08/22/2026
One activity we have mission teams do while serving with us is a Backyard Party for one of our Fostering Hope families.
During our last mission team, we texted the caregiver so she would know the team was on their way. She immediately called me and said she completely forgot they were coming and was going through a tough move where lots of things went wrong.
We told her the team could pivot and meet her at the old house to help with any tasks she needed help with. She was hesitant at first but then agreed to have them come. We quickly called the team to give them the new plan, and they were ready to do whatever was needed.
The caregiver later told us: “ I am incredibly grateful for the mission team we got connected with that came by to spend a few hours assisting our family. Initially, they had planned a backyard party and intended to spend a couple of hours playing with the kids. However, we were in the midst of a challenging move that had gone wrong in so many ways. When I was texted to remind me about the team’s arrival, I panicked because it had slipped my mind. Yes, it was in my family calendar, but amidst all the disruptions caused by the move, it was not even on my radar. The team assured me that they would be able to assist us with whatever we were doing at the house, which was finishing packing and preparing the house for the second set of movers who were scheduled to arrive in the morning. They played with the boys, who had an amazing time. Additionally, they helped us move some items to the street for bulk day, helped pack some final items, and cleaned up a bit to ensure the house was ready for my moving-out cleaners.
They even helped the family who was picking up some beds we gave away try to fit a race car bed and a bunk bed into their van, like a game of Tetris. The timing of their visit was perfect. I had been feeling overwhelmed with the move, and this was exactly what I needed, at the very moment I needed it. What a gift that this team was willing to jump in wherever needed and truly make a difference for this family!”
