Special Adoption Fundraiser

Dear Blog Readers: Below is the email I sent out last night to our mailing list. Don't feel obligated to give (the response has been heartwearming already!) - just wanted to share the happy news here.

Also, see the new album of the twins in the slideshow to the right. There you'll see almost ALL the photos ever taken of them. To view the album with the captions, just click on it.

March 12, 2009

Dear Supporters,

Partially due to my family’s history with adoption and partially due to God’s mandates on family and caring for others in need, adoption is special to our hearts. And well, witnessing one unfold every two or three months right before our eyes is pretty special, as well!

Casa de Amor has been so blessed to be a part of 16 adoptions in the past 2 ½ years (11 international and 5 domestic), all having gone very well. We are on track for 2009 to be a record year of adoptions, even as the whole process slows down in general due to an anti-adoption government. One lawyer told us his adoptions from other homes are stalled, but in court all he sees are files that say “Casa de Amor, Casa de Amor, Casa de Amor…” (What can I say? We pray our kids through!)

Now we want to give you the chance to participate in a special adoption. Maybe you remember that in October 2008, we took in a set of twins found abandoned in a dry riverbed, Gabriel and Gabriela. Many will remember the terrible news in January of Gabriela passing away so quickly due to a rare complication of the chicken pox virus. My grief was compounded both by the sorrow of her many “mothers” (the caregivers) and by seeing baby Gabriel, just 4 months old, who was suddenly no longer a twin.

Gabriela and Gabriel in their “twin outfits”, December 2008

But a few weeks later, our newest caregiver at the Baby Home approached us to explain something. Luz had always imagined having a family of two sons and two daughters, but after having two daughters and a son, her husband left her for someone else and her dream seemed over. But Luz came to the Lord, became a part of a vibrant church, and last year, the pastor’s wife (who has adopted with Casa de Amor’s help), spoke into her life saying that someday, Luz would adopt her fourth child. She didn’t even believe her, but here we are! Luz and her now-grown children have prayed and fasted and are very excited that God is leading them to adopt Gabriel to complete their family. We have helped Luz talk to the best adoption lawyer we know, who told her she can absolutely apply for custody of our now 6 month old much-loved Gabriel, even before he has “adoptability” status. He is so sweet-tempered and happy, just like his mom-want-to-be, Luz (which means “light” in Spanish). My only concern is that he would be completely spoiled!!

Tia Luz feeding several at once, but still attentive to baby Gabriel (rocking him with her foot)

Luz also asked us to pray with her that God would make a way if this is His will, because financially she will not be able to afford the approximately $400-500 cost of the two step process over the next few months: gaining legal custody and then applying to adopt Gabriel. As a “family” who loves and adores baby Gabriel, and deeply appreciates the ladies who sow their lives into these children who have no one else, Casa de Amor desires to help Luz as her family pursues this adoption. This is actually the first adoption by a Casa de Amor staff member, and might also inspire others to do the same.

We are so excited to think of Gabriel’s future as the special child who “completes” this sweet Christian family. He will also have a mother and sisters who knew and cared for baby Gabriela, and being adopted locally means he will stay in Cochabamba and can eventually visit his sister’s grave.

If you are touched by this unfolding story, please consider giving towards adoption expenses. For all that can be gained, the amount is really small, and with the participation of many it will not be a burden to any one person.

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him.”
I Samuel 1:27

This week Luz is beginning the paperwork process with the lawyer and child welfare services, so please be in prayer about meeting this special need. For giving information, see below.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!


Blessings,
Jennifer Thompson
Founder/Director
Casa de Amor Children’s Homes
Cochabamba, Bolivia

Donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to GOAL, “Global Orphan Assistance League”, specifying “Gabriel” on a separate piece of paper.

GOAL
PO Box 3201
McKinney, TX 75070
(972) 562-4496

www.casadeamor.org
Visit http://hogardeamor.blogspot.com/ for many more stories on the twins (click on the label “Gabriela” half way down column on the right) and other children

Casa de Amor Children’s Homes
A ministry of Hogares de Amor para Niños (Homes of Love for Children) and Global Orphan Assistance LeagueSharing Christ’s Love with the Children of Bolivia