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Foster care adds
adventure to Mims household
By Bob Murdaugh
 Empty Nest
Syndrome didn't last long for one particular couple. Reba Mims informed her
husband Rick of God's calling to foster care five and one half years ago at
the same time their daughters Tamra and Tara were finishing college and
Tara's wedding plans were underway.
"I felt that if God called me to the mission field, Reba would back me,"
says Rick, a building contractor. "So, I wanted to be supportive of the
ministry where God was leading. I've always heard that construction workers
are supposed to be hard-headed and tough, but the first foster child's
leaving liked to have broken my heart."
Then came Ken and Kevin, the Mims' next two foster children. The Mims
household hasn't been quiet since.
The two brothers were six weeks prematurely born when they came to the Mims
home, prompting a routine of around-the-clock feedings. Ken and Kevin are 3
and one half years old now, and Reba still claims, "The bond Rick and I have
with them is no different for us than it would be if they were our
biological children.
 "People see
our love for the boys and see that our different skin colors don't matter,"
Reba notes. "Being around the two boys has opened Tamra and Tara's eyes to
foster care. They [both married now] say it's not important that they have
biological children."
Despite challenges along the way, God has miraculous made his presence and
love clear to the Mims as they've chosen to follow Him. Soon after they
began pursuing adoption of Ken and Kevin, Rick became seriously ill. On the
Saturday after the first court date to terminate Ken and Kevin's birth
parents' custodial rights, Rick went into a coma. The next day, his doctors
told Reba that his death was near.
"I looked at Louise Green, our social worker with the Children's Homes at
that time, and said, 'Please don't let me lose my babies too,'" Reba
recalls. Two days later while Reba stayed at her husband's hospital bedside,
Louise went to court on their behalf.
God not only restored Rick's health, but also speeded up the adoption
process. In an unusually short time, Ken and Kevin fully belonged to the
Mims.
Since the adoption, the Mims have had two other foster children - one age 22
months and the other age eight months - at the same time. Reba marvels at
how she was able to get four toddlers, all under age 3, and herself to
daycare and work on time.
"Kevin tells us, 'Trust in the Lord,'" Rick says. "And we continue to learn
that we have to do just that." |
