Dave and Lori Hernandez, foster parents in our Northern Region, have opened their home and hearts to children from all walks of life. With a multicultural family and seven years of fostering experience, they share how faith, love and perseverance have shaped their incredible journey.

Meet the Hernandez Family: A Foster Care Journey

Q: Share a little bit about your family.
A: Our family is almost a mini “United Nations”! Lori is of British/German descent and Dave is of Cuban descent. We have seven children of our own, ranging in ages from 25 to 5. We’ve adopted four children—two from Vietnam, one from China and one former foster from the U.S.—and have three biological children. All of our children were home-schooled and three have already graduated college. We also have two sons-in-law and a wonderful grandson. Our Christmas card photo changes every year depending on who’s in our family at the time—it definitely keeps people guessing!

Answering the Call to Foster

Q: How long have you been fostering?
A: Seven years.

Q: What made you want to become foster parents?
A: We’ve always had a heart for children. When Lori was a teenager, she watched a documentary about the horrible conditions in a Romanian orphanage. It truly broke her heart and left a lasting impression. She made a vow to adopt children one day. As we grew in our faith and studied more scripture, we saw how deeply the Lord cares for children—we are called to care for the most vulnerable. When we think about how Jesus saved us despite our flaws, we feel compelled to pass that same love on to others.

The Challenges of Fostering

Q: What has been the hardest part about fostering?
A: Letting those beautiful children go! We never know how long a child will be with us—it could be days, months or even years. But we choose to love them fully and advocate for their best interests from day one. Many of these children have experienced trauma and come with behavioral challenges that require patience and grace. It’s not easy, but we remind ourselves that God has been endlessly patient with us.

The Joys That Make It All Worthwhile

Q: What has been the sweetest part about fostering?
A: There are so many blessings. One of the most beautiful is seeing children reunited with their parents. These parents often go through tremendous personal and spiritual growth to get to that point and it’s inspiring to witness. We’ve developed relationships with many of them and often stay connected—babysitting, attending birthday parties and organizing playdates. Our family grows with every foster child. Even when reunification isn’t possible, it’s a joy to see children adopted by loving families and starting fresh.

Words of Wisdom for Future Foster Parents

Q: What advice would you share with others who are considering becoming foster parents?
A: Always remember that this is a ministry unto the Lord. We are serving and representing Him in all we do.

One of the most impactful things we’ve done is co-parent with the birth parents. Involving them in daily decisions—about routines, schedules and preferences—helped the children adjust more smoothly and showed the parents that we respected their role. This built strong relationships that often lasted long after reunification. The birth parents appreciated it deeply and it helped them through a very difficult season in their lives.

Join the Mission

The Hernandez family reminds us that foster care isn’t just about temporary shelter—it’s about lasting love, healing and connection. Whether through reunification or adoption, each child who passes through their home is deeply loved and never forgotten.

There’s no better time to say yes. You can be the difference in a child’s life—just like the Hernandez family has been for so many.

Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?
→ Learn more about fostering.
→ Connect with our team to get started!