June Update

Church Involved at Orphanage Kids in Victory:
This past month has been full of some awesome opportunities to see my church family starting to get involved at the orphanage, Kids in Victory.  Two women from my church have started bible studies with two of the young girls at the orphanage; counseling and guiding them through their pregnancies.  A couple of weeks ago one of my friends, Susy, a hair stylist, cut the kid's hair.  The following week another friend went to cut and style the director's wife's hair; it was a great time for the director's wife to rest as she is constantly on the go.  My church's women's ministry is also putting together a project to start making lunch for the kids once a week to give the orphanage workers a chance to rest.  God is bringing together a team to help serve at Kids in Victory!

Susy cutting Chavita's hair

Brayan styling his hair after getting it cut

I am also serving in an orphanage in Chapala called Love In Action.  One of the girls at Love In Action has a brother at Kids in Victory.  It has been fun being a bridge between the two of them.  They send each other letters, drawings, photos and videos.  It is so encouraging to see the joy that they have in communicating with each other.

I think one of my biggest dreams is to get the church involved in orphan care.  Not just involved in orphanages, but rather in adoption and foster care.  Bringing brothers and sisters back together.  Putting them in families.  It is exciting to see that God has put this on others' hearts as well...

Collaboration Meetings:

This past month we had a collaboration meeting with various orphanage directors, church pastors and members of DIF (Integral Family Development of Chapala- a division of government involved in orphanages).  The main focus was on how to start a foster care program to focus on placing children in families (through foster care or adoption if possible) rather than in institutions.

Collaboration Meeting

Our Team at the Meeting

Meetings with Consejo Estatal:

The government of Jalisco is also on the same page.  The Consejo Estatal de la Familia (State Family Council) has held 2 meetings this past month where we have discussed new regulations for orphanages and also how their new goal is to place children in families and not in institutions.

Meeting at Consejo Estatal

 In about 3 weeks we will have another meeting with all of the state's government agencies involved in orphanages and orphanage directors to discuss the new regulations.  Please continue praying for legal changes to facilitate foster care + adoptions.

Praise God for clarity. 
Last month I took a couple days off.  A family in Chapala invited me to spend time at their little cabin.  So I took advantage of the offer and spent those days resting and really seeking God as to where He wanted me.  I was torn between continuing to serve at Kids in Victory or moving to Chapala to work on a new foster care program.  I didn't want to leave the kids at Kids in Victory, because I have been with them for so long, however over these past 2 months I have seen God raising up a team of volunteers and people from my church who want to serve there.  And God has been opening the doors to work with the government to implement a foster care + adoption program in the orphanages of Jalisco.  I believe God is calling me to start a pilot program of foster care at the orphanage Love in Action in Chapala.  The directors are completely supportive and have been praying for such a program.  Praise God that He gave me a couple days to rest and that He is opening doors at Love in Action and within the government regulations in the state of Jalisco.  A couple of opportunities have opened up to train and learn from other organizations who have more experience in foster care/adoptions.  Continue praying for more learning opportunities and partnerships.

Nothing better than coffee and time in the Word.

Walking around the outskirts of Chapala

Lake Chapala is beautiful.

PICS FROM THIS MONTH...

Library time at Love in Action

Math Class at Kids in Victory

Coby learning his numbers

Classes in El Humedo with the little kids (1-6 yrs)

Thank you for your prayers.  We have seen God answer so many prayers over this past month.  Thank you for your faithful financial support and encouragement.  Bendiciones (Blessings).