I spent an action-packed week with a team from Tennessee. We were down in Latacunga for 10 days and we were able to participate in many fun activities. This was the first time we took the children in Latacunga to a zoo in Banos. The zoo was not very wheelchair friendly so it was a VERY good workout. We also got to spend some time relaxing/swimming in the hot pools. On our way home, this is what we saw!

Running from danger....

Quito - October

With some of the Tias at one of the children's adoption parties

A large tree fell down in August. We then realized that we needed to cut down some of the other trees that didn't have stable roots. A couple days ago we worked to roll these huge trunks to ship them away. 

Like clockwork it rains everyday starting around 3 pm in Quito during rainy season. Yesterday we had a pretty strong thunder and lightning storm and hail! Can you see the hail on the ground?

We've had 6 adoptions in 6 weeks---amazing! This little boy was adopted by a family from Italy. I've known him since he was a little baby. I got to go to the hospital to pick him up with our social worker when he first came to FHC. It's incredible to see all the obstacles he has overcome!

Europe Travels

The word 'family' is heard a lot at FHC. We talk about finding a forever family for each child and our psychologist works with the children to help them understand what it means to be part of a family. In September I was able to experience the FHC family in a whole new way. I spent a month traveling through eleven countries in Europe, and had the privilege of connecting with many people who have a special bond- their love and support of FHC.

Maira with her husband and daughter (left), and her parents, sister and nephew (right), in front of the cafe they own.

I met with FHC adoptive families, several adoption agencies that work in Ecuador, the sponsors of many of our children, and with past FHC volunteers.

In Denmark, I visited Maira and her husband Alan. Maira was born in Ecuador, and while she was not adopted from FHC, co-founder Melinda Vaughn was instrumental in providing a warm and loving 'human touch' during her adoption in the early 1990s. Maira and Alan own a restaurant in a small town in Denmark and are the parents of 5-month-old Filippa. Maira hosted a 'meet and greet' opportunity for me and FHC at her restaurant, and baked an enormous amount of fabulous pastries for all who attended.  

Later that week, I connected with 20-year-old Marcus Sorenson and his family, Lena, Soren and Rebecca in Copenhagen. Marcus was adopted when he was a baby from FHC in the early '90s. Marcus has visited FHC several times in the last few years, most recently spending six months with us as a volunteer in 2012. Marcus is studying at a university in Copenhagen. He is diligently studying Spanish as he hopes to return to Ecuador in the coming years to spend time at FHC and with his Ecuadorian birth family, with whom he reconnected several years ago.

In Bergamo, Italy, I attended a gathering that included four FHC adoptive families, among them Carlos (Ayovi) and Carlos (Correa), who were adopted from FHC-Latacunga earlier this year. The families of Josué and Joshua, adopted in 2012, also attended. All four boys seem very happy and now speak Italian fluently - even Carlos A., who was adopted just three months ago! The boys' parents were happy to meet each other, and all of them expressed their appreciation for the Baby Books/ Memory Albums that FHC prepares for each child, containing photos and anecdotes of the child's time at FHC. We discussed forming a Facebook group to encourage Italian families who have adopted from Ecuador to stay connected and meet up on a regular basis.

FHC adoptive families in Bergamo, Italy with Jen Schneider (fifth from right, in white blouse)

The trip ended with a lovely fundraiser at the Byk family home in London. The Byks volunteered at FHC/HPSN in August 2013 with their three children, ages 4, 8 and 11. They were very impressed with the ministry and were agreeable to hosting a gathering at their home when they heard I would be in the U.K. Over 50 people attended - some signed up to sponsor a child, and others talked with me about volunteering at FHC/HPSN.

The hospitality that was extended to me during my travel was incredible. People invited me into their homes, showed me their cities, prayed with me for the ministry of FHC, took time off of work to help with transportation - I was amazed by how God placed all of these people in my life during this special time. It is an amazing feeling to be halfway around the world and listen to the stories of the strong connections that people have with FHC: adoptive families often fondly recalled time they spent with Clark and Melinda Vaughn (FHC/HPSN's co-founders), volunteers asked for news about particular children they remembered, and sponsors gave me small gifts to bring back to their sponsored child. I was amazed to see the different ways God has connected and continues to weave together people in the FHC family.

What began as a trip to help a friend move to Sweden, ended with me visiting eleven countries, with opportunities to connect with churches, students, community leaders, and many families. Thank you to all who made my visit so very special.

Former FHC Volunteers Rahel Orth and Isabel Siegel, in Germany

The very crowded fundraiser at the Byk home in London

Photos from Europe

Amanda and I in Iceland. We had a day layover and rented a car to see the country . Beautiful scenery!

Amanda out in the middle of nowhere. We were unable to continue our adventures when we came to a river and could not pass in a little car. So we got out and took a little walk for ourselves. 

In Copenhagen, Denmark with an adoptive family from FHC

In Kerteminde, Denmark with a friend adopted from Ecuador. She lives in a really great house and Amanda and I stayed with her and her family for a night!

Amanda bought a bike (which sadly was stolen a few weeks later)

In Cologne, Germany with friends from Quito

In Colmar, France with friends from Quito

A adoptive family in Italy

In Bergamo - a beautiful city!

