Joseph's House exists to support and encourage foster and adoptive children and families in the River Valley through clothing shops, programs, activities, educational opportunities and outreach. The Story of Joseph’s House
Joseph’s House is a non profit organization that supports foster families and the children they care for through a number of programs and services. It’s location is undisclosed for the protection and privacy of the families and children. Genesis 41:54-57 reads: “Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. The famine also struck all the surrounding countries, but throughout Egypt there was plenty of food. Eventually, however, the famine spread throughout the land of Egypt as well. And when the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told them, “Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you.” So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.”
Most of us remember that Joseph’s story begins with his jealous brothers leaving him for dead and then deciding to selling him into slavery. As a slave, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into jail. What happens next is extremely powerful in the life of a foster parent and how Joseph’s House was named. From jail, Joseph interprets the Pharaoh’s dreams of famine and becomes a powerful leader that prepares for the coming famine. This same famine that spread across the land, drove Joseph’s family and the Israelites to Egypt to beg the Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh sent them to Joseph’s house. Joseph had spent the previous 7 years preparing for famine by building storage houses and filling them up with grain. There, Joseph’s family and the Israelites were given access to grain. What in the world does stored up grain have to do with foster parenting? Provisions! Joseph was sent by God many years ahead of the famine, through slavery AND jail AND living in Egypt, to prepare provisions for Joseph’s people (his family), and God’s people (the Israelites). The same holds true today. One way God provides for our local foster families is through a placed called Joseph’s House. There, His provisions are stored and distributed as needed to foster families and their foster children. Where do these provisions come from? From you. From me. From all of us. We all have time, talents, and resources to give. Just like the Egyptians that saved portions of their crops to prepare for the famine, we should also be willing to give in order to provide for this needs of others. This was not the end of Joseph’s story. Yes, it does go on in Genesis, but beyond Joseph’s story in the Bible, the continued story of provision is evident even now. It will last as long as we are here. It is real. And, God uses ALL OF US to make it happen. We hope and pray that whatever provisions we can supply for our local foster families are enough to encourage and sustain them. It’s the least we can do. Because their service, in His name, is beyond measure.
