- The Vinsons
Janna and I were married in 2007 and even before then we had discussed and prayed about what types of ministries we could work on together as a family. We both had similar passions (impacting the lives of kids), but very different gifts and abilities. We had discussed the idea of opening up our home to orphans, and within a couple of years after being married God connected us with a local faith-based foster agency and we signed up, not really sure what we were getting ourselves into but knowing that God had called us provide a place where a group of siblings could have a loving, Christ-centered home and not be separated into different families. We had felt the Lord leading us to be a place where kids could stay for a while before being reunified to their biological parents, and we made sure that Koinonia those intentions. We got calls on a regular basis for sibling sets that seemed to meet what we were looking for, but each time felt the Lord leading us to decline. We then got another call for a group of 4 siblings from Santa Maria, 2 boys and 2 girls, and both felt like this was the group. There were many problems with behavior (lying, theft, tantrums and general disobedience) in the beginning from all of the kids, but we had some wise counsel and resources and with lots of prayer we were able to work with them to become a unified, functional, loving family. The whole time they had no biological family interested in visiting them, and it became obvious that adoption was the direction God was leading us in. The adoption was finalized on December 15 2011, which opens up the door for other ministry opportunities, as our kids are no longer wards of the state. WOO HOO!!
Ed- I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I teach Media Design at Computech Middle school and love to see my students learn new things. It is great to see them learning and applying their newly acquired skills into projects and activities for other classes. I am a middle school youth group leader at our church, and am the Webelos Den Leader for Noah’s Cub Scout Den.
Janna- Janna’s planning, positive spirit, and hard work hold the family together. She is a beautiful, loving, caring, stay-at-home mom, and she does a great job at it. She enjoys spending time with the family, quiet family dinners, relaxing getaways, date nights, and spending time in devotions with God.
Noah (2000)- Our almost 11-year-old is a sports fan. So far this school year he’s been a part of football, baseball, track, wrestling, and soccer. He’s extremely athletic, the joke in soccer is that he just needs to learn to walk on air. He’s our whirlwind of activity, friends over, friends coming to church with us, sports, video games, music …. – He accepted Christ (June 30, 2011 at Wagon Train)!!!!! – Favorite color(s): Pink & Black – Favorite thing: electronics – Bedroom theme: Sports (New York Yankees is his favorite)
Alyssa (2002) – She is our helper and sports fan. She’s been a part of cross-country and nearly soccer. This semester she’s a part of choir which she is ecstatic about. She’s also received a PR award and honor roll! She craves time with Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. She enjoys getting her hair and nails done and doing other’s hair and nails. – She accepted Christ (June 23, 2011 at VBS, also our 4th anniversary)!!!!! – Favorite color(s): Purple – Favorite thing: pretty things – Bedroom theme: Flowers and butterflies
Moses (2004) – He is our avid reader, prankster, joke teller, giggler and curious george. He loves to climb up in Daddy’s lap, treasures father/son time. He’s received a Principal’s honor roll award. – He accepted Christ (June 23, 2011 at VBS, also our 4th anniversary)!!!!! – Favorite color(s): Red – Favorite thing: books – Bedroom theme: Sports
Sarah (2007) – She is our petite, little cuddle bug yet whirl wind of energy. She’s in preschool and enjoys doing back flips with Grandma and Grandpa, being read to, chased, tickled, sung to/with, coloring, joking, sitting in laps, giving piggy back rides to Daddy and Grandpa, getting piggy back rides, getting her nails painted, twirling in her dress up stuff…. All in all, she’s a little 4-year-old doing 4-year-old things. 
– Favorite color(s): Pink – Favorite thing: dress up – Bedroom theme: Princesses