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Winter 2011 News
The Lord Is Faithful
It seems like only a short time ago that I received a call from Jeff Fritz asking me to consider being a member of Gateway Woods’ Board of Directors. I remember being quite sure that they could do a lot better than this simple tire dealer. I was interested right away though, because the ministry at Gateway had captured my heart ever since I had become the LaCrosse, IN Representative a few years before. It probably was even earlier than that as I can recall memories from when my dad, Lynn, had served on the Board during Gateway’s early years. My wife Jackie and I discussed and prayed about the position. The Lord then gave us peace, allowing us to accept the responsibility and blessing of being a part of the Gateway Woods Board.
Now, eight years have come and gone and a lot has happened during that time. I have been blessed by so many brothers and sisters who have become part of my life due to Gateway Woods. I was able to see the beginning of the school as I started on the Board. With tremendous support and with God’s leading, we added two new Residential homes and converted our Oak House to help the lives of expectant teen mothers. What a blessing that has been! I remember wrestling through that decision with the Board and a prayerful and faithful Gateway Staff. We also officially began doing adoptions at Gateway during my time on the Board.
I think that it was through our Houseparents that God taught me my most valuable lessons of faith and trusting in Him. As a Board, we made the difficult decision that it was time to move forward in expanding the Residential Program with the Cypress and Pine Houses. The big question was how would we get so many more willing and qualified couples to lead the new homes? There was a time when my faith was too weak to believe we would fill this additional need.
Adding these two homes was crucial in growing our ability to obey our mission of serving God by helping troubled children and families. One thing I found in my time on the Board was that when we stepped forward in faith, God repeatedly provided faithful and dedicated people to meet our needs. I am sorry for the times I doubted.
I have come to understand what I believe to be a basic truth through all of this. Gateway Woods has been given to the Apostolic Christian Church by God. Our Brotherhood has been repeatedly blessed by this responsibility and charge. I believe that Gateway Woods is God’s charge to us as a faithful Church to support. He could have raised this ministry up in any denomination but I believe He chose the Apostolic Christian Church and has asked us to be obedient and faithful in honoring and glorifying Him and His precious son Jesus in this ministry. He will give other groups their own charge; this one is ours. When you get the privilege to watch up close what goes on at Gateway and to see the effect it has throughout the Church and on hurting children, like me, you can only be thankful.
One of the things I will miss as I step off the Board is hearing John Stoller talk about the Foster Care program. I came home meeting after meeting, inspired by the heart wrenching situations of many of these children. I was moved by the faith and dedication of the foster parents and our Gateway Woods Caseworkers, and my heart was always warmed and touched by their love and commitment!
I owe a special thanks to Jeff and Tina Schumacher, as well as Jeff and Carla Fritz for keeping me in their homes so often. Most of all, I will greatly miss my Board Brothers and the Gateway Staff as I finish my term. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to know so many of them. It was the great unwritten benefit that I was not told about when I accepted the position. I have often commented to my wife and others how meeting believers from all around the Midwest and spending time together getting to know them well, reminds me of my young group days. We had some tough struggles to deal with and decisions to make, but the bond of the saving blood of Jesus has always kept us together with a love and respect that is hard to come across outside of those who have been adopted by our Heavenly Father.
Joe Feller, Board Member
Perfect Love
Working in foster care has opened my eyes to things I had taken for granted throughout my life. Growing up in my biological family I had confidence that, no matter what I did, my family would stick with me. In fact, I didn’t even think about the fact that they COULD abandon me. Not only would my family stick with me, they would have unconditional love for me. Despite my rebellion, and the trouble and heartache I caused, my parents never waivered. I was safe expressing anger, rage and even hate towards my parents, knowing they would not reject me.
Through my work in foster care I see what a different life many children face. A child who is angry and rebellious typically does not last long in a foster home. Foster parents put up with only so much and then request the child be moved to a different home. At times these behaviors are extreme and we can understand the foster parents feelings. Other times though, children are removed from foster and pre-adoptive homes due to typical childhood behaviors.
These children need someone in their lives who will love them no matter what they do. They need someone who will stick with them, even when their anger is ugly and unpleasant. It can be discouraging to realize our capacity as humans to love and care for others. Despite our best efforts, we often fail to stand with the people who need the most love and care. Their problems seem overwhelming and we feel incapable of meeting their needs.
John 3:16 states,
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
God not only loves us, but He gave up His life for us! Despite our inadequacies, God loves us and offers us hope and belonging. It is so encouraging to realize that Jesus is the one who will meet all of our needs. Not only will He meet my needs and your needs, He will meet the needs of each child in the world.
Rachel Klopfenstein, Foster Care Caseworker
Be Not Dismayed For I Am Thy God
Wow! What an amazing start to 2011. In the last Gate Post I asked for your prayers as we were experiencing some difficult times with the child welfare system here in Indiana. Many of the transitions I wrote about are still ongoing, but we are getting a much better sense of where the State is headed with the proposed regulatory changes.
The rules regarding rates appear to be set and we have been informed of what they will be going forward. With these rules in place, we at least know what we will get reimbursed for the children and families that we serve. The second area of concern that I mentioned in my last article addressed the rules around how we are licensed. This included issues relating to staffing ratios and structure. These rules have not been finalized yet and we are patiently waiting.
Through all of this, it has been inspiring and comforting to watch as the Lord has continued to provide all that Gateway Woods needs. I have been studying the book of Isaiah and was reminded in chapter 41 that God has always been in control, is currently in control and always will be in control. What an incredible God we serve!
We are looking forward to some resolution to the licensing issues and we would appreciate your prayers that the Lord will bless our desire to serve by bringing us appropriate referrals.
Jeff Schumacher, Administrator
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