Introducing: The Hiner Family
We would love to introduce you to one of our Hannibal foster families: Matthew and Abby Hiner. While they were dating, they knew quickly that they did not want to have biological children. Abby is a child of adoption, and this was something they felt called to do.
“We knew there are lots of kids out there who need homes,” Abby said. “My heart has always gone out to that.”
After getting married in January 2020, they began to look at their options, and they seemed immediately drawn to foster care.
After cold-calling Children’s Division, and filling out a pile of paperwork, they were told that Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries was going to be licensing them.
They began working with Brittany McCaskey, our Hannibal Area Coordinator, to finish their licensing process.
Unfortunately, after they received their license, they experienced two difficult situations regarding the first two children they planned to welcome into their home. This left them feeling shocked and discouraged.
“It took a lot for me to come back from,” Abby shared. “Lots of phone calls with Brittany and conversations with each other about how we could get back on solid footing so we can do a child justice in our home.”
Through these challenges, Abby and Matthew still felt called to continue fostering, and they have since welcomed a ten-year-old girl into their home. She has been living with the Hiners for eight months.
“She is a sweet kid,” Matthew shared. “She loves to be around people. She does not know a stranger. She loves doing things as a family— watching TV together or playing games. We’re learning how to turn into parents and acknowledge the background and experiences she has gone through.”
Since she has been with the Hiners, she has been doing better in school and working better with boundaries. It has been rewarding to Matthew and Abby to see how far she has come.
“It’s different parenting a child in foster care,” Abby said. “They still go through all of the things kids do, but we have to be cognizant of what her experience has been for the first ten years of her life.”
Last August, they were able to go on a family vacation with Matthew’s family.
“She gets so excited to do stuff she hasn’t had a chance to do before,” Matthew said. “In August, we went floating on the river, and she loved that.”
They also got to celebrate Christmas together this year. This was Matthew and Abby’s first Christmas with a child, so they were excited to travel to see family, and their daughter was very excited to give presents to family members.
“She’s been through so much more than I could have handled, and she’s only ten. She still comes out with a smile,” Abby said. “It’s hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. It’s worth it in so many different ways.
“I love her as my own child, and I will forever.”
