People from Denmark have Beautiful Smiles

The car port cover on the driveway next to the house was large enough to keep us all dry from the sprinkles. A group of twenty-five young people from Denmark had come to visit. They brought music, costumes, dramas, magic tricks, dances, testimonies, kid-related teachings, clown suits and lots of smiles. As they interacted with the kids, both in the program and just hanging out, I couldn’t help but stare at their faces. Such joy. Such pure happiness. Such infectious smiles.

It was fabulous seeing the kids connect with them. A child’s laugh is the most wonderful sound in the world. Bubbling up from the very littlest to the biggest big sister were giggles and laughs. It was great.

On the rare occasions that I have to be around such a motivated group of young people I find myself very energized. These 16 and 17 year olds are traveling for a total of seven weeks in three South American countries. It is a part of a year-long bible school program called Alterna centered around missions and ministry. What an honor that they would come visit us.

I watched the Dreamers as well. A common problem in orphanages is social ineptness. This was not the case for our kids. They were talking, open, and having a good time. They were not frightened nor withdrawn. The greatest thing is when you watch a kid start in on one of their fun little stories speaking a mile a minute with a non-Spanish speaker. The teens were active listeners saying things like, “Oh, ah, sí, sí…” to keep the kids jabbering on. Both the kids and the teens would then turn their heads to me and smile. The kids’ smiles said one of two things: 1. I am have a fun time and feeling very special right now 2. you and I know that they have no clue what I just said but we are having a good time all the same. The teens’ smiles usually said one of two things as well: 1. I am having a fun time and feeling very special right now 2. I don’t know what this precious kid just said but they are looking at you and smiling so I think I will do the same.

As they were leaving I told them that they were welcome back any time. I love having groups like this for a visit.

- Angie

Growing a Family

Due to the recent decision to focus on the futures of the current children we have made some plans. Following you will see a set of priorities. The focus of energy to do the paperwork to get these 10 children adoption-ready will progress in sets. These four groupings represent about a year to 18 months of proceedings all together.

Priority #1 – the babies

1. Bridgit

2. Alicia

3. Vladimir

Priority #2 – the kids

*1. Carolina

*2. Shirley

*3. Fernando

Priority #3 – special needs

1. Isaura

*2. Gabriel

Priority #4 – re-insertions

(Currently in process to return to their families in the coming months. Effort on our part is minimal.)

1. Mayra

2. Roberto

*The asterisk indicates children with a higher probability of not getting adopted due to their age. These children may enter the list of Lifetime Dreamers.

Lifetime Dreamers are kids in sibling sets, have special needs or are older. Technically they are adoption-ready and on the list in the courts to be matched with a family. Although, it is most likely that we will be their family. This has led us to an exciting new decision.

The Lifetime Dreamers:

1. Estefani

2. Emilin

3. Jhoselyn

4. Jose Luis

5. Anne

6. Jose

7. Joel

8. Marta Sylvia

9. Melisa Vilma

10. Bernancio

11. Yamil

Now comes the exciting decision. We are looking for a home big enough to house the Washingtons and the Lifetime Dreamers. We have already started picturing what the house will be like. We will still have a staff and volunteers. Groups will still come to visit. The Dream Makers will still help us. The big change is that it will be more of a home and not so much a temporary waiting place.

The main goal is to treat these kids as though they are our own. So in the coming year or so DaRonn and I will be parenting about 16 kids.

You can pray as we focus on these changes:

• That the kids who God would have to be adopted would have smooth and speedy processing.
• That we are directed by the Lord as we go about changing the dynamics of the home.
• That we would have wise advisors.

Thanks!

- Angie

Up in Smoke

Today marks one year of smoke free life for a dear friend of the Dreamers. Her name is Lacy Inscho. As a talented photographer she had dreamed of one day going to a foreign land to make pictures at an orphanage. Through a series of miraculous coincidences she was able to come to the House of Dreams with a small group from Word of Life, our home church in St. Joseph, Missouri. It was a wonderful, whirl-wind trip. Many of the pictures you see around this blog are her handiwork. I just love it when people surrender their whole self to the Lord. Beautiful things happen.

At one of the meals we ate together I asked her to tell the story of what brought her here. Within her story she told of a conversation she had which led to a momentous decision.

“How could I come all this way to spend time with these precious kids only to have them see me run out for a smoke break? I couldn’t do it. I knew I had to quit. So I did.”

My jaw dropped. Not only was she sacrificing her time and money, she was giving selflessly of her talents. Then, as if that was not enough, she gave up smoking just for our little Dreamers. International travel is stressful. Spending a week rushing around at crippling altitudes is debilitating. She did it all in her first days without cigarettes. Did I ever see her without a smile on her face? Never. Not even when we were hiking up the side of a mountain. Her attitude was exuberant and contagious. It was a joy to have her.

Congratulations, Lacy!

Lacy has continued to be a Dream Maker. Her addiction went up in smoke. Now she is a part of making misery disappear here at our home. She is spreading that same spirit of conquering hope to the Dreamers.

Lacy and Sebastian (now adopted) Spring of 2009

- Angie

Prayer Points and Answers

Thank you for sharing with us the work of the orphanage by praying. We are expecting great things from God.

Answers to get excited about and thank God for:

• Adriana is adjusting very well to life with her new parents.
• The caregivers sector of our staff has found an operational degree of stability.
• Due to some tests that were performed we have found out about some disabilities in a couple of our kids. Having this information helps us to: care for them better, get them the therapy and schooling they need, adjust their files to get a better match for them to be adopted.
• New volunteers are helping.

