Imagine and Believe - Inspiring Story

The First Call

Tears streamed down Christine’s face as she drove.  Her sorrow seemed as endless as the road in front of her; going on for miles with no end in sight.  Her foster daughter was heavy on her heart, as she was most days.  But sometimes it became unbearable.  It was thoughts of the unspeakable abuse this child had suffered most of her childhood, and the weight of the guilt Christine felt from saying “no” to the first call to foster her that overwhelmed her with grief.    

That first call described an extreme abuse case and asked her to take the little girl.  The scale of it was overwhelming and Christine knew she’d be in over her head.  Someone else more qualified needed to take her.  “No,” she told them, “she needs someone else, not me.”  But no one stepped up and the child went to an emergency shelter for children they could not find foster homes for. . 

Then the second call came.  They had proof of the abuser’s guilt, and a family member had just committed suicide. They had to tell her that this family member had passed - but they weren’t even allowed to give her a hug at the emergency shelter.  Could Christine take her now?

Saying Yes the Second Time

“Yes.”  The answer to the second call was “Yes.”  How could she turn it away?  She was indeed in way over her head, but they brought the girl to Christine’s home.  And then they left.

How to even begin to fix such a broken child?  Adults don’t always have all the answers.  Just as with biological children, foster children do not come with instruction manuals.  Love is a start, but it’s just the beginning. 

Now What??

Christine did everything she could think of with the girl – lots of active outdoor activities, horseback riding, and of course sitting through a heart-wrenching funeral with her. What made it even more difficult for Christine was that she couldn’t tell anyone except for God what weighed so heavily on her heart.  You cannot share a foster child’s story unless they remain anonymous. They are obviously not anonymous if they are living in your home. 

  The only advice she got from the “experts” was to find the child a counselor.  But the trauma that the child had been through overwhelmed even the counselor. The counselor was compassionate and willing to do her best, but the trauma was so severe she told Christine, “I don’t even know where to start with this.”

The rest of the “experts” and “support team” were really there to investigate the crime that had been committed agaisnt the child and help the biological family navigate the situations at hand. But the foster parents at that time just had to figure things out on their own. 

That’s why tears were pouring down Christine’s face as she drove.  She was overwhelmed, over her head, and felt completely and utterly alone and forsaken.    

10 Years Later...

Fast forward 10 years.  Christine got another call, but this time her house was far from empty.  She already had five foster kids in her home as “temporary placements.”  It was the type of temporary placement that were not so temporary.

She occasionally got a well-meaning comment of “You really should not take in so many”. But what people outside of the foster world do not always understand are::

1). You usually say “no” way more than you say yes.

2). “Temporary” placements are not usually temporary.

3) Which adapted child are you supposed to “send away”?

But she loved them all, and knew that she would continue to love them all as long as she had them under her care and even after they went somewhere else. 

Here We Go Again...

Could Christine take one more? It was not a smooth or easy process.  It was bumpy, it was messy, heart-wrenching, and very overwhelming, especially while trying to care for and love 5 other children on her own.  Many times she felt that the burden was hers to bear alone.  Privacy laws prevented her from telling anyone else about the situation.  

 It was another overwhelmingly traumatic case that had nowhere else to go.  This time, she knew better than to say no.  Yes. She would take the child.  How she would manage with six kids she didn’t know, but she knew that God would provide.  

The Confession Comes Out

One night, the child finally confessed to her the true horrors of the abuse she had suffered. Christine immediately booked a sitter for her other children, took the child for medical attention, and was sent to Little Rock for her to be checked out and interviewed. 

They sat through a 12-hour interview in a Little Rock hospital, being left alone for hours at a time between talking to people. It seemed as though no one knew what to do. After the first 10 hours, Christine went to the nurse’s station to ask if she could leave to get her and the child some food.  Instead of a compassionate response, the nurse threatened to call DHS on HER if she left to get the child food.  

