I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak…I will shepherd the flock with justice. Ezekiel 34:16 NIV
Drawing inspiration from the profound words of Ezekiel 34:16, Scott and Kathy Rosenow have become steadfast shepherds at the helm of The Shepherd’s Crook Orphan Ministry (TSC) in Fairfield Township. Established in 2002, TSC is a beacon of hope for orphaned children facing unique challenges.
Parents to four biological children, two of whom have their own challenges, the Rosenows feel a deep calling to extend their love and care to other children in similar situations. In their journey to expand their family through adoption, they choose to focus on the often-overlooked, hard-to-adopt children, setting in motion a remarkable ministry that has primarily grown through word of mouth.
Their family has grown to 23 children, with 16 still at home, along with one granddaughter. The Rosenows’ 19 adopted children hail from diverse corners of the world, including China, Haiti, Bolivia, Guatemala, Romania and Africa.
According to the Rosenow family, wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, antiseizure medications, braille and monthly doctor and therapy appointments are the norm for their home, but they wouldn’t change a thing.
“One thing we tell our kids is Jeremiah 29:11: God has plans with hope and a future, even when our senses tell us differently,” says Kathy. "There is beauty the world has missed by mislabeling our precious ones.”
Today, TSC features more than 1,200 adoptable-age children on their website, utilizing email campaigns and Facebook to raise awareness. The landscape of adoption has evolved significantly over the years. In 2004, adoption reached its peak, with approximately 23,000 U.S. and foreign adoptions. This number has dwindled to fewer than 2,000 annually due to numerous changes in intercountry adoption.
“From the very beginning, we decided we were going to be a partner organization for adoption agencies,” Scott reflects. “They tell us which of their kids with special needs they want us to help them with.”
In response to shifts in transnational adoption, the Rosenows adapted and expanded their ministry. They now provide essential necessities to orphans, run an adoption prevention program to support struggling families, finance rehabilitation and surgery trips for untreated medical conditions and offer training on dealing with the unique challenges faced by trauma-affected children. Many adopted children grapple with emotional issues stemming from their time in orphanages.
The invaluable tools and insights developed by the Rosenows for adoptive parents have proven beneficial for biologically born children as well. Scott emphasizes the importance of understanding a threatened child's brain and the instinctual fight or flight response.
“We teach parents how to talk to their children and react when things get out of hand,” he says.
The impact of TSC is profound, with more than 400 children finding loving homes through their inspiring work. Stories of triumph, like that of TSC adoptees Leighanna and Linnea, serve as a testament to TSC’s enduring commitment.
“The Lord sees you in your suffering,” Leighanna says. “Your affliction is not your identity. But if you’re willing, he will use it to encourage others and help them know they are not alone.”
“There were challenges through the teenage years,” Linnea adds, “but my parents persevered through the tough times. I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I was left behind and never adopted. It would be a sad story for sure.”
Join in the mission of TSC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operating with three full-time employees and a dedicated team of about 30 volunteers and relying solely on donations and fundraisers to continue their work. Contributions are welcome via their website. Kroger customers can also participate in the Community Rewards program by registering their Kroger Plus card online. To learn more about TSC and how to support their ministry, visitTSCOrphans.org.
The Rosenows' 19 adopted children hail from diverse corners of the world, including China, Haiti, Bolivia, Guatemala, Romania and Africa.