Closing our home after 20 years

​Statistics show that 50% of foster families quit after the first year, so what allows one family to continue fostering for more than 20 years?

Lisa and Paul McGinnett always knew they would adopt. Early in their marriage, they planned to serve orphaned street children in Bolivia. However, an illness prevented Lisa from living in a developing country. Their pastor then encouraged them to look for ways to serve children in the United States. 

After trying to conceive for ten years, the McGinnetts began exploring the adoption process, which led them to become foster parents. Over their 22 years as foster parents, the McGinnetts have had over 96 placements, including respite, and have adopted five children. Their oldest adopted child is 22, and their youngest is only 2. 

Lisa shared, "I would say that we started fostering for one reason but continued for another set of reasons. So many times, I didn't think I could go on fostering because of the heartache and how deeply I loved the children placed with us." She remembers a time when they were fostering a baby boy. The situation allowed them to welcome the boy's mother into their home to spend time with her son while Paul and Lisa supervised. One night, while grilling hamburgers, Lisa looked at her watch and realized they would be late getting the mom back for curfew. Lisa grabbed a quick burger, threw everything in the car, and started backing out of the driveway. Suddenly, the young mom started to cry.

"She looked into my eyes and said something that changed my reason and purpose for fostering," Lisa remembers. "She said, 'I have never had anyone ever be so kind to me.' Her words stopped me in my tracks. In my mind, it was JUST a hamburger! But to her, it was kindness." Since that night, Lisa believes God has given her a heart of compassion for the biological families of the children she fosters. 

The new year is bringing some significant changes to the McGinnetts. After 22 years, they've decided to close their home. They will still welcome back any prior children they've cared for but are no longer looking for any long-term or potential adoptive placements. Lisa shared, "Paul and I have always had an open door policy…but as we age, it becomes harder and harder to commit to raising a young child to adulthood without thinking of our capacity and mortality." Lisa has realized that, for now, her two younger boys need her full time and attention. "But who knows?" Lisa shared, "We may jump back in with older kids in the future."​

When asked what advice she would give someone interested in becoming a foster parent, Lisa enthusiastically said, "Just do it! Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's challenging, but isn't everything worthwhile?" Lisa and Paul have learned the importance of being committed to the children in their home, recognizing that there will often be reasons to quit. She remembers hearing about a story of a teenager who was about to age out of the foster care system. "He was asked what he would tell foster parents," Lisa said. "He said that he wishes foster parents knew that children aren't like a pair of shoes you get to try on and see if they fit." His words stick with Lisa to this day, helping her to serve children even when it's hard. 

By Jenny Watson, Director of Communication and Events​