Daily Inspiration: Meet Laura-Valentine Lock

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura-Valentine Lock. 

Hi Laura-Valentine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
By God’s grace, I was adopted into a loving American home after being abandoned following China’s implementation of a one-child policy. My adoption sheltered me from further abandonment and trauma issues such as ending up as victim of human trafficking or falling through the cracks of the world’s foster care system. In my teen years, I began looking for a place to serve and way to make a positive difference. There are 7,500 children in the Tennessee foster care system. 17,000 children are sold into trafficking nationwide each year. Thus, I founded Laura-Valentine Ministries about nine years ago with the sole mission to advocate for the abandoned child. Since then, I have helped raised funds for 35 adoptions (domestic and international), convinced my family to take in foster children, and I have vetted and partnered with organizations and individuals that share this common goal. My vision for the ministry’s partnerships includes a nationwide network of Americans committed to safeguarding abandoned children from human- trafficking, and this network of Foster Friends will begin by making a difference in communities across Tennessee and hopefully spread throughout the United States and internationally. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s had its ups and downs like any journey. I’ve had times where doing the ministry would make me think about my own story and question the reality of my own abandonment. Times when I sit back and think, “Did my mom not want me that bad? Am I not good enough? Do I even deserve love?” I had been adopted into this wonderful family who gave me nothing but acceptance, love, and support; making me feel like I was actually blood. It wasn’t until I was older where I was diagnosed with R.A.D. or reactive attachment disorder which is commonly found in children who have had trauma in early childhood (neglect, abuse, or abandonment). I didn’t understand this at first, but it made me put up this extreme wall when it came to relationships with family, friends, etc. I would do things to create tension in my relationships. My mindset was, “I am going to push you away before you have a chance to leave me.” When in reality, no one was ever going to abandon me or leave me again. It took me years to realize that this was not going to happen and to get those disgusting thoughts out of my head. And although I am better about this, it doesn’t mean I still don’t have those days where I question my self-worth. 

But in the end, the struggles have been worth it. The struggles I have encountered on this journey have made me a better person to advocate for the plight of the abandoned child. I am not only helping others like me understand these feelings of abandonment but I am also helping people be aware of those who are struggling with similar issues. It’s made me stronger in the end and I am thankful for every moment. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
LVM’s vision and goal to help the most vulnerable: abandoned children, including but not limited to adoption, foster care, and anti-trafficking initiatives. We achieve this through educating, fundraising, and outreach programs in the community. 

This ministry is something so personal to me because it’s my life story. I was given a chance of a lifetime and now I see it being my personal responsibility to advocate for all the abandoned children all around the world. This ministry is different from others because it’s ran by someone who has been adopted. 

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One year, my family hosted Thanksgiving at our house. It was incredible because we had EVERYONE come in from different states, towns, etc. to be together. I recall us having to get long tables and connect them throughout our house in order to fit everyone. It was in that moment I had realized what a blessing it was for me to have been adopted where I could have memories like this. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.laura-valentineministries.org
• Instagram: @lvministries / @lauravalentine__
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauravalentineministries