The Blessings of Adoption and Foster Parenting

 

Changing the World Through Adoption

 

Stephen and Donna Venti. Children: 1…6…11…80 and growing.

 

  Stephen and Donna Venti were born, raised, met, and married in Brockton, Massachusetts—true New Englanders to the core. After they were married, Donna was met by some disciples from the Boston Church and she started studying the Bible. She was moved by the Word and despite warnings from Edie Garmon (Edie was studying the Bible with her) who was telling her that she wasn’t ready, Donna insisted on being baptized. That determination would come in handy in the difficult years ahead.

 

  Stephen was neither impressed nor moved by Donna’s new found conviction. In fact, he was so upset that he worked to persuade her to leave the church. He was convinced the church was a cult and he even tried to get deprogrammers to convince her to leave. Stephen told Donna, this church has to be fake, because nobody loves one another this way. He even refused to let her give any money to the church, so Donna would do jobs on the side and just have people write the checks to the church instead of to her. She was determined to love her husband, but also to put God first in her life.

 

  The Ventis moved to Baltimore in 1992 where Stephen worked for an environmental cleanup company. There was no church in Baltimore so Donna attended the church in Washington, D.C. In the late 90s, Stephen became more open to Christianity, but he insisted to Donna that they find a local church in Baltimore. Donna shared with him, that sure they could find a local church, but it wouldn’t be the same as a church where everyone was committed to Christ. Finally, in 2000, Stephen started studying the Bible with Chris Reed and Tim Huffman and he was baptized into Christ. What a joyful experience as not only were Stephen and Donna united as a couple, but also their family which now consisted of two daughters and a son.

  Unity has a way of producing focus and the Ventis had decided early on in their married life that they wanted a large family and to adopt at least one child. As they started the process of adoption their eyes were opened to the great need for foster parents. They received training and were qualified to be both adoptive and foster parents. In fact, Donna says that if you begin by fostering a child it will give you insights into the ins-and-outs of adopting a child. It also is a chance to see how your life will change as you care for children who are in transition.

  Stephen and Donna readily admit that there are many fears in fostering and adoption. How will these children fit in with mine; will I be able to guide them; will they love us, reject us, or refuse our love. Despite these fears and many more, the Ventis say that fostering and adopting it one of the greatest joys of their lives. Donna says amazing things happen as we scrape below the surface of our ability to love and then see our hearts grow bigger and bigger as God enlarges our capacity to love. They both say its such a privilege to be called Mom and Dad. Because the Ventis now run a “group” home, there are more and more children calling them mom and dad. In addition to their three biological children, they have three adopted children, four foster children and also one grandchild and another one on the way. Their consistent service in meeting the needs of children have resulted in over 80 children who have benefited from their care.

The Venti Family

  The church is blessed to have the Ventis as a family worthy of imitation. But as determined as they are, one family cannot meet the needs of all the children who need parents and a family. Donna says, “If every Christian family who is able, were to adopt just one child, we could eliminate the “orphan” population in many parts of our country.” Let’s imitate the faith and determination of their family and true religion will shine in our churches.