Generational Healing
45 years ago, Dan entered care at ABCH in Troy, Alabama. He had been abused and neglected by his parents. Thankfully, the Lord intervened and after pain and heartbreak, Dan was in a stable, Christ-centered environment where he could grow.
Dan later met and fell in love with Debbie. They married later in life but had a strong desire to have children together, so they considered adoption. They tried for many years to adopt a child internationally, but God had other plans. An ABCH social worker suggested they become foster parents. They have now adopted five beautiful children from foster care!
Nine-year-old Thomas is one of Dan and Debbie’s five children. He had the opportunity to attend Camp of Champions with his family last summer.
Each summer, ABCH holds our annual Camp of Champions, which is a three day, two night camp experience for foster families. Camp gives families a chance to be with others like them and grow in community with one another. Foster parents can share struggles and joys, and kids can just be kids. During the day, parents like Dan and Debbie receive specialized foster parent training as well as support from other foster parents. Dan shares, “We get to see and hear stories [from other foster parents] and everything that is going on. That was a fun part for us.”
While parents are training, kids participate in traditional camp activities like swimming, sports, and crafts. They laugh, sing, play, and just have fun! Kids also experience Bible study and worship in a unique environment. Through it all, they get to learn about Jesus.
During Camp of Champions last year, Thomas approached his parents, beaming with exciting news.
“I prayed to receive Christ!”
“I was just bursting out, proud and everything” said Dan.
During camp, Thomas felt a stirring in his heart. On the second night, he prayed with one of our counselors to accept Christ as his Savior.
The seeds of Thomas’ salvation had been planted 45 years before. “It’s a ministry I’ll support for the rest of my life no matter what,” Dan continues, “They gave my wife and me the chance to be a mom and dad.”
God is making generational changes that last decades—from 45 years ago to today and even 45 years from now.