Overview

In late 2002 God placed on the hearts of Troy and Jodie Campbell that they should pursue adoption. Troy was very specifically led to pursue the adoption of a little girl. God had already blessed the Campbells with three biological sons and it was impressed upon Troy's heart that it would be good for Jodie to impact the heart of a daughter with the Gospel.

After approximately three years of pursuing adoption with another agency the Campbells were made aware of Arrow Child & Family Ministries. The Campbells met with Arrow and quickly realized there was a match in passion and purpose. "Arrow was not just interested in the placement of a child but was interested in impacting the hearts of children," Troy said. "This was a perfect match with our purpose in adoption."

The Campbells pursued a number of potential leads during their relationship with Arrow, but none of those potential placements occurred. "There were times of discouragement...times when we thought ‘what is wrong with us?' Troy shared. "It was during those times that we were comforted by knowing God is sovereign over all things and loving and kind in all His ways."

Then on July 24th the Campbells received a telephone call from Arrow concerning a possible match. There was a three year old little girl named Oni (Oni means "born on holy ground or prayed for") who needed to be placed quickly. Oni had a difficult background and the Campbells had some concerns; however, after praying about it the Campbells felt Oni was truly God's provision to them. "My first reaction was ‘no, this is too much' but after praying about it, it was clear that God desired for us to love Oni and bring her into our family."

On July 26th at 6:30pm, Oni was brought to the Campbells home to join Troy, Jodie and their three sons. "We will never forget the first time we saw Oni," shared Troy. "Our hearts danced as we realized God had brought this little girl into our family. This little girl who was walking up our driveway to meet us did not realize it but she was a tangent answer to the prayers that we, our family and friends had been lifting to God for more than four years. That moment was Psalm 139 in real life. ‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.' We know God created Oni perfectly and wonderfully for our family and His glory."

According to her profile, Oni had a number of behavioral issues due to the abuse and neglect she suffered. Previous foster care placements and a failed adoption also contributed to her struggles. When Oni arrived, she came to the Campbells with many services in place. Within a few months of being placed with the Campbells, the services were no longer needed due to Oni's remarkable progress. Oni's progress was so remarkable that the private service provider worker was in awe. "There is absolutely nothing special about us," says Jodie. "The change that has occurred in Oni is all about God and His faithfulness."

"Jodie invests so much time reading Bible stories and sharing the Gospel with Oni (as she does with all our kids)," Troy added. "It's great to hear Oni in her room at nighttime singing ‘Jesus Loves Me.'"

The adoption was consummated on October 17, 2008 and Oni finally has her forever family. The Campbells commitment to Oni and their love for the Lord made all the difference in her life. Arrow staff contributing to this miracle are: Melinda Shea, Program Director; Joan Mack, Family Home Developer; Wendy Eicher, Ambassador Family Specialist.

We are excited to announce that Handle With Care foster care agency has joined Arrow Child & Family Ministries to develop and oversee our efforts in serving foster children with primary medical needs. Handle With Care's existing 20 primary medical needs homes across Texas are now Arrow primary medical needs homes, and more are on the way.

Al and Sharon Kiely bring 25 years of expertise, in working with children who are medically fragile, that is unmatched and widely respected across Texas by the legislature, TDFPS, and the community. Al is a licensed vocational nurse and Sharon is a former emergency medical technician. Coupled with the calling of God on their lives, they will oversee the recruitment and training of foster parents to provide specialized homes for children who are medically fragile.

These children come into State care when their birth families cannot afford or manage their severe medical problems. For too many of these children, the State is forced to place them in nursing homes to manage their specialized medical needs. This institutional environment cannot supply the children's need for love, emotional support, encouragement and hope, but our families can and do. It is the nature of nurture our families provide that brings healing.

This focused effort by the Kiely's will create more skilled, nurturing homes which will be able to meet all the needs of children who are medically fragile so they thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We look forward to the day when children who are medically fragile and residing in a nursing home have a loving Arrow Ambassador Family to call their own.