How you can pray with us now:

• Our director is battling some health issues.
• We are addressing the professional staffing needs.
• Expediency on the processing of the paperwork of the kids who are going to be adopted.
• Creativity in raising funds.

We appreciate you taking the time to pray for the House of Dreams; it makes all the difference in the world.

- Angie

Alcoholism and Re-instertion

Alcoholism is not a small problem here in Bolivia. Sadly, a cheap fermented drink called ‘chica’ is readily available even in the most remote villages. Alcohol also plays a significant part in many cultural traditions and holiday festivities.

These and other reasons are why it comes as no surprise to find out that many of the kids in the House of Dreams have family members who struggle with this disease. As I explained in the an earlier post about re-instertion the priority of the Bolivian government is that a child be reunited with their family after there has been a time of purposeful treatment and change in the problem areas. My own opinions aside this is an element we have to deal with.

Currently we are working on renewing our orphanage licence. The legal advisor assigned to us by social services has been reiterating the importance that we play our part in helping these kids back to their families. In the cases where it is probable we are complying. Two children will be heading back to their parents in the next few months. In cases where there has been no show of effort from the parents we are pursuing the official severance of parental authority for our children. This improves their chances for adoption. We are hoping that this young lawyer who is frowning upon this action will understand that we are looking out for the best interest of the children.

The process to sever parental rights takes about ten months. All the while the children are getting older, thereby slimming greatly the probability that they will be adopted.

We know for certain that the parents of some of our kids are showing no signs of efforts for change. As I was speaking with our director she expressed her concerns about the parents of some of our kids who are trying to improve themselves. We are trying to know how long we should wait on them.

In one case a sibling group was taken from their mother for issues of neglect. Upon finding that her children were gone she spiraled into a massive depression and fled to the streets for comfort. She drank heavily and lived under bridges with other homeless people. Allegedly she asked a man to shoot her in an aided suicide. This went on for months. We were ready to begin the process to prepare the children for a chance at adoption. We could not move forward because the mother appeared claiming she wants to recover her kids. Two weeks ago she checked herself into a rehabilitation center. Her own recovery will take a long time. Then the legal proceedings follow taking even longer.

Along with our director we are trying to decide the best action to take. Most likely because they are in a sibling group they will not be adopted. The question is if we should enter into a legal fight for custody of the children if down the line things are not looking good. How can I trust this mother, even if she fulfills all the legal requirements to recover her kids? What about the ever frequent regression that commonly occurs? What about her proven instability? The hard truth is that it is not ultimately my decision. I have to trust that the government is thinking about what is best for the kids. I also have to trust the leading of the Lord to be able to know when to pursue legal actions and when to hope for change.

I struggle with being judgemental. I judge the parents for abusing their children. I judge the government for wanting to give the parents a second chance. I judge the judicial system for lack of better representation to fight for a better life for the kids. I judge the adoption policies both local and international for not being better at forming new families more rapidly. Then I come down hard on myself in judgement for not being more tolerant, gracious, patient or prayerful.

To date we have had:

• 10 children adopted, both locally and internationally
• 5 children re-inserted with their families
• 2 children moved to homes more equiped to care for their special needs
• 1 child return to an abusive situation and lose his life

Currently we have:

• 2 children approved for re-insterion with their families
• 3 children awaiting sure adoption
• 5 children who have parents trying to recover them
• 11 children who could be adopted but most likely will not be

Oftentimes people ask about the history of specific children. We are not at liberty to share details. Though, we can share in these broad terms so that you can know what is commonly found at our home. Please continue to pray for wisdom for us and peace for the kids.

- Angie

Adriana is Adopted!

It felt right. I looked from her to him then to their little girl. We are watching a family form right before our eyes. One of our shyest Dreamers latched on to her mother and I could not help but let my face burst out in a smile. Then she hopped on to her father’s lap for a bounce and a giggle. It is so precious.

The first days were awkward.  Adriana usually hides when new people come. Just seeing the camera can make her nervous to tears. She doesn’t open up to just anyone. That is why it was so marvelous to see the bond starting to form between her and her new parents. They told me that they were concerned because all the other children were crawling all over them and giving hugs and chattering away in Spanish, but Adriana kept herself at a distance. I tried to reassure them that this was normal, that this is her way, that it will work itself out soon enough. I know this because I have seen this sweet girl get attached. I have seen her open up to me. She knows me so I know that she will let these wonderful people in as well.

Adriana is bound for down-under! For the first time I was able to speak with the adoptive parents in my first language. It was so good to chat with them and hear bits of their journey. Seven years they have been in this process. They have been reading this blog and are aware of many of the issues surrounding the adoption of Bolivian children. It was nice to talk some about Australia, as well, since I spent six weeks there right out of high school.

We are so happy for this new life that is starting. I can’t put words to the joy I have as I look into the eyes of the parents and imagine what is going on in their hearts and heads. This may be wishful thinking, but I am trying to picture a grown up Adriana. She will speak English with a laid-back Aussie accent. Who knows? Our paths may cross years from now. If that does happen I will be able to look her in the eyes and tell her about her life here, tell her that she was held and loved, tell her that I am proud of the person she has become.

Here she is with her parents:

Here is a slide show of her time at the House of Dreams:

- Angie