Fostering Tea Session (Mark & Sue)

A summary of Mark and Sue’s sharing at the intro session on 31 Oct 2020 (online), with Epworth Foster Care.

Despite having their hands full as parents to two boys (currently aged 8 & 10), Mark and Sue were willing to explore fostering after attending a Home for Good tea session back in 2015. They took the big step to foster in 2018, and they are currently foster parents to a 3-year-old boy (he is in back carrier of Mark's bicycle). They have also previously fostered 2 other young children.

Sue was initially apprehensive when submitting the application form to foster, as she was worried about the changes to their family’s dynamics. Nevertheless, as she read Bob Goff’s ‘Love Does’ with Mark, the couple felt convicted to obey God’s command and serve vulnerable children through fostering. For many years, God had placed in their hearts a desire to do missions together as a family, and it was now clear to them that their mission field first began at home.

Although fostering has its challenges, Sue firmly believes that when we are doing a work that is close to God’s heart, He would be present to see us through. God had blessed the couple with a supportive church community, which has constantly provided them with many prayers and tangible help. Grateful for the support received from their church community, Sue encourages families contemplating fostering to identify a strong support system.

One recurring challenge the couple experienced is letting go of foster children under their care when they eventually return to their natural parents. Nevertheless, God had showed them that such reintegration was a reason for great celebration, and that He will always continue to watch over these children as their loving Father.

2020 has been a hard year for Mark and Sue, with strained finances and a challenging foster placement. Nevertheless, the word in season for their family this year is ‘agape’. Whenever parental love fails, Mark would cry out to the Lord for agape – unconditional love that will not run dry. As Mark and Sue abide in our Father’s love, we are confident that He will supply His boundless agape that will never fail.