It's finally happening!

After a year of planning and paperwork, I am so excited to announce that the Fundacion Esperanza orphanage is open and operating with 11 children!  Though the waiting was tough and often times frustrating I can look at these 11 little faces and know that it was well worth the wait. The hard work is just beginning as we focus on shaping and educating these children. Please continue to pray for these and the future children who will enter our doors. Here are a few pictures:

A huge thanks to all who pray and give financially to make this possible!

The Simpsons are here!!!

I can't believe it's been one week since the Simpson family arrived in Bolivia.  They have courageously relocated to Cochabamba to help Tammy and I launch the first home for Fundacion Esperanza.  The Simpsons have been to Bolivia twice before leading short term mission teams from our home church, FBC McKinney.  In just one week they have been such a tremendous blessing!  I am so humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve along side them in this journey.  Please continue to pray for Mike, Kim, Callen and Brock as they adjust to life in Cochabamba.

One Month!

Time flies!  In just a few short days we will celebrate the one month mark of bringing Allison and Kathryn home.  The past month has been filled with lots of laughs, hugs and kisses.  It has been very fun teaching the girls English.  Needless to say, there is a lot of Spanglish being spoken in our house.  In many ways it's like they never left us.  Everyone is adjusting very well including Madison.  She is such a great big sister!

Our family is growing...It's Twins!

For those who have followed our journey in Bolivia, you'll remember the two sweet faces of Alison and Kat, the first children to come live with us while we were serving as house parents with CDA.  These two precious angels came to live with us after being in the hospital for two months recovering from severe malnutrition.  During our two years together we got to experience many "firsts" with the girls.  It was heart-breaking for our family when we completed our term with the orphanage and these two hadn't been adopted.  Upon our return to Bolivia in January, we were able to visit Ali and Kat on a few occasions.  Each time we left them, it just didn't seem right.  Don't get me wrong, their living conditions were great and they were with a wonderful christian foster family being loved on like crazy.  After praying about it, we decided to request guardianship with the intent to adopt.  Our initial hearing was last week.  The judge accepted our request!  We should get to bring the girls home for the second and final time on June 10th.  We couldn't be more excited!

Baby Washing Ministry

One of the highlights of my week is heading down to the main plaza in town on Saturday and seeing the children that come to receive a bath and clean clothes.  Bathing is something that most of us take for granted, but for most of these kids this is the only chance they get to clean themselves with clean, warm water.  We also have a spot for the older kids and mothers to wash their hair.  We are so thankful to the volunteers that come and serve along side us each week.  Below are a few pictures from the recent weeks:

Update on Fundación Esperanza Bolivia

The paperwork for the foundation is still in process, but moving along quite nicely.  We anticipate a visit from the office that governs orphanages and children's homes this week.  Once the visit takes place, as long as all goes well, we should be ready to open the first home very soon thereafter.  (I've learned not to estimate time frames here.  Things rarely happen when they are supposed too!)  However, we are very pleased with the progress we've made and are optimistic for the next steps.

For those who don't receive our newsletters, let me outline the focus of our ministry moving forward.  As our 2 year commitment came to a close last year with Casa de Amor, we felt that there was still work to be done in Bolivia.  After praying about it, we felt the Lord leading us to establish a foundation in Bolivia with the focus of ministering to orphans, widows and the homeless.  Our primary objective will be working with orphans and at risk children and we will expand the ministry in the future as God leads.

We are still working with several different projects in the interim.  Our family continues to serve as leaders for the baby washing ministry that takes place each week at the main plaza.  T.J. continues to help at BCM orphanage with various administrative tasks as well as serving as an elder at the International Church.  We've recently gotten involved with Casa De La Amistad or House of Friendship in English.  This project offers a day center for children who live in prison with their parents (more details to come).  

Our family is very excited about all that is happening in Bolivia.  Please continue to pray as we seek to serve those in need.  If you currently do not receive our newsletters you can subscribe via the link at the top of this page.     

Adoption News!

I apologize that this post is several months late.  The adoption occurred right before our 2 month trip to The States and I didn't have the pictures with me while traveling. 

We were very excited to see Candy meet her adoptive parents for the first time on November 1st.  It was truly a magical moment.  After several days of visiting it was ruled that she could be placed in her new parent's care.  Both Candy and her parents are doing very well.