In 2010, when Ben and I were just 29, Ellie was 3 , and Lucy was 20 months, we opened our home to a girl in need. Bianca, then 15, became our foster daughter and our life changed forever. Now almost 15 years later, she is just our daughter and we love her like she's our own. Many of you may not know her, but you may know God's call on our lives to foster has been full of challenges. Yet through it all, growing our family, first with Bianca and later with her children, our beautiful grandchildren, has been full of incredible blessings too. Over the years the support and prayers of our friends and family have sustained us and taught us more about the Kingdom of God, a family that takes care of each other.

We are reaching out now with an opportunity to come alongside Bianca's family. They are going through a crisis. Bianca is one of the bravest people I know. Despite her own mental health struggles, past trauma, and a broken family, she is getting up each day, putting food on the table, working, paying bills, seeking help, praying, and loving her kids with a fierce love. She is an incredible mom. But her efforts are not enough and the system is failing her. Our hope is that by reaching out to our friends and family, we can show her that the body of Christ will be there for her.

Would you consider coming alongside us to help her family get through the next few months until they can find affordable housing, stable work, and counseling support. Their immediate needs are:

-Money for rent so the kids can stay safe and stable

-New tires for her car

-Winter clothes and school supplies

-Money for Christmas presents

-Prayer

-Affordable, reliable counseling

Thank you for your gifts!

-Ben and Juli Friesen