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.

FBC McKinney Team

On July 26th our team of 16 arrived after almost 30 hours of traveling.  Everyone arrived feeling great and with all their luggage.  Their week was packed full of painting, loving on babies, painting, making crafts, painting, storytelling, painting, playing soccer, painting, feeding the homeless, painting and helping out at the baby washing.  Did I mention they did some painting while they were here?  Here is a look at each day:

Day 1

After arriving at 6:20 p.m. the team was bussed to our house to enjoy a home cooked meal.  They also spent some time giving out gifts to our kids and loving on them (and us!).

Day 2

Day 2 was spent at the baby house of Casa de Amor.  After a quick tour, the painting began.  The team took turns painting and holding babies.  After the painting was complete, we also helped organize a very full storage room of clothes.

Day 3

 

Day 3 took us to Casa de Amor house 2.  We spent the day giving the house a much needed face lift inside and out as well as spending some great time with the kids.

Then later in the afternoon we headed to the main plaza to help with the baby washing.

Day 4

On Sunday we enjoyed a great service at the Cochabamba International Church followed by a trip to La Cancha (the largest outdoor market in South America) and then over to the Cristo (the second largest statue of Christ in the world).

 

Day 5

 

Monday we were back to work.  We went out to BCM orphanage to begin our painting project while the kids were in school.  The team also cooked tacos for lunch (a first for all of the kids) and served the kids and staff of the home.  After lunch we had a great time outside playing, storytelling and making crafts.

Day 6

Day 6 was our last day with the team since they had to leave very early on day 7.  The morning was spent sampling a taste of Bolivia with pastels and api (a common breakfast).  We stopped by an artisan market to pick up some last minute souvenirs and then headed down to the nutrition center to help feed the babies at lunch time.

Day 7

Day 7 began the journey back home for our team. We could not have asked for a better group.  It was obvious from day one that God had formed this team.  Our family and the orphanages that we work with have been blessed beyond measure.  We are so thankful for our FBC family!