“If I had it to do over again, I’d have just called and had a pizza delivered to the hospital. But how disappointing that the interview process was handled in a way that was so dishonoring to a child that trusted an adult to reach out for help.”  Christine said.  

When you’re already overwhelmed, in over your head, and your mind is clouded from hunger, it’s hard to think straight or know how to respond when faced like a situation like that.  She went to the professionals looking for help, kindness, compassion, and support. That’s not what she got. 

The good news is that the information that was gathered resulted in a conviction for the offender on charges of sex trafficking a minor. “I watched many interviews happen, but because of ONE police officer that really cared and was educated in Human Trafficking investigations; this child received help, validation, and most importantly, justice”.

Experience Works Hope

 These experiences were many years ago, but she has never forgotten that feeling of being alone, isolated, and unsupported.  If someone could have stepped in and taken just one thing off of her, she would not have felt so alone.  One load of laundry, one time of someone mowing the yard, one person to help run to appointments, one person to cook dinner, anything that let her feel less alone would have helped. But foster parents are “givers” and asking is usually not even on their radar.

“I realize now that there were many people who would have helped if I just would have asked,” said Christine. “But that hard journey taught me so much about what others need now. I would not trade those lessons for anything as I believe they are what has given me the vision to help others in ways I could not have understood without living it myself. Imagine & Believe is the conduit between the community and the foster & adoptive parents in equipping these missionaries.” 

Imagine and Believe is Born

That’s when she realized the Foster Care Boutique’s function was much more than simply supplying clothes for foster children.  It was also about making the foster parents feel loved, supported, and not so alone.  It’s run under the umbrella of the nonprofit 501c organization that she founded called Imagine and Believe.  Its whole name is The Imagine & Believe Foundation. 

Giving Back to Foster Families

Christine partially raised many children born to others over a period of approximately 17 years. Fostering comes with a lot of chaos and trying to heal a traumatized child or children in addition to all the other chaos of life. Some of these families just need a bit of help getting back on track and other situations will almost give you nightmares.

Now imagine working a full-time job during the day, running to all the normal sports and extracurricular activities, then adding in court dates, counseling, and a whole other host of ‘not average’ appointments.  Is your head spinning yet?  Now add to all that never knowing what little thing can trigger an enormous meltdown the child acting out as a result of the hurt and trauma they have experienced in the past. 

That’s a lot, to put it mildly. Foster parents do all this and more on a daily basis. 

Giving from the Heart

But they wouldn’t have it any other way.  They love hard –despite knowing that it may bring them heartache.  They give of their time, their resources, space, privacy, financially, emotionally, and every other way you can think of.  It’s no wonder that they feel overwhelmed from time to time. 

But love and support from others help.  The Foster Care Boutique at the Imagine & Believe Foundation is a place where foster parents can come in and “shop for free” or have a bag of items packed and ready for them for clothes at no cost for their foster and adoptive children.  Since foster parents often literally get children dropped off on their doorstep with nothing but the clothes on their backs or a trash bag with their belongings that may have been exposed to toxic drugs in some situations, the boutique is a huge help.

“The Foster Care Boutique was almost named Brianna’s Closet, after a little girl that Christine provided respite care for over a weekend.” 

Something Big that Started Small

It started small – just one room in the former Searcy Living office on Main Street.  Christine was only using the room for storage at the time.  She cleaned it out and then called the Harding Home Economics Department to ask if they would like to take on a little decorating project.  

They turned the small storage room into a colorful, cheerful place.   Foster parents could come and get whatever clothing they needed for the precious little ones dropped off at their home. 

At first, she was nervous that it would be empty and there would be nothing to give.  But her fears were soon put to rest because the people of Searcy showed up in a big way. 

The Community Steps Up

The very first donation was a little Dora the Explorer outfit that an acquaintance donated in honor of Brianna, the little girl that Christine provided respite care for over a weekend that inspired the Foster Care Boutique project. 

