There are families in crisis in Florida.
Parents face medical emergencies, job loss, and homelessness. They are at risk of losing their children to foster care. However, there are churches and neighbors committed to helping these families stay together.
Meet Better Together volunteer host family Luke and Anne Stockeland.
“It feels like a calling,” Luke says about his family providing short-term care to children while Better Together staff helps their parents get back on their feet.
Luke is the lead pastor at First Baptist Church of Bradenton. His family has hosted six times already. Caring for infants is especially fulfilling for Anne, whose experience as a pediatric nurse further assures parents their children are receiving an abundance of care.
“I love babies,” Anne expressed with abounding joy.
So it was a “surprise from God,” said Luke when they agreed to host 6-year-old Harmony and her 1-year-old brother Kenzo. Luke believes God put it in their hearts to say yes. They helped Harmony with schoolwork, taught her to swim, and served her breakfast in bed for her birthday.
“It’s amazing how God allows so much love to grow within you,” said Anne.
Luke and Anne also see God’s love growing in the hearts of their kids. Jolee, Olivia, and Briella join Anne in nurturing the children they host, while Jarren helps Luke provide protection.
“It’s a good way for them to look past just what they need and see how they can serve other people and families,” said Anne.
First Baptist church members are also acting as the hands and feet of Jesus by supporting Better Together in efforts like hurricane relief and outreach.
The hostings have also highlighted the need for children to know they are loved, said Luke. “I could be your daughter,” Harmony once told him. Moved by her expression, Luke assured Harmony that her parents love her. He then silently prayed for God to provide his family with extra wisdom and love to care for Harmony, Kenzo, and the other children they host until they reunite with their parents.
Thank you Luke, Anne, your children, and the First Baptist family for helping keep families together.
Story by Kinfay / Better Together
