, to say the least.  These abused, neglected, and emotionally damaged children are a precious unknown.  Their past and all of its repercussions are yet to be seen.  I bring them to my home, sometimes from the Guardian’s Home, and sometimes from another foster family.  One child was even “exchanged” at a gas station, at the request of the previous foster mother.  Still others are freshly removed from their homes, mommies, siblings, and all that they know of life.  Many times they bring no possessions, and sometimes are wearing no shoes. 

These first few days, I wonder if I'll be able to handle their special needs. I wonder if God truly knows what He's doing, giving me these beautiful children to transform.  I have trouble sleeping, and when I do sleep, my dentist says I grind my teeth.  I listen for our newest family member to awaken with night terrors, and I sometimes sleep on the floor in the hallway, worried that he or she might be roaming the house, frightened or in danger of injury.  I have even worried about the safety of my own four children sleeping in their beds.  After the first few days, though, my worries subside, and I realize that my faith, my passion for these kids, and the love of my family is simply the best I can offer them. 

And all the while, I realize that my best is not enough. 

Although many appear to adjust, learn, grow and change, these children long to reconnect with a family member.  Once reunited with a sibling, it's as if the weight of the world has been removed from their shoulders.  This sibling shares a past, and has lived what they have lived.  
I try to imagine myself suddenly placed in a foreign country, alone, and faced with a different culture, food, habits, activities, and sometimes even a strange language.  How I would long to see the face of someone in my family, to have someone I could turn to. I have come to believe that this sibling bond is something that I must strive to preserve for them.  

With Godly principles as our foundation, Agape Families plans to open our first home in the summer of 2006 with a primary focus of keeping large sibling groups together.  Once Agape's doors are open, we are confident the transition into foster care will be eased as we keep brothers and sisters together: preserving the power and love of their own family as they assimilate into their new family environment. 

My experience as a foster parent in Indiana has been hugely positive for me, my family and for the children in our care.  We realize that as a family, we can make a difference, one child at time.  Our objective with Agape Families is to continue to give children a picture of a different world -- to give them hope for a healthy future, but to do so on a slightly larger scale.  Instead of focusing on one child and one bedroom, our new mission will be a house full of sibling groups: safe, loved and together.   

Countless neighbors, friends and acquaintances have offered well wishes, encouragement, empathy and compassion, and my deepest desire is that the Indiana community will continue to open their hearts, providing support and resources.  Currently, we are in the process of generating support, talking with volunteers, and raising community awareness in an effort to break the cycle of abuse and neglect, and to promise children a brighter tomorrow.