It has been a few weeks since we began applying for House Parent jobs, and we've narrowed down our options. We are just talking with a few organizations currently, and I thought I'd share a bit about the various types we've seen, and are considering. We are talking to both small and large organizations, as well as both Christian and non-religious organizations, and each has unique advantages and disadvantages. Below are our observations about each:
The small organizations are attractive because their teams are close-knit, and each member plays an important role. The small ones we are looking at consist of one campus of homes with around 2-8 homes on campus. Also, throughout the interview process, we have been in contact with those individuals we would be working with daily, and have thus been able get a good feel for what it would be like working with them.
The large organizations are attractive for their long-term experience, higher pay, and flexibility for employees to move around. The large ones we are looking at each have 8+ campuses across an entire state, and each campus has abou 6-8 homes for the children. In talking with these organizations, it has been harder for us to get a clear picture of what it would be like, as we have been talking with individuals from the main office, and, with all of their campuses, it is hard for them to detail what life would be like for us once we got there.
The Christian organizations are attractive because we would have a team of workers surrounding us with the same goals for each child. Also, we would be not only free, but encouraged to go to church, and to mentor the children using Biblical principles with the goal of leading them to the Lord.
The non-religious organizations are attractive because we realize that we may be the only light for Christ in that organization, and the only close contact that those children have that could teach them the truth of Christ. The challenge is that we can only take the children to church if they want to go, and we can only take them to the church of their own religious preference. We can not talk with the children about our religious beliefs, unless they ask about it, and even then, we may get in trouble for doing so. I believe it is wrong to sign a contract with them if we plan to speak about Christ, but I also believe as a Christian, I would be convicted to do so. Then again, isn't that the circumstance that missionaries in the middle east and elsewhere face daily?
It is a hard choice, but, then again, it is not ours to make right now. We are waiting to schedule a final interview with some, or to hear a final result from others, but currently we have no offers on the table. Perhaps none will offer us a position, and we will begin the process over with others, or perhaps just one will offer us a position, and the decision will be easy to make. Each of the organizations we are talking to have appealing aspects, and I'm sure we could be content at any of them, but we don't want to be flippant about this. Instead, we want to be as wise as we can be about whatever decision we face in the future.
Praying for wisdom,
Jenna
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