Isaiah 117, a national ministry that has recently gotten a local chapter, is First Pres’ local missions focus in December. We want you to know more about the group, and on the final Sunday of the month you can contribute to its work during our missions offering.
We asked Jenny Butcher, the Rockingham County Isaiah 117 leader, more about the ministry.
What is Isaiah 117?
Isaiah 117 provides a comforting home where our children can be brought to wait for foster-home placement – a place that is safe with friendly and loving volunteers who provide clean clothes, smiles, toys and snuggly blankets. This space allows children to receive the comfort and care they need while child welfare staff can do the necessary paperwork and identify a good placement.
The mission of Isaiah 117 House is threefold:
- Reduce trauma for children awaiting placement
- Lighten the load for child welfare services
- Ease the transition for foster families
I was drawn to the mission because I grew up in and out of the foster care system from age 2 to age 17. I remembered the day I was removed from a home of abuse but never wanted to leave because I had a bad experience in foster care previously. I lead this mission in our community because I think about 2-, 7-, and 14-year-old Jenny who would have benefited greatly in waiting for a placement in a safe, loving, temporary home instead of an office. A place I could sit and decompress while volunteers take care of my siblings instead of taking care of them for once. I think about all the future Jennys who enter the foster care system.
How does Isaiah 117 share Christ’s love?
Isaiah 117 House is sharing the love of Jesus simply by doing what our verse says: “learn to do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; please the case of widow.” Jesus took care of those who had nothing, who had nothing to give back and who needed it. We are doing the same; we are taking care of not only our children but our caseworkers who work tirelessly and our foster families who say yes to a child who has endured so much that is not their fault.
What’s next for the ministry as you get started?
We continue to raise our yearly budget of $180,000, raise awareness of our cause and are currently seeking a location in Harrisonburg for our children.
How can we partner with you on the mission?
First Pres members have an opportunity to become a Sock Buddy. This a commitment you make by giving any amount you feel led to do once a month. As a way to thank you for becoming a Sock Buddy, we send a pair of Isaiah 117 House socks as a way for you to walk along this journey with us. You can also join us for our monthly meetings and learn about volunteer opportunities for events and serving our children.
How can we be praying for you?
Pray for land or a home. God will provide the right place for us to be located. His hands are all over this future home. We ask you to stop every day, wherever you are at 1:17 p.m. and pray.
Anything else we should know?
We are on Facebook & Instagram. You can see what’s going on and how to get involved by emailing us at [email protected].