Catie Lumpkin's story is one of broken beauty. She and her husband, Jamie, do not have it all together; in fact, it often feels as though they have nothing together, but they cling to the One who holds them. She is a woman desperate for her Savior, a lover of her
family, and an advocate for children and families in crisis. Five years ago God
led Jamie and Catie out of a "dark night of the soul" through the
doors of Lifeline Children's Services to begin what they thought would be the
adoption process. However, in that meeting Jamie prayed that through the
journey ahead God would transform them into the image of Jesus Christ with
ever-increasing glory through whatever means He desired. Years later, God has not
brought the formal adoption they longed for, yet He has led 30 foster children
from all over the world through their front door. As a result, God has
imprinted the calling on their lives to answer and share a holistic approach to
orphan care throughout the Body of Christ. The Lumpkins believe the call to
enter into the broken world of orphan care is not simply the call of caring for
and adopting children, but to stand in the gap as the incarnation of Jesus
Christ to the system, the workers, the judges, the lawyers, and especially the
biological family. By God's mercy, they work to fulfill the spaces where God
longs to "rebuild the ancient ruins," "raise up the foundations
of generations," "repair the broken breaches," and "restore
the streets to dwell in" for children and families who are emerging from
generations of brokenness, as it says in Isaiah 58:12. As a result, God's grace
has allowed Jamie and Catie to walk with 11 families who have been impacted by
Child Protective Services as the families have begun to experience restoration
and true Gospel transformation, realizing God can bring beauty from ashes.
Catie is an author, speaker and blogger. She
serves as a Forgotten Advocate for the under Lifesong for
Orphans. She and Jamie are also trained Empowered to Connect instructors, and she instructs as a licensed state foster parent trainer.
Catie lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with Jamie; her three biological
sons: Caleb (10), Benjamin (8), and Daniel (6); her four foster daughters; and
walks life with many more past children, mamas, daddies and grandparents as
they travel this beautiful mess of foster care, together.
~ In addition to speaking, she delights in opportunities to write ~
Check out some of her guest posts below:
And some interviews:
~ Questions? Cafranktie@aol.com ~
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