**Editor’s Note:** For privacy reasons, names and certain details have been changed. These stories are shared by former houseparents who have served at various children’s homes to offer insight, encouragement, and prayer for those considering this role. To respect the privacy of the children in these stories, we use artistic depictions rather than real photos.

A Lesson from Andy: The True Mission of a Houseparent

Written by Barb Henbest, Former Houseparent

Some of the greatest lessons in life don’t come from textbooks or training—they come from the hearts of the children we serve. One particular evening, as I stood over a hot stove frying pork chops for our large family, I learned a lesson I will never forget.

At the time, my husband and I were houseparents to eight boys, each with their own story, their own hurts, and their own needs. As I juggled the demands of cooking, supervising homework, and mentally running through the long list of tasks still ahead, I noticed movement in the kitchen trash can.

I turned, half-expecting to stop yet another mischievous adventure, and found Andy, a quiet 10-year-old, digging through the garbage.

“Andy, did you throw something away by mistake?” I asked.

“No,” he answered. “I’m looking for the can that what you’re cooking came in.”

My heart broke. Andy had spent much of his young life fending for himself. He had been left alone more times than he could count, often scrounging for food wherever he could find it. Before coming to us, he had even been found rummaging through a gas station dumpster just trying to survive. The idea that pork chops came from anything other than a can was foreign to him.

In that moment, nothing else mattered—not the pork chops sizzling in the pan, not the list of things still undone. What mattered was Andy.

I knelt beside him, my hands resting gently on his small shoulders, and I reassured him: “Andy, you don’t have to worry about where your next meal will come from. You are safe. You are loved. And you will always have food to eat.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I realized the depth of his fear, his uncertainty, and his hunger—not just for food, but for security, for love, for the assurance that someone cared. That night, God reminded me of my true mission—not just to provide meals, supervision, or structure, but to be a source of comfort, protection, and unwavering love for these children who had already endured so much.

Being a houseparent isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. It’s a mission field where the greatest sermons aren’t spoken from a pulpit but lived out in moments like these—in the middle of a busy kitchen, over a simple meal, in the quiet assurance that a child is finally safe.

There are more children like Andy who need love, guidance, and the reassurance of a stable home. If you feel called to be the hands and feet of Christ in a child’s life, we invite you to consider joining our mission as a houseparent.

Because sometimes, the greatest blessings come not in what we teach—but in what we learn.

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**A Prayer of Gratitude**
Heavenly Father, thank You for the people you have put in ministry to provide care for children like Andy. Thank You for opening our eyes to the deep needs of these little ones and for equipping us with love, patience, and wisdom. We pray that You continue to send dedicated houseparents to provide homes filled with love, security, and faith. May our mission always reflect Your heart. We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.