AGAINST ALL ODDS

Foster & Adoption event at Broadway Baptist includes stories of families overcoming seemingly impossible circumstances

MARYVILLE — Laura West can never be accused of failing to practice what she preaches.

West, the founder of Blind Faith Ministries, is a relentless advocate for foster care and adoption, having championed the cause all across the country. She has also lived out her mission in her daily life, fostering more than 100 children over a 12-year span.

West was the keynote speaker at the recent “Embrace Foster and Adoptive Event of Blount County” at Broadway Baptist Church in Maryville. The event was sponsored by the Blount County Foster Parent Association, Isaiah117, Tennessee Kids Belong, Omni Family of Services, the Department of Children’s Services and the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home.

West shared her testimony and the unpredictable backstory that ultimately led her to founding Blind Faith Ministries. West’s adopted daughter, Maleka, who is blind and autistic, was one of the featured guests at the event, and sang several songs for the attendees.

“When you become a foster parent, you are walking by faith — just like Maleka does,” said West. “She puts her trust in me that I am going to help her avoid things that are in her way.”

In similar fashion, West said, foster parents help guide children through their elementary school and teenage years — a time period that will likely shape the rest of their lives.

“When you foster a child, you might not feel like a hero, but you are one,” she said.

In addition to West’s testimony, attendees also heard a panel discussion that featured individuals who are involved in foster care, either through parenting or involvement with a foster care organization. Included on the panel was Marquiel Baker, family ministry pastor of Rio Revolution Church in Maryville, who grew up in a foster home and has since served as a foster parent himself.

Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said she hopes the gathering will serve as an inspiration for those who are considering fostering or adopting a child.

“Awareness events like this create opportunities for our churches and members to discover how God might be calling them to open their hearts and homes to children in need,” said Moore. “These events don’t just educate — they inspire action. They also connect families with resources and remind us that every child must know they are loved and valued in God’s eyes.”

While sharing her testimony, West told attendees that she became pregnant in high school and married the father. The marriage was troubled from the start, West said, and lasted only briefly.

Years later, West married again — this time forming a healthy, Christ-centered union, she said, with her husband, John. The couple hoped to have a child, but were unable to do so.

West said she spent a long period of time frustrated with the Lord.

One day, however, she received some advice from pastor friend, Bailey Smith.

“He told me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to do something for someone else,” she said. “And I took those words to heart.”

West and her husband began praying about being fostering parents, and felt called to move in that direction. The couple soon developed a passion for the role, despite the many challenges, and have since opened their homes to a total of 103 medically fragile children.

Initially, the Wests were not planning to adopt any of the children — “We didn’t feel called to do that,” West said — but one situation was different: Maleka’s.

“She’s the only one that we took in permanently,” West said.

“We had other families who thought they wanted to adopt Maleka. But after a few hours, they would bring her back to us. We realized not everyone was prepared to love her. But we were.”

In addition to her special needs, Maleka has other challenges. During her infant years, her birth mother, who was struggling with substance abuse at the time, scalded Maleka with water, leading to years and years of medical procedures.

“She’s had so many surgeries that we’ve lost count,” said West.

Maleka received third degree burns to more than 55% of her body, and the doctors gave her a 5% chance of surviving. Maleka, however, beat the odds and now uses her story to point others toward Christ, refusing to let the circumstances control her attitude, her mom said.

“She has smiled through it all,” said West. “We have picture after picture of her in the hospital with a smile on her face.”

After adopting Maleka, Laura overcame some odds, too, eventually giving birth to a son. Grown now, he “pitches in” to help out with Blind Faith Ministries, as does the entire West family.

“It’s all been in God’s timing,” Laura said. “It hasn’t always worked out like we were expecting, but it was His plan.”

Maleka’s birth mom is a story of redemption, too. Many years after giving Maleka up, she gave her life to the Lord, overcame her drug addictions and connected with the Wests.

Laura and Maleka have traveled the country, telling their story and emphasizing the importance and impact of adoption. Maleka, a huge fan of country music, often entertains attendees with her singing. During the event at Broadway Baptist, she sang the Patsy Cline classic “Crazy” among several other song selections.

“She doesn’t really like today’s country music,” said Laura with a laugh. “She said that they talk about beer and they cuss too much.”

Moore said she hopes the story of the Wests’ foster-care journey will resonate throughout Blount County and well beyond.

“Tennessee Baptists, like all believers, are called to care for the most vulnerable in our communities, and that includes the thousands of children currently in Tennessee’s foster care system,” said Moore.

“My prayer is that families all across the state will feel led to become involved in some capacity — whether it’s prayer, financial support or actual fostering and adoption. There is a lot we can do and a lot to be done.” B&R