Then, Hays Casual and Western Wear donated an entire truckload of brand-new clothing!  Talk about God blessing a project beyond her wildest dreams and making it grow!  The growth didn’t stop there, though.  The people of Searcy stepped up and brought donations along with other local businesses and organizations.  Soon there was a constant flow of diapers, clothing, cleaning supplies, and more!  Each donation, no matter how large or small was an outpouring of love and support for the foster care community. 

Growing, Growing, but Not Gone!

The little storage room in the Searcy Living Office was soon bursting to overflowing with love and donations. Sometimes growth, though a wonderful blessing, can be a bit uncomfortable – think of a much too large fish crammed in a tiny fish bowl.  That’s how the Foster Care Boutique was becoming in the Searcy Living office.  They needed more space! 

Whitney Lane Family Worship Center] offered some space to house the boutique, though the donations still came to the Searcy Living Office since it was easily accessible, centrally located and staffed.  But once again, God made it grow beyond the confines of that space.  Christine knew the Foster Care Boutique needed a permanent home and that it would always maintain the link with Searcy Living Magazine. 

Lord, You Want me to do What??!

God presented her with a solution, but it was big.  Way too big.  “No, Lord. I can’t do that,” she argued mentally.  It would require a huge leap of faith.  “I don’t think I can make that jump.  There’s way too much risk.  What if…”  There were a thousand  “What ifs..” 

“PEACE, BE STILL.  TRUST ME. I WILL PROVIDE A WAY.”  Her answer came.

She took a deep breath. And took the leap of faith. 

 She purchased the former Garage Door Service building at 1308 S. Benton Street, as they had moved to Lincoln Street. As soon as she walked in, she felt God speaking to her.

 It was a bit surreal and one of those instances for Christine where her life has come full circle. Before it had been a Garage Door Service, it had been a church - the first church she attended after moving to Arkansas 27 years ago. Images of the pastor and his family, and all the precious friendships that she had once formed under that same roof flooded her mind.  

Tying Up Past and Present to form a Perfect Circle

Along with images of the past, were visions of what it could be for the Foster Care Boutique.     The open room that had been the original sanctuary would have plenty of room for a real shopping boutique experience that she had always dreamed of providing. The former nursery would be perfect to accommodate baby clothing. 

The front offices would provide the perfect new home for Searcy Living Magazine, whose employees (on Searcy Living’s payroll) were more than happy to volunteer to assist foster and adoptive parents as well as donors when needed, giving in a huge way to save the Foundation money.  There were offices for everyone who needed them and ample work and storage space. 

The only problem was – while the building was very much structurally sound, it needed a major makeover on the inside. 

Hanging on to God’s promise, she sold the original Searcy Living Building on Main St. and moved the magazine and the Foster Care Boutique to its new location. 

Moving - Small Word, Complicated Task

Moving - such a small word to describe a complicated task, especially when you are talking about moving an entire charity project of this magnitude. Christine started the only way she knew how – one step at a time and trusting God with each step.  It was too big for her to do alone, so she asked for help.  Hundreds of volunteers showed up in force.  They painted walls, moved furniture, sorted through clothes, and did many other tasks.  It was a true community effort and an outpouring of love and support.  They all have a part in this story as well – and so do you.

New Challenges, New Blessings, And YOU!      

  Growth brings new challenges.  The Foster Care Boutique is now fully set up in its new location, but with a bigger building comes bigger bills as well.  The gas bill for heating the large area in one of the coldest months of winter was $600 alone! 

It now stands in need of monetary donations to cover expenses as well as diapers (especially larger sizes), and boys' socks of all sizes.  

 While we are not all called to be foster parents, each of us can do something to show them love and support.  Any donation, no matter the size is always appreciated.  It is an offering of love and support. 

In each step of the Imagine & Believe Foundations story, different people have held different puzzle pieces to make it work that they have generously given.  Which piece is yours to give?  

Imagine a world where every child has a safe and loving home. 

Believe it can Happen!