Children are the most vulnerable in any culture
They are devoid of the power to affect their own circumstances, and by design, require someone to care for them, to advocate for them and to respond to their most basic of needs. For most, that care comes in the form of a parent, but unfortunately for some, their parent figure is not on hand. Families in the ARK network have chosen to respond to the
needs of those children, through either adoption or foster care. Responding is not easy. It requires great sacrifice. It requires considering the need of others above our own desires. It requires understanding that we may be a child’s only hope of succeeding in life. It requires compassion for kids who have found themselves in circumstances they didn’t choose, and being prepared to do something practical about that. It requires love. It requires grace. It requires pain, but it brings great reward and fulfilment. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
– Max Lucado
At ARK we are extended family. We ‘do life’ together and encourage each other through the inevitable difficulties and challenges that we face as we support the kids who are placed with us. We are not an agency to arrange placements, but rather we support each other, pray for each other, lean on each other and learn from each other as we live our lives together. ARK’s DNA
We are communities of families who strive toward the following:
~ Obedience – James 1:27 is one Scripture among many that outline God’s heart for kids. We see it as our responsibility to represent him well.
~ Interdependence – We understand we need each other in community, so we support each other in every way we can.
~ Prayer – We know prayer changes things, so we pray for each other, and for the kids in our nation.
~ Generosity – Fostering and adoption takes a generous spirit. We give beyond what’s expected, and we know that’s just an awesome way to live.
~ Hospitality – We invite people in, and we give ourselves away. We want to be more than a program or number to each other, but real relationships that go deep and matter. That’s where people find support, and hospitality is a great facilitator of deepening relationships.
