Possum Trot Families Open Hearts and Homes
Working-Class Community Decided to Make a Difference for Children in Foster Care
Donna Martin believes that her community's closeness, their willingness to work together to overcome the challenges and hurdles, are the keys to it all. She hopes that if people take nothing else from the Possum Trot example, they at least understand that the one ingredient that can make it work anywhere is love -- real, gritty, tenacious, forgiving, sacrificing, patient and enduring love.
The kind of love, she says, that operates on faith. "You have to love enough to not think about 'What I can't do', but love enough to say, 'What can I do'?"
Martin has been reaching out to pastors across the nation, urging them to address the needs of the thousands of children in foster care in their own communities.
"We are letting precious gifts just slide through our fingers. ...The burden is so heavy," acknowledges Martin. "But the situation itself is so great. And God just wants somebody that he can trust, that he can just put some children in their hand."
Bennett Chapel Family Ministry: www.bcministry.org/
Organizations that offer grants, no-interest loans and other assistance for churches and other groups that want to establish adoption funds:
The Abba Fund: www.abbafund.org
Lifesong for Orphans: www.lifesongfororphans.org
Shaohannah's Hope: www.members.shaohannahshope.org
Family Legacies: www.familylegacies.us
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