100 Days
On May 14, 2020, James and Megan, newly licensed Arms of Love foster parents, got a call. Three-year-old twin boys, Danny and Marco*, needed a home. They were out of county, and as the DCS worker dropped them off, they offered a parting warning, “Good luck, it has taken our entire office, five people, to try and wrangle these boys.”
That same week, the world shut down. With the pandemic closing parks, libraries, restaurants and even the church where James pastored, the family suddenly found themselves stuck at home with their four children and two high-needs toddlers.
Danny and Marco arrived with significant trauma. One was non-verbal, the other spoke words no child his age should know. Neither was potty trained. All therapy and family visits had to be done virtually. “It was a stressful time,” Megan recalls, “but God saw us through it.”
Overwhelmed but committed, James and Megan worked with their Arms of Love licensing specialist to find support. They found a daycare that could care for the twins during the day, giving the family some extra support which was especially helpful when their oldest daughter needed surgery, and a leak left eight people sharing one bathroom.
James reflects, “It was one thing after another, it was drama and difficulty and trouble… [We were] trying to muscle through it but it was tearing us apart.” After 100 intense days, the twins were placed in a therapeutic foster home.
Since that first placement, James and Megan have welcomed many children into their home. “Our whole purpose in fostering is to care for these kids until they can go back,” James says. “We are not in it to adopt; we want these families to come back together and be together.”
“It is hard,” Megan adds, “but the blessings that come out of fostering are beautiful.”
Since sharing their story last fall, the couple celebrated the reunification of their long-term placement with his mother. James and Megan have continued to support both their foster son and his mother with grace and compassion. They remain involved through weekly visits and are walking alongside her as she works toward earning her GED.
Their commitment to foster care extends beyond their home. James and Megan serve on the Court Teams for Infants and Toddlers, helping foster families navigate the court system and advocate for children in care. They’re also exploring new ways to support families navigating the child welfare system with practical ministry and a heart for restoration.
Their connection with ABCS deepened in the winter when a shift in services led to a need for new office space in the Northern region. As a longtime partner and pastor at Canyon Bible Church, James brought the need to his church leadership. Their generous response was to offer office space and building access at no cost. Thanks to their support, ABCS has been able to continue serving families effectively while also building a stronger relationship with the congregation.
We’re grateful for James and Megan’s ongoing involvement in the ministry of ABCS. Their story is a beautiful reminder of what God can do when His people step out in faith, serve with compassion and open their hearts to those who need it most.
*Names changed.
PRAY. For all those involved in the foster care system, from foster families, children in care and their families and all the workers who helping along the way.
LOVE. Are you called to foster? Consider learning more about becoming licensed or sharing the need with others.
GIVE. Your generous gift will help provide hope and care to families like James and Megan by providing them with the support they need from their licensing agency. Donate today at abcs.org/donate