Rediscovered Calling - Conversation with Foster Parents

An interview with Emilia and Daniel Barna, foster parents from the Baptist Church in Gorzów Wielkopolski. They are raising three biological children and two foster children and have been serving in this role for two years. In a conversation with pastor Henryk Skrzypkowski, they speak candidly about daily life, challenges, joys, and the ways in which the local church can become a true support in such a ministry.

Emilia: I’m a trained pedagogue and therapist, but ever since we got married, I’ve been a full-time mom and homemaker.

Daniel: I’m a mechanic. I’ve been working in this profession for about twenty years—mostly on cars, sometimes on machines. I enjoy it. Now I work closer to home, which has been a real blessing.

Henryk: Tell us about your family. How many children have you cared for?

Emilia: We have three biological children—Lea (10), Adam (8), and Julia (5)—and two boys in foster care, aged two and not quite one.

Daniel: We’ve been foster parents for two years. Altogether, we’ve cared for five children. Three of them stayed with us for about five months and then returned to their biological parents.

Henryk: What happened with that first group of children? What was that season like for you?

Emilia: Their parents made an effort, met the court’s requirements, and the children were able to return home. We had the privilege of witnessing a good ending to their story. We agreed to take them in because we saw real potential for family reunification and wanted to support that process. It was a very intense, demanding season for our kids—so many people in a small space, and all the foster children were about the same age as ours. Going from three to six kids overnight—it was like jumping into deep water.

Henryk: That’s beautiful—you got to witness restoration, which doesn’t happen often in foster care. What led you to take this path in the first place?

Emilia: The idea had been in our hearts for years, even before we got married. But the turning point came when we spent a few days with a foster family. We could listen, ask questions, and see everything up close.

Daniel: At that time, we were living abroad, so we couldn’t start right away. We also knew that emotions stirred by compassion can be powerful, so we gave ourselves a year to pray and discern whether this was just emotion or God’s calling. Over time, He confirmed it. When we returned to Poland, we began the training and certification process.

Emilia: God gave us deep conviction that this was His calling for us, even though we don’t feel like “perfect” parents. Looking back, I’m glad the process wasn’t quick—it gave us time to finish our home and prepare both our space and our hearts.

Henryk: What does an ordinary day look like with five children in your care?

Daniel: I leave for work before 7 a.m. and return around 3 p.m. I used to commute 65 km one way, which was exhausting. Now it’s much easier.

Emilia: The two oldest kids are homeschooled. Julia is still at home, and the two youngest require frequent doctor visits—we’re in a stage of intensive medical diagnostics, especially for the baby. Doing school at home removes the stress of early mornings and tight schedules.

Daniel: After I get back, we have lunch together, and I take over the kids. Sometimes Emilia runs errands or goes shopping. I take the older ones to the pool or German lessons.

Emilia: In the evenings, we pray together. We teach our kids that prayer is a real conversation with a living God. That’s a central part of our day.

Henryk: What has surprised you most along the way?

Emilia: At first, fear. I worried I wouldn’t manage the logistics, that the kids might come with challenges I couldn’t handle. And we had our own small children to care for. But we were positively surprised by the relationship with the biological parents—it was kind and respectful, even though they lived nearby. We were anxious about that, but God led it peacefully.

Daniel: What surprised me—without any bitterness—is that in many churches, there’s still this mindset that “children in crisis are the state’s responsibility.” Yet biblically, we know caring for the orphaned and vulnerable is the responsibility of believers and the Church. It’s something we need to rediscover.

Emilia: At the same time, people around us have stepped up to help—friends from church especially. There’s one brother who often holds our youngest during the service. That means so much.

Henryk: What are your biggest challenges—and what keeps you going?

Emilia: My own heart is often the hardest thing—when I run out of strength and patience, even good intentions fade. When exhaustion hits, what keeps me grounded is remembering this wasn’t my idea—it’s God’s calling. He doesn’t only call the strong and capable; He calls the weak and equips them. That truth gives me hope every day.

Daniel: I feel the same. I’m aware of my shortcomings—being away for work, for example—but I remember how much we prayed about this and how clearly God confirmed it. If He called us, He’ll sustain us. We haven’t had major legal struggles; our challenges are mostly the normal logistics of a big family.

Henryk: What do you consider the greatest blessing of being a foster family? Any moments that stand out?

Emilia: Seeing God answer prayer through the lives of the three children who returned home. We taught them to pray, even for their parents—and God answered. Helping them see that they’re talking to a real, living God who listens was an incredible joy.

Daniel: We’ve also grown as a family. We’ve learned to recognize our kids’ limits and needs better—to know when to slow down and when to carry more together.

Henryk: What can people in the church do to truly support families like yours? How can they take part in foster care ministry?

Emilia: Simple, practical help makes the biggest difference. A “church aunt,” “uncle,” or “grandma” who can come for an hour or two—take the kids for a walk, hold the baby after church, or stay with the others while I go to a doctor’s appointment. Small gestures, but so meaningful. We have a few people like that. Daniel’s cousin decided to be our “family helper.” She takes the kids for weekends and runs therapeutic activities because she’s trained in that. Another sister from church sometimes visits us—with five kilos of meat!—just to talk. That means the world. And there’s an “uncle” who walks our baby around during services so I can have a quiet moment. That kind of grace—plus a bit of patience for the noise and chaos that come with a big crew—is a real blessing.

Daniel: And friendship. Genuine, brotherly friendship. Not just formal help, but relationship—to sit, talk, be together. That’s something we really miss sometimes.

Emilia: Yes, along with practical support, we long for simple friendship—relationships we can maintain within the rhythm of our busy lives.

Henryk: Daniel, you once mentioned searching for your “place” in ministry.

Daniel: Yes. After coming to faith, I wanted to serve God but thought real ministry meant preaching or street evangelism. I prayed, “Lord, I can’t do that—I’ll never be like the Apostle Paul.” For years, I felt out of place. But over time, God gave me a place where I can truly serve and feel at peace: home, family, caring for children. I believe anyone who sincerely wants to serve can find their “yes” from the Lord within the Church. For us, that’s foster care. It’s the fulfillment of our calling.

BE A FRIEND TO FOSTER FAMILIES

Do you know any foster families in your community? Ask if you can visit them. Bring a cake, pray together, ask how they’re doing. Maybe they could use a hand in the garden or with repairs—you can be part of their mission!If there’s a foster family in your church, tell them about us. We want no family to walk this road alone. We’ll gladly connect them with others in their area and keep them informed about our ongoing support opportunities.