April 22, 2009

CHICAGO – One of Melony Skytta's most rewarding moments as a foster parent involved a seven-year-old autistic boy. She took him to a nursing home to give out stuffed animals. One resident said she couldn't accept a gift for nothing.

"My boy told her that his gift was free – like the gift of salvation when God gave Jesus," said Skytta, 45, of rural Humboldt, Mich. "I was standing in the hall with tears in my eyes. Two years earlier, he could barely talk."

After giving birth to a biological son, Skytta and her husband Curtis became foster parents to "special needs" children in 1990. They adopted eight of the children – and cared for many more – whose backgrounds included autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, abuse and neglect.

"We felt God calling us to do this," Melony Skytta said.

The family's membership is with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Champion, Mich. The congregation is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

"If we had not done this, what a boring life we would have had," Skytta said. "The children have been an inspiration. I always say when a child is learning disabled God always gives them something extra somewhere else."

Curtis Skytta, 49, said he was at a loss initially for how to deal with some of the children's behaviors. When one boy arrived, he liked to growl and bite things.

"It was shocking trying to care for a child in that shape," Skytta said. "It took lots of patience. The child got better and better over time. That's how it was with each child."

The adopted children are: Gabrielle, 10; Sunshine 12; Cheyenne, 13; Autumn, 16; Dawn, 17; Bobby, 17; Keith, 20; Joe, 23. The Skytta's biological son Dustin is 24.

"Looking back now, I believe God saw us and took us out of bad homes and put us into a good one," said Joe Skytta, 23, of St. Charles, Ill. He was adopted at age 7.

By the time he arrived at the Skytta home, he hated the foster care system. When Melony and Curtis said they wanted to adopt him, he "tested" their commitment.

"They told me no matter how terrible I acted, I would always be family," Joe Skytta said. "They never gave up on me. They are really, really good parents."

The Rev. Thomas A. Skrenes, bishop of the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod, recently met the Skyttas on a visit to Our Redeemer. They told him the congregation was critical to their family's faith.

"There was a humility about them," he said. "They don't see what they're doing as a big deal, but just taking care of their kids. Those children are their ministry. That family is part of the congregation's ministry."

Curtis Skytta is involved with the congregation's council and other activities. Melony Skytta has taught Sunday school, Bible studies and helped with retreats. The children serve as acolytes and readers during worship.

"The kids come up and greet me every Sunday, ‘Hey Ardith, how are you?" said Ardith Frisk, the congregation's keyboardist. "It just makes you feel so good."

Frisk sums up the Skytta family in three words: "Love in action."

ELCA News Service