Carolyn and Dave Stedman have welcomed 73 foster children into their Sydney home over the past 49 years. The couple, now 78 and 82, continue caring for babies while most people their age are retired.
We sometimes wonder what God wants us to do with our lives? We pray about it, ask for signs, and hope for clear direction.
Well, sometimes that direction comes through a simple radio ad while you’re standing barefoot in your kitchen.
That’s exactly what happened to Carolyn Stedman back in 1976.
A Love Story that Changed the Lives of Many
Carolyn and Dave met at a party 60 years ago. They had no idea their love story would touch the lives of so many children.
Today, their house feels like a busy train station with people coming and going all the time.
“Our house is a bit like Central Station at times with people coming and going, and it’s wonderful,” Carolyn says with a warm smile.
The Stedmans work as short term foster carers. When the phone rings, they’re ready to take a child within hours.
These aren’t planned placements. These are emergency calls for babies and children who need a safe place right now.
A Radio Ad and an Unexpected Call
The memory of how it all started still makes Carolyn laugh. “I was in the kitchen one day I think barefoot and pregnant and I heard a radio ad and when David came home I said ‘Well guess what I heard on the radio today heard about foster care.’ He rolled his eyes,” she remembers.
From One Child to Seventy-Three
Dave wasn’t as excited about the idea at first. They thought maybe they’d help one or two children. Nearly five decades later, they’ve opened their hearts to 73 little ones.
The children who come to them often carry heavy burdens for such small shoulders. Many arrive as drug addicted babies, born to mothers struggling with addiction.
Caring for the Smallest Victims
“A lot of our babies have been addicted to illicit drugs we’ve had a lot of heroin addicts not so many heroin addicts now but a lot of ice addicts,” Carolyn explains.
“It’s a very hard way to start life when you’re an ice addict it’s it’s cruel to watch those children withdraw.”
Watching tiny babies go through withdrawal breaks your heart. But the Stedmans stay strong for these children who have nowhere else to go.
Their home stays ready for any emergency. They keep clothes in every size for boys and girls. When a call comes in, they can dress a child immediately.
At one time, they cared for nine children at once. Can you imagine the noise and chaos? But also the laughter and love?
Right now, they’re caring for babies who are just six and seven months old. At 82, Dave still gets up for middle of the night feedings. Carolyn handles the 11:30 PM feeding, then Dave takes over after midnight.
“I stay up till midnight and do a feed at about 11:30 or 4 to 12 each night and then I go to bed and then David does whatever happens after midnight,” Carolyn explains their nighttime routine.
Sleep becomes a luxury when you’re caring for babies. But these two don’t complain.
The Hardest Goodbyes
The hardest part comes when the children leave. Foster care aims to reunite families when possible. The Stedmans understand this, but saying goodbye never gets easier.
“It is it’s really hard when they go,” Carolyn admits when asked about letting children go.
How do they cope with the heartbreak? “Well usually within a few days the phone rings and they say ‘We’ve got another one,'” Dave says.
The Stedmans keep special envelopes for every child they’ve helped. Inside each envelope sits a photo, often the only baby picture that child will ever have.
These photos represent 73 little lives that found love in their darkest moments.
Only one child has ever returned to visit. She wanted to see her old bedroom and the toys she played with. She asked if they still had the cot where she slept as a baby.
“That was emotional and fulfilling it was a lovely afternoon,” Carolyn recalls.
The Growing Need for Foster Families
The numbers tell a sobering story. In New South Wales, 2,000 children enter care every year.
Across Australia, 45,000 children live in out of home care. That’s like filling a football stadium with children who can’t live with their families.
“The children are our country’s most precious resource more valuable than gold and uranium and whatever else we might dig out of the ground. They need to be cared for and protected and loved.” Carolyn says.
The Stedmans challenge other families to consider foster care. They believe if they can do it, others can too.
These children need safe homes while their birth families work to get back on their feet.
A Challenge for All of Us
God calls us to care for the vulnerable, and the Stedmans found their answer in a simple radio ad. You don’t need special skills or perfect circumstances to help children in need. You just need an open heart and willingness to say yes when God calls.
Maybe foster care isn’t your path, but there are children in your community who need someone to care. The Stedmans started with one radio ad and changed 73 lives.
Your story of caring for others could start just as simply.
WATCH: Inspiring Story of Foster Couple Who Raised 73 Kids
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Video not working?