Bergamo

I got to visit my host famiy in Spain from when I studied abroad in 2006!

The Titanic Museum in Belfast

With friends in Northern Ireland

Ireland

In London

With my friend, Izzy, in London

Views from the plane of Greenland

Hanging Out with Tia Nancy's Family

Tia Nancy has been inviting me to come to her family's house for the past few months. We finally made it work last week. Her family lives about 1 hour away. They have a beautiful house and garden and they were so hospitable. Kathryn and I learned how to make empanadas, which I found was not one of my spiritual gifts. We also drank coffee that was freshly ground at their house and did a fun nature walk. Great, relaxing day!

Trip to the Reptile Museum, Horses, and Fun!

This past Saturday, Kathryn and I took two of our boys to the reptile museum. Although now super impressed by the reptiles (apparently not snake lovers), they really enjoyed the horses outside and asked to ride them. A beautiful day in the park!

Last Week in Review

I had my first team of the summer. They were a lovely group of 9 people from Missouri. They kept a blog during their time here which gave a great overview of their time here. http://goecuador2013.blogspot.com

I'm so thankful to meet wonderful people from literally all over the world here!

Chocolate Chip Cookies and Parks

I'm thanking God that I've been able to spend some great 1:1 time with the kids lately. It's easy to get caught up in the craziness of daily schedules and activities. I'm realizing how important it is to show God's love to these beautiful children.

I've been able to have some fun outings with them these past couple weeks!

Bonding at McDonalds and then an afternoon at the park

Making high altitude chocolate chip cookies with 3 girls. We forgot an extra egg, added double the amount of flour and found egg shells in the batter. They came out....crunchy. 

She decided to be dish washer

Climbing on some fun playground equipment

Apparently this is a song...

Spa Day - Latacunga

We had our annual spa day again a couple weeks ago. This year, we also brought the fun to the Tias in Latacunga (our other home which is 2 hours south of Quito).

There was a team of 7 people who spent 3 weeks volunteering in Latacunga during the month of January.  They are part of a mission called World Race---they travel to 11 countries in 11 months and get to partner with various projects around the world. Nobody on the team spoke Spanish and this was their first time in Ecuador. They were going the full immersion route. After dropping them off at the beginning of January, I went back down to Latacunga couple weeks later so that we could to the spa day. When I arrived, I walked into a room with 500 roses. They explained that they had wanted to buy some roses for the Tias so they went down the street to a greenhouse. This greenhouse only exports flowers and does not sell them. Well somehow (again with no Spanish) they ended up being able to purchase 500 for $30!

The Tias had a great time and it was fun getting to know the Tias in Latacunga on a deeper level. I honestly do not know that how they do the work they do. They embody Matthew 25:40 when Jesus says ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

A Wonderful Reunion

It’s been about five months since Jennifer was adopted. It’s rare that parents will bring their child back to the orphanage for a visit. I think a lot of times families are hesitant because they don’t know how the child will react. On the rare occasion that a young child comes back for a visit, they often cling to their parents and become very shy.

Well this past month, we’ve had an awesome volunteer from the States at the orphanage. She is the older sister of three adopted For His Children girls. She’s pretty amazing! Anyway, she made Jennifer’s baby book album (an album that each child gets when they are adopted). Before returning back to the States, she had asked if she could personally deliver the album to Jennifer and her family. So, the parents decided to come to FHC and bring Jennifer along.

When she got out of the car, I was there to greet the family. She was in her dad’s arms and was looking around a little unsure.  As soon as he put her down on the ground, she came running to me and gave me a hug---such a precious moment. I took the family into the baby house and Jennifer was right at home. She wanted to play with all the toys and check out what all the babies were doing. It was so great to see her happy and confident. It was crazy to see how much she had grown these past five months. She is now talking and even learning to count in English!

Her parents are so sweet and as I say with all of the adoptions – it’s amazing to see God place these children with their families.   

Look how big she is!

Having fun with some rings!

Jennifer with her dad

Adopted Children

Today in church I was hit by a wonderful truth. It didn’t come in the form of a sermon or a song, but as I watched a little girl dance uninhibited in the middle of the aisle next to her adoptive family.

As we sang different songs in worship, I watched as this girl brought so much joy to those around her. I have heard often over these past four years and I have had many conversations about the truth that we are God’s adopted children. But today is when it hit me. This little girl who did not have a family a week ago is now loved beyond belief and given all the attention she deserves. She can’t comprehend all that has changed in her world over the past week. She has been chosen by this specific family and they will never abandon her.

I have watched this little girl grow over the past four years I have been here. She has been waiting for a family for seven years as she came to FHC as a newborn. I realize that God can use whoever He wants, wherever He wants. I sometimes can’t believe that He chose me to play just a tiny piece in this adoption and to be able to watch pieces fall together and children claimed as a son/daughter.

We are God’s adopted children, having been given the gift of salvation that we so don’t deserve. We may have been amazed when we first heard of this grace, but over time that truth can become dull. Just like in the future, this girl will take for granted that she has the love of a family, I constantly take for granted God’s love for me.

Tonight I’m humbled that God calls me His daughter. He will never abandon us.