"Friends of Pisingos"

This is for those that have adopted through Los Pisingos, have a heart for the orphans of Colombia, or in some small or big way want to link arms with John and I to create a foundation to raise money, volunteer, and help the children of Los Pisingos in Bogota...I know, we are probably done adopting children, but, we are not done being the voice for the lonely and broken children of Colombia...we are only beginning...

Why?! Well, let's see...scripture tells us in Psalm 10:18 to do justice to the fatherless. In Is. 1:17 it tells us to defend the cause of the fatherless...James 1:17 says that religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this...to care for the orphans...in their affliction. If we are serious about following Jesus, and desire to be His hands and feet, we must love the things that He loves. It is so obvious that His heart is for the orphan...(the poor, the widow) He is the Father to the fatherless...He sets the lonely in families...they deserve our attention!!!

We spoke with Andres and Carlos a lot about this early on in our joureny...their dream is to have Pisingos totally in the hands of families (and their families) who have adopted through the foundation. Financial times are hard, and if families just adopt and move on, the foundation will eventually be placed in the hands of the government. They then would lose control over the quality of care that the children recieve. It is heading there...but, these 2 godly men have big dreams and a vision...and they have asked us to link arms with them...

There are so many oppurtunities to help other than financial (being the biggest, obviously), they would love families to return and help volunteer or work at the foundation...there are so many children in Colombia's welfare system due to more than just poverty and young pregnancy...many due to drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, violence in the homes...street kids...obviously, with poverty comes the other...it is so out of control, even Pisingos is having difficulty housing and welcoming more children in...it is at an all time crisis in Colombia...(I know it makes you wonder why families wait so long for a baby...their gov't system stinks...think about adopting a child older than 7 and you will have placement within a few months...)!

There is a family in Colorodo that has already started a "Friends of Pisingos" in their town. You can visit their website at www.friendsoflospisingos.org to get a feel for what Carlos and Andres would like us to start in Michigan...so, to all our Pisingos families, or those who have a heart for the orphans of Colombia...are you in?! It won't take a lot, just a little time and effort to help this great institution continue to not only exist, for the lonely and broken children, but, to remain a safe, loving environment for the battered, scared and lonely birthmothers, also...a stepping stone into a loving family...or couseling into helping these precious women learn how to care for their children...

Adrianna and Jeff have agreed to partner with us. With Adrianna growing up in Bogota, and also being an adoptive mami from Pisingos...she understands the culture, gov't system, etc. very well...

So, email me if you want to link arms...I'll be in touch more once I return home and things settle down a bit...there is more to share...until then...be in prayer as to whether or not you feel God is leading you to participate...