Meet Project 1.27's Western Slope Director, Lisa McGinnett

Project 1.27 asked Lisa McGinnett, Project 1.27’s Western Slope Director to share about her experiences as a foster and adoptive mom. Lisa and her husband, Paul, have fostered 60+ kids since they began fostering in 2001. Along with their three adopted children, Lisa and Paul are currently fostering an 11-month old and a 4-week old.

Lisa offers these words of wisdom to other foster parents

• Surround yourself with people who will love and help you
• Keep yourself healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually
• Love intensely
• Have a sense of humor and learn to laugh at yourself!

Tell us about when and why you decided to become a foster parent?
We planned to work with homeless and orphaned children in Bolivia, but I suffered an illness preventing that move. We shifted gears to focus on serving children stateside. Paul always teased about having a “dorm full of kids”. After ten years of marriage and youth ministry, we began fostering, hoping to eventually adopt. Our hearts were broken early on as we tasted what it’s like to fiercely love a child someone else birthed.  Through all the ups and downs, God has proven faithful as we continue to serve children in foster care. ​

What do you love most about serving as a foster parent?
What I love most about being a foster parent is knowing that what I do has value.  Of all the things that we spend time doing, what we do for these kids (and their parents) may one day build a bridge of trust that brings an opportunity to share with them the grace and acceptance of Christ.

What has surprised you most on this journey?
The compassion I feel for the families of these children. When I positioned myself as a mentor to the bio parents (those who seek help) a beautiful relationship was created.  We were bound together by the love we each shared for the same child. After the children return home, I can support the family and stay involved in the child’s life. That’s a win/win in my book! Over the years, bio families have asked us to babysit, to come for dinner and joined us for church.

What are the top 3 things that make you feel supported as a foster and adoptive parent?

• Feeling I’ve been heard.  Even if nothing in a case changes, knowing I had the opportunity to share and be heard.
• Being treated with respect and not just a commodity for DHS.
• Having friends in the foster/adoptive “sub-culture” who understand the depth and width of emotions that are felt like no other.

Why do you want to serve as Project 1.27’s Western Slope Director?

• I believe in the mission of taking care of orphans in their distress
• It gives an opportunity to get involved with the local body of Christ and encourage them to get involved in the lives of children in a life altering way
• I’m excited about the privilege of training future foster families and giving them the tools to succeed in their journey (for themselves and the children)

How can we pray for your family? How can we pray for children and families in Mesa County?

• Pray for balance.  Especially as we continue to foster and do the work of Project 1.27.
• Pray for our three teenagers to bond with the babies and find peace and understanding as we are obedient to God’s calling on our lives.
• Pray for people to respond when God calls them to foster. Mesa County has a great need for more good foster homes. ​