FBC McKinney visits Bolivia

At the end of July we had the privilege of hosting an awesome team from our home church, First Baptist McKinney.  The team painted our baby house and participated in several activities with the kids from all of our homes. They did a great job!

Welcome houses 4 and 5!

Things have been pretty busy since the first of the year. We've recently taken on an orphanage of 22 kids and officially opened our transition home. Today in Bolivia thousands are celebrating carnaval. We decided to take advantage of the holiday and throw a welcome party for our 2 new homes. Our foundation now serves 59 kids in 5 homes.   We had a great time eating hamburgers and hotdogs followed by a huge water fight.

Road Trip

Each year the Bolivian school system shuts down for two weeks during the coldest part of the year. I got the opportunity to take the 10 boys from our boys home on a trip to Toro Toro national park. Toro Toro is a small pueblo about 5 hours from Cochabamba by bus and is home of some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen.  The boys loved the trip!

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!