By Sandra Sampler
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.” Psalms 82:3closePsalm 82:3
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. (ESV)
closePsalm 82:3closePsalm 82:3
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. (ESV)
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. (ESV)
, NKJV
Safe Families helps all the pieces fit together to provide a safe, loving, Christ-centered home when children and families in crisis need it the most. Photo by KC Brock
How do you and your family respond to this biblical command? Mickey and Katrina Lee, my friends and members of the First Family, have responded by becoming a Safe Families Host Family. Even more exciting, they are the first Safe Families Host Family in Maury County!
Mickey and Katrina have been a host family for a little more than a month now. They are caring for a five-year-old girl and her eight-year-old brother while the children’s mom is working hard to solve some issues which prevent her from being the parent she wants to be and provide for the children adequately.
I applaud Mickey and Katrina for their willingness to open their hearts and home to these children because they feel that this is the response that God has laid on their hearts!
One of the hallmarks of the Safe Families program is that the host families not only provide all the items necessary to provide a safe and loving home for the kids (food, shelter, etc.) as well as discipline, supervision, parental guidance, emotional support, and more. They do it all with no additional financial assistance from the state or anywhere else.
One of the benefits of Safe Families is the ability for the host family to teach children about God and His great love. They are able to read the Bible together and pray. Photo by KC Brock
While the children are covered with TennCare for medical expenses, all other expenses are assumed by the host family. Can you imagine taking in two growing, active children and all that entails with practically no advance notice and committing to care for them for an extended period of time? That would do a number on most household budgets, including mine, especially in today’s economy.
Not to mention going from an organized, well-appointed, tidy home and quiet, calm life (Mickey and Katrina have adult children) to one where shoes are tossed, toys strewn, laundry abounds, and the phrase “loud and chaotic” replaces “quiet and calm”? WOW!
Yet, Mickey and Katrina are doing an amazing job! I receive visits and phone calls from others that work with the kids telling me that they have never seen the kids learn so quickly, behave so well, or respond so appropriately; they are absolutely in awe of Mickey and Katrina (as am I)!
It is obvious that God’s blessings are abundantly overflowing for everyone involved with this family and children. Another example of what happens when we follow His plan – no matter how inconvenient, messy, and drama-laden – instead of our own neatly-packaged one!
Another benefit of Safe Families is the host family already has a network of support through the local church. Mickey Lee shows some of the many items First Family members have donated to help Mickey and Katrina encourage and teach the children in their care. Photo by KC Brock
Maury County Cares for Kids has committed to providing clothing (including school uniforms) for the kids along with school supplies and backpacks. And while the Lees have not requested any assistance, I would like to suggest a few ideas you might want to consider to show them your support of their efforts:
- Schedule a play date, swim date, or trip to the park or zoo with your family and theirs
- Volunteer to watch the kids so Mickey and Katrina can enjoy a date night
- If your child is active in Little League Baseball, dance classes, Daisy’s, or Cub Scouts, suggest taking turns carpooling to and from practice, class, meetings or events
- If you have gently used toys, games, books, etc. you no longer want, contact Mickey or Katrina to see if they can use them
One big item we are trying to get for each of the children is a new bicycle. The boy has apparently mastered this skill, but needs a bike. The five-year-old girl will need training wheels as she has never ridden a bike before. Please let me know if you would like to donate a bicycle or helmets.
First Family member Sandra Sampler is the founder and director of Maury County Cares for Kids, a non-profit ministry that is dedicated to supporting families, children, foster care, adoption, and child abuse prevention. She is also the Safe Families Coordinator at our church.
Safe Families is an extension of our church’s orphan ministry. Host families do the hosting, but the rest of us can be supporting families. If you would like more information about serving as a host or a supporting family, please contact Sandra Sampler or our Community Outreach Pastor Gary Townsend.
We met the Lee’s in 2009, and became good friends with them. They are one of the most caring,,giving, & loveable couple we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. It does not surprise us at all what they are doing for these children. Thank you & GOD bless